Seismic Map
Find out what the new earthquake-prone building requirements will be for any address from 1 July 2027.
Using the map
Enter any New Zealand address into the search bar to the right of the map, then click the map to see what the new requirements would be for remediating an earthquake-prone building at that location.
About the map
Urban areas
Urban areas shown on the map with a pink border are defined using Statistics New Zealand population data as published in Functional urban areas – methodology and classification (2021).
Functional urban areas – methodology and classification (2021) [PDF 930KB] – stats.govt.nz
Urban areas are set in the Building (Earthquake-prone Building) Amendment Act 2026 and will not change with population fluctuations. The following population areas are included as ‘urban’ for EPB purposes:
- metropolitan areas: urban core and secondary urban cores
- large regional centres: urban core and secondary urban cores
- medium regional centres: urban core
Places on a seismic zone boundary
Towns and cities (including those classified as ‘not urban’) on seismic zone boundaries take the higher of the 2 seismic zones.
Map terminology
Unreinforced masonry
Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings have masonry façades (typically made of bricks) that are not strengthened with steel, timber or fibre. These buildings often have parapets, canopies, balconies, decorative ornaments or signs attached to street-facing façades. Unreinforced masonry buildings are commonly used as shops across New Zealand.
Heavy materials
Tall buildings made of heavy materials are buildings that are 3 storeys or taller and are constructed of concrete or reinforced masonry.
Façade risk mitigation
Façade risk mitigation means retrofit work must be done to manage the risk of a façade falling onto a public road, footpath, thoroughfare or area where people congregate in an earthquake. It generally involves tying the building’s façades back to the building frame.
Targeted retrofit
Targeted retrofit means retrofit work must be done to manage the risk of the building collapsing in an earthquake. It may involve structural work to both the inside and outside of the building.
Buildings in scope
Does this affect my home?
Standalone homes and townhouses used by one or two households cannot be earthquake-prone buildings (EPBs). Apartment buildings, hostels, boarding houses, and other specialised accommodation may be EPBs if they are in a medium or high seismic zone. If your home was not an EPB under the current system, it is not likely to be an EPB under the new system.
Is my building still an earthquake-prone building?
All buildings in Auckland, the Chatham Islands and the upper North Island low seismic zone are being removed from the EPB system from the day after Royal Assent. For all other parts of the country, the current EPB system stays in place until 30 June 2027. Territorial authorities (councils) will start notifying EPB owners of their proposed status when the new system commences from 1 July 2027.
From 1 July 2027, only two types of buildings can be EPBs. EPBs must be in a medium or high seismic zone, and either:
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made of unreinforced masonry, or
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made of heavy materials (for example, concrete) and 3 storeys or taller.
Unreinforced masonry buildings will stay EPBs as long as:
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the building has exterior unreinforced masonry walls (cavity or solid), and
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at least one of those URM walls face onto a public road, footpath or other thoroughfare, or a place where people congregate.
Tall buildings made of heavy materials will remain as EPBs from 1 July 2027. If you own one of these buildings you will be able to commission a High-Risk Deficiency review, and if no deficiencies are identified it will not meet the definition of an EPB and will be able to be removed from the EPB register.
A new EPB Methodology will be published in early 2027 to provide detail on High-Risk Deficiencies and building features required to qualify as an EPB.
More information
Building remediation deadlines
EPBs are given different deadlines for remediation depending on their location and whether they have been given priority building status by the territorial authority. You can find information about a specific building’s deadline for completing seismic work on the EPB Register or on the EPB sign displayed on the building.
Register of earthquake-prone buildings – epbr.building.govt.nz