In September 2025 the government announced plans to relax the EPB compliance regime including the proposal to remove low-risk areas such as Auckland from the system. A bill to enact was introduced and this will become law in 2026. When you read the following fact sheet, this means that work previously required by 2056 will no longer be required.
Going back to February 2020 – There were a few leaks in the roof that needed fixing and a group of local builders were ready to do the work, but because of the value of the work, the committee prudently sought a second quote.
It was this second builder that raised Buckland Hall as being structurally unsafe.
In March 2020 COVID arrived and with it the Level 4 lockdowns at which point the hall obviously had to close.
Understanding that it was an Earthquake Prone Building the Committee appointed structural engineers EQSTRUC to prepare the required report.
In the report EQSTRUC advised that there was no legislative reason to keep the hall closed and it was up to the Committee whether or not to open the hall. However, with the continued impact of the COVID lockdowns and the committee feeling extremely nervous, the decision was taken to keep the hall closed even after the Auckland lockdowns ceased.
It is very sad to realise that keeping Buckland Hall closed after the lockdown was lifted, was completely unnecessary.
The new committee made it their priority to review all the documentation and engage in consultation with EQSTRUC and the Council. With the support of the professional advice from both parties that there was absolutely no legislative reason why the hall should not be open to the public, the Committee ratified the decision to re-open the hall in February 2023.
A band of volunteers then worked long hours to clean, extensively paint inside and out, upgrade the ladies toilets, waterblast etc., before a wonderful celebratory re-opening on ANZAC day.
A tremendous turn out as the community celebrated the re-opening of the community owned hall on 25th April 2023
It is important for the Community to know that the new Committee does not in any way blame the previous Committee for the unnecessary closure of the hall. We totally understand and remember the COVID lockdown environment. It must have been a very intense time and hard for the Committee to try to deal with all the issues. We completely sympathise, as we now know that the worry and stress caused to them was unnecessary.
Like thousands of other wonderful, historic buildings through out New Zealand,* Buckland Hall has been identified as an Earthquake Prone Building.
However, the location is an area of Low Seismic Risk which means we have until 12th February 2056 to comply with the latest Building Standards.
*Visit the EPB Register to see a full list of all EPB buildings many of which are open to the public.
The Council and the Cyclone Gabrielle Trust have all recognised that Buckland Hall is an invaluable asset in the case of an emergency as happened during Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Floods.
Obviously until the EPB issues have been addressed, Buckland Hall would not be stood up as an Emergency Hub in the case of an earthquake.
Absolutely BECAUSE it is safe to be open to all members of the public!
We have consulted with the Ministry of Education who advise that there has been no instructions to schools that an EPB building cannot be used.
Yes, absolutely the reports are all available for the public to view – please contact the Buckland Community Centre Inc Chairperson, Ian Farrant to arrange a time to meet. You will also find all the Committee Minutes since August 2022 located in the Community Information Area of this website.