Latest news with #KrisFaafoi
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Insurance Council's aim to ‘reduce risk'
Insurance Council of New Zealand chief executive Kris Faafoi (right) visits St Clair in Dunedin yesterday. He is pictured with South Dunedin Future programme manager Jonathan Rowe. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN The insurance industry wants to be involved in solutions for communities vulnerable to flooding — rather than being eager to retreat, its leading advocate says. Insurance Council of New Zealand chief executive Kris Faafoi visited South Dunedin yesterday. He was interested in ways risk heightened by climate change might be reduced. That might include responses ranging from improved drainage to creation of wetlands and moving homes out of harm's way. "One of our priorities is making sure that we're working with central government and local government to reduce risk for people," Mr Faafoi said. "That obviously protects them and makes insurance more accessible for the long term." Mr Faafoi had a catch-up with South Dunedin Future programme manager Jonathan Rowe. The programme was set up by the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council and is aimed at helping the area to adjust to increased climate threats in the long term. "In terms of the way that the process has been mapped out and executed to this point, we're really impressed with how they've engaged the community," Mr Faafoi said. "A lot of the options that the project is putting before the community could go a long way to reducing the risk," he said. "The kind of methodical, mature and long-term view that they're taking for some of the challenges here is something that the insurance industry is very interested in to make sure that we can be part of it, because insurance for a lot of the people in this community is really important and we want to make sure that we're part of the conversation and hopefully part of the solution," he said. Mr Faafoi's visit came soon after devastating floods in Tasman and comments by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon that the government could not keep bailing out flooded homeowners. Mr Faafoi suggested prevention measures could make a worthwhile difference. "Our message is you can help those communities before you bail them out by actually protecting them by building the kind of infrastructure that they need to protect themselves from those kinds of extreme weather events."
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Insurers Stand With Communities As Weather Recovery Begins
New Zealanders are once again facing the challenge of cleaning up and recovering after another round of severe weather, particularly across the upper North and South Islands. "This is tough for communities that had just beginning to get back on their feet after recent major storms," said Kris Faafoi, Chief Executive of the Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihui o Aotearoa (ICNZ). "We encourage people to begin the recovery process safely and as soon as they're able. We understand that not everyone can lodge an insurance claim immediately. "It's important to note that any new damage from this latest weather event will require a separate insurance claim." To support affected residents, Nelson-Tasman Emergency Management has re-established a community information centre at the Motueka Rec Centre on Old Wharf Road. Insurance sector contacts will be available through the centre to provide assistance. "While it's important to contact your insurer as soon as you can, don't delay necessary steps to prevent further damage if it's safe to act," Kris Faafoi said. To help speed up recovery and keep people safe, ICNZ recommends the following: Mark and photograph all damaged items before moving or disposing of them. Make emergency repairs to ensure your home is safe. Keep receipts and records of any urgent work. If your home is open to the weather, you can engage a qualified professional to install temporary protection like tarpaulins provided it's safe to do so. Dispose of water-damaged or contaminated goods that can't be salvaged or cleaned. Use protective gear and keep a detailed list of discarded items. Take photos and save proof of purchase for insurance purposes. Separate cleanable items and don't store unsanitary belongings indoors. Do not remove structural elements like flooring or wall linings or materials that may be hazardous without first speaking to your insurer. This work must be done by qualified professionals. For homes that are uninhabitable, many home and contents policies offer temporary accommodation support. Contact your insurer to find out what's available. Insurers will also manage claims under NHCover, which they manage on behalf of the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC). "If your property has been affected, contact your insurer. They can help arrange assessments for your home and any affected land," Kris Faafoi said. "Your insurer is here to support you and they'll be ready to help as soon as you're able to get in touch and start the claims process." Kris Faafoi also stressed the increasing risks from climate change. "New Zealand is highly vulnerable to climate-related events, and we know that natural disasters are likely to become more frequent and severe. "We have consistently called for a collective nationwide approach, led by Government, to reduce risk by avoiding development in high-risk areas and investing in resilience infrastructure like stopbanks. "By building our resilience to climate change, we can better protect communities and ensure insurance remains accessible in the future," Kris Faafoi said.
RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Insurance and emergency management partnership put to test
weather Tasman 9:20 am today The insurance industry's new information sharing partnership was put to the test just days after it was signed, with the recent floods in Nelson Tasman. The deal - called the Natural Hazards Resilience Partnership - was announced by NEMA, the Natural Hazards Commission (formerly known as EQC) and the Insurance Council, which represents insurance companies. It sought to improve the practicalities - particularly in the early stages of a large scale event - of making sure the right information was being shared with the right people in order to make the recovery and insurance process as streamlined and as quick as possible. Just days after the agreement was publicised, flooding events in Malborough and Nelson/Tasman put that partnership to the test. The Insurance Council's chief executive is Kris Faafoi.
1News
05-07-2025
- Climate
- 1News
Insurance companies want Takapuna golf course used for flood prevention
Insurance companies say using a golf course on Auckland's North Shore to prevent flooding may be a necessary sacrifice for golfers. Auckland Council proposes converting half the Takapuna Golf Course into a flood catchment, which golfing bodies and prominent figures in the sport oppose. Insurance Council chief executive Kris Faafoi said their members received 1000 claims from homes and businesses in the areas around the golf course, after the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. "What we're asking, as insurers of those areas, is to make sure we can protect families and keep insurance available to those communities. "We've got to make sure that there's a balanced debate and, as well as the emotion of a golf course and enjoying a golf course, there's a good hard look at some of the realities that might happen if there's another [extreme weather] event like that and how we can protect people from the kind of pain they suffered a little over two years ago." ADVERTISEMENT Faafoi said, as a golfer himself, ideally, the golf course could be maintained, but the council needed to do its job to deal with the natural hazard risk. IAG chief executive Amanda Whiting said the proposal prioritised the safety of Aucklanders living in the surrounding area. She said her insurance company received more than 3000 claims for homes, vehicles and businesses in neighbouring suburbs, after the 2023 weather events. "As New Zealand's largest general insurer, our priority is protecting people, property and communities from the increasing risks posed by extreme weather and flooding. The reality is that climate change is driving more frequent and severe flood events. "Strategic land-use decisions like this, which build resilience and reduce future harm, are essential to keeping insurance both accessible and affordable. "Investing in natural hazard protection now helps avoid far greater costs later." The council said it would assess a revised proposal from Takapuna Golf Club and make a decision in the coming weeks. Construction on any approved plan for the flood catchment at the golf course was not expected to begin until 2027. By RNZ's Jessica Hopkins
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Insurance companies urge use of Takapuna golf course for flood prevention
Thousands of insurance claims were lodged after 2023 floods in the area. Photo: Davina Zimmer Insurance companies say using a golf course on Auckland's North Shore to prevent flooding may be a necessary sacrifice for golfers. Auckland Council proposes converting half the Takapuna Golf Course into a flood catchment, which golfing bodies and prominent figures in the sport oppose. Insurance Council chief executive Kris Faafoi said their members received 1000 claims from homes and businesses in the areas around the golf course, after the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. "What we're asking, as insurers of those areas, is to make sure we can protect families and keep insurance available to those communities. "We've got to make sure that there's a balanced debate and, as well as the emotion of a golf course and enjoying a golf course, there's a good hard look at some of the realities that might happen if there's another [extreme weather] event like that and how we can protect people from the kind of pain they suffered a little over two years ago." Faafoi said, as a golfer himself, ideally, the golf course could be maintained, but the council needed to do its job to deal with the natural hazard risk. IAG chief executive Amanda Whiting said the proposal prioritised the safety of Aucklanders living in the surrounding area. She said her insurance company received more than 3000 claims for homes, vehicles and businesses in neighbouring suburbs, after the 2023 weather events. "As New Zealand's largest general insurer, our priority is protecting people, property and communities from the increasing risks posed by extreme weather and flooding. The reality is that climate change is driving more frequent and severe flood events. "Strategic land-use decisions like this, which build resilience and reduce future harm, are essential to keeping insurance both accessible and affordable. "Investing in natural hazard protection now helps avoid far greater costs later." The council said it would assess a revised proposal from Takapuna Golf Club and make a decision in the coming weeks. Construction on any approved plan for the flood catchment at the golf course was not expected to begin until 2027. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
