The Centre's management says the Detailed Seismic Assessment Report issued in February rated some of the Centre's key structural elements at just 20 per cent of the New Building Standards.

A peer review of the engineer's report has been commissioned, so decisions about the building's future can be made.

At that stage, options will include whether to re-strengthen the building, demolish and rebuild, or demolish and redevelop the Hill Street site.

Nimble and flexible

The Archdiocesan Centre is the nucleus of operations for Cardinal John Dew and a range of diocesan tenants from several national church offices.

"Once the peer review is received, we will be in a position to make decisions around whether the Catholic Centre can be strengthened and we can one day return there, or whether our move out of the Centre needs to be permanent," says Archdiocesan General Manager John Prendergast.

"Whichever decision ends up being taken though, it seems very likely that we will need to be in alternative accommodation for at least the next 12-24 months."

Making new arrangements "provides an opportunity for us to be nimble and flexible, and to rethink the way we operate in responding to the challenge."

Prendergast says there are two options currently on the table for relocating the Centre.

One is the "all together" model. This would identify office accommodation in one place that could house all the Archdiocese's staff and possibly also all the tenant staff.

The other option is the "distributed" model, where archdiocesan and tenant staff would be housed in teams but in separate accommodation.

Project Stronger

The report surprised some, because, after the Christchurch earthquake, the Archdiocese in 2012 initiated "Project Stronger," an assessment process that determined which of the Archdiocese's buildings were at risk.

With a price-tag of more than $3 million just to complete the assessments and decide on remedial work, 25 churches, 4 halls and 7 presbyteries were assessed at less than 34 percent of the national building standard.

In 2014 a team of international experts began a study of New Zealand's churches to assess which are the most vulnerable to earthquakes.

In February 2014, Project Stronger's David Mullin told Stuff that their research identified buildings that did not meet current standards.

In July 2018, the adjacent Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart was classified earthquake-prone and closed due to safety concerns.

In August 2020, work to strengthen and restore the Cathedral began. With more than $11 million of the $16.5 million required to complete this project now secured, efforts are underway to raise the remaining $5.5 million.

Sources

• Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington
• Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington
• Supplied - Wellington Archdiocesan Centre
• Stuff
• Stuff
• Cathedral Campaign

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE) rates St Patrick's as only 26% NBS compliant (New Building Standard).

Church engineers originally rated the building at a much safer 49%.

The new public compliance level has surprised some who attended Mass at St Patrick's.

"From 49% to just 26%, there's something amiss there," Mary Ann told CathNews.

"It's quite serious, they've based their advice to the Cardinal on wrong figures," she said.

Like other churches in the parish, Mary Ann is concerned the 26% rating will make the Masterton church too risky for parishioners to attend Mass.

The change in earthquake seismic rating comes amidst a time of significant change in the Wairarapa Catholic communities.

With three churches closed and up for sale, and now St Patrick's new seismic rating, it leaves Mary Ann less sure about the future of the Masterton Catholic Church.

The parish plan is to have Mass available at Featherston and Masterton.

It is a move parishioners have questioned.

When asked for input the parish said it preferred a 5 church community model.

Pat, a Featherston parishioner wonders if it is a chance to relook at things.

He laments the loss of the local community and wonders if 'Masterton' understands.

"I don't see why the priest can't promote the local community and come to the people rather than all the community travel to where the priest is".

A pragmatist, Pat admits his concerns may not eventuate.

After the merger of the five communities in 2014, by land area, the Wairarapa parish is the largest of the Archdiocese's parishes.

While the church has changed, diverse in nature, the small civic communities remain.

"Local community matters.

"Interesting model, this church one," Pat says, a little tongue in cheek.

He gets on with his day.

Sources

• Wairarapa Times-Age (2021)