Property Council New Zealand recently met with Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk to discuss the Government’s proposed overhaul of the earthquake-prone building system. The meeting was initiated by the Minister following our sustained advocacy on this long-standing challenge for the property sector.
In preparation, we convened our Seismic Strengthening Taskforce to unpack the announcement, gather practical insights from members, and test how the proposed changes may affect building owners, investors, and developers. These real-world perspectives shaped the briefing we provided to the Minister, ensuring the Government clearly understood the operational, financial, and planning implications for the property industry.
Our discussion provided valuable clarity on the Government’s early thinking, including:
- How a revised system may align with the Health and Safety at Work Act, and what this could mean for owners’ risk management obligations.
- Opportunities for sector leadership in implementing the reforms and influencing best practice.
- How buildings that fall outside the current regime might be managed, potentially broadening compliance responsibilities.
We also relayed members’ appreciation for the Government’s willingness to address a system that has constrained investment, delayed renewal, and created uncertainty — particularly in Wellington, where earthquake-prone building requirements continue to shape the future of the CBD.
This meeting is one of several engagements Property Council is currently leading with central government. Our focus remains on ensuring any new system is workable, risk-proportionate, and enables the long-term resilience and economic vitality of our urban centres.
For property professionals, the outcomes of this reform will directly influence investment decisions, redevelopment activity, seismic upgrade planning, and long-term asset strategies.
If you’d like a copy of the paper we prepared — including member insights and key takeaways from the discussion — please contact Sandamali.
Author | Sandamali Ambepitiya
Sandamali arrived at Property Council with a Bachelor of Arts and Law, and experience as an advisor with the Employers & Manufacturers Association.
Conscientious and detailed, Sandamali leads our advocacy in the South Island and Wellington regions. She is also leading our work on the reform of the resource management and building systems and sustainability / seismic strengthening.
An excellent listener, Sandamali is in her element when facilitating stakeholders and members to develop our advocacy positions.
