"Myself and the Justice Minister agree (the rule) no longer has a place in our law - we are working hard to see what can be done about that," Ardern said.
The families were anxious to talk to Ardern about their disappointment with the police decision not to prosecute the engineers responsible for the building because they think convictions would be unlikely.
"(The meeting) was about what we can do to make sure this situation doesn't happen again, that means in terms of those who may be responsible and to make sure that buildings in New Zealand are as safe as they can be for those who work in them," she said.
"As a government, when it comes to decisions about prosecution we don't have the power to intervene."
Maan Alkais, who lost his wife in the collapse, is pushing for the case to go through the courts.
"There is something wrong happening and we can't just leave it," he said.
"The Prime Minister was really a wonderful person, sincere and was clear as to what the government can and can't do, and we also hope that they support us."
- NZN