The development of codes for the earthquake resistant design of concrete structures in New Zealand since the 1931 Hawke's Bay-earthquake is traced. The background to the developments in the design procedures through the years is discussed. Californian seismic design codes, lessons from past earthquakes, and the results of analytical and experimental research work, much of it conducted
in New Zealand, have led to the current philosophy for seismic design in New Zealand as expressed by the 1976 SANZ loadings cods and the SANZ concrete design code about to be published. These codes state requirements for both adequate strength and ductility, and emphasize the importance of structural detailing to achieve satisfactory performance of structures during severe earthquake loading. This New Zealand seismic design philosophy for concrete building and bridge structures is reviewed. A summary of the seismic design provisions of the new SANZ concrete design code (NZS 3101) is given in an Appendix.