News

The Government has announced a new programme of work to investigate significant reform of the building consent system in New Zealand. The aim is to drive consistency, certainty and efficiency, making it clearer and easier for Kiwis to build. 

Earlier this month, the Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill (the Bill) was introduced to the House. The Bill introduces changes to the Building Act which will reduce barriers to using quality overseas building products in building work throughout New Zealand.

On Thursday 8 August 2024, the Building (Earthquake-prone Building Deadlines and Other Matters) Amendment Bill to extend the deadline for the remediation of earthquake-prone buildings had its first reading in the House.

The Government is consulting on options to make it easier to build granny flats.

The Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022 commenced on 13 May 2024.

New and amended regulations to improve the safety and resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand’s dams come into force on Monday 13 May 2024.

On 4 April 2024 the Government announced work is underway to make it easier to use new building products from overseas.

Building control officers will be required to complete their competency assessments at least every 2 years rather than annually.

The Government has listened to feedback and has made a change to the size of dams impacted by the regulations, to reduce the number of dams that need to comply.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has today opened a consultation proposing to extend the transition period end date for the lead and dezincification plumbing product provisions published last year, from 1 September 2025 to 1 May 2026.