Subject: Insurance and Financial Response to Major Public Safety Events, in regard to the likes of the CH CH earthquake

Subject: Insurance and Financial Response to Major Public Safety Events

To: The Treasury
Cc: Reserve Bank of New Zealand; Financial Markets Authority

From: Tracy Lynch

Date: 12 April 2026

1. INTRODUCTION

This request is made pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982.

The purpose of this request is to understand the systems, oversight, and financial responses relating to insurance claims and government involvement following major public safety events.

2. SCOPE OF REQUEST (QUESTIONS ONLY)

1. What role does the Crown or its agencies have in coordinating or overseeing insurance responses following major public safety events?

2. Were any government-backed insurance mechanisms, guarantees, or financial interventions activated in response to such events?

3. What aggregate data is held regarding total insurance claims lodged, including categories such as property, business interruption, and life claims?

4. What aggregate data is held regarding total claims paid versus declined in relation to such events?

5. What oversight mechanisms exist to ensure that insurance claims are processed fairly and consistently?

6. What regulatory or supervisory actions were undertaken to ensure insurers met their obligations?

7. Were any reviews, audits, or reports conducted into insurance system performance following such events?

8. What issues, if any, were identified in relation to delays, disputes, or systemic weaknesses?

9. What coordination occurred between government agencies and the insurance sector in responding to such events?

10. What lessons were identified, and what policy or regulatory changes (if any) were implemented as a result?

3. FORMAT AND ADMINISTRATION

11. Please provide the information in electronic format.
12. Where any information is withheld, please specify the statutory grounds relied upon.
13. If any part of this request is better held by another agency, please transfer under section 14.

4. CLARIFICATION

14. If refinement is required to assist processing, please advise promptly so the request can be narrowed without loss of substance.

Yours faithfully,
Tracy Lynch