7 Apr 2015

PM stands by EQC comments

4:48 pm on 7 April 2015

The Prime Minister is standing by his comments that most Cantabrians are happy with the Earthquake Commission's home repair programme.

John Key

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Information provided under the Official Information Act showed John Key's office received 560 letters about the Commission, but his chief of staff said only two are identifiable as being from dissatisfied homeowners.

Speaking in Christchurch today Mr Key said Cantabrians understood that the number of earthquake claims was unprecedented for the country and for the Commission.

"Seventy thousand particular repairs, there's bound to be a few where people have concerns and some of those letters to my office will simply be for a variety of reasons, some will be querying a particular thing. It doesn't mean people are necessarily complaining.

"For the most part, in my experience, Cantabrians are resilient people they understand it is a difficult process for everyone including EQC."

Many houses, such as this one in Cramner Square, were damaged beyond repair in the Christchurch earthquakes.

Many houses, such as this one in Cramner Square, were damaged beyond repair in the Christchurch earthquakes. Photo: 123RF

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