A government facility containing geological samples worth billions of dollars could collapse in the event of a large earthquake.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has put out a tender to strengthen the National Core Store in the Wairarapa town of Featherston.
The core store contains about 60,000 rock and other samples gathered during commercial drilling and the ministry says it would cost billions of dollars to replace.
It says the shelving holding the samples is attached to the building's frame, and could pull down the entire structure in an earthquake.
University of Otago geologist Virginia Toy says the collection has an incredible scientific value and any loss or damage would be a huge blow. Dr Toy says drilling companies also use the collection to decide whether to undertake exploration.
The ministry says the building itself has already been strengthened and the shelving is the last piece of remedial work needed.
