Wooly_Cow

When buying a house in Wellington, can anyone tell me what information is given regarding earthquake, land slip and tsunami risk.

The council publish a risk map for Central Wellington, Porirua, and the Hutt Valley. http://www.gw.govt.nz/story4258.cfm. This gives general risk levels but do surveys of houses include more detail with regards to what design and build factors have been taken to protect the building.

Are there specific building regulations regarding the buildings ability to withstand earth tremors? If so when did the come in?

Are there more detailed council plans like the Land Registry in the UK where risk assessments are shown (in the UK they show things like old waste tips, mining, hazardous chemicals etc.)?

What if anything did people living in Wellington think and do about the risks before buying a house here?

Thanks

Kimi-Deacon

Now you have got me thinking, just checked the map and it appears we are low risk well at least i hope we are please tell me im right Jan dont fancy dissapearing down the valley.

Wooly_Cow

You'll be fine - just slide down hill a little...my little house in Seatoun will shake to bits, sink into the mud and 15 mintues later be washed away by a tidal wave !

Seroiusly though Newlands is mostly a lower risk area but like you say it's difficult to see from the large scale council maps which is why i asked if there were any more detailed maps or surveys when you buy a house

Kimi-Deacon

OMG lets hope nothing happens Saturday night dont like the sound of sinking in to the mud and being washed away by a tidal wave

Bo-Jangles

Yes indeed there are, when you get the LIM (Land Information Memorandum) all will be revealed.

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/lim/lim.html

A property report can also be obtained, before you go ahead and make any offers at https://www.qv.co.nz/ it gives some basic ratings on earthquake, wind and flood risks.

Browner_

You think NZ houses have design and build factors to withstand earth tremors??

Apart from checking the zone as you mentioned, if your house is on any sort of slope, or on struts, ensure that your builders reports considers the implications of this especially.

I would think in an earthquake your house is either going to rattle a bit (so what) or be completely destroyed.

zoglet

Could anyone tell me if house insurance in NZ typically includes earthquake cover?

Wooly_Cow

Yes - basically the government insures a house and contents up to a certain ammount (can't remember what this level is) and your house and contents insurance will cover the rest in most policies. (I think if I am reading my policy details correctly!)

Wooly_Cow

I was told but would like more details if anyone has them, that the foundations of houses can be on reinforced concrete rafts rather than piles or trenches as in the UK. This means for small amounts of ground movement the whole structure will move together rather than crack. I was also told that new hosues have flexible gas and water connections again to allow for small amounts of movement.

Like you say however these measures only help up to a point.

I just wondered if anyone, who has bought or upgraded a house, has any specifics about what measures (if any) are taken.

jennifer45

We've experienced about 9 in Wellie on our trips down there. 3 quite strong ones lasting over 30 secs the rest sort of noticeable but nothing to make you run to a corner!
One woke us up about 7am.
The way I look at it- at my age anything that makes the bed shake and the earth move is not to be sneered at and certainly not to be worried about!

luvwelly

Wow thanks for that - it actually made reassuring reading re where I live....one reason to be glad we are not buying..at least in UK you only have to worry about flood risk.

kiwinow

I lived in Paraparaumu and travelled daily to Wellington. Basically, Wellington and the gorge out of it are built on a fault line and should there be a really serious quake it would be difficult to get into or out of the city. However, this hasn't happened yet and hopefully the seismologists would warn you.

Earthquakes and tremors are a part of life in this area and you get used to it. If it's really bad you get under a table or a doorway just in case (I can only remember one instance in 10 years), but mostly you ignore it and carry on. I remember an amusing visit from some UK rellies who turned white as the house started to shake. We all ignored it and couldn't understand their blind panic. The houses and buildings should allow for earthquake movement in this area, just as south island homes have to allow for snow loading and insurance usually covers.

Wooly_Cow

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for

zoglet

Thanks Wooly! I appreciate your reply!