Compensation May End for Flood Victims Who Were Aware of the Risk

A bipartisan NZ Select Committee report has said the government can’t afford to keep paying out to people who choose to remain in flood-prone areas.
Compensation May End for Flood Victims Who Were Aware of the Risk
An aerial photo taken on Feb. 14, 2023 shows flooding caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in Awatoto, near the city of Napier, New Zealand. STR/AFP via Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
Updated:
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With New Zealand’s Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) struggling to rebuild its reserves after emptying its account to pay for rebuilding following two major earthquakes, ministers have signalled that homeowners who persist in living in known flood-prone areas may become ineligible for up to $300,000 (US$187,000) post-event payout in the event of a disaster.

New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world with access to government-funded residential land insurance. The fund was first created in 1945 and administered through what was then called the Earthquake and War Damage Commission.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.
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