Archives New Zealand Building Update
Since the recent 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake engineers have undertaken several structural assessments of the Archives New Zealand building on Mulgrave Street.
On the 17th November, as a precautionary measure, the building was evacuated following the engineers further examining an area where concerning damage had been found – the safety of our people being paramount.
A full and detailed assessment of the building has now been carried out and has confirmed the area of concern is isolated and relates to internal non-repository space of later construction, rather than structural concerns with the main frame of the building. On the advice of seismic engineers, remedial work will be undertaken over coming weeks.
The building will be open to staff with a phased return over the coming weeks – though access to areas of the building where remedial work is required will of course be restricted. In addition, parts of the repository in proximity to building works will be closed.
The closure of parts of the repository means only a limited range of services will be available until January 2017, when we anticipate a full resumption of services including re-opening of the public reading room (http://archives.govt.nz/archives-wellington-services-update).
Building systems are operating normally. This includes those servicing the Constitution Room, which houses the Treaty of Waitangi, He Whakaputanga and the Women’s Suffrage Petition.
We would take this opportunity to thank users and stakeholders for their support and patience over this time.
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