Researchers are investigating the issue of low seismic hazard zones, like Canterbury, across the country.
They're using southern New Zealand as a case study.
Professor Mark Stirling says Dunedin has local active fault lines close by.
However, he says there hasn't been any recorded activity seen on those faults.
Stirling says it can provide a false sense of calm...but Canterbury provides a real life example that bursts of activity can happen when something seems dormant.