Regulation Ministry sets sites on building sector
Regulation Minister David Seymour and Building and Construction Minister Simon Watts have today announced the Ministry for Regulation’s next Regulatory Review will be into the building and construction sector.
“Red tape isn’t in our DNA. This review will get rid of dumb rules to let Kiwis get on with their DIY and home improvement projects,” Mr Seymour says.
“Low-risk home improvements shouldn’t be treated the same as high-risk building projects. The Review will fix that because it’s important to Kiwis.
“Today’s housing market means space is tight and building costs are high. Things like installing new windows, building a new garage, or upgrading a bathroom are practical and affordable improvements. Kiwis should be able to get on with them without hassle.
“The rules surrounding property development have been a real source of frustration for some time. For example, people have reported to the Ministry the need for consent to insulate the external walls of their home by an experienced professional, and that you can build a single garage up to 30m² without needing consent, but you must get consent to build a standard 36m² double garage.
“Unnecessary delays and confusing requirements cost Kiwis time, money and sanity. The review will examine whether more relatively low-risk, minor or routine building work could be carried out without a building consent and whether the current building consent exemptions can be made easier to understand and use.
“The Ministry is currently engaging with builders, homeowners, territorial authorities, industry groups, consumers, and other stakeholders affected by the regulations to understand how to best address their concerns.”
Minister for Building and Construction Simon Watts says the review will complement the significant programme of building system reforms already underway.
“We’re streamlining building and construction rules so New Zealanders can build with greater certainty and of the quality they expect. We’re making changes to build better, faster and more affordably.
“This review will help identify any further opportunities to improve clarity and consistency for homeowners, builders, and building consent authorities.
“Ultimately, it will provide more information to ensure future decision-making remains grounded in logic and enhances sensible building regulation.”
The review is expected to report back to Ministers with recommendations in early 2027.
Notes to editors:
The scope of the review includes:
- building consent exemptions (which are set out in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004), and the interface between Schedule 1 and Schedule 1A for small standalone dwellings;
- whether Schedule 1 can be expanded to exempt additional low risk building work;
- inconsistencies within the current exemption framework, including cases where relatively low-risk work requires consent while higher-risk work may be exempt; and
- opportunities to improve clarity and usability of the exemptions for homeowners, builders, and territorial authorities.
