Building Consent System Performance Monitoring - Quarterly update

Background

This report establishes consistent monitoring on the performance of the building consent system, with a particular focus on building consent and code compliance certificate timeframes. The data shown here is as reported by Building Consent Authorities (BCAs).

Timeframes for building consent and/or code compliance certificate approval are some of the key indicators for building consent system performance. Delays in the system can have flow-on effects for builders and homeowners and can limit the capacity of the industry to work as efficiently and quickly as possible.

By establishing regular performance monitoring, we aim to identify and address these delays promptly, thereby enhancing our operational and system efficiency. 

Overall timeframes – all applications

The overall timeframe results include all application data (ie building consent applications, amendments, and code compliance certificates).

Data for the fourth quarter of 2024 shows the overall median time to process an application was 10 working days. All BCAs had a median processing time of less than 20 days (see figure 1 below).

In total, 93.4% of applications were processed within the statutory period. Of the 69 BCAs, 11 processed 100% of their applications within the statutory timeframe.

Figure 1. Median number of days for processing all applications

Timeframes – application types

During the fourth quarter of 2024, a total of 17,338 applications for Building Consents (including amendments), and 18,289 applications for Code Compliance Certificates (CCCs), were processed.

Out of all the Building Consent applications, 91.2% were processed within the statutory timeframe. The median processing time for these applications was 14.5 working days.

On the other hand, the median processing time for Code Compliance Certificates was much shorter at 4 working days, and 95.6% of the applications were processed within the statutory timeframe.

All 67 BCAs (excluding the regional authorities due to the low number of applications) had a median processing time for Building Consents below 20 working days. Most (66 BCAs) had a median processing time for Code Compliance Certificates below the statutory timeframe, Waimate did not complete any CCC applications during the quarter.

Figure 2. Median days for processing Building Consent applications, excluding regional authorities and Consentium

Timeframes – building categories

The median time to process all applications (building consent applications, amendments, and code compliance certificates) was 9 days for residential buildings, and 14 days for commercial buildings.

94.9% of residential applications and 85.9% of commercial applications were processed within the statutory timeframe.

Note that most of the applications processed (80.0%) were for residential buildings. 

Figure 3. Median days for processing applications for residential buildings, excluding regional authorities and Consentium

Building consent system performance monitoring report downloads

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Last updated: 28 February 2025