The Building and Construction Minister says new earthquake building rules are more nuanced.

Changes to the rules will remove Auckland, Northland, and the Chatham Islands from the regime. 

Coastal Otago, including Dunedin, will be classified as a medium seismic hazard area, and will remain within the earthquake-prone building system 

Building Minister Chris Penk says the rules are ultimately designed to protect life.  

He told Mike Hosking under the current system some owners were unable to afford the upgrades.  

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