Mediawatch Seismic shift on quake-prone properties; ‘Not now’ on Palestinian statehood, current affairs catch-up
Oct 4, 2025
Mark Crysell, a veteran TV journalist known for his role on the now-defunct Sunday show, joins the discussion alongside Miriama Kamo. They explore the recent changes in regulations for earthquake-prone buildings and the ensuing media praise, while highlighting potential pitfalls in the implementation. The conversation shifts to the contentious topic of Palestinian statehood, examining government hesitance and media reactions. Finally, they reflect on the drastic cuts to TV current affairs, the rise of online journalism, and why strong reporting is crucial for democracy.
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Policy Change Prioritises High-Risk Buildings
- The government is overhauling earthquake-prone building rules to target only highest life-safety risks in medium and high seismic zones.
- Media coverage celebrated cost savings while often skipping the detailed safety trade-offs experts warned about.
Details Determine Safety Outcomes
- Experts emphasised the devil is in the detail: prioritising life safety must not overlook other critical building code requirements.
- The revised rules may be more practical, but unspecified details could shift long-term costs and risks.
Old Cost–Benefit Figures Were Amplified
- Critics used a 2014 economist's estimate claiming minimal lives saved to argue the old rules were disproportionate.
- That figure derived from now-outdated assumptions and was selectively amplified by some media voices.