Papua New Guinea (PNG) sits at complex boundary between three major tectonic plates and eight microplates. As a result of this setting, the region experiences significant seismic activity that gives the country a hazard that ranges from low in the south west of the country up to very high by global hazard levels found at plate boundaries. This hazard has been long recognised and the suite of building standards released in 1982 contain provisions to impart resilience to buildings that were based on the best understanding of seismic hazard available at that time. The associated design methodologies in the standards also embody design methodologies that reflect the then current seismic design practice including requirements for achieving structural ductility in design using a range of structural materials. With a bedrock hazard that varies across the country, the overall objective of the suite of standards is that the design provisions impart properly constructed buildings with a strength and toughness compatible with the local hazard severity.