Builders hopeful private BCA competition will lift outcomes

Builders from across New Zealand are hopeful that the introduction of a private building consent authority will increase competition in the sector and push council Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) to improve performance 

As previously reported, Building Consent Approvals Ltd (BCAL) is on track to become New Zealand’s first private company accredited to issue building consents. As part of a broad-ranging series on the topic from Under Construction, we talked to builders from across the country to gauge their reactions. 

Our previous reports provided detailed clarification from MBIE on BCAL’s liability and featured discussions with several council BCAs. 

Matt Langerberg, Managing Director at Classic Group, based in Tauranga, said the introduction of a private BCA was a positive step. 

“The current consenting process is often a bottleneck, so introducing competition could help drive improvements in speed and service,” he said. 

Craig Hopkins, Chief Executive at Generation Homes, with offices around the country, said dealing with a private BCA which operates nationwide could bring greater consistency and cost-efficiency. 

“For example, we’ve had the same plan approved in one council and declined in another – or we’ve seen the same plan cost three times more in some councils than others. A consistent approach gives our clients assurance from both a time and cost perspective.” 

Sam Jackson, Director at Jackson Builders in Auckland, said he was curious about how BCAL would function technically. 

“It’ll be interesting to see how they operate and whether their process differs from Auckland Council’s. In my experience, all council BCAs have different processes anyway, so dealing with a private BCA might not feel that different. Time will tell.” 

Ten-day turnaround well received  

Langerberg noted that BCAL’s promise of a ten-day consent turnaround could enhance business operations. 

“Faster turnaround times would support better project efficiency and reduce holding costs,” he said. 

Hopkins agreed, saying it would allow his business to “plan our scheduling appropriately to maximise our ability to deliver”. 

“We are one of the only group home builders that provides a guaranteed move-in date, so knowing consent timelines has a big impact on that.” 

Langerberg said the ten-day target was achievable “in theory” but would depend on BCAL’s ability to manage volume while maintaining standards. 

“It’s achievable – provided the systems, resourcing, and quality controls are robust from day one. But if BCAL’s volume grows, will we end up with the same issues as councils?” 

Hopkins also had the same question. 

“I’d want to understand how many inspections BCAL can deliver to meet their own deadlines before the ten-day promise is put at risk,” he said. 

Could competition lift the game? 

Both Langerberg and Hopkins said they would consider using BCAL for upcoming projects, and hoped competition would prompt council BCAs to lift their game. 

“Councils have long operated without much pressure to innovate or improve. A competitive environment could incentivise better service and accountability,” said Langerberg. 

Hopkins added: “Competition from BCAL might push councils to become more outcome-focused. When people don’t have a choice, a service provider can operate without real consequences. 

“Don’t get me wrong, some councils we deal with are amazing and deliver above and beyond the set outcomes. You’d question whether to move away from them. But others are very difficult, under-resourced and, to be honest, don’t care – because we don’t have a choice.” 

The proof will be in the processing 

Langerberg said Classic Group would “consider” using BCAL, especially if it proves reliable and efficient, but preferred to wait for a proven track record. 

“We’d need confidence in their expertise and proof that consents are coming through on time without multiple inconsistent RFIs.” 

Hopkins agreed and said Generation Homes would like to have “a full understanding of BCAL’s ability to meet the onsite inspection requirements”. 

“We also want to know where risk lies. If something does go wrong, what call back does Generation Homes and our clients have?” 

Consentium experience seen as promising 

Marty Yakas, Director at Yakas Construction in Kerikeri, has previously worked with Consentium – a private BCA servicing Kāinga Ora – and said his experience with a non-territorial BCA was positive. 

“My experience was awesome. Everything was faster – from design changes and consenting to booking inspections. If no one was available in person, we often had video inspections and that worked well. 

“We got to know all the inspectors and building relationships helped. We trusted them and they got to know us and the on-site staff.” 

However, Yakas noted that because private BCAs do not process resource consents, delays may still arise on projects requiring both types of approvals. 

“We work a lot with Far North District Council and, while we might get building consents quickly, many of our builds need a resource consent for on-site wastewater disposal – and that really slows us down. For a private BCA to truly speed things up, we’d want to see a bundled building and resource consent option.”