Ron Mark MP
New Zealand First Deputy Leader
Spokesperson on Defence

16 NOVEMBER 2016

NEW ZEALAND’S ‘PENTAGON’ & ‘LANGLEY’ WRECKED BY EARTHQUAKE

New Zealand First is concerned at New Zealand’s national security given the relatively new buildings housing the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and GCSB/SIS have been evacuated.

“This is highly serious because it means our national security is compromised,” says Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for Defence Ron Mark.

“Imagine if the Pentagon and the CIA at Langley had to quit offices for upwards of a year due to earthquake damage? There’d be hell to pay.

“It also asks massive and uncomfortable questions about building standards and why our government is hostage to just one city. Ironically the former historic Defence House, now occupied by Mr Joyce’s MBIE, seems to be running normally.

“New Zealand First is also concerned at the risks posed by the Beehive, which wobbles like a jelly in an earthquake. Why on earth is the Civil Defence bunker even in its basement? Why is that command and control centre even in a city acutely vulnerable to earthquake and related damage.

“In 1855 the Wairarapa earthquake created land many buildings now stand on. That event was five times bigger at 8.2 on the Richter scale and a lot closer than Culverden’s recent quake. That is why it is staggering and disconcerting to see the increasing reports of damage in Wellington.

“Yet all of our main centres are exposed to natural hazards including tsunami, volcanism and earthquakes.

“We have to change that by redistributing government agencies from getting them out of Wellington and the main centres and into the provinces,” says Mr Mark.

ENDS

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