Cantabrians will be asked what they want to come from an independent inquiry into the EQC.

The Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission, Megan Woods, said on Friday a new short online questionnaire would be a good chance to gather a wide range of views.

"The government is working hard to establish an independent inquiry into EQC and the experience of Cantabrians after the earthquakes," she said.

"Officials have provided advice on what should be in the terms of reference for this inquiry, but we want to take the time to hear directly from people in Canterbury as well.

"We know that this won't be the last natural disaster EQC has to deal with and we want to make sure all of the lessons from the Canterbury earthquakes are being learned so that the system is better for people in the future."

The previous government in June settled on handful of reforms to the EQC after a five-year review process but said it would be three years before the changes were put in place.

- NZ Newswire