Kiwi insurance claims from Tongan tsunami top $5.8m

Friday, 25 February 2022

Initial estimates of insurance claims in New Zealand after the Hung Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai eruption have topped $5.8 million.

Sixty claims had been made in this country, totalling $5,876,560, focused on the surge wave at Tūtūkākā Marina which resulted in vessels being sunk, boats damaged and extensive damage to marina infrastructure.

Of the 60 claims, 49 related to marine craft, totalling $1,947,282, and four commercial damage claims at $3,862,640.

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Tim Grafton, chief executive of the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ), said while his organisation's members worked to manage the situation here, they knew damage in the Pacific would take much longer to recover from.

The Hung Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai eruption on January 15 was the most explosive erutption in 30 years.

Insurance cover was a condition of mooring at Tūtūkākā marina, where damage was done by boats which had come loose from their moorings, Grafton said.

A specialist barge was used to lift wrecks out of the water and clear debris, including sunken dinghies. An undersea survey was also used to inspect seabed piles.

The fuel pontoon was completely washed away and considered a major expense.

“I’d like to thank the Northland Regional Council Harbour Master, local marina management, ICNZ’s local representative Glen Hunter and the local boating community for pulling together to put things right,” Grafton said.