MBIE reopens inquiry into partial collapse of Statistics House

Monday, 9 April 2018

An investigation into the partial collapse of Statistics House has been reopened after new information was presented.

However, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is remaining tight-lipped on what the information is.

It is understood a letter claiming to provide new information about the partial collapse of Statistics House was given to the ministry following the demolition of the building in February.

The ministry has refused to release a copy of the letter under the Official Information Act, stating 'there is an open inquiry and the release of the document might prejudice that'.

**READ MORE:

* Statistics House demolition ahead of schedule

* Call for Stats House floor hangers to be banned

* Statistics House built on known hazard area**

A ministry spokesman said the new information came to light during the demolition of Statistics House.

'The expert panel, who oversaw the original Statistics House investigation which looked into the reasons behind the partial floor unit collapse during the November 2016 Kāikoura earthquake, has been reconvened.

'The panel will be reconsidering their findings to establish whether the new information will change any of the four recommendations they made in March 2017,' he said.

'Their original work was not intended to look at liability and neither will this new piece of work.'

A CentrePort spokesman said the company received interim insurance claim payments for Statistics House, but it was still working on its final claim.

The final claim would include demolition costs and loss of rental income for the building, which was yet to be finalised, he said.

'Exact amounts are a matter between CentrePort and its insurer.'

Statistics House partially collapsed following the Kaikoura earthquake in November 2016.

The building was part of a major venture by CentrePort to expand into commercial property, which also saw it build Customs House and BNZ Harbour Quays.