Product Substitution Research

DECEMBER 2022, NZ — Building product substitution has always occurred throughout the life cycle of construction projects. The events of 2020 and 2021 have had a significant impact on the building and construction industry in New Zealand, with one impact being the constraints on building product supply in the New Zealand market. This constraint had far-reaching effects on the delivery and cost of building projects at every level.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as the building regulator was aware of impacts on the construction industry, however little research has been undertaken to seek information from building product specifiers, builders and Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) as to what products are most often substituted, the factors that drive building product substitution and the ease (or not) by which they can have those products approved for substitution by Building Consent Authorities.

It was as a result of discussing these issues with a number of BCAs that their desire to better understand what is driving building product substitution was brought to the fore. There was also a desire to better understand how builders and designers find their interactions with BCAs and navigation through the building consent system.

This research provides a valuable set of quantitative and qualitative data that will enable BCAs to be better informed about the way their services are provided and also help with MBIE’s ability to understand the sector and assist with the delivery of legislative changes, such as the new Building Product Information Requirements that come into effect in December 2023.

Our thanks and appreciation go to BRANZ and EBOSS who have jointly funded and undertaken this research. We would also like to acknowledge the metro BCAs for their time in forming the survey, and those individual organisations forming the builder and specifier survey groups.

Ngā Mihi,

Simon Thomas
National Manager | Building System Assurance
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment