25 October 2025
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...
National Backs Tradies
We’re using our tools to make it easier for you to get back to yours.
National is kicking red tape to the curb. We can’t rebuild the economy without our builders. We want all tradies to get back to what you do best- being on the tools, not on your computers!
Tradies - builders, plumbers, gas-fitters, sparkies, plasterers and painters play a vital role in our economy. It’s 50% more expensive to build a house here than over the ditch, so were taking action to save you time, money and hassle.
Here’s what it means for you:
Reducing costs
- Changed the rules so you don’t need consent for granny flats.
- Trusting skilled plumbers, drainlayers and builders to sign off your own work.
- Allowing you to swap out similar products without needing another consent.
- Overhauling council inspections.
- Granting one overall consent to trusted builders for multi-proof designs.
- Increasing the use of remote inspections to speed the process up.
- Providing a tax incentive via Investment Boost, a 20% deduction off the cost of your new gear, on top of regular depreciation.
Cutting red tape
- Made it easier for up to 250,000 overseas building products to come into New Zealand.
- Reduced the building levy so renos are cheaper.
- Cut your tax, so there’s more money in your back pocket.
Backing apprentices
- Backing our skilled tradies by getting rid of cowboys.
- Training new tradies to earn while learning at school.
News
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