Wellington office workers set to return to quake-stricken CBD

It's back to business for most Wellington workers tomorrow according to the city's mayor, as buildings reopen in the CBD. Photo / Mark Mitchell

•99 per cent of business will be open in the CBD today according to the Wellington mayor.
•Demolition will begin on the building at 61 Molesworth St today.
•CentrePort has resumed most operations however buildings including Statistics House remain off limits.

It's back to business for most Wellington workers today according to the city's mayor, as buildings reopen in the CBD.

Wellington mayor Justin Lester told the Herald he expects 99 per cent of business will be open in the CBD, a week after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

"A vast majority of buildings have been deemed find, with no damage.

"I stress that people check with their employers to see if their building is safe."

Lester said it was up to employers to communicate with their staff if they are required to work.

"If they don't feel comfortable working they need to liaise with their employer."

On Friday, the mayor brushed off suggestions the CBD should have been red-zoned on Monday.

Demolition will begin on the building at 61 Molesworth St today.

A Worksafe spokesman said employers have the right to stop work, or refuse to carry out work, if they believe it poses a serious risk to health or safety.

"If you have stopped work, you need to let the business know as soon as you can.

"You don't have to start again if you still reasonably believe that you or another person would be in danger."

The Public Service Association has reminded members that they don't have to enter any building that hasn't passed an engineer's check.

An 85-tonne crane will begin deconstructing the former Deloitte building at 61 Molesworth St today.

Lester could not put an end date on the demolition but said the building will be down "as soon as possible."

The cordon around the building is still in place.

Meanwhile, stabilisation work is set to begin at the Reading Cinema car park on Tory St, which has been closed since the quake and will likely be demolished the company said.

Sunday service at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul also on Molesworth St was relocated yesterday as the building remains closed until at least Sunday next week.

The Reading Cinema car park on Tory St, which has been closed since the quake, will likely be demolished.

CentrePort has resumed most operations after they were suspended on Monday, as it dealt with damage to its buildings and liquefaction.

"We have moved from a situation six days ago when we had no water, no electricity, no phone lines and no email, to the current position where we have large areas of the Port up and running. Engineering inspections...are ongoing," said chief executive Derek Nind.

Five navy ships supporting earthquake efforts in Kaikoura called at Wellington Harbour yesterday.

"Logs and more commercial ships will begin arriving later in the week," Nind said.

Many buildings at the port remain off limits, including Statistics House which is closed to its 500 staff and the government will commission a technical investigation into.