EQC culture change long overdue
It will be a glorious day in Christchurch when the final Earthquake Commission (EQC) repair is done to the satisfaction of everyone involved, but that day is still some time off.
Many would have assumed that seven years would be long enough to fix every quake-damaged house, but that proved optimistic. There are still 2600 cases to go, nearly half of which are re-repairs, and there is a very good chance that further re-repairs will emerge.
It has been a stressful and traumatic time for too many people in Christchurch. Residents often felt there was an ‘‘us and them’’ dynamic in the post-quake period. The recovery and rebuild was being done to them as much as for them, and it was imposed by Wellington. As successive elements of the rebuild devolved to local management, EQC seemed increasingly like a throwback to the bad old days of tight-lipped, defensive organisations that did not always seem to have local interests at heart.
Even outgoing chairman Sir Maarten Wevers’ parting letter to EQC Minister Megan Woods reeked of defensiveness. In what seems an arch tone, he wrote: ‘‘I should not have to remind you that repairing houses is not, and never has been, part of the Earthquake Commission’s role, and we embarked on that pressing national need from a standing start – with no suitably experienced staff, systems, capabilities or partners’’.
Homeowners stuck in EQC limbo will not be thrilled to hear these and other excuses, seven years after the 2011 earthquake, from the chairman of a Crown entity that exists solely for public benefit. It is easy to understand why the minister has appeared frustrated.
Woods recognised long ago that a culture change was desperately needed. Former Labour cabinet minister Dame Annette King is an ideal choice to be interim chairwoman as EQC aims to become more accountable to the public, more people-focused and less remote. Further changes to the EQC board will also reflect the new approach.
EQC media management still leaves much to be desired. It was embarrassing to hear an underprepared staffer face questions from John Campbell on RNZ, while media-shy chief executive Sid Miller was unavailable. It left an impression of an organisation that sees itself as above public scrutiny.
Former EQC Minister Gerry Brownlee declined to talk about how EQC performed under his watch. He did, however, comment to Stuff that EQC had delivered ‘‘exceptional results’’ and Wevers was ‘‘pivotal to the EQC’S remarkable response’’.
What a difference from Woods’ view, expressed to Wevers, that the EQC has not moved fast enough or with necessary urgency. Most Christchurch homeowners would agree with the latter and will have welcomed seeing Woods bring her own sense of urgency to EQC.