Construction Sector Support Resources Following Cyclone Gabrielle


Kia Ora, We know many of you are dealing with the significant issues caused by the on-going severe weather events. The Accord has released some important information, provided below, that should be helpful to many of you. Our thoughts are with those members impacted by these events, and we encourage all members to stay safe.

Our teams are here to help and support where we can.

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The Construction Sector Accord has convened conversations between sector stakeholders, Accord leadership and agencies to better understand where the Accord can support the sector in response to the damage and disruptions caused by recent severe weather events.

New resources

Risk Guide to working on a flood damaged property – CHASNZ
The Accord has worked with Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ) and MATES in Construction to develop this simple high-level guide to assist construction tradespeople involved in remediating flood damaged buildings and property.

Risk Guide To Working On Flood Damaged Property

Contractual guidance due to severe weather and flooding - The Construction Sector Accord
Guidance for procurers on what to do in response to floods, and how to ensure fair and reasonable negotiations for contracts impacted by severe weather events.

Contractual guidance document and background

Other resources available

Waste disposal guidance
The Accord has also heard requests from the sector for guidance for homeowners and construction workers about how to appropriately handle and dispose of flood-affected building materials. We have connected with Auckland Council on this issue and will circulate guidance as it is developed.

General advice about dealing with flood waste can be found on the links below:

These guides may also be useful for construction businesses and those dealing with flood-affected homeowners:

BRANZ – Restoring a home after flood damage
BRANZ has prepared comprehensive guidelines to help property owners remediate after a flood. The guidelines provide advice for staying safe and cleaning up (inside and out) in the immediate aftermath of a flood.

Restoring a home after flood damage

Extreme weather: Information for businesses

The extreme weather events in parts of the North Island have affected many businesses. Business.govt.nz have put a resource together that will help with information about:

  • looking after your employees
  • operating safely
  • insurance claims
  • finance and banking
  • buildings and landlord responsibilities.

Extreme weather information for businesses

Insurance Claim After a Severe Weather Event
The recent flood and cyclone event has severely affected many families and businesses. There is no doubt you are hoping your insurance can alleviate some of the financial uncertainty in this situation. There are a few steps you can take to make this process a bit smoother and less stressful. Aon has put together some steps they recommend for you to take

1. Mitigate any further loss
✓ This needs to be reasonable

2. Advise your broker as soon as reasonably possible
✓ Allows broker to lodge a claim with the insurer to possibly get a loss adjuster to review the damages as soon as possible

3. Lodge and record evidence after the immediate risk is mitigated
✓ Take photos and videos

4. Create a timesheet/ cost code for the claim
✓ Timesheet to note the additional labour costs
✓ Separate cost code

For your insurance needs click here. 

We are in this together
While the focus for those impacted by the severe weather events is on responding to the current situation and assessing the scale of the damage, the Accord is taking steps to understand the role we can play towards a coordinated recovery and repair phase.

The Accord would like to recognise the massive impact these two major weather events have had on many individuals, families, businesses, and communities. We also acknowledge the huge amount of work that is already being done by those across the construction sector with many people mobilised to respond urgently and assist with the clean-up and recovery. The construction sector is, and will continue to, play a critical role in the significant response required to rebuild across our regions.

Ngā mihi
David Kelly