Prime Minister John Key indicated last night that Earthquake Commission levies could triple due to the damage caused by the Christchurch earthquake.
International rating agency Standard and Poor's believes New Zealand's Earthquake Commission (EQC) will be able to make a $2.5 billion claim from its reinsurers, as opposed to dipping into its cash reserves.
Claims for damage caused by the Canterbury Earthquake have been lodged from as far afield as Northland, with more than 1000 claims lodged from the Southern region.
A range of measures has been announced today by the Government to help Cantabrians rebuild their homes after the September 4 earthquake.