New Zealand building practitioners can take two new seismic resilience training modules to help them strengthen homes against earthquakes.  

The modules on home construction and retrofitting provide practical guidance on meeting seismic safety standards.

They stem from a partnership between the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tu Ake, the Building Research Association of New Zealand, the government and the construction industry.

“The new modules are based on the latest BRANZ research and real-world insights from the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes,” Building Research Association structures team leader David Carradine said.  

“These tools give builders the know-how to include simple but effective earthquake resilience upgrades – helping to protect families and homes when it matters most.”   

The courses take 30 to 45 minutes to complete and contribute towards the ongoing professional development of licensed building practitioners.  

The hazards commission’s public education manager, Hamish Armstrong, says the courses recognise the critical role builders play “helping ensure our homes, old and new, can best weather the challenges of future earthquake events”.