Government announces major overhaul of earthquake-prone building system

Monday 29 September 2025 · 6 outlets · 7 reports · updated Mon 29 Sep 2025, 7:59pm

In this story Christopher Luxon, Chris Penk

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister Chris Penk have unveiled a new classification system for earthquake-prone buildings. The changes are expected to remove approximately 2,900 buildings, or 55% of the current regime, from the list. The overhaul aims to save more than $8 billion in repair and demolition costs.

How they headlined it

5h

11:09am1:58pm2:25pm3:10pm7:59pm

1. StuffMon 29 Sep 2025, 11:09am

   Government targets empty quake-prone buildings in major overhaul (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldMon 29 Sep 2025, 1:58pm

   Christopher Luxon to reveal changes to country’s earthquake-prone building system (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsMon 29 Sep 2025, 2:25pm

   Watch: Luxon, Penk to make earthquake-prone building announcement (opens in new tab)

   • Full video: Luxon, Penk to make earthquake-prone building announcement (opens in new tab) Mon 29 Sep 2025, 2:25pm
   • Major overhaul of earthquake-prone building system announced (opens in new tab) Mon 29 Sep 2025, 2:31pm
4. The PostMon 29 Sep 2025, 3:10pm

   Earthquake rating system scrapped in massive overhaul (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

5. The PressMon 29 Sep 2025, 7:59pm

   Pragmatic or bizarre? Mixed reaction to new earthquake-prone building rules (opens in new tab)