Latest news with #BCAs
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Building Consent System Productivity On The Rise
Press Release – New Zealand Government Latest data shows 92.7 percent of building consent applications and 96.8 percent of code compliance certificates were processed within the statutory timeframe in the first quarter of 2025. Minister for Building and Construction Processing delays for building consents and code compliance certificates have dropped since the Government began publicly releasing council performance data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. 'One of the most common frustrations I've heard from tradies and aspiring homeowners since becoming Minister is how long it takes to get the paperwork sorted before building can begin. 'Just over a year ago, I directed MBIE to start publishing quarterly performance data so the Government could dig into the problem and show how well Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) are handling consent applications. 'The decision to put performance in the spotlight is paying off, and I wish to acknowledge councils who have moved quickly to expedite consenting processes. 'Latest data shows 92.7 percent of building consent applications and 96.8 percent of code compliance certificates were processed within the statutory timeframe in the first quarter of 2025. 'That's up from 88 percent and 93.6 percent respectively when reporting began last year. 'More work is getting done. In the first three months of 2025, 31,845 building consent applications, amendments and code compliance certificates were processed – almost 1,000 more than in the same period last year. 'These improvements reveal the impact of driving accountability, and we're just getting started. 'The Government is working hard to bring in practical reforms which will streamline the consent system and make building in New Zealand easier and more affordable. 'This includes new legislation empowering trusted building professionals to sign off their own work – slashing thousands of applications to ease system pressure, and requiring BCAs to conduct 80 percent of building inspections within three working days. 'This mandatory target will help councils prioritise their workloads more effectively. I expect the requirement to come into effect later this year. 'By setting clear standards and creating a regulatory system that drives building productivity, we will see more Kiwi families move into homes faster.' Notes:
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Building Consent System Productivity On The Rise
Press Release – New Zealand Government Latest data shows 92.7 percent of building consent applications and 96.8 percent of code compliance certificates were processed within the statutory timeframe in the first quarter of 2025. Minister for Building and Construction Processing delays for building consents and code compliance certificates have dropped since the Government began publicly releasing council performance data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. 'One of the most common frustrations I've heard from tradies and aspiring homeowners since becoming Minister is how long it takes to get the paperwork sorted before building can begin. 'Just over a year ago, I directed MBIE to start publishing quarterly performance data so the Government could dig into the problem and show how well Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) are handling consent applications. 'The decision to put performance in the spotlight is paying off, and I wish to acknowledge councils who have moved quickly to expedite consenting processes. 'Latest data shows 92.7 percent of building consent applications and 96.8 percent of code compliance certificates were processed within the statutory timeframe in the first quarter of 2025. 'That's up from 88 percent and 93.6 percent respectively when reporting began last year. 'More work is getting done. In the first three months of 2025, 31,845 building consent applications, amendments and code compliance certificates were processed – almost 1,000 more than in the same period last year. 'These improvements reveal the impact of driving accountability, and we're just getting started. 'The Government is working hard to bring in practical reforms which will streamline the consent system and make building in New Zealand easier and more affordable. 'This includes new legislation empowering trusted building professionals to sign off their own work – slashing thousands of applications to ease system pressure, and requiring BCAs to conduct 80 percent of building inspections within three working days. 'This mandatory target will help councils prioritise their workloads more effectively. I expect the requirement to come into effect later this year. 'By setting clear standards and creating a regulatory system that drives building productivity, we will see more Kiwi families move into homes faster.'
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Building Consent System Productivity On The Rise
Minister for Building and Construction Processing delays for building consents and code compliance certificates have dropped since the Government began publicly releasing council performance data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. 'One of the most common frustrations I've heard from tradies and aspiring homeowners since becoming Minister is how long it takes to get the paperwork sorted before building can begin. 'Just over a year ago, I directed MBIE to start publishing quarterly performance data so the Government could dig into the problem and show how well Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) are handling consent applications. 'The decision to put performance in the spotlight is paying off, and I wish to acknowledge councils who have moved quickly to expedite consenting processes. 'Latest data shows 92.7 percent of building consent applications and 96.8 percent of code compliance certificates were processed within the statutory timeframe in the first quarter of 2025. 'That's up from 88 percent and 93.6 percent respectively when reporting began last year. 'More work is getting done. In the first three months of 2025, 31,845 building consent applications, amendments and code compliance certificates were processed – almost 1,000 more than in the same period last year. 'These improvements reveal the impact of driving accountability, and we're just getting started. 'The Government is working hard to bring in practical reforms which will streamline the consent system and make building in New Zealand easier and more affordable. 'This includes new legislation empowering trusted building professionals to sign off their own work – slashing thousands of applications to ease system pressure, and requiring BCAs to conduct 80 percent of building inspections within three working days. 'This mandatory target will help councils prioritise their workloads more effectively. I expect the requirement to come into effect later this year. 'By setting clear standards and creating a regulatory system that drives building productivity, we will see more Kiwi families move into homes faster.'
1News
28-04-2025
- Business
- 1News
Builders, plumbers, drainlayers to be able to sign off some of their own work
The Government has announced a new scheme that would allow some building firms, plumbers and drainlayers to sign off on some of their own work, and will set a mandatory target to deal with building inspection wait times. The opt-in self-certification scheme, which will see legislation introduced by the end of the year, would allow approved building firms, plumbers, and drainlayers to check their own work on a "simple residential dwelling". The inspection targets for Building Consent Authorities will come into force later in the year. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said "even simple, single-storey homes must go through around 12 inspections before they're finished, with costly delays when demand is high". 'At a time when many Kiwis are locked out of the housing market, that's simply not good enough." It was hoped the changes would see around 3000 homes built each year without delays from approvals or inspections - with BCAs free to focus on high-risk complex builds. '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," Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said. 'Giving qualified plumbers and drainlayers the ability to self-certify their work puts them on equal footing with electricians and gasfitters, who've had that flexibility for years. It's a common-sense change backed by Master Plumbers and delivers on a National Party campaign promise. 'Kiwis should have confidence that their homes are built to a high standard. That's why only proven professionals who meet strict criteria will be eligible for the scheme - and only for simple residential dwellings." The definition of an eligible simple residential dwelling is set down in the regulation following industry consultation. Penk said the scheme would be open only to proven professionals who met strict criteria. The Government also announced it would require BCAs to complete 80% of inspections within three working days. "We regularly hear from builders frustrated by the disruption to project timelines and the uncertainty it creates for homeowners," Penk said. 'Wait times sometimes stretch up to a week - having a knock-on effect which can add about $400 for every day a project is held up. "Updated guidance will be issued to BCAs, outlining practical strategies to boost efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and help authorities better prioritise their workloads." BCAs would still be required to provide a nominal consent for simple homes where tradies are self-certifying their work. Master Builders welcomed the new scheme, calling it a "long-overdue response to a system that hasn't kept pace with the sector". "We've heard from members time and time again that the current inspection system simply doesn't work for how building sites operate. Builders often require several inspections in quick succession but can't book the next until the first is completed," Master Builders chief executive Ankit Sharma said. "This often leads to two or three week delays that have serious consequences on the ability to plan for work whilst also increasing costs, and frustration for clients who don't understand why their build has suddenly stalled." Sharma said the Government's commitment to completing 80% of all inspections within three days was a "positive step" that would benefit those working onsite. 'This is a smart, targeted reform. It means low-risk, residential builds can progress more quickly when they're in the hands of proven, trusted professionals, without compromising on quality or consumer protection.' Sharma said the new scheme would be about "rewarding professionalism". "Trusted builders and tradespeople who consistently deliver high-quality homes shouldn't face the same level of red tape as those who don't. "At the same time, this frees up council resources to focus on the more complex projects where closer oversight is needed.' It comes after the Government announced earlier this month that it would allow granny flats of up to 70 square metres to be built without consent. Labour's local government spokesperson Tangi Utikere said that while his party supported building more homes at a pace, the reforms could compromise public safety and leave tradespeople to "carry all the risk". 'We have lived through the cost of building failures before. We must not repeat the mistakes of the leaky homes era by lowering standards in the name of speed," he said. "Without transparency, enforceable accountability, and a clear process for redress, the public cannot have confidence in a self-certifying model." He said trust in the building system depended on independent checks and worried that cowboy builders could slip through the cracks. 'The Government is talking about a high threshold for builders to be deemed trusted, including insurance and quality assurance requirements. But we have not yet seen how that will work in practice. 'Trust in the building system depends on strong independent checks which are the reason families can feel confident their homes are safe and durable. 'The Government's decision to advance legislation that allows plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers to self-certify is worth spending time to get right. We need to ensure construction cowboys don't slip through the cracks. Labour would engage "constructively" with the proposal, but not support what it described as "shortcuts" that could increase risk for homeowners or undermine public confidence. 'We will listen to industry submissions, but extending self-certification to builders for what is considered low-risk residential housing is a much more significant step, and one that deserves close scrutiny," Utikere said.
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
‘Trusted' builders to certify their own work
Trusted builders and tradespeople will be able to sign off their own work, in the latest initiative from the Government to speed up house building. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the move would result in around 3000 homes being built each year without delays from approvals or inspections. The Government is also setting a mandatory target to tackle building inspection wait times, requiring building consent authorities (BCAs) to complete 80% of inspections within three working days. 'Making it easier and more affordable to build would open the door to home ownership for more Kiwis and support growth and job creation in the construction sector,' Penk said.
