Another Government Department Changes Its Name and Spends More Than $45,000

While researching some information on our earlier story on the Thames Earthquake that didn’t happen today (see Facebook post at Coromandel’s CFM), we came across this report on a name change for EQC.

EQC have spent at least $45,000 so far with the change of the name to Toka Tū Ake – Natural Hazards Commission. A spokesperson for the commission has said the name change came about following Dame Silvia Cartwright’s report of the public inquiry into the Earthquake Commission.

The full name change will come into effect with the introduction of the Natural Hazards Insurance Bill that is due to come into force soon. The commission worked alongside Wellington brand agency Ocean design on the project.

Their cultural advisors ran the process to seek cultural advice on behalf of Toka Tū Ake.

The lead cultural advisor was Darryl Roycroft (Ngati Kahu, Ngapuhi o Whangaroa, Te Aupouri and Te Rarawa), supported by Anthony Tipene-Matua (Rangitane, Kahungunu, Kai Tahu) and further input was provided by a Māori expert panel with five members.

The country’s natural hazard home insurance scheme works to reduce the impact on people and property from a range of natural hazards: volcanic activity; tsunami; natural landslip; hydrothermal activity; storms and floods; and earthquakes. The name ‘Earthquake Commission’ therefore does not reflect the full scope of the work we do.”

Toka Tū Ake – the foundation from which we stand strong, together – acknowledges that we live in a country at high risk of natural hazards and our scheme provides the solid foundation that helps our nation prepare for and recover from natural hazards.”