27 Feb 2017

Defence headquarters set for demolition

7:23 am on 27 February 2017

The Defence Force's headquarters in Wellington has been earmarked for demolition because of earthquake damage.

Defence House, Aitken St, Wellington

Staff moved out of Defence House, Aitken Street, in November. Photo: Creative Commons

The owners say they are still making a decision about the 10-year-old building but sources have told RNZ the Aitken Street building will be pulled down.

The 900 staff moved out shortly after the November quake.

In a statement, building owner AMP Capital said it was yet to receive a full engineering assessment and until that was complete it could not comment on the next steps.

Nearly two weeks ago, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told Parliament the decision to demolish Defence House had been made.

After Mr Peters raised the matter on 15 February, Defence staff were told the company was still considering its options.

Mr Peters said more evidence had emerged since then. "There's more evidence that this building is not fit for purpose."

The Defence Minister and the Defence Force have said they have not yet been told of any demolition plans.