An American specialist in earthquake engineering says New Zealand needs to adopt a new approach to earthquake safety and reconstruction.
California Seismic Safety Commissioner and engineer Kit Miyamoto says the country would benefit from adopting the Japanese practice of selectively repairing or reinforcing buildings.
He says Japanese engineers and builders focus on fixing the worst part or weakest link in a building, rather than every aspect of the structure.
Dr Miyamoto says the Japanese system is cost effective and would involve only about 20% of what New Zealand would spend in addressing the problem.
