The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure caused by the Canterbury Earthquakes has received its first technical report, which discusses earthquake standards and moving building approval regulations to a risk-based approach.

The Department of Building and Housing, which regulates construction in New Zealand, presented a briefing that says building consent authorities take a risk-averse approach because of liability concerns, but this has led to unnecessary checks and inspections and creates unnecessary costs.

However, while the New Zealand Cabinet has agreed to move the approvals process to a risk-based system, the department says current requirements will remain for residential work of moderate to high risk and complexity until it is clear that oversight can be reduced. 

The commission will consider reports from building authorities, engineers and other experts and has commissioned technical reports into the failure of four major buildings in Christchurch.

The reports into the failure of the Canterbury Television (CTV) tower, Pyne Gould Corporation, Forsyth Barr and Hotel Grand Chancellor buildings will aim to establish why each failed and the possible impact of liquefaction on their foundations.

The collapse of the four buildings – in particular the CTV tower and Pyne Gould building –caused many of the 180 deaths in the February 22 aftershock.

The commission is expected to complete its interim report by October 11.