New Zealand's government is introducing a NZ$12m (US$9m, €8m, £7m) fund to support its earthquake-prone heritage buildings.

Launched by arts, culture and heritage minister Maggie Barry, the Heritage Earthquake Upgrade Incentive Programme (Heritage EQUIP) will be used to strengthen a number of privately-owned heritage buildings over the course of the next four years.

"The cost of strengthening heritage buildings can be prohibitive and unsustainable for their owners," said Barry. "We don't want to see valued buildings empty and deteriorating, or even demolished, because it isn't economical to strengthen them. This new fund will support owners to preserve our building heritage for future generations."

The fund will be made available for Category 1-listed heritage structures across New Zealand and for Category 2-listed buildings designated as having a high to medium risk of seismic damage in locations like Wellington or Queenstown.

Applicants seeking funding will need to match the government grant with like-for-like finances, which can privately funded, or raised through local government, philanthropic or community contributions.