Exclusive: Underneath Parliament in a quake

Parliament's base-point isolation system has been put to the test (supplied)
Parliament's base-point isolation system has been put to the test (supplied)

Parliament's base-point isolation system was put to the test on Monday, footage from security cameras in the basement showing the quake-protection system in action.

The rubber and teflon pads act as a buffer zone between the concrete foundations and the building itself, absorbing violent shaking and allowing Parliament House to move separately from the ground.

It's the same system that's underneath Te Papa and numerous hospitals around the country.

Parliamentary Service has also released CCTV footage from the Speaker's corridor, showing portraits of previous Prime Ministers swaying and banging against the walls.

Footage from inside Parliament's galleria, or atrium, also shows a giant rock statue nearly toppling over.

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