Remediation work to step up following New Zealand earthquakes

Residents have less than a week to apply for compensation after two devastating earthquakes rocked New Zealand and a new man has been appointed to lead the clean-up.


Much of the capital Christchurch is still in ruins and a red zone is remains off limits to business and homeowners.

But, the country is pressing ahead with the clear up following the quakes, one in September last year and the most recent in February.

Next Monday (May 23) is the final day for residents to submit compensations claims ot the Earthquake Commission.

The work also moved forward with last week’s announcement of a new chief executive for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.

Earthquake recovery minister, Gerry Brownlee, has welcomed Roger Sutton, the current chief executive of Canterbury electricity lines company Orion Networks, to the role.

Mr Brownlee: “Roger has been an outstanding leader as Orion Networks’ chief executive, and he has a very keen appreciation of the extent of damage from the earthquakes and need for recovery here in the city.

“I’m sure Roger’s appointment will speed the recovery process. I think all Cantabrians, and particularly the residents of Christchurch city, can be confident we have found a chief executive who is more than up to the job.”

Mr Sutton will start his new role in mid-June.

Luke Walsh

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