Disgruntled technical category 3 residents braved the rain and wind to picket the Christchurch offices of the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and insurer IAG this afternoon.

Chanting "EQC, IAG, time to help us TC3" and "fix the worst first", about 100 people rallied to vent their anger and frustration at the delays in getting their homes repaired and to call for more communication about their land.

Wider Earthquake Communities Action Network (WeCan) spokesman Mike Coleman said the weather was "a bit like living in your homes - wet, damp, cold, unhealthy".

Resident Carmel Jaggar  said people were caught between insurers and the EQC,  which were "not on the same page".

"We are left in no-man's land ... paying bills for a mess we have not caused," she said.

"We have lost patience."

Protesters were met at the EQC offices by commission chief executive Ian Simpson and customer services manager Bruce Emsom.

Labour earthquake spokeswoman Lianne Dalziel told the me: "You guys score zero on communication."

Holding up a Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority pamphlet on the TC3 rebuild, she said the answers given to date were "nonsense".

"Listen to the people, provide answers and get on with the job," she said.

Simpson said TC3 land was a priority, but he accepted the commission "needed to do better" with its communication.

"We will talk with the leaders of this group and see how we can do better."

He told promised land reports would be released "from now".

At IAG, the front doors were locked but four representatives addressed the protesters, who yelled angrily,
"We're your customers".

Coleman said IAG and State Insurance had been "absolutely appalling".

Richmond resident Maria Thackwell said residents had trusted their insurers.

"We insured just in case,'' she said. ''Now they sit in their warm buildings. Cantabs feel we will be eaten as the next corporate meal."

IAG New Zealand chief executive Jacki Johnson told the crowd that "we do care deeply despite how it may appear".

"We really do want to help you and hear what the issues are," she said.

"Today is about us listening and hearing specifically your individual issue if you have that with one of our brands."

Johnson urged those gathered to fill in forms provided so IAG could follow up with them.

The protesters plan another rally outside the EQC offices on September 4, the second anniversary of the first Canterbury quake.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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