Ministry of Education office fails seismic assessment

The Ministry of Education's head office in Bowen Street in Wellington closed yesterday after it was revealed it met only 25 per cent of the criteria under the new guidelines for seismic assessment. Earlier this month, Hutt Hospital's main block was also declared an earthquake risk. Wellington City is considered a high-risk seismic area and sits on multiple active fault lines. Susie Ferguson spoke to structural engineer John Scarry.