The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission says the latest volume of its report has relevance for cities and towns across New Zealand.

Volume four of the final report recommends practice, policy and legislative changes to minimise risks to public safety from earthquake-prone buildings.

The Government will decide when to release the report, which investigates the failure of 21 buildings and a freestanding masonry wall in Christchurch that caused 42 of the 185 deaths in the quake of February 22 last year.

The commission says the report has particular relevance for unreinforced masonry buildings, of which New Zealand has an estimated 3867.

It has previously said it will cost $NZ2 billion ($1.6 billion) to strengthen them, more than their combined value of $NZ1.5 billion ($1.2 billion).

Volume four comprises the second part of the commission’s report. The third and final part will be delivered next month.