An extensive network of strong-motion accelerographs is installed on the ground throughout New Zealand and also in major structures. At present this system contains 77 three-component recorders and 74 two-component non-timebase recorders. Since severe earthquakes are rare, and their violence may be very different at nearby positions, the strong-motion earthquake records must be supplemented by seismological, geological and geophysical data in order to obtain adequate information for the design of earthquake-resistant structures.