In short: the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2026 is now in force. Since 26 September 2026, buildings in Auckland, the Chatham Islands and the upper North Island low seismic zone have been removed from the earthquake-prone building regime. The rest of the new framework starts on 1 July 2027. Removal from the regime does not mean a building is structurally safe, so check council records, get engineering advice and review who is responsible for strengthening under your lease or sale agreement.
In our Summer 2025 edition (Issue 50), we discussed the government’s proposed changes to the earthquake-prone building (EPB) regime. A year on and the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2026 is now in force; it introduces a more targeted approach to managing earthquake risk.
Some of the changes took effect from 26 September 2026; these removed buildings in Auckland, the Chatham Islands and the upper North Island low seismic zone from the regime.
The remainder of the new framework will come into force on 1 July 2027; this focuses on specified buildings in medium and high seismic zones. Remediation requirements will depend on a building’s construction and risk profile, with some buildings requiring no strengthening work at all.
For property owners, these changes may reduce the cost of complying with earthquake-strengthening requirements. If you own a commercial building, are considering purchasing one, or lease premises where strengthening work has been proposed, it is worth checking whether the building’s status or obligations have or will change under the new rules.
Importantly, removal from the EPB regime does not necessarily mean a building is structurally safe. Before relying on the reforms when buying, selling or leasing a property, you should check the relevant council records and seek engineering advice where appropriate. Existing leases and sale agreements should also be reviewed to establish who remains responsible for any strengthening work and associated costs.
Talk to our property team in Whangārei – get in touch.
This article first appeared in Property Speaking, Summer 2026 (No 53). Read more of our newsletters.
DISCLAIMER: All the information published in Property Speaking is true and accurate to the best of the authors’ knowledge. It should not be a substitute for legal advice. No liability is assumed by the authors or publisher for losses suffered by any person or organisation relying directly or indirectly on this newsletter. Views expressed are those of individual authors, and do not necessarily reflect the view of this firm. Articles appearing in Property Speaking may be reproduced with prior approval from the editor and credit given to the source. Editor: Adrienne Olsen, Adroite Communications. E: adrienne@adroite.co.nz. M: 029 286 3650.
Content Copyright © NZ LAW Limited, 2026.
