The Court of Appeal has ruled that owners of uninsured homes in Christchurch's red zone were discriminated against by the government.
Christchurch's red zone. Photo: RNZ/Conan Young
A group of 45 uninsured property owners, who call themselves the quake outcasts, have won a six-year battle with the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.
After the earthquakes, the government offered to purchase almost all properties in the residential red zone, an area formerly occupied by 9000 residents in the city's east.
However, the then-minister for Christchurch's recovery, Gerry Brownlee, decided that offers would not be made on uninsured properties.
Today the Court of Appeal has found that decision to be unlawful and discriminatory.
It has given leave for the quake outcasts to seek payment from the government.
