The Ministry of Justice is to undertake seismic strengthening work of the Greymouth Courthouse, to ensure its long-term resilience and ongoing use.
Bruce Findlay, the Ministry of Justice Regional Manager, Southern, said the Ministry had received a Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) report on the Greymouth Courthouse last week, which assessed the building as 15 percent of New Building Standard (NBS), indicating it is potentially earthquake prone.
“We have received independent advice from Holmes Group CEO John Hare who is one of New Zealand's pre-eminent structural engineers, and his Seismic Risk and Occupancy Assessment advises the building is suitable for continued occupancy while it is being remediated,” Mr Findlay said.
“On that basis, the Ministry of Justice has made the decision to continue occupying the building. The safety of the Ministry team and judiciary who work in the building every day, as well as members of the public and other people who visit the building, is our primary concern and we have updated staff on the situation. Government Ministers, the Grey District Council, lawyers’ groups and other stakeholders have also been advised.”
Mr Findlay said the issue came to light in February when tradespeople repairing a leak on the courthouse roof identified potential seismic issues that warranted examination.
The Ministry immediately engaged an independent engineering firm WSP to carry out an Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA) of the courthouse which was completed with urgency. While that rapid assessment concluded there was no immediate risk to staff and the public, engineers advised the Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) was needed to better understand the scale of the remediation work needed to ensure the courthouse’s long-term resilience.
That remediation work has already started and is expected to take between six to nine months including design, consenting and remedial construction.
“It is likely the most critical work can be implemented quickly with low levels of disruption, after which the building will no longer be earthquake prone. Wider seismic resilience and other property improvement work is expected to take a few years,” Mr Findlay said.
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The Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) of the Greymouth Courthouse, produced by WSP in August 2024: Greymouth District Court - Detailed Seismic Assessment [PDF, 4.6 MB]
The Engineer’s Occupancy Assessment of the Greymouth Courthouse, produced by Holmes NZ LP in August 2024: Greymouth District Courthouse Ministry of Justice - Technical Advisory [PDF, 907 KB]
Media contact:
Joe Locke
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media@justice.govt.nz
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