Hunger striker ‘won’t give up’

Hunger-striking Christchurch homeowner Peter Glasson insists he ‘‘won’t blink first’’ in his earthquake insurance protest.

Glasson said last night he was weak and tired, and had lost 6 kilograms, but was determined to go on.

He and wife Anne are protesting at the lack of progress with their 2011 earthquake claim settlement after 17 home visits for assessments and two engineering reports.

Glasson has not eaten since the previous Monday night and has been spending much of his time in a caravan parked outside Southern Response’s offices.

‘‘Yet another day has gone by and I’m beginning to think they are calling my bluff,’’ he said of the state-owned claims management company. ‘‘It’s just delay after delay.’’

Glasson said the couple had signed the paperwork to begin the facilitation process, at the request of Earthquake Commission Minister Megan Woods.

‘‘We started talking to them about a possible facilitated process five days ago, but each time their lawyers get involved. It’s like the tail wagging the dog.

‘‘But I’m not giving up. They now want to bring in more engineers, and have another assessment, but they’ve had their chance.’’

Glasson said he now planned to begin a new legal class action against Southern Response, after hearing from many others in his situation.

Since launching legal proceedings two years ago, Glasson has been spied on by the agency, sign-written an antiinsurance car in protest and has countless documents detailing his battle.

He said as soon as his hunger strike became public, he had received ‘‘huge’’ public support, included notes, emails and phone calls. People had left messages and water bottles, he said.

He has been drinking water, green tea, 1.5 litres of electrolytes and a multivitamin tablet every day.

Southern Response chief executive Anthony Honeybone said last week that the insurer ‘‘remains sympathetic’’ to the Glassons’ situation and had offered to meet with them once they had what they needed from the additional property visit.