Listen
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Just days before the devastating Loafers Lodge fire, a government proposal to update fire safety regulations for some buildings were dropped - partially due to cost concerns.
The Ministry of Business considered tightening the rules to slow down the spread of fire in townhouses, terrace houses and other intensive housing types.
However, industry leaders couldn't agree on how to go about it.
Kevin Frank is a fire research engineer at the Building Research Association, and he says New Zealand's standards are well behind comparable countries.
He spoke to Guyon Espiner this morning.