Chris' News

MP for Kaipara ki Mahurangi

13 Jan 2026Shane Reti · Chris Penk

New pilot helps small businesses harness AI

A new pilot programme will help small businesses overcome barriers in accessing artificial intelligence tools that boost productivity and unlock growth, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister

16 Dec 2025Chris Penk

Earthquake-prone buildings Bill passes first reading

Legislation that will bring significant financial relief to many building owners by refocusing the earthquake-prone building system has passed its first reading in Parliament. “Building a

11 Dec 2025Chris Penk

Public Works Act overhaul clears first hurdle

Legislation to bring about a fairer and faster system for securing land for public infrastructure projects has passed its first reading in Parliament today. “The Public

2 Dec 2025Chris Penk

Building inspection target drives accountability

The first release of data shows 66 out of 67 Building Consent Authorities have hit the Government’s new mandatory target for building inspection wait times. “In

24 Nov 2025Chris Penk

Building reforms deliver consumer protections

The Government has unveiled safeguarding measures to ensure building owners are protected under a more productive and ambitious building consent system. “Earlier this year, I announced

25 Oct 2025Chris Penk

No more red tape for garden sheds and garages

Changes have now come into effect which mean homeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages face less red tape and fewer delays, Regulation Minister David Seymour

29 Sep 2025Chris Penk

Earthquake-prone building system refocused

The earthquake-prone building system will be refocused to reduce repair costs and reinvigorate communities, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “While well intentioned, the current

22 Aug 2025Chris Penk

Building inspection target comes into force

A mandatory target to speed up building inspection wait times comes into force today, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced. “We know that standalone

18 Aug 2025Chris Penk

Biggest building consent system reform in decades

The Government is announcing the biggest change to the building consent system since the Building Act came into force in 2004, Building and Construction Minister Chris

5 Aug 2025Chris Penk

Green light for garden sheds and garages

Thanks to the Red Tape Tipline homeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages will face less red tape and fewer delays by the end of this

28 Jul 2025Chris Penk

Building Code pause brings certainty to construction

The Government is providing more certainty for the building sector by pausing any new major changes to the Building Code system, Building and Construction Minister Chris

27 Jul 2025Chris Penk

Overseas products to make it cheaper to build

From tomorrow, thousands of additional building products including plasterboard, cladding systems, external doors, and windows will all be easier to use in construction sites across New

3 Jul 2025Chris Penk

Commonsense changes to insulation rules

Overly rigid insulation rules are being removed to ease costs for designers, builders and homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced. “I’ve heard clearly

28 Apr 2025Chris Penk

Accelerating building projects with self-certification and inspection targets

The Government has agreed on a new scheme allowing trusted builders to sign off their own work and will set a mandatory target to tackle building

11 Apr 2025Chris Penk

More former defence personnel to be recognised as veterans

The Government will introduce legislation to recognise more former soldiers, sailors and aviators as veterans and will establish a new national day of tribute, commemorated by

6 Apr 2025Chris Penk

Government delivers breakthrough week for building

Significant action by the Government this week will make building in New Zealand easier by unclogging the consenting system, reducing construction costs, and giving tradies the

5 Apr 2025Chris Bishop · Chris Penk

Super-sized granny flats coming to backyards

The Coalition Government will go even further than it earlier proposed to make it easier to build granny flats by increasing the maximum size allowed to