Our seismic policy guides decision-making on seismic work carried out across the Ministry’s extensive property portfolio.
Central to these decisions is the safety of all building users. Consideration is also given to ensuring services can continue operating to an acceptable standard in the event of a moderate earthquake.
The policy incorporates guidance from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and has been developed in accordance with the latest health and safety legislation.
The Ministry has a large property portfolio and overall, our buildings are seismically resilient with many of them strengthened over time.
Ministry of Justice Seismic Policy [PDF, 214 KB]
The Ministry is undertaking seismic strengthening work at the Gisborne Courthouse. Seismic risk and occupancy assessments have found that the courthouse needs to be strengthened within the next one to three years, but that the Ministry can continue to occupy it while work takes place.
The health and safety of everyone visiting or working at the Gisborne courthouse is the Ministry’s top priority. We are taking prompt action to address the issues identified with the building.
Design is already underway to strengthen and improve the roof in the northwest area of the building. Planning will follow to get the required strengthening work underway as soon as is practical, with minimal disruption to court operations.
Read the Gisborne Courthouse Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) [PDF, 12 MB] and the engineer’s Occupancy Assessment. [PDF, 562 KB]
Seismic work begun on the Auckland District Court building in 2024. Over the next few years, the Ministry will strengthen the building and replace most of its services infrastructure, which includes things like heating, cooling and electrical systems.
The Ministry is working with Crown infrastructure agency Rau Paenga, on the planning and delivery of this project. Find out more about the work to strengthen the Auckland District Court building on the Rau Paenga website Auckland District Court Building | Rau Paenga(external link).
In August 2024, the Ministry received an independent engineer’s report and Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) of the Greymouth Courthouse.
The DSA assessed the building as being at 15 per cent of New Building Standard (NSB), indicating it is potentially earthquake prone.
Independent advice from Holmes Group CEO John Hare, one of the country’s pre-eminent structural engineers, advised the courthouse is suitable for continued occupancy while remediation work is carried out.
That work is now underway and is expected to take between six to nine months, including design, consenting and remedial construction. Wider seismic resilience and other property improvement work is also planned for the site which is expected to take a few years.
The Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) of the Greymouth Courthouse, produced by WSP in August 2024: Greymouth District Court - Detailed Seismic Assessment [PDF, 4.6 MB]
The Engineer’s Occupancy Assessment of the Greymouth Courthouse, produced by Holmes NZ LP in August 2024: Greymouth District Courthouse Ministry of Justice - Technical Advisory [PDF, 907 KB]
The Ministry, in consultation with structural engineers, has reoccupied the Nelson Courthouse while seismic strengthening work continues.
The seismic assessment documents related to the Nelson Courthouse are available below:
In December 2020, Levin District Courthouse reopened after an almost year-long seismic strengthening project was completed.
Levin Courthouse reopens | New Zealand Ministry of Justice
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