Cyclone & Flood Information For Valuers

21 February, 2023

Dear Members

This summer is one that we'll remember for a very long time.
The recovery from the devastating damage wrought by weather events, including the most recent Cyclone Gabrielle, will likely take years.
On behalf of NZIV I wish to offer our thoughts and best wishes to those who have been affected.  I expect there'll be many of you.

What NZIV is doing
As we learned with the Covid response, the best response is the accurate and reliable response.
We learned from Covid to source good information from trusted sources and we have resurrected our crisis team to roll out a series of initiatives we hope will help get you through these challenging times.

• We are in contact with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and we are writing to our Minister. From them we hope to gain good advice on health and safety for Valuers. Your safety is a priority for us and we urge members to take a cautious approach to any work in damaged areas.
• There are a number of other matters we are following up with MBIE on behalf of members to ensure your activities do not hamper ongoing disaster response efforts.
• We have set up a one-stop web-page for the most up to date information which we will post as it comes to hand. That can be found HERE.

We are busily putting together a programme of quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and advice for members.
This will include a session to be announced shortly with the Chair of the New Zealand Standards Board Blue Hancock.  He will address Valuation Uncertainty and offer insights into the best approaches that are consistent with our ethical and contractual obligations.
Blue is also pulling together a Frequently Asked Questions document which will be made available to members.
This will be the first in a number of webinars that will focus on the recovery. We are also reaching out to insurance and banking experts, and will call on some of our colleagues in Christchurch to share their experiences in disaster response.

Early Advice
MBIE has forwarded us this document which outlines risks and the steps that tradespeople should take when visiting damaged areas.  While not specific to Valuers this may be helpful to some of you.  We continue to seek specific answers from officials on the unique work we do and we will get this to you as soon as it arrives.
MBIE has also provided us with this Information for Business document that covers issues such as looking after your employees, operating safely, buildings and landlord responsibilities.

Members can be assured your NZIV Council is working as quickly as it can to secure the vitally needed information that you need.
We hope to be in communication with you again very soon.

Matt Snelgrove
Acting President
New Zealand Institute of Valuers.