Members Special Fund

on the Natural and Built Environment Bill, ICNZ advised that insured losses from extreme weather events in the last month would exceed the comparable losses for all of 2022 – a record year at $336 million.

In response to the influx of claims, the government expanded a service used after the Christchurch earthquakes to help people navigate the claims process.

The NZ Claims Resolution Service will provide expert support to homeowners to avoid disputes, resolve issues and ensure their claims are settled as quickly as possible.

ICNZ welcomed the nationwide expansion, with chief executive Tim Grafton describing the service as “invaluable” in offering “truly independent, free advice” and helping people through the process.

But the country mustn’t lose the opportunity to build back better.

“Repairing and rebuilding property and infrastructure in high-risk areas to the same specifications as the past will only lead to a repeat of the dreadful consequences we have all seen,” Grafton said. “Now is the moment to reset and ask questions about whether to rebuild in some locations and if we do, how to rebuild better to better protect ourselves.”

Robertson said difficult conversations loomed as to how the country adapted to a hotter world. “Two words New Zealanders are going to get used to hearing over the next few years [are] ‘managed retreat’.” ■

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