Block of apartments at Wellington retirement village evacuated after structural damage fears

Ryman Healthcare MD Simon Challies said safety was the first priority, adding "there was sufficient concern for us to take this precaution." Photo / Michael Craig

A block of apartments at a Wellington retirement village has been evacuated due to fears of suspected structural damage.

Ryman Healthcare said the Figaro building at the Malvina Major Retirement Village in Khandallah had been evacuated as precaution.

A preliminary engineering inspection after Monday's magnitude 7.5 quake had uncovered areas of suspected structural damage, a Ryman spokesman said.

All 40 apartments in the building had been evacuated. Other buildings at the village were cleared in the inspection.

Most residents had been moved to Ryman's Bob Scott village in Petone, which was brand new and had space for them. Others were being looked after in alternative accommodation or with family.

Ryman managing director Simon Challies said safety was the first priority.

"We know this is inconvenient for our residents but there was sufficient concern for us to take this precaution given the likelihood of more aftershocks.

"We are trying our best to keep our residents comfortable in the meantime by moving them to other villages."

A full assessment is likely to take two weeks.