Radio New Zealand

Conferences withdrawn from the Wellington Town Hall after news the building was earthquake prone have cost the Council $700,000.

An engineering report has found the building meets 20 - 25% of earthquake standards, well short of the required 34%.

Two major conferences due to be held in the venue have been moved elsewhere.

The Human Resources Institute of New Zealand says it chose a different venue for its annual conference because it wanted to be sensitive to concerns about the earthquake-prone building.

The building is closing next year for multi-million dollar strengthening work and council-controlled company Positively Wellington Venues, which manages the Town Hall, says it's vital an alternative is found.

Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown says $4 million has been budgeted to upgrade a different venue to take over the conference facility.

Revenue from conferences and events in Wellington Town Hall contributes about $15 million annually to the city.