Southerly by David Haywood

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Southerly: Tower Insurance Have Some Bad News For You

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  • Robert Urquhart,

    It’s not just in Christchurch that it’s happening – in fact the most vocal/vicious “righteous outrage” I’ve heard about from my friends often seems to come from people who aren’t actually here, or necessarily directly affected.

    Which parallels other my observations in other cases. It’s really easy to get wound up on someone elses behalf and launch an attack against the symbol of the “faceless corporation” without thinking about whether the person wearing that symbol is actually responsible for the problem. I know I’m guilty of this of occasion when I blog about an issue and don’t differentiate between the people who set policy and the people who find themselves in the position of having to implement it.

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2009 • 163 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Tower = we rot

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Hebe,

    But the land is so poked that the Govt has declared it uninhabitable! Surely Tower's view cannot stand up in law.

    Can if Fieldmarshall Brownlee declares so. Again, bound to have been part of those secret negotiations anyway.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Heather W.,

    Meanwhile the insurers are in court to argue over whether AMI can trademark MY INSURANCE . From Stuff

    The main insurance firms have united in opposing the application and have appealed against the decision to the High Court in Wellington.

    Brendan Brown, QC, representing AA Insurance, IAG New Zealand, Tower Insurance and Vero Insurance, told the court yesterday that the "my" trademarks being sought by AMI were plain English terms in common use by the industry and its customers.

    And if the services are to be dug up, how do the green areas within red zones continue? Eg Landy Street, Dallington - numbers 16 to 41 are in the green zone and all other houses in the same street are red zoned.

    North Shore • Since Nov 2008 • 189 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to BenWilson,

    Silence and backroom discussion just isn't an option

    I doubt the government would agree based on their conduct so far. Though CERA's Roger Sutton might - could be an interesting tension of styles emerging there.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • andin,

    and ring-ins from out of town would have less to lose, and be chosen (and paid) for their hardness,

    If it gets to that, using hard nuts because they don't care. We've all lost.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • Thomas Johnson,

    Can if Fieldmarshall Brownlee declares so. Again, bound to have been part of those secret negotiations anyway.

    I heard that there was an election in a few months. I wonder what the range of promises on Christchurch will look like.

    Wellington • Since Oct 2007 • 98 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Christchurch City Council announces an extra 1.76% eqnz rates levy for the next 5 years (with a 5.34% rise on top for this year).

    Meanwhile, Budget background docs reveal Treasury's calculations on a national levy as the Greens had proposed.

    Treasury reported to the Government that in Australia a levy was imposed after the Queensland foods at a rate of 0.5 per cent on all taxable income between A$50,000 ($64,600) and A$100,000, and 1 per cent on income over A$100,000, which raised A$1.8b in a year.

    It said if that was applied in New Zealand it would raise only $250 million, and to raise significant revenue through a levy it would have to be imposed at a higher rate or at a lower starting income threshold, or both.

    A flat one per cent levy on all taxable income would raise roughly $1.2b, it said.

    The Greens, who haven't given up, said today Christchurch City Council was imposing an earthquake levy on those who could least afford it - the city's ratepayers.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Raymond A Francis, in reply to Sacha,

    I don't know about that I do know but it has been reported in the papers that my Ecan rates are going to rise by 33% thanks to the fall in values in Christchurch
    That is nothing of course as we are going to pay extra through insurence premiums thanks to the real cost of quakes

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    wrote (beforehand)

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to andin,

    If it gets to that, using hard nuts because they don't care. We've all lost.

    http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/timeline/24/10
    also
    http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/strikes-and-labour-disputes/5

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to nzlemming,

    And of course, 1951.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Kris V,

    random updates...

    being in Auckland for the massive 2.9 aftershock last night was interesting. Didn't feel it at all but pmsl when heard about it on the radio. Best quote in the Herald this morning: it was big enough to move the remotes on the coffee table. <snort>

    2x AMI
    1: our insurance has changed slightly but significantly... what was previously a monthly policy, paid on a monthly basis, has now become an annual policy, paid monthly. No difference in outlay but we now seem to be 'locked in' for a set length of time now. Interesting.

    2: 20 minutes into our North Island holiday, AMI rang about our house - demolition is now confirmed. No date as yet but she's definitely coming down. We've been on tenterhooks waiting for this, our worst nightmare was that AMI would suddenly decide it was going to be fixed despite all the evidence to the contrary. My faith in insurance companies doing the sensible/honourable thing is not strong these days.

    Shakeytown • Since Nov 2008 • 61 posts Report

  • Christopher Dempsey,

    I certainly felt last night at my sister's place in St Heliers. Loud noise then the whole house shook (2 storey wooden villa). We thought something had crashed or something so went outside to check - all was calm. We managed to figure out it was an earthquake, and texted friends etc. But the net was pretty quick - GNS was quick off the mark in telling where and what power.

    Just that little jolt of two seconds was enough for me to glimpse what Chch people might be going through - a small panic - and wondering - was there going to be another... (fortunately in Auckland - nope, rarely happens apparently) and to have this experience a couple of times a day for months would be very very wearyingly on people...

    Parnell / Tamaki-Auckland… • Since Sep 2008 • 659 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Christopher Dempsey,

    and to have this experience a couple of times a day for months would be very very wearyingly on people…

    In some ways what is worse,
    is when we don't have them!

    It is now 24 hours since any
    recorded shakes here, and that
    is unnerving as it feels like the
    pressure is building somewhere...

    - I think I (we?) have the seismic
    equivalent of Stockholm Syndrome,
    it is definitely like a hostage situation
    (hmmm, maybe this would've fitted
    better on Emma's post)

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I've thought the same about Stockholm Syndrome. Not that I don't want the earth to be quiet...maybe if I don't pay it any attention it won't move? Such are the random thoughts of the hostages; along with resigning myself to never sleeping without a good pair of stomping shoes by the bed. My dearly beloved must have a jemmy bar under his side of the bed "in case I need to smash my way through to the children/out the door". Seems reasonable to him, and he can sleep that way. A city full of OCD?

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Just thinking,

    Fear fills the void.
    Does anyone have info on CBD white zones that are currently open for business; the science of drop zones (ballistics); and the area asbestos is likely to travel in a deconstructed city?

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    1001 uses for a swamp.

    The dreams for an Avon River Park

    Been doing a bit of digging about cities that heve been rebuilt after earthquakes.

    Port Royal, Jamaica. Liquefaction, Tsunami

    Lisbon. Tusmani, Mottos, wide streets squares

    Skopje Japanese architect assisgned to redesign the place

    San Francisco. Here you can discover that one of the few releif houses remaining has recently sold for $600,000. Note: Chch has not rioted.... yet.

    And beware, and be very aware!!!!:

    In the rush to rebuild the city, building standards were first made much more stringent, but after about a year, they were in fact lowered, instead of strengthened, "by upwards of 50%" according to historian Robert Hansen.

    All rebuilt eventually. People moved. People stayed. But they seemed to have coped. And I have to say, after looking back at some of these, it seems like it was just a weekend. Time moves on. Less than one generation and it has gone. Hopefully and necessarily, the next generation will know why our new buildings are built like brick shithouses (reinforced and base isolated of course) and the Govt and local bodies will have the clout and the fortitude to ensure the standards are maintained.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    Just to go back in time - Rodney Grapes has a new book almost out on 'The visitation: the earthquakes of 1848 and the destruction of Wellington'. Promises lots of eyewitness accounts, geological context and consideration of possible future movement of the Wellington fault. Victoria University Press, $40. Heard him speak on Saturday about the 1855 Wellington earthquakes (Wairarapa fault). That one was over 8 and aftershocks, including large ones, went on for a year. Changed the shoreline. Fascinating. He has been studying this topic for decades.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Ross Mason,

    The dreams for an Avon River Park

    As Mr Haywood posted on his other now-closed thread:

    4. There will be no giant park (as things are currently planned).

    The bit I didn’t foresee – and, obviously, I totally admit my lack of vision here – is that the government would move people off the land in the short term, and then have the land remediated by the private sector via onselling the land to property developers in the long term.

    Which I gotta admit is a smart solution by the government…

    Let's hope that approach works better than the private development of some of the city's more recent subdivisions. What could possibly go wrong?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    What do you mean Sacha??? Bexley was a model suburb. Low shrubs made the place look great!!!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Ross Mason,

    And I'll bet that Pacific Park place was pleasingly soft on the feet of children..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Te Listener has some detailed stories about people's situations after the announcement of colour zones.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Just to really bum you out, watch tonight's leaky homes documentary, A Rotten Shame, 9.30 on TV One. And curse the day the Building Act 1991 was passed into law.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    Heard him speak on Saturday about the 1855 Wellington earthquakes (Wairarapa fault). That one was over 8 and aftershocks, including large ones, went on for a year.

    Was that the one that sent high waves zooming back and forth across Wellington Harbour for hours? That must have been a sight. A scary sight.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

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