New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission (EQC) will establish an independent mediation service for disputes that can be settled by negotiation.

The Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand will administer the scheme and provide mediators, and the EQC will fund the free service.

EQC GM Customer Services Bruce Emson says there can be significant differences in perspective between customers and the EQC that are best resolved with the help of someone neutral.

“The aim is to provide the EQC and its customers with the opportunity to look afresh with the help of a totally independent mediator who has no predetermined view,” he said.

Matters that go to mediation might be about valuations or options for remediation, but mediators will not handle disputes about interpretations of legislation.