Managing Active Fault Surface Rupture Risk through Land Use Planning:

barriers and opportunities

Authors

  • Edith Bretherton GNS Science
  • Regine Morgenstern GNS Science
  • Nicola Litchfield GNS Science

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26686/pq.v19i4.8568

Keywords:

Land use planning, Active fault, Surface rupture, Natural hazard, Guidance

Abstract

This article reflects on the management of active fault surface rupture hazard after the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes. To understand mitigation barriers, interviews were conducted with planners and natural hazard risk specialists in selected districts with active faults, but without land use provisions. The interviews revealed issues with the interpretation and implementation of the Ministry for the Environment’s Active Fault Guidelines, Planning for Development of Land on or Close to Active Faults: a guideline to assist resource management planners in New Zealand. The purpose and intended use of the New Zealand Active Faults Database (NZAFD) is also explored.

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Author Biographies

Edith Bretherton, GNS Science

Edith Bretherton is a natural hazards planner in the planning and policy team at GNS Science. She undertakes work to improve resilience through land use planning. Previously at West Coast Regional Council, she developed the natural hazard provisions for the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan.

Regine Morgenstern, GNS Science

Regine Morgenstern is a senior technician in the paleoseismology team at GNS Science. She administers the New Zealand Alpine Faults Database and has experience mapping active faults for councils around the country.

Nicola Litchfield, GNS Science

Nicola Litchfield is a senior paleoseismologist at GNS Science and has nearly 30 years’ experience of mapping and characterising active faults for councils and land and infrastructure owners, and for the national seismic hazard model.

Policy Quarterly Volume 19 Issue 4 2023

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Published

2023-11-23

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 4 (2023): Policy Quarterly

Section

Articles

License

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