In the article attached below the argument of certain areas of the country being exempt from new earthquake building criteria unfolds.

Auckland for instance has a 1 in 110,000 years chance of having a severe earthquake which equates to 7333% less chance than Wellington.

Cost of upgrading to new strict building guidelines to construction for strengthening buildings against earthquakes ultimately gets paid by the consumer and again brings up the argument of affordable housing.

I  believe that the new regulations while necessary in areas like Wellington and obviously Christchurch are not required nationwide and areas should be defined and criteria changed to adequately cover areas of far less risk of a severe earthquake.

The cost of building continues to increase without adding over engineered criteria to the equation making it less affordable for people to build in this country.

Whats your opinion ?Auckland must be exempt from earthquake-prone buildings law _ Scoop News