Legislation setting a national timeframe for strengthening or demolishing earthquake-prone buildings has passed its first reading in Parliament on Wednesday.
Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says the bill will ensure quake-prone buildings are dealt with in a timely manner through a nationally consistent system.
He says it will also require information about earthquake-prone buildings to be made available to the public.
The bill sets a timeframe of 20 years for buildings to be strengthened or demolished by requiring territorial authorities to assess buildings within five years.
The work on the buildings will have to be completed or buildings demolished within 15 years of assessment.
The legislation will now be considered by the Local Government and Environment Select Committee.
