How do I know if my Canterbury section is TC1, TC2 or TC3?
Short answer
Check the LIM report from your council — TC category is recorded against every Canterbury section. You can also use the Canterbury earthquake recovery online maps (the MBIE/Canterbury Maps portal) to look up any address. TC1 is standard, TC2 has moderate liquefaction risk, TC3 has significant risk and requires engineered foundations. The category materially affects build cost and bank lending.
Source: Canterbury Maps — canterburymaps.govt.nz. Updated May 2026.
Want to check the builder you're talking to? Check any NZ company, no signup.
Check a builderKey facts
- Check the LIM — TC category is a standard field
- Canterbury Maps online portal lets you search by address
- TC categories apply to the Canterbury earthquake recovery zone only
- TC3 typically adds $30-90k to a new build foundation
- Some banks have stricter lending criteria on TC3 land
Where to look it up
Order a LIM from Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri District Council, or Selwyn District Council depending on where the section sits. TC category appears as a standard field in the natural-hazards section of the LIM.
Canterbury Maps (canterburymaps.govt.nz) has a public layer showing TC zones across the entire Canterbury earthquake recovery area. Useful for a quick check before you order the LIM.
Practical impact by category
TC1 — standard foundation methods (slab on grade, basic ribraft) work. No premium.
TC2 — usually ribraft slab, sometimes with engineering. Adds $5-25k to typical foundations.
TC3 — engineered foundations required. Adds $30-90k typically, more for complex sites. Geotech is essential.
Knowing the rules is half the job. The other half is knowing who you're hiring. Check any NZ builder against the public record: company status, licensing and insolvency notices, from the official NZ sources.
Planning the project? See the costs
Related questions
Sources: Canterbury Maps — canterburymaps.govt.nz; MBIE Tech Category guidance. General information for NZ homeowners, not legal advice. Building rules change and vary by council, so confirm critical details on the official source before acting. Last updated 2026-05.