Wed Sep 18 01:31:56 UTC 2024: ## Beca Loses Supreme Court Case Over Demolished BNZ Tower in Wellington

**Wellington, New Zealand** – Engineering consultancy Beca has lost its Supreme Court appeal against Wellington City Council in a legal battle stemming from the demolition of the former BNZ Harbour Quays office tower. The building, located on Waterloo Quay, was severely damaged in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and deemed uneconomic to repair.

Beca was initially sued by the council, which alleged Beca’s design and construction work on the building contributed to its collapse. Beca argued that its involvement in the project ended over 10 years ago and that the council’s claim was barred by the 10-year longstop provision in the Building Act 2004. However, both the High Court and Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the council, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court found that the council’s claim for contribution from Beca was not subject to the longstop provision, meaning Beca can still be held liable for its role in the building’s design and construction. Beca has said it will continue to defend the claim.

This legal dispute adds another chapter to the saga of the BNZ tower, which was built between 2006 and 2010. Following the earthquake, the bank, which leased the building, sued the council for negligence, claiming that the council’s consent and inspection processes were flawed. While the council denied liability, it brought Beca into the case as a potential contributor to the building’s failure.

The Supreme Court’s decision likely means further legal battles are to come. Meanwhile, the BNZ has moved into a new 12-storey building in Wellington, known as “BNZ Place,” which opened earlier this year.

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