Seismic experience and structural preparedness of residential houses in Aotearoa New Zealand

Previous experience has been identified as a distinctive variable that can influence people's decision-making process for adopting earthquake preparedness actions. This study analysed data from a survey of 565 homeowners in the region of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, to examine the influence of previous earthquake experiences on awareness and use of strengthening for existing wooden-framed houses for future major earthquakes. The results indicate that previous earthquake experience can influence the first and second phases of preparedness (the motivation and intention phases) but is not enough to directly trigger the final implementation phase. The study also analysed different types of earthquake experiences and their effects on the decision-making process. It was found that observations of damage or loss raised people's awareness of strengthening but did not trigger implementation. On the other hand, people who stated that they had family or friends that experienced damage, were more likely to adopt structural strengthening. The results of this study indicate that prior earthquake experience cannot be relied upon alone to trigger the adoption of structural strengthening. Consequently, other support must be provided, which also has to align with people's beliefs.