Land has been mapped into four zones – red, orange, green and white. Homeowners can check the zoning of their property via a website www.landcheck.org.nz or by contacting the government helpline on 0800 779 997. Further information is also available on the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA)'s website www.cera.govt.nz
Red land
Red land is not suitable for continued residential use. Homeowners in a red land zone will be offered options to have their properties purchased by the government so that they can relocate (more information below).
Orange land
Orange land is where engineers need to undertake further investigation. Some of the damage in these areas is a direct result of the magnitude 5.6 and 6.3 earthquakes which struck on 13 June, and has not yet been adequately assessed to provide residents with certainty.
Property owners in the orange land zone will be written to shortly by the government, outlining the expected timeframe for further assessment of their neighbourhoods. We don’t have any further details on timeframes at this stage.
Green land
Green land has been assessed as suitable to allow the repair and rebuilding of homes to go ahead. We’ve recommenced rebuilds and repairs in parts of Canterbury where there is no land damage and/or minimal risk of aftershock damage.
We are prioritising claims by location i.e. green zone first, focusing first on those with uninhabitable homes. You can expect further information from us in the near future.
White land
White land includes the Port Hills and CBD. It is either still being mapped or not residential land.
No decisions have been made by the Government on commercial or uninsured property.
What happens next for red land?
The government is offering two options to insured property owners in red land zones so you can choose how you want to go forward:
- The government makes you an offer to purchase your entire property (land and dwelling) at the current rating value, adjusted for any major improvements made since the rating value was set (for example, an extension). In return, we will pay the benefits of your insurance policy to the government; or
- The government makes an offer to purchase the land only and you can continue to deal with us in relation to your home insurance claim.
Christchurch homeowners can check their current rating valuation through www.ratesinfo.ccc.govt.nz and Waimakariri homeowners through www.waimakariri.govt.nz.
We are working with the government to agree how these two options will work for our policies and customers.
In the meantime, we will conduct a final assessment of all our customers’ red land zone residential properties to help them decide on the best option. This is already underway and we expect to finish this in the next 6-8 weeks. We will provide further information in the coming weeks.
Residential property owners in the residential red land zone will receive a phone call and information in the mail from the Ministry of Social Development over the coming days.
The government aims to make an offer of purchase to homeowners in the red land zone within the next eight weeks, and homeowners will then have nine months to consider the offer.
Remaining insured
It is important you remain insured until the day of final settlement. This will protect your interests and secure your settlement options. We are committed to providing insurance to our customers in the red land zone until the time they leave.
Temporary accommodation
Customers in the red zone keep their entitlement to any unused portion of their temporary accommodation allowance if they need to leave their property before any settlement.
The government also has temporary accommodation assistance available through the Ministry of Social Development. Go to www.quakeaccommodation.govt.nz or call 0800 673 227 to find out more about this.
Further information
You have questions or concerns about the zoning of your property, please go to www.landcheck.govt.nz or call the government helpline on 0800 779 997.
We are continuing to work in conjunction with government, local authorities and relevant experts on your behalf, and are committed to progressing matters as quickly as possible.
Please contact you claims case manager if you have further questions.