The New Zealand Government says it will make further changes to the operation of the Earthquake Commission (EQC) as recommended by a public inquiry when it introduces new legislation next year.

The inquiry’s report, triggered by concerns over handling of Canterbury earthquake claims, was submitted by Dame Silvia Cartwright in March and includes 70 recommendations directed at EQC and the Government.

Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods says the Government has already taken action to resolve some of the issues highlighted by Dame Silvia.

“We will now build on the progress made, and the Government is committed to implementing all of the recommendations in the report,” she said on release of the Government’s response today.

Finance Minister and Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Grant Robertson says this week marks 10 years since the Darfield-centred quake that was the first in a series of devastating Canterbury earthquakes.

“We expect to introduce legislation in the middle of next year to modernise the EQC Act,” he said. “The new Act will respond to many recommendations in the inquiry’s report, providing certainty for claimants and agencies involved in responding to natural disasters.”

EQC says it is well advanced in implementing changes, while highlighting a recommendation for greater clarity of the organisation’s role as a matter of urgency, along with a clear mandate and mechanism for its post-disaster operations.

“Gaining this clarity is fundamental to making further improvements and we are working closely with Government agencies to set out exactly who does what when another disaster strikes,” Chairman Mary-Jane Daly said.

EQC is also creating a broad-reaching advisory group to help guide its work into the future, following lessons learned from Canterbury.

“There are no original claims left from the original earthquakes, but customers do have the right to make further claims when any damage was missed or under-assessed, and we are continuing to provide services for these customers,” Ms Daly said.

“EQC in 2020 is a completely different organisation than we were in August 2010, and we are confident we are now better set up to help all New Zealanders to prepare for and recover from the next natural disaster whenever that might happen.”