Wellington City Council’s Te Hoe Matua | City Strategy and Delivery Committee has today voted to revoke the previous Council decision to demolish the City to Sea bridge, and will review further options in February next year.

Committee Chair, Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman, says that the Government’s recent announcement of major reforms to the earthquake prone building system means the circumstances have changed since the previous decision was made.

“These reforms are likely to allow for greater flexibility in earthquake strengthening options, which may mean there are options that weren’t previously there for the City to Sea bridge and the connected Capital E building.

“The bridge is an important part of our city, it is a vital link between the city and the waterfront, and the proposed changes in approach to earthquake standards means we can give this the weight it deserves.”

In light of the Government’s announcement on 30 September of proposed changes to the earthquake-prone building framework, officers are bringing updated advice to Council in February 2026 on options, costs and any new alternatives that may be available to address the earthquake risks posed by the City to Sea bridge and Capital E building.

Councillor Abdurahman says affordability will be front-of-mind when the committee considers options next year.

“In a context where many people are struggling with the cost of living, our decisions need to reflect financial restraint and ensure our investment is focused on what Wellingtonians most need and value.”

The City to Sea bridge, Capital E and the lagoon seawall are closely connected structures, with the roof of Capital E supporting the city side of the bridge, and the lagoon seawall supporting the harbour side. Capital E has been declared earthquake-prone, at 15% New Building Standard (NBS), under the Building Act 2004. Under the current law, Council is required to resolve Capital E’s earthquake-prone status by June 2031.

The Council had previously voted to demolish the City to Sea bridge and replace it with a pedestrian crossing, and to explore funding a replacement bridge through the 2027-27 Long-term Plan, at the Kōrau Tāupapa | Environment and Infrastructure Committee on 5 December 2024.

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