Bowen House in Wellington investigated for quake risk

6:13 pm on 24 May 2019

A 22-storey tower-block in central Wellington that houses the offices of government ministers, MPs and staff is being investigated by engineers for earthquake risk.

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Bowen House (on the left), the Beehive and Parliament in Wellington. Photo: CC 3.0 BY-Midnighttonight

Staff who work in Bowen House on Lambton Quay have late this afternoon received an email from the Parliamentary Service advising that it may be below code.

MPs from NZ First and the Green Party are based there, as well as Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor and independent MP Jami-Lee Ross and support staff.

The building, which is leased by the government, will receive a final assessment mid-next week but there is no immediate risk.

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