Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission Te Komihana Rūwhenua o Waitaha Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission – Te Komihana Rūwhenua o Waitaha

Those who lost relatives and friends in the 22 February earthquake can be assured that there will be a very thorough inquiry into the failure of buildings that resulted in loss of life.
Chair, Justice Mark Cooper
 

MEDIA STATEMENT         

                                                             2 November 2011

 

Quakes Royal Commission Receives Advice From Engineers

The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission has received expert advice from IPENZ--the professional body that moderates the standards of engineering education in New Zealand.

The Commission is required to inquire into the adequacy of the current legal and best-practice requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings in central business districts in New Zealand to address the known risk of earthquakes.

Today the Commission has published on its website a report it commissioned from the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ). The report 'Standards and Regulation for Building Construction in New Zealand' discusses the legislation and other rules governing the engineering profession, the sequential development of standards for building construction in New Zealand and the manner in which building controls are managed by building consent authorities. It also documents the educational requirements for engineers.

The Commission has also published letters it has received from the University of Auckland, University of Canterbury and Unitec commenting on engineering programmes.

The deadline for submissions on issues raised in the report and letters is 20 January 2012. The Commission will conduct a public hearing on the training of engineers and the organisation of the engineering profession in the week commencing 13 February 2012

END

About the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission

The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission in Christchurch was established in response to the building failure and loss of life caused by the Canterbury earthquake in February 2011.

The purpose of the Commission is to examine issues around the built environment in the Christchurch central business district and to inquire into the adequacy of relevant building codes and standards into the future.

The Commission is required to provide the Governor-General with a final report by no later than April 2012.

For Further Information:

Robin Major
Senior Communications Advisor
Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission
Ph + 64 (0)3 741 3004 or + 64 (0)21 621 656
Email: robin.major@royalcommission.govt.nz