Earthquake-prone buildings

Under national legislation, some building owners in the Ōpōtiki district will need to have their buildings assessed and seismic strengthening work carried out (or the building demolished) to reduce life safety risk in an earthquake.

The provisions usually apply to commercial or industrial building, although some larger residential buildings may be covered.

National legislation

A national system for identifying, assessing and managing earthquake-prone buildings came into effect on 1 July 2017. This legislation sets timeframes (based on seismic risk and priority status) for identifying potentially earthquake-prone buildings and doing seismic work to strengthen them.

All of the Ōpōtiki District has been categorised as a high seismic risk area.

The legislation also defines priority buildings- buildings in high and medium seismic risk areas that are considered to present a higher risk to life or other property because of their construction, type, use or location.

Buildings like hospitals, emergency and education buildings are priority buildings because they are likely to be needed in an emergency or regularly occupied by more than 20 people.

Other buildings, such as unreinforced masonry buildings, may be considered a priority because, in an earthquake, parts of the building could fall on to thoroughfares with high pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

In 2019, Council identified key thoroughfares in the Ōpōtiki township that were considered to have sufficient foot or vehicle traffic and unreinforced masonry buildings that could fall and risk injury or death in an earthquake.

• A Church Street from Richard Street to Kelly Street
• B King Street from Potts Avenue to St John Street
• C Elliott Street from Potts Avenue to St John Street ending at the roundabout
• D Kelly Street from Potts Avenue to the Kelly Street cemetery