The Natural Disaster Recovery Panel brings together independent, experienced structural and geotechnical engineers to provide impartial technical advice on residential insurance claims arising from natural hazards.
About the expert engineering panel
The Natural Disaster Recovery Panel is a panel of independent, experienced engineers administered by Engineering New Zealand. The panel supports the New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS), the Canterbury Earthquake Insurance Tribunal (CEIT), and the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) by providing impartial technical advice to help resolve residential insurance claims arising from natural hazards.
The panel originates from the Expert Engineering Panel established following the Canterbury earthquakes, where independent engineering input played a critical role in resolving complex and disputed claims. With the establishment of the NZCRS in 2023, the panel was expanded and renamed to support natural hazard related claims across New Zealand. Panel members may be engaged to carry out technical assessments, peer reviews, expert advice, facilitation, and evidence, helping homeowners and insurers progress claims with greater clarity and confidence.
This panel offers independent engineering expertise that can help clarify complex technical issues that may arise in residential insurance claims following a natural hazard. Panel members are independent of insurers, homeowners, and the courts, so their advice is impartial and based on sound engineering judgement.
You do not need to engage the panel directly. NZCRS and NHC case managers can request a panel member on your behalf, and will discuss any costs involved before services begin.
Panel services
The panel provides a range of technical services on referral from NZCRS, NHC or the Tribunal, including:
- Initial appraisal – a preliminary visit and discussion to identify potential steps to help resolve a claim.
- Peer review – independent review of existing engineering assessments, checking investigations, standards and findings.
- Reinstatement recommendation – assessment of natural hazard damage and recommendation on appropriate reinstatement methodology.
- Expert advice – independent expert engineering input during determination processes, in accordance with the High Court Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses.
- Technical expert support – assistance at hearings or technical evidence presentations.
- Facilitation – support to help engineers with differing opinions discuss differences and find a way forward.
Current panel members
The panel includes engineers with structural and geotechnical expertise from across New Zealand. Each member brings experience in natural hazard assessments and insurance claim contexts.
