The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission is seeking comment on how to improve New Zealand’s building controls and regulatory system.

The commission has released a discussion paper on the roles and responsibilities of the central and local governments and the construction industry relating to buildings and earthquake risk.

Although the royal commission is inquiring into building failure in the Canterbury earthquakes, it is interested in wider issues, such as fundamental problems with the regulatory framework.

It says key matters for consideration are any gaps, omissions and weaknesses within the framework relating to how buildings perform in an earthquake, how the gaps might be closed and areas where information or communication is lacking.

Submissions close on August 13 and the commission will hold a hearing on the issues in early September.