Earthquake-prone buildings: an update

Introduction

Until recently, each territorial authority in New Zealand had an earthquake-prone building policy. The policies addressed the identification of earthquake-prone buildings, and building owners' roles and responsibilities in relation to those buildings and seismic strengthening work.

On 1 July 2017, the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 came into force. It amends the Building Act 2004 to include special provisions for earthquake-prone buildings (mainly in sub-part 6A) and replaces the individual earthquake-prone building policies.

Application

Sub-part 6A does not apply to residential buildings except for hostels, boarding houses or other specialised accommodation buildings of two or more stories, or buildings containing three or more household units.