Earthquake-Prone Building System review announcement

The Government has announced significant reforms to the earthquake-prone building (EPB) system, shifting to a more proportionate and risk-based approach. The proposed changes will be given effect by a Bill and the current settings remain in place for now.

The changes aim to reduce compliance costs while maintaining the core objective of improving life safety. The revised system will focus on buildings in higher seismic risk areas and those with greater structural vulnerability, such as heavy construction and unreinforced masonry. 

By tailoring requirements to building type and risk level, the changes will streamline remediation efforts, removing around 2,900 buildings from the EPB system and reducing obligations for many other building owners.  

For LBPs, these changes will mean:

• simplified compliance: The removal of low-risk buildings and regions (for example, Auckland and Northland) from the EPB system will reduce unnecessary assessments and retrofits.
• tiered mitigation options: The new system introduces a range of remediation pathways, including façade securing, targeted retrofits, and full retrofits, offering more flexibility in design and construction solutions.
• extended deadlines: Current EPB remediation deadlines have been extended by 4 years, had the deadlines not lapsed as of 2 April 2024. This gives LBPs and building owners more time to plan and deliver seismic upgrades.

LBPs are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Cabinet papers, and technical reports available on Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment’s website to stay ahead of the changes and eventually to support clients through the transition. Public submissions can be made on the Bill once it is before Select Committee.  

Earthquake-prone building and seismic risk management review(external link) — Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)