Latest news with #Chris Penk
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Garden shed, garage building rules to be loosened
The government has anounced rule changes for garden sheds, garages and backyard studios. Under the new rules single sheds or building structures under 10 square metres can be as close to your property boundary as you like. Single storey detached garages or studios up to 30 square metres will only have to be a metre back from the boundary with the neighbour with no building consent required. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
28-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Builders awaiting detail on government's bid to drive costs down
A carpenter working in a workshop. Photo: 123rf Builders dealing with astronomical prices for building supplies are keenly waiting to see if the government's intervention will make any difference. The government has opened the door for builders to access approved supplies from overseas - such as plasterboard, cladding systems, external doors, and windows - in an attempt to bring down costs for consumers. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the list would have the potential to reduce total building costs by thousands of dollars when building a home. Builders across New Zealand have faced increasing cost pressures. For example, New Zealand has some of the most expensive plasterboard in the world, paying around 38 percent more than Australia and 47 percent more than the UK, Penk said. Builder and managing director of Substruct Steve Brown said the government's changes were a good thing but wanted to see how it would play out. "Building prices just like everything has pretty much doubled over the last few years," Brown said. He said it is hard for builders to choose a new product that's "not tried and tested". "I've been in the industry for 30 years, there's some products that work and some that don't. So, to pick up a new product is kind of, a little bit scary when you gaurantee something for 10 years," Brown said. Registered Master Builders Association chief executive Ankit Sharma said the government's announcement would help to reduce the construction costs and increase product availability across the sector. "By allowing overseas products that meet standards to be used more readily, we can improve supply chain resilience, reduce delays and ultimately deliver more homes, faster and more affordably," Sharma said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
