New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission (EQC) is being pressured to pay the bills of tradesmen doing repair work around Christchurch or face legal action.

According to a report in today’s New Zealand Herald, the commission owes hundred of thousands of dollars to tradesmen for post-earthquake work.

Prime Minister John Key says he has personally raised the issue with the EQC and says it is something the government “is pushing along”.

An EQC spokesman told the newspaper payments are usually be made within 21 days if invoices are in order.

“Some contractors are not willing to comply with requests from the EQC regarding their invoicing, and subsequently payment is delayed,” he said.

Meanwhile, major builder Fletcher Construction, which is the EQC’s project manager for the Christchurch reconstruction program, says it has so far been paid more than $NZ5 million ($3.8 million) in management fees and expenses.

An EQC spokesman did not respond to calls from insuranceNEWS.com.au.