Stay on top of regulation changes

With so many legislation changes in the building industry, it can be difficult to stay on top of what you need to know. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy list of key updates!

Announced

Building consent reform

The Government is investigating options for a major reform of the building consent system to improve efficiency and consistency across New Zealand. A consultation is planned for the first half of 2025.

Stricter penalties for builders

The Government is looking at strengthening requirements for building professionals, including penalties.

Self-certification

The Government is proposing to construct a new self-certification scheme for trusted building professionals and accredited businesses carrying out low-risk building work.

Funding boost 

Over the next two years, a funding boost of $3 million from the building levy will be used to improve the alignment of building and construction standards between New Zealand and Australia.

Review of public works act

An independent expert advisory panel has been appointed to review the Public Works Act to make it easier to build infrastructure, with a view to introducing legislation to give effect to (as yet unannounced) proposed changes by mid-2025.

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Consultation phase

Building fire safety

The Government is progressing changes to better protect Kiwis and their property from fires with a full review of the fire safety provisions in the Building Code.

Remote inspections

The public consultation on plans to make remote inspections the default ended on 29 November 2024.

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Future change

NZS 3604 update

An updated NZS 3604 Timber-framed Houses remained a work in progress in 2023. It was hoped a revision would be published in 2023—but that didn’t happen. There is no word yet on when builders can expect it to be published.

‘Commonsense’ H1 changes

The Government is proposing to remove the schedule method that sets out insulation requirements in a new build, among other things, to give builders and designers greater design flexibility.

Making it easier to build granny flats

The Government is proposing to make it easier to build small, self-contained, and detached houses on properties with an existing home without a building or resource consent. Consultation on the proposed legislation closed on 12 August. Feedback is being assessed and used to advise the Government.

Building warrant of fitness

Following the tragic fire at Loafers Lodge in May 2023, Cabinet agreed to introduce and enhance offences and penalties for building owners and independent qualified persons to better comply with their statutory requirements under the Building Warrant of Fitness regime.

Local government official information and meeting act 1987 amendment

A change to this act requires that, from 2025, regional councils share with city and district councils information they have on natural hazards. Councils must add ‘understandable information’ on natural hazards to LIMs.

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Coming soon

Building (overseas building products, standards, and certification schemes) amendment bill

The Bill was introduced to the House in September. This was followed by a public consultation, which closed on 14 November.

Earthquake-prone building review

The earthquake-prone building review has been brought forward from 2027 to 2024, and remediation deadlines have been extended by four years.

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Now law

Boost for residential construction market 

The Government has announced a Residential Development Underwrite (RDU) to provide developers with access to finance. Interested developers can apply now via the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development website.

Minor variations clarification

The new and amended building regulations – updated to clarify the definition of a ‘minor variation’ and create a definition of a ‘minor customisation’ for MultiProof approvals – came into effect on 30 September 2024.

2023 building code update

In November 2023, MBIE published updated acceptable solutions and verification methods, which support plumbing and drainage work, and protection from fire. These changes are now all in effect with the exception of lead in plumbing, which has an extended transition date until 1 September 2025.

Interconnected smoke alarms

All new building work, renovations which require a consent, and homes or buildings with a change in use are now required to install interconnected smoke alarms.

Building levy threshold increase

From 1 July 2024, the Building Levy threshold increased to $65,000 from its current level of $20,444.

Consent reporting

BCAs are now legally required to submit data for building consents and Code Compliance Certificates every quarter.

MDRS change

The Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) are now optional for councils. Under the MDRS, up to three units and three storeys can be built on most Tier 1 council sites without the need for a land use resource consent.

Waste levy increase

As of 1 July 2024:

• The rate for Class 1 landfills increased to $60 per tonne.
• Class 2 construction and demolition fills increased to $30 per tonne.
• Class 3/4 (managed and controlled fills) became subject to a levy of $10 per tonne.