A report on Wellington's earthquake risk says if the city was to be struck by a major quake, it would result in deaths and significantly more injuries than earlier thought.
The report, by Greater Wellington Regional Council, estimates that up to 1500 people could die if the capital was struck by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, as hit Canterbury in September. Another 1200 may be injured.
Co-author Rian van Schalkwyk hopes the report is a wake-up call.
It estimates 18,000 homes would be damaged and 140 buildings in the CBD would collapse, leaving an estimated two million tonnes of debris.
It says the rubble will make it almost impossible for vehicles to move around the city and ambulance services will have to operate on foot.
It also estimates the capital's medical facilities will run out of medical supplies by the end of the first day of the event.
But Capital and Coast Health acting chief executive Shaun Drummond says he doesn't know how it reached that conclusion.
The board's estimate is that it would be 14 to 19 days before supplies would be needed from outside the area.
