Dunne Wants Stronger Government Line On Earthquake Standards

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, is calling for a stronger Government line on earthquake safety standards.

He was commenting on reports that NZI has declined insurance to 100 Wellington commercial buildings which it considers to be earthquake unsafe.

"I am not criticising the NZI decision at all - in fact, quite the opposite."

"But I do believe it makes it clear that much more work needs to be done to make New Zealand buildings - especially those in high risk areas like Wellington - safer and better able to withstand the inevitable major earthquake."

"The Government must take a stronger lead than it has been, and put more pressure on local authorities and building owners to make sure commercial buildings are not earthquake risks."

"In the light of the NZI decision, I have approached the Wellington City Council asking for a list of unsafe buildings in Wellington to be pomade public, so that local people can be aware of the risks they face every time they enter these buildings, or walk past them."

"I think that there should be national pressure from central Government to reveal unsafe buildings across the country, so that people can be better informed of the risks they face," Mr Dunne says.

Mr Dunne says NZI's decision is a "welcome wake-up call" which must be acted upon.

ENDS

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