One more time....the government is not doing homeowners a favour, they are forcing people to sell their land. Then they will fix it and sell it to developers. What part of this do people not understand?

so your house is 100 years old...that is a risk buying a house that age...also when you bought the house the lim report would state the land problem..your house would be full of bora would be damp no insulation. its your fault i wouldnt touch a house that age in new zealand

Thanks for your comment Eddie. I live in Nelson and now we know exactly where we would stand, if an earthquake struck here. You people have had such a miserable time and now all the financial headaches as well. Keep fighting to get the best deal you can.

To CP (50), MJ and others who think I'm a whinger, I think you've totally missed the point. If our homes were destroyed, by earthquake, fire or otherwise, we would actually not be complaining. I have a full replacement policy, and my home would be rebuilt accordingly, on the same land- but NOT in this instance. My home will not rebuilt - that option has been taken away, as it has for thousands more. So, I have a house I cannot keep, but I also cant rebuild it! Only the cost of repairs if offered, but that's meaningless. My option is to accept an "offer", but I can't test the market! It is not my retirement fund - I have other means for that and other property. Guess what it's also zoned red! The other main house is totally destroyed and cannot be repaired - but NO, I will not be offered full replacement, only the cost of repairs (which to me seems the same thing). The insurance company sees things quite differently. My own home is a heritage property, over 100 years old and designed by one of NZ's most famous architects. I have spent the money on it because I love it, and wanted to save it for another 100 years. The ultimate plan was to live here until I could no longer maintain it, then probably pass it on to my children. Because it's old, the 'value of improvements' is much lower than for an equivalent sized new home. The upshot is that I'm likely to lose most if not all of the value of the renovations. The winners will be the demolition people who will be able to salvage the high quality fixtures and fittings, and the vast amount of native timbers and period features. And for MJ, yes I did ask for a revaluation in 2009 and was told "we'll do it in 2010 when the next valuations are done". Hindsight is a great thing!

What a crazy time it is for Christchurch and my heart continues to go out to everyone down there. Sure people will complain about insurance companies not paying out and the govt offer not being enough but I truly believe everyone is missing alot of things here. Firstly, the govt does NOT have to do anything, they are the govt for the whole of NZ and so alot of our resources and taxpayers money is being dedicated to chch at the moment, I have NO problem with this as you need it more than anywhere else at the moment. Many New Zealanders have donated money and time to help residents of christchurch, please sit and back and think about this, and the fact you are still alive! Surely this is more important than anything else. Sure be upset that the home you love has to be demolished but moaning and complianing is only going to effect you because there will come a time when no one will listen anymore!

We are really happy that we are in the red zone. Our house has been a write off since September though we have lived in it the whole time.

At least now we can get a rental and move out plus we will get most of our money back. Better than the alterative we were fearing being stuck in limbo with no sewage for years.

Only issue we have now is trying to find a rental that allows pets as we have a dog and cat. There is no way we would ever consider giving up our pets.

i will take the government money and stick my money into the bank and do what most people do in the world and that is rent.....why are we so hooked on owning a house, very strange thinking.....also the olderly should buy either a retirement type apartment or a 60s unit, you dont need a three bedroom house if your 80 years old!!!!!!

so typical kiwis are never happy always a chip on their shoulders..We are bloody lucky the government is helping us out, any other country you have to fight for your selfs.....Owning a house is just like owning a car or buying shares in a company ITS A RISK YOU TAKE...2007 gv is the highest price houses have ever been in nz, since then we have had a sharp dip in prices! so you are getting a goood deal, also you save aonther $10,000.00 as normaly if you sell a house you pay that to your agent. Why should some one in a cheap house living in a crap area get more than what their house is worth!!! Once again think your selfs lucky

OMG ...I find it hard to believe the heartlessness and total lack of empathy from MJ (Probably employed by said insurance company). *Looks for a pulse and finds none*

People who have replacement insurance should get exactly that as there houses are now uninhabitable due to the earthquake!

Any insurance company who tries to weasel out of paying affected householders to merely maintain what they have should be BLACKLISTED by all New Zealanders. This is the biggest scandal. What were Gerry and other politicians discussing with insurers if this loophole was missed?????

I propose that people sharing their fears and feelings is a healthy and natural community...

And those who take the time to write that people need to "get over it" are actually *contributing* ZERO to the issue of people feeling abandoned by a govt that is made up of far too many similarly callous self serving individuals.

ANY LOSS OF A HOME is massive and serious. ANY time someone struggles to figure out what to do next they need to be RESPECTED.

So to all the callous "stop moaning" judgementalists, how about you STOP TYPING and leave others to share their thoughts.

That is the purpose of this type of comment board, *not* to hear yet another self-righteous callous person... we already have enough of that to go around.