My Insurance Nightmare….

Since I published , many people have asked me about my personal insurance story, as this is not covered in the book. So in response, I am pleased to provide a brief break down of the facts:

Quote from The Marlborough Express

“Former Christchurch Central MP Brendon Burns suggested the group form a cluster and hold monthly meetings to discuss who was doing what around the rebuild, including roadblocks and opportunities. Mr Burns was integral in setting up the trip to Christchurch and the forum in Blenheim last year. Although Marlborough had made some positive connections in [...]

UC designs phone app for Christchurch’s historic High Street precinct

The University of Canterbury (UC) has designed a phone app and a website for Christchurch’s quake-hit historic High Street precinct which was severely damaged in the February 22 earthquake.

United front over quake rebuild

Marlborough businesses need to work together to provide seamless delivery of services and materials of the scale required for the Christchurch rebuild. That was the message to the 25 Marlborough delegates who attended a two-day forum in Christchurch this week, aimed at connecting with key people and groups involved in the rebuild. Marlborough is believed [...]

EQC’s OIA Incompetence

The Official Information Act (OIA) exists to promote transparency in New Zealand.  Under the Official Information Act, the government acknowledges the public’s right demand information concerning government activities along with permitting individuals to access information that government entities have on them. 

What is Happening to Claims Under $15,000

Many homeowners in Christchurch whose houses have less than $15,000 worth of damage wonder when EQC will settle their claims.  Initially, EQC stated that it would have all these claims settled by July of 2012.  

Quote from The Press

“Marlborough businesses should form a Christchurch rebuild cluster to capitalise on opportunities from the rebuild. That was the suggestion of former Christchurch Central MP Brendon Burns who, together with the Marlborough District Council and the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, organised a two-day visit to Christchurch for representatives of nearly 20 Marlborough businesses.”  The Press, Jan [...]

Now is the perfect time to invest in the Christchurch property market

expert researching how organisations can improve as recovery grows

A University of Canterbury (UC) researcher is looking at how organisations can improve their response and recovery in disasters and provide local businesses with best practice recommendations in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes.

East side stories: a survey of two contrasting suburbs – UC researcher

A University of Canterbury (UC) researcher has found differences and similarities between the hard-hit east side Christchurch suburbs of Aranui and Sumner following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

Marlborough chases opportunities

Marlborough businesses should form a Christchurch rebuild cluster to capitalise on opportunities from the rebuild. That was the suggestion of former Christchurch Central MP Brendon Burns who, together with the Marlborough District Council and the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, organised a two-day visit to Christchurch for representatives of nearly 20 Marlborough businesses. Speaking to the [...]

Multi-Dwelling Claims on Hold

Businesses test the lie of Christchurch land

About 17 Marlborough businesses are in Christchurch today firming up relations with major players involved in the city’s rebuild. With trips to the red zone and new developments, the Marlborough delegates will get a sense of the scale of the job which is expected to last 10 to 15 years, as some 150,000 houses and [...]

UC researcher looking at post-quake anxiety in children

Anxiety still exists among Christchurch children, two years on since the earthquakes, a University of Canterbury (UC) researcher said today.

Public barbecue to celebrate World Wetlands Day

The public and media of Christchurch are invited to a nature walk and barbecue to celebrate World Wetlands Day, on .

The document filing system to keep on top of your paperwork

NZ Army to explain civil defence failure

Media Release: Rik Tindall, ECan In Exile

John Key State of Nation Speech 2013

Rt Hon John Key

CCDU has purchased One property…. thats Progress for them…

The Boom is about to Begin: the Perpetual Rebuild

I read in the paper yet again this week that the Canterbury Rebuild is said to accelerate, the boom is about to begin. Which boom? The Central City building boom or is there going to be a serious effort to …

Understanding what happened to AMI…

AMI Insurance (AMI) had 1.2055 million policies as of June 30, 2011,  representing NZD 25.4 million (investment income) in profit and assets of  NZD 2.3 billion (2011). 

Christchurch recovery presents opportunities for Wellington

Tuesday, 22 January 2013, 1:12 pm Press Release: Grow Wellington EMBARGOED UNTIL MONDAY 21 JANUARY 2013 Christchurch recovery presents remarkable opportunities for Wellington businesses. ________________________________________ The Canterbury recovery and rebuild will pick up momentum in 2013. It is now broadly accepted that the impact of the recovery will boost the New Zealand economy for years [...]

Marlborough forms links for rebuild

Marlborough has been quick to create opportunities to enable businesses to take part in the Christchurch rebuild, the man working to link the two areas says. Brendon Burns, a former Christchurch Central MP and former editor of the Marlborough Express now living in Blenheim, is working with the Marlborough District Council and Marlborough Chamber of [...]

My submission to Treasury as part of the review of the Earthquake Commission.

As many of you will be aware the Earthquake Commission’s (EQC) funding and structure is to come under scrutiny in a government review of the legislation designed to provide a degree of public insurance and financial protection when natural disasters strike. Finance Minister Bill English and Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee announced the review of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 to be led by Treasury, with help from the Reserve Bank, EQC, Ministry of Business, Innovation ...

UC confirms status as world-leading academic institution in earthquake design research

January 20, 2013

4.6 Aftershock Rocks Christchurch - January 19 2013

At 9:15pm on the 19 January 2013, Christchurch and Canterbury were shaken by a 4.6 aftershock that was centred near Rolleston. It was the largest shake the area has had in over six months. recorded the magnitude as 4.62 at 12 kilometres deep and it released 128 tonnes of energy.

Again Policyholders Miss Out: the Delay to the Solvency II Legislation

Call for Commission of Inquiry

Land scrap starts to heat up…

Insurance Company blatantly says: “You will get what you are given” ; Customer: “Excuse me! Did I hear you correctly?”

On Thursday 3rd of January 2012, I watched a program on Heartland TV about one woman’s struggle with her insurance company. It was clear to me that from the tone of the conversation with the CEO of State 

Insurance Company blatantly says: “You will get what you are given” ; Customer: “Excuse me! Did I hear you correctly?”

On Thursday 3rd of January 2012, I watched a program on Heartland TV about one woman’s struggle with her insurance company. It was clear to me that from the tone of the conversation with the CEO of State Insurance (an IAG subsidiary) …

The People of the Christchurch CBD Red Zone

Activation

[STUDIO CHCH SUMMER SCHOOL 2013] ACTIVATING THE GREEN FRAME & THE AVON PRECINCT The Green Frame & Avon Precinct, as proposed in the recently released CCDU Blueprint, has the unique potential of suturing together architecture, landscape architecture and urbanism. The Green Frame & Avon Precinct is the cities largest ‘transitional project.’ The government is purchasing …

Summer School 2013

STUDIO CHRISTCHURCH SUMMER SCHOOL 2013 ACTIVATING THE GREEN FRAME & AVON PRECINCT The Green Frame & Avon Precinct, as proposed in the recently released CCDU Blueprint, has the unique potential of suturing together architecture, landscape architecture and urbanism. The Green Frame & Avon Precinct is the cities largest ‘transitional project.’ The government is purchasing private …

We have moved!

The Earthquake Kiwi Bond

Finance Minister Bill English launched the Earthquake Kiwi Bond, “The Government is borrowing the bulk of that money in the short-term and the Earthquake Kiwi Bond provides a way for local investors to contribute and help reduce the amount New Zealand needs to borrow overseas.”  

An Open Letter to All New Zealanders

By Rev Mike Coleman On Behalf of WeCan! and the many Cantabrians who are struggling to be heard.  Written in November 2011. The media would not publish it. From the centre of three earthquakes we write this letter to you, the …

Poptimist ahoy

Earlier this month, I spent a few days in Hobart while attending the conference.This is my favourite photo from the trip, taken on the first afternoon during a random walkabout. In the background is the conference venue, the UTAS School of Art - a converted jam factory on the waterfront.

Brightly painted fishing boats and floating restaurants dominate Hobart harbour - rather a nice change from the hulking great container ships that are prominent in Lyttelton. It was also nice to spend s ...

2012 Days of Xmas

Another year, another version!

Cathedral Square Walkway Open for Christmas and New Year

The Ruggie Principles, Human Rights and the Insurance Industry?

Is the insurance Industry aware of its duties to the people of Canterbury under The Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights? These principles, known as the Ruggie Principles are  endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council and later incorporated into OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (2011), ISO 26000, the new Sustainability Policy of the International Finance Corporation, and the European Commissions’ new Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy. The principles a ...

Christchurch stagnates….And so another year passes…..

Locked out of undamaged factory for 668 days…. Do we own our building…..142 days who knows…? The business community is swirling with rumours about the CCDU. Unfortunately I can not tell you most of them as I will end up …

Printing Christchurch Dollars – A Wacky Idea? Some say not! by William Mook (Guest Post)

Towns in Ireland and Britain are using alternative currency schemes to put wealth in their pockets.  Why not Christchurch? Shop owners in the small town of Clones began accepting the old Irish pound, the Irish Punt, last March to help …

Swarm Housing

Multiplicity

Plant Science Park

Live + Work + Play

Arts Centre

Avon Apartments

Avon Riverfront Market

Creative Startup

Armagh Street Mixed-Use

24 Hour Christchurch

Vertical Village

[D

T.A.R.O URBAN PROJECT

Sun Spa Hotel

Eco-Village

Research Campus

NZIA Awards

[THESIS 2012] Congratulations to the Future Christchurch thesis group for receiving honorable mention at the NZIA Student Design Awards! (link) VIDEO OF PRESENTATION PDF OF PRESENTATION BOARDS

The Stadium Building Experience

A Potted History of UK Stadium and Arena Development With the AMI stadium out of action and blueprint plans for a new ‘central city stadium’ in the media recently we