Sprayed concrete has become an accepted efficient strengthening system for the strengthening and upgrading of masonry earthquake risk buildings. The standard of sprayed concrete in New Zealand has improved greatly over the past five years and has now reached a stage where the finish achieved matches that of formed fair faced concrete. The current state of the art in New Zealand in the preparation, placement and finishing of the concrete is described. The design of the sprayed concrete walls for earthquake loads is described with particular attention being paid to the Author's current practice for detailing and placement of reinforcing.