New Zealand Standards and earthquakes FAQs

On 14 March 2011 Cabinet agreed to establish a Royal Commission to Inquire into Building Failure Caused by the Canterbury Earthquakes. The Commission began its inquiry in May and published an Interim Report in October 2011. Part One of its final report in three volumes was publicly released on 23 August 2012. Part 2 of its final report was publicly released on 7 December 2012. The final part of its report was publicly released on 10 December 2012.

Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission website

These frequently asked questions explain Standards New Zealand's role in developing national Standards.

About the Standards Council and the development of New Zealand Standards

Why were we formed? Our genesis followed the 1931 Hawke’s Bay magnitude 7.8 earthquake in wh...more

About New Zealand Standards related to buildings

What is our role in developing building related standards? There are approximately 650 build...more

About New Zealand Standards related to earthquakes and buildings

Are there New Zealand Standards that relate specifically to earthquakes? Yes, seismic consid...more

About New Zealand Standards for timber-framed residential buildings

What is the most widely used New Zealand building Standard? ...more