New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission (EQC) has paid out nearly $NZ850 million ($632 million) in claims following the two Christchurch earthquakes and aftershocks.

The EQC says it has received more than 312,000 claims since the first major earthquake on September 4, of which 127,000 are from the larger event on February 22.

It has completed almost 10,000 full assessments for damage from the February 22 quake and assessed 180,000 homes under its rapid assessment process.

EQC CEO Ian Simpson says 8000 urgent repairs have been completed since the end of February.

He says that after the second quake, the EQC worked with private insurers to ensure there was a standardised assessment procedure to assessing claims for damage over the $NZ100,000 ($74,394) EQC cap.

“This allows us to approve those claims and make payment quicker and easier,” he says.

Under the rapid assessment process, more than 12,000 homes have been identified as needing repairs over the $NZ100,000 cap, and another 8000 have been categorised as severely damaged and possibly over the cap. Full assessments on these properties should be completed by mid-July.

Another 40,000 have been classed as moderately damaged and should be fully assessed by mid-September while 120,000 households with minor or no apparent damage can expect a full assessment by mid-December.

The commission’s project manager, Fletchers EQR, has accredited 500 contracting firms employing 2500 staff to carry out the repairs. Work has also begun with the Christchurch City Council and Civil Defence on procedures for specialist teams to enter the CBD and rockfall-prone areas.