Orange Zone Fact Sheet

 
Geotechnical engineers Tonkin & Taylor have assessed and mapped residential land damage caused by the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. 
 
The residential orange zone is effectively the 'hold zone'. Some of the land in this area has suffered new damage in the 13 June 2011 aftershocks and requires further assessment. Other areas in the residential orange zone require more investigation to determine whether land repair is practical.
 
In the residential orange zone, land damage ranges from moderate to very severe. There may also be minor lateral spreading (land moving horizontally towards water, opening up cracks and causing the surface of the land to drop in some areas). 

The criteria for defining areas as residential orange zone are: 

•    New damage following the 13 June 2011 event requires further assessment
•    Detailed assessment is required to determine whether land repair is practical
•    Generally land damage ranges from moderate to very severe
•    Many buildings are uneconomic to repair
•    Extent of infrastructure damage is unclear
•    Following further assessment and engineering work many of these areas may be reclassified as suitable for rebuilding (i.e. green go zone) or some may be reclassified as the red zone and will be eligible for the Government's offer of purchase
 
The Government will continue to announce the outcome of investigations into these orange areas over the coming weeks and months. 

What does this mean for me? 

The Government is continuing to gather information to provide further clarity. The remaining residential orange zones will be reclassified as either green or red zones over the coming months as the necessary information becomes available. 

Where can I get more information?

The information provided on this website is just a guide and should not be used as the basis for decision making. For the latest official information refer to the sources listed below.
 
Residents can visit the www.landcheck.org.nz website and enter their address to find out what zone their property has been mapped into.  
 
Residents can also contact the Government helpline on 0800 779 997 if they are unable to access the website or if they want more information.
 
Further information is also available on the CERA website www.cera.govt.nz.