'Unacceptable' performance of Stats House in 2016 quake: Building Minister Nick Smith

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

Statistics House on Wellington's waterfront was one of the worst hit buildings during the November 2016 earthquake.

The performance of Statistics House during the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which caused the building to partially collapse, was 'unacceptable', Building and Construction Minister Nick Smith says.

Smith expressed his concerns about the five-storey building on Wellington's waterfront, which remains closed, at an earthquake conference on Wednesday.

Image showing the scale of the damage to the building after the quake.

The conference has been organised to discuss internal fit-out failure that can occur during an earthquake.

A 'real complex bit [is] coming out' soon about the base and effects of the Statistics House building, including how seismic waves impact structural and non-structural elements, Smith said.

Building and construction minister Nick Smith expressed concerns about the five-storey building.

* Steel stretched in Wellington high rise during Kaikoura quake**

Non-structural, seismic restraints hold air conditioning, fire-sprinkler, telecommunication, electricity systems, lighting and ceiling support systems in ceiling cavities and other parts of the building.

These can collapse and pose risks to life and property.

Earthquake Commission reinsurance, research and education general manager Hugh Cowan said non-structural elements and fit-out was responsible for up to 70 per cent of the building's value.

'They contribute significantly to the cost of repair when they do fail … and determines whether or not the building can continue to operate and function.

'It can be the difference between carrying on or moving out.'

Quake damage to non-structural elements was 'not necessarily a regulatory system failure', but there were areas for improvement, Cowan said.

They included making seismic design criteria information more widely and easily available, making it clear who was responsible and for what, improving visibility of costs for design, and encouraging education.

'If we don't invest enough in resistance the post-event cost is too great.'

The Kaikoura earthquake in November last year affected the ability of businesses to stay open and highlighted Wellington's potential vulnerability, an Insurance Council of New Zealand spokeswoman said.

Following the Canterbury earthquakes, a significant amount of the commercial property damage was due to the failure of non-structural seismic restraints, she said.

It was also a significant cause of the damage to the BNZ building on Harbour Quays in 2013 following the Seddon earthquakes.

Using Wellington as a case study, the seminar showed another earthquake could leave some existing buildings unusable for some time.

The conference is hosted by the Insurance Council of New Zealand, BRANZ, Wellington City Council and the Earthquake Commission.