50 years ago Dr Martin Luther King had a dream to unite one nation…that same sentiment I am sure was felt when the CERA legislation was voted 100% in favour of. To bring together affected Communities, Cross party members, Central and local government to rebuild Canterbury after the devastating earthquakes…It certainly what we hoped for However the Quake Outcasts case has seen that one of the cornerstone decisions in the recovery strategy Red Zoning, was found to be illegal, not only illegal nationally, but it interfered with international Covenants for Civil and Political Rights and Economic Social and Cultural Rights. The use and enjoyment of ones home is a fundamental human right. This case has uncovered a much wider issue than what has been reported in the media ie insured and uninsured payments, which is why the crown are appealing. Whilst Red Zoning may have been one mans dream, it was a nightmare for others, Red Zoning targeted low rateable value areas, making replacing homes of that value difficult, coupled with the change to the DBH guidelines allowing repairs to not being repaired and rebuilds to go to repairs, meant a further reduction in payout. We have seen residents that owned their own home having to rent, to downsize, or to take on additional debt…in the last weeks I have spoken to people that accepted Red Zone offers, despite being fully insured they have ending up either renting or taking on additional debt of between $160K and $300K. Sadly for those Red Zoners their fate is sealed we can not turn back the clock for those that felt they had no option and were bullied into what has now been judged an illegal process. Whilst we can not turn back time, the hill residents are still waiting for their review decision, now is the time to apply the CERA legislation as it was written "to enable the affected communities to participate in the planning of the recovery", for all parties to sit around a table, council, the hill communities, cross party members and government and Cera, and discuss what needs to happen and develop a plan so these poor families can get on with there lives. The Minister must comply with the legislation or be held in contempt of court. The outcome of the Quake Outcasts case has far wider implications for New Zealand, the Crown can not run rough shod over our rights, its not about the money. its about our freedom of choice our Fundamental Property Rights, our Human Rights.
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 11:19:23 +0000
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