New Zealand is extremely prone to seismic activity and ensuring the safety of people is paramount. Buildings need to be safe for occupants and users.

From 1 July 2017 the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 (the Amendment Act) is expected to take effect.

It will ensure the way our buildings are managed for future earthquakes is consistent across the country, and provide more information for people using buildings, such as notices on earthquake-prone buildings and a public register.

Earthquake-prone buildings pose a risk to people or other property in a moderate earthquake event. The primary objective in managing these buildings is to protect people. This means that the law focuses on the most vulnerable buildings in an earthquake in terms of the risk to people’s safety.

The definition of an ‘earthquake-prone building’ will be amended but will still relate to the probable strength of the building compared to a new one, and the risk to people or other property.

The Amendment Act will remove the requirement for territorial authorities to have their own individual policies, and create a single national policy framework.  This means that the current DCC policy will cease to exist on 1 July 2017.

The objective of protecting people from harm in an earthquake is balanced with the costs of strengthening or removing buildings, and the impact on our built heritage.

The Amendment Act will change the way earthquake-prone buildings will be identified and managed once it comes into effect.  It categorises New Zealand into three seismic risk areas based on the seismic hazard (Z) factor as set out in the loading code and sets timeframes for identifying and taking action to strengthen or remove earthquake-prone buildings.  Dunedin is in the low area.

Additional information can be found on the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment web site.