Government makes it easier to use overseas building products and introduces regular update cycle for the Building Code system

Building Product Specifications

Products made and tested to a range of 130 building product standards can now be used as part of a Building Code acceptable solution or verification method.

If a product meets the criteria for these international standards and it’s used appropriately, there will be no barrier to Kiwis using it.

The Building Product Specifications document released today contains standards and specifications that have been assessed to ensure they provide an equivalent or better level of performance than currently set out in Building Code documents. The Building Product Specifications will be updated over time to include more trusted international product standards.

The first version lists US, European and other international standards alongside New Zealand equivalents for products like plasterboard, cladding and insulation. The full range of fire testing standards for a number of different products are now all in one place, making it easier for overseas suppliers to demonstrate products meet our requirements.

MBIE has also amended a number of acceptable solution and verification method documents to reference the new Building Product Specifications and published these as new editions. We’ve taken the opportunity to improve the format of these documents to support consistency across Building Code clauses, and make them easier to read and understand.

Soon other pathways will be in place for the Minister of Building and Construction to endorse overseas standards or certification schemes, and for MBIE to formally recognise certain products certified overseas as complying with the Building Code. Regulations are expected to be in place shortly for these two pathways, which will ensure Kiwis have more choice and confidence in products entering the market.

New approach to major Building Code system changes

MBIE is also adopting a new process for making major changes to the Building Code system. Going forward, changes to the Building Code system will be implemented in a three-year cycle – bringing New Zealand in line with other jurisdictions around the world, including Australia. A predictable cycle of updates aims to deliver greater certainty for the construction sector, helping to plan ahead for future investments.

The first cycle of updates will happen in 2028. In the meantime, MBIE will continue to look at simple, commonsense changes that can be progressed in between the three-year cycles. At times, making changes between cycles may still be necessary, especially where they relate to safety issues or trade.

Changes to the Building Code system that are already underway will continue as planned. This includes improvements to the H1 energy efficiency settings, fire safety and measures to boost access to overseas building products.

Read the Government’s announcements on the Beehive website.

Overseas products to make it cheaper to build(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Building Code pause brings certainty to construction(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Read more about the Building Code system update cycle.

Building Code reviews moving to a three-year cycle(external link) — Building Performance

Read more about the Building Product Specifications.

Building Product Specifications(external link) — Building Performance

Read about the new editions of acceptable solutions and verification methods.

2025 Building Code update(external link) — Building Performance

Find more information about other work to make it easier to use overseas building products in New Zealand.

Overseas products and standards(external link) — Building Performance