In its first 65 years , the Commission was called on to settle only relatively minor claims and the disaster fund continued to grow , reaching $ 6.1 billion by August 2010 . The most notable natural disaster during this period was the 1979 Abbotsford landslip , near Dunedin , that caused the destruction of 69 houses . A subsequent commission of enquiry led , in 1984 , to land damage being covered . Another noteworthy event was the 2007 Gisborne earthquake after which the EQC received over 3,100 claims and paid out over $ 16 million
2007 Gisborne earthquake
2007 Gisborne earthquake
Earthquake Commission