MBIE tight-lipped on meeting to discuss partial collapse of Statistics House

Wednesday, 18 April 2018

Earlier this month, the MBIE confirmed it was reopening the investigation into the building’s partial collapse.

A secret meeting is being held on Wednesday to consider new information that has emerged about Wellington's Statistics House.

Exact details about what will be discussed is being kept under wraps, and the public and media are barred from attending.

However, earlier this month, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment confirmed it was reopening the investigation into the partial collapse of Statistics House.

This came after a letter claiming to provide new information about the building was given to the ministry following Statistics House's demolition in February.

The ministry will not 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'.

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

On Wednesday, a ministry spokeswoman said a meeting was being held with an expert panel, and the outcome would be made public 'in due course'.

The demolition of Statistics House was completed in February.

The panel will be reconsidering their original findings from March 2017.

The spokeswoman would not say who was in attendance at Wednesday's meeting.

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

Statistics House, which is owned by CentrePort, was badly damaged in the Kaikoura quake.

CentrePort is jointly owned by Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizon Regional Council.