59200 (2025). Arena Williams to the Minister for Building and Construction

Written Question

Published date: 22 Jan 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	59200 (2025)
Question asked:	16 Dec 2025
Member asking:	Arena Williams
Portfolio:	Minister for Building and Construction
Minister replying:	Hon Chris Penk
Answer received:	15 Jan 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_59200_2025
Document guid:	d0ac5d2d-7e21-4dcb-b4ce-718dfd979ccd

59200 (2025). Arena Williams to the Minister for Building and Construction: What scientific or other evidence-based advice, if any, did the Minister receive about removing Auckland, Northland and the Chatham Islands from the current earthquake-prone building system, listed by title and date?

Hon Chris Penk: The decision to remove low seismic zone was based on the 2022 National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM). The NSHM was developed in collaboration with leading geologists, seismologists, and engineering experts, including contributions from GNS Science and other technical bodies.