Parliament unanimously passes reforms to earthquake-prone building regime
Saturday 19 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Simon Watts
New legislation has been passed to overhaul New Zealand's earthquake-prone building system. The reforms are expected to save the economy and building owners approximately $8.2 billion. As a result, nearly 3,000 buildings will no longer be classified as earthquake-prone.
Key facts
4 facts
- The legislation passed unanimously in Parliament on Saturday.
- The reforms are forecast to save $8.2 billion.
- Remaining reforms take effect on 1 July 2027.
- Auckland, the Chatham Islands, and the upper North Island are classified as low seismic zones.
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
Parliament has unanimously passed legislation to overhaul New Zealand's earthquake-prone building (EPB) regime. The reforms are expected to save the national economy and building owners an estimated $8.2 billion.
Under the new rules, approximately 55 percent or 2,900 buildings will be removed from the EPB register. Regulatory requirements will now focus exclusively on high-risk unreinforced masonry and vulnerable multi-storey concrete buildings located in medium and high seismic zones. Low-risk wooden and concrete buildings will no longer hold EPB status.
Updated seismic zone designations will take effect the day after Royal Assent. This will remove all existing EPB designations for buildings in low-risk zones, including the Chatham Islands, Auckland, and the upper North Island. Parts of Stewart Island and coastal Otago will move from low seismic zones to medium seismic zones.
The remaining legislative changes are scheduled to come into force on 1 July 2027. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment plans to release implementation guidance for public consultation later this year.
Where reports differ
- One report estimates around 50 percent of buildings will be removed, while another specifies approximately 55 percent or 2,900 buildings.
Compiled from reports by Stuff, NZ Herald and 1News.