MBIE sheds light on self-certification

The Ministry of Building Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has defined what it means by ‘nominal consent’, shedding fresh light on the process builders will need to go through before they can self-certify building work 

On April 28, 2025 Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced that Government had agreed on a new scheme to allow trusted builders to sign off their own work for “simple residential dwellings”. 

“The Government is committed to making the building system more efficient and Cabinet has now agreed to an opt-in self-certification scheme, which will allow approved building firms, plumbers, and drainlayers to sign off their own work,” he said. 

“Reputable building companies delivering large numbers of near-identical houses each year will be able to proceed without the need for Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) to approve a building consent and carry out inspections.” 

Nominal consent defined 

However, it was revealed that builders will be required to obtain a “nominal consent”. Penk’s announcement didn’t go into detail about what that meant but, in a statement sent to Under Construction by Suzannah Toulmin, Manager Consenting and Practitioners Policy, Building System Performance, MBIE, some clarification has been made. 

“A nominal consent is a new, streamlined process that differs from the standard building consent process,” said Toulmin. “During the nominal consent process, BCAs will rely on information provided by the building professional to confirm that both the professional and the proposed building are eligible for self-certification and to ensure there is a public record of the build.” 

Furthermore, Toulmin said that under the terms of the nominal consent process, BCAs will not assess plans and specifications for Building Code compliance or carry out regular inspections, and Code Compliance Certificates will be issued automatically.  

“BCAs will check that the company is on the register and that the design complies with the definition of a simple residential building,” she added. 

“Nominal consents will also provide the information that homeowners and banks need to secure financing.” 

Anticipated cost savings 

One of the touted benefits of self-certification is cost savings. According to MBIE, builders who use the self-certification pathway could save up to $4,000 in avoided consent costs, depending on where they are in New Zealand. It is also anticipated that it will reduce the time required to complete a build by 20 working days, as they will not need to wait for inspections or building consent approval. 

“The costs of getting a nominal consent will vary across the country but are likely to be significantly less than a standard building consent,” said Toulmin. 

While further detail on the definition of a “trusted building professional” and “simple residential dwellings” will be set out in regulations later in 2025, Toulmin provided some “high-level” criteria, which indicated that builders will be on the hook for any potential defects that may arise as a result of a poorly built, self-certified residential dwelling. 

“The high-level criteria include having a good financial record and strong track record of quality work, as well as proof that they can manage any potential civil liabilities.” 

Oversight 

Toulmin said there will be a range of safeguards in place to reduce the risk of non-compliant or defective work being delivered under the scheme. She also confirmed that MBIE will be responsible for overseeing the self-certification scheme for building companies. 

“This will include assessing applicants to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria to opt-in to the scheme,” she said. “MBIE will also be responsible for auditing and monitoring performance and enforcing the scheme’s requirements.  

“Meanwhile, the occupational regulator for plumbers, drainlayers and gasfitters – the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board – will be responsible for overseeing the self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers and assessing applicants against the eligibility criteria.  

 “Further detail on the criteria for both entire building and plumbers and drainlayers self-certification will be set out in regulations.”