New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) has welcomed Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Maggie Barry’s announcement of a programme to help private owners strengthen nationally significant heritage buildings that are earthquake-prone.

NZSEE President Peter Smith says Heritage EQUIP should reduce the risk of losing New Zealand’s heritage fabric to damaging earthquakes.

“It will also encourage best practice in the retrofitting of heritage buildings.

“NZSEE is pleased to see the programme will be able to provide much-needed assistance to regional areas of the country that have significant issues, particularly on main streets.

“We look forward to working with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage on the implementation of Heritage EQUIP.”

NZSEE is a collaborating technical society of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand.