New Zealand’s Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC) is urging residential property vendors to consider natural hazard resilience as part of preparing homes for sale, as buyers pay closer attention to risk information and claims history.
Latest NHC data indicates that natural hazard exposure is now a major factor for most purchasers, with 87% of people who have bought, or are considering buying, a home saying they take natural hazard risk into account when making decisions. “With exposure to earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and coastal inundation across New Zealand, it’s understandable that buyers are now searching with hazard awareness top of mind,” said Jo Horrocks, NHC chief resilience and research officer. For insurers, brokers, and underwriters, the shift signals ongoing demand for property-specific risk information and may influence how mitigation work is discussed in relation to cover, pricing, and long-term loss potential.
NHC is encouraging vendors to address known structural issues before taking a property to market, positioning these steps as part of standard maintenance in a more risk-aware environment. Horrocks pointed to features that often attract comment in pre-purchase inspection reports, including foundations, masonry chimneys, and retaining walls. “Make sure that your home’s piles are in good condition and are well connected to the house, for instance, to help minimise movement and damage during an earthquake. Buyers will also look to see if retaining walls are well maintained and water can flow freely from top to bottom so that soil behind the wall does not become saturated and heavy. Many of these types of issues could be listed as concerns as part of pre-purchase inspection reports. Addressing them before listing makes a home more attractive. Improving these structural features doesn’t just mitigate risk. It may also give sellers a competitive edge, helping their home appeal to today’s more risk-aware buyers,” Horrocks said.
NHC is also reminding vendors that previous natural hazards insurance claims linked to a property are recorded on the Natural Hazards Portal. Vendors are being advised to keep documentation confirming that any damage subject to a claim has been repaired, to help support buyer checks and any conversations with lenders and insurers. Purchasers are being cautioned to understand claim time limits when they identify past natural hazard damage.
As these checks become a more routine part of buyer and lender due diligence, NHC reports rising use of the Natural Hazards Portal, its online platform that provides information on settled EQCover and NHCover claims at property and regional level. Nearly 85,000 people have accessed the portal over the past year. The site features an interactive map that allows users to view settled claims by address or area, including claim-type information so users can see the types of natural hazards that have affected particular locations.
“We launched the Natural Hazards Portal two years ago to give people free access to natural hazard information and settled natural hazards claims. Of people who visited the portal, 16% downloaded key natural hazard information in relation to the area or property they live, or want to live, and more than half took steps to improve their resilience to natural hazards by doing things like reviewing their natural hazards insurance and securing heavy furniture,” said Sarah-Jayne McCurrach, NHC head of risk reduction.
Research by NielsenIQ for NHC shows that this interest is influencing property and household decisions. The findings indicate that 91% of homebuyers now consider natural hazard risk when purchasing a home, and 70% of homeowners say they have taken action to protect their home, land or contents from damage. “We’re seeing a real shift in awareness. More people are seeking out natural hazard information and using it to make informed decisions about their homes and safety. The portal is helping turn awareness into action – and ultimately resilience,” McCurrach said.
