According to the latest data from NHC, the majority of home buyers have natural hazard risk front of mind when purchasing. 87% of people who have bought, or are thinking about buying, a home say they are considering natural hazard risks.

“With exposure to earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and coastal inundation across New Zealand, it’s understandable that buyers are now searching with hazard awareness top of mind,” says NHC Chief Resilience and Research Officer, Jo Horrocks.

As a result, NHC is calling on vendors to consider taking practical steps — such as strengthening foundations, reinforcing or removing masonry chimneys or stabilising retaining walls — before listing a property.

“Make sure that your home’s piles are in good condition and are well connected to the house, for instance, to help minimise movement and damage during an earthquake. Buyers will also look to see if retaining walls are well maintained and water can flow freely from top to bottom so that soil behind the wall does not become saturated and heavy.”

“Many of these types of issues could be listed as concerns as part of pre-purchase inspection reports. Addressing them before listing makes a home more attractive.”

“Improving these structural features doesn’t just mitigate risk,” says Jo. “It may also give sellers a competitive edge, helping their home appeal to today’s more risk-aware buyers.”

If there has been a previous natural hazards insurance claim on the property being sold, it will be listed on the Natural Hazards Portal [link]. NHC encourages vendors to have documentation to hand that proves that any natural hazards damage claimed for has been fixed, to strengthen buyer confidence. And when buying, understand that there are time limits for natural hazards damage claims.

In short: preparing and strengthening a home for natural hazards is no longer just a matter of safety — it’s a way for vendors to meet buyer expectations and stay competitive in a market where resilience matters.