New earthquake powers will force 300 building owners to strengthen within a yearStacy Squires New earthquake regulations could force come building owners to speed up strengthening of unreinforced masonry, like that which killed several people in the 2011 Canterbury earthquake. The Government said on Tuesday it would be using its powers under the Hurunui/Kaikoura Earthquakes Recovery Act 2016 to require building owners to do the work within 12 months. The prudent response is to require and to assist building owners of these high-risk, unreinforced masonry parapets and facades to secure them urgently." Forty people died in the February 2011 Canterbury earthquake because of the failure of unreinforced masonry buildings. "I call on building owners to make use of the fund and carry out the necessary work on their building to reduce this risk."

Source: Stuff January 25, 2017 00:33 UTC