MBIE wants your opinion

The Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is conducting a public consultation on how the building consent process could be improved

Following 2022’s consultation on issues within the building consent system, MBIE has once again opened up the floor and is asking the sector and members of the public for feedback on how the building consent system can be improved.

“Following last year’s consultation, we have developed options to get a more efficient building consent system, that should minimise unnecessary delays in the building process,” says Minister for Building and Construction Dr. Megan Woods.

Improvements to the consent system that allow new techniques and materials to be used on sites across New Zealand are considered “important” during the consultation process.

“There are opportunities to improve the system, such as through better delivery of building consent services and removing barriers to alternative products being used.

“Any improvements to the building consent system that increase efficiency and provide greater certainty as to what can be built will help housing affordability, so it’s really important that those in the sector and the wider public feedback on what’s proposed,” says Woods.

Additionally, the consultation forms a key part of the Government’s study on the building supply industry.

“Consultation on the paper is a key milestone in the Government’s response to the Commerce Commission’s Market Study into Residential Building Supplies. Potential reform options in the paper address several recommendations made by the Commission in its final report.”

Additionally, the latest consultation will try and unpick how the consent process could be sped up to the benefit of builders and homeowners – adds Woods.

“Ensuring we enable timely processing of consents will help speed up the delivery of housing and other buildings. It is a critical part of the work we are doing to improve the efficiency of the sector.”

The public consultation is open from 8 June for eight weeks. Submissions close at 5pm on 3 August 2023. It seeks feedback on five areas:

• Strengthening roles and responsibilities.
• New assurance pathways.
• Better delivery of building consent services.
• Better performance monitoring and system stewardship.
• Better responding to the needs and aspirations of Māori.

The consultation is also seeking opinions on:

• Promoting competition in the building regulatory system.
• Removing impediments to product substitution and variations.

To make a submission, visit: https://www.research.net/r/TYT2LMY