Home Complaints database WeCAN vs. Arrow International
Complaint

WeCAN vs. Arrow International

Damaged homes after 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in New-Zealand

Date filed
17 June 2014
Keywords
Countries of harm
Current status
No resolution
Sector
NCP

Allegations

Commencing 4 September 2010, 4 major earthquakes, along with an estimated 13,000 aftershocks, have had a devastating impact on the people of Canterbury region, including New Zealands second largest city, Christchurch. The earthquake resulted in 185 deaths and injured 11,432 with total estimated rebuilding costs equivalent to 20% of New Zealands GDP.

The complaint concerns the adequacy of the ongoing repair of homes damaged in the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Inadequate, incomplete, or non-started house repairs has meant for many people, a 4thrd winter living in a broken home, in a sub alpine climate, and with consequential negative physical and mental health outcomes.

The complainant alleges that the above company have not followed the OECD Guidelines for multinationals, and in consequence, have caused or exacerbated peoples physical and mental health, and housing situation, in violation of their Human Rights.

Relevant OECD Guidelines

Outcome

The New Zealand NCP accepted the complaint and offered its good offices to help the parties resolve the issues.

As a result of the complaint, Arrow International published an External Social Responsibility Policy and committed to undertake due diligence to monitor the human rights impacts of their business activities.

Eight complaints were filed by WeCAN to the New Zealand NCP between 2013 and 2015. All of these cases ended for various reasons in 2015 and 2016, but were not officially concluded until 2024 upon publishing of final statements. The delays were due to administrative error by the NCP.

More details

Defendant
Company in violation
Complainants
Affected people
Date rejected / concluded
10 September 2024

Documents

  • report
    18 March 2021

    As a result of the complaint, Arrow International has published an External Social Responsibility Policy and committed to undertake due diligence to monitor the human rights impacts of their business activities.

    Arrow International Group Limited
  • accept
    18 March 2021

    The New Zealand NCP undertook an initial assessment and concluded that the issues raised warranted further examination and offered its good offices to the parties.

    NCP New Zealand
  • file
    17 June 2014

    Complaint filed with New Zealand's NCP

    WeCAN