The Nelson RSA says recent changes to earthquake-prone building legislation could pave the way for the Stoke War Memorial Hall to reopen after six years of closure.
The community-funded hall on Main Road Stoke, was closed in March 2020 after receiving an earthquake-prone building assessment of 17% of New Building Standard (NBS) under previous Importance Level 3 (IL3) requirements.
The key issue identified was unreinforced brick masonry infill panels between reinforced concrete columns.
Nelson RSA life member Ian Barker says the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2026, passed unanimously by Parliament on 18 September, addresses concerns long raised by community groups.
“The RSA is very pleased Parliament has passed this Act. The previous regime was not proportionate to risk and led to the needless closure of many good community buildings like ours," Ian says.
“This hall was significantly funded by the Stoke community to honour the Stoke men who made the ultimate sacrifice. It should never have been closed for six years over brick infill panels when the main structure is reinforced concrete. The new Act shifts the focus to securing facades and walls and managing real life-safety risk, not demanding a full strengthening to a high NBS percentage."
“The message from the RSA is simple: this community-funded war memorial was closed under the old rules. The rules have now changed. It should be returned to use."
Ian says the amended legislation indicates the hall could be made safe through a targeted, lower-cost retrofit rather than a full structural strengthening project costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He says that could involve securing the masonry infill facade with plywood, reflecting what the RSA believes is the Government’s new risk-based approach.
The RSA says it supports former hall users and is aware of possible new activities that could operate from the site, including a potential extension of services provided by the Tāhunanui Community Hub to the wider Stoke area.
The organisation plans to formally request Nelson City Council, which owns the building, to provide an updated earthquake-prone building determination under the amended Act and confirm what work is required to make the hall safe and usable.
“We want to work with council. We believe strengthening the Stoke Memorial Hall will represent a strategic investment in Nelson’s future, removing barriers to community and economic activation, preserving a valued civic asset, and demonstrating leadership, resilience and inclusivity,” Ian says.
RSa will present to council through a public forum later this year.
“The RSA plays a vital role in supporting New Zealand’s returned service personnel and their families, offering welfare services, advocacy and community engagement. The RSA provides essential support including financial assistance, health and residential care advice, bereavement support and more.
“To continue delivering these services effectively, it is critical that we are able to operate in a full and functioning form. Restoring the Stoke Memorial Hall to a safe and usable condition is central to this goal.”
Ian says the hall has remained unused for six years and believes the legislative changes remove the barriers that led to its closure.
“For six years this hall has sat empty. With the law now changed, there is no reason for it to stay that way."
