Wellington

 The area around Tory Street, between Courtenay Place and Wakefield Street, has been cordoned off.

There were no cars or people in the parking building, as it was being earthquake-strengthened after earlier damage as a result of an earthquake in 2013.

Speaking to Checkpoint with John Campbell, Mayor Justin Lester said the building was badly damaged in the 2013 quake, and engineers said today it should be closed.

He said it was likely beyond repair and would need to be taken apart and come down.

Mr Lester said scores of people had been told to evacuate.

A draft policy recently adopted by Local Government New Zealand would be advanced with more urgency, the organisation's president said.

Lawrence Yule said it was a political priority for the organisation, and it was time to re-think New Zealand's hazard risk management.

"It can be soundly argued that how we distribute centres, people and key infrastructure - including government infrastructure, needs to be reconsidered," he said.

Nelson city councillor Matt Lawrey drafted the policy.