Seismic Performance for the lightweight timber residential building stock of New Zealand

Timber-framed houses typically meet life-safety philosophy behind building codes during earthquakes; however, recent events have highlighted significant non-structural and structural damage houses have suffered. This damage often leads to costly repairs, long disruptions, and stress for homeowners. Our research aimed to understand what people expect from their homes during earthquakes and whether these expectations align with what current building standards provide.

We surveyed 830 homeowners in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington and carried out structural assessments of typical houses. The results were clear: most homeowners expect their houses to perform better than the minimum life-safety standard. While many homeowners believe strengthening their house will help, few have taken action—often because of cost concerns, lack of clear guidance, or uncertainty about what to do.

The physical surveys revealed common vulnerabilities, such as unconnected foundations and heavy masonry chimneys, alongside examples of effective retrofits like chimney removal and reroofing. These findings highlight a gap between public expectations and current building codes. To close this gap, we recommend clearer communication about what building standards entail, along with practical guidance for voluntary strengthening, not just for homeowners, but also for builders and engineers. Moving beyond life safety toward resilience and functional recovery will help communities recover more quickly after earthquakes.