Councils in high quake-risk zones are warning the government that historic main streets in the provinces will be decimated if recently tightened deadlines to upgrade or demolish buildings are not relaxed.

John Hare of Engineering New Zealand agreed the law changes for earthquake-prone buildings last year did not go further enough to take into account the different risks between, for example, a small town in Manawatū or Rangitikei, and Wellington . . . .