14 Dec 2015

Whanganui residents prepare to battle EQC in courts

1:45 pm on 14 December 2015

Whanganui property owners who say they have been left out of pocket by the Earthquake Commission (EQC) are considering going to court.

Mark Goodier

Mark Goodier Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

Bastia Hill resident Mark Goodier said about 80 people whose property was affected by slips after the June floods have met a Christchurch insurance advocate, Brian Staples of Earthquake Services, to assess their legal options.

He said he intends to fight an EQC decision that his house was undamaged. A chunk of his land slipped away, and his property has been red-stickered.

Mr Goodier said he had been told he could not challenge the $113,000 compensation he had been offered for land damage, despite EQC estimating it would cost $210,000 to repair.

Mr Staples said it was unclear how many Whanganui residents might be able to challenge the EQC payouts.

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