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Building Industry Insights

What’s Really Slowing Down the Building Consent Process?

In this new series of blog posts, Professor Anthony Hōete looks at the results of ModelDocs — a BRANZ funded research programme that delves into NZ’s building consent process to seek behavioural transformation.

First up: How long is it taking for consents to be processed? And why so many annoying RFIs?

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28 April 2025
25 November 2024

Will Easing the Way for Imported Building Products Make a Difference?

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The key challenge will be designing systems for both the recognition of overseas standards and product certification schemes where, for many products, the expectations of performance are universal, but there are some unique situations in NZ that may mean some products are not appropriate.

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20 October 2024

Minor Variations Better Defined

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New and amended regulations came into force on 30 September 2024 to better clarify a ‘minor variation’ when it comes to amending a building consent, and a ‘minor customisation’ when it comes to a MultiProof. 

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20 October 2024

Satisfied on Reasonable Grounds

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Building consent authorities (BCAs) need to be ‘satisfied on reasonable grounds’ that building work will meet the requirements of the Building Code before they can issue the building consent. This is not always as simple as comparing the plans with the performance requirements of Building Code.

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4 October 2024

Government's New Underwriting Scheme Announced

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It is estimated that up to 900 homes could be brought to market early, due to the new RDU which aims to de-risk large developments by underwriting construction of residential developments of 30+ homes. 

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23 September 2024

New H1 Insulation Standards Can Cost as Little as $2,200 Extra Using Calculation Method

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New industry research using Certified Builders house designs has shown that the cost of the new H1 building regulations is far lower than has been reported.

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3 September 2024

Remote Inspections

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LBP Skills Maintenance, August 2024 — for all LBPs | The Government has announced there will be a public consultation in the coming months on a range of options to increase the uptake of remote inspections.

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3 September 2024

Supervision

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LBP Skills Maintenance, August 2024 — for all LBPs | Undertaking supervision is an important role and it is important all LBPs consider the practical and legal implications of performing this function.

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26 August 2024

What Our Recent Industry Sentiment Reports Really Tell Us About the Health of the Industry

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Whilst the media-grabbing headlines of our Architect and Builder Sentiment Reports released in August were of falling demand, increased capacity and expected headwinds for the next 12 months, I wanted to move past these top-level soundbites and share five observations that struck me while pouring through the results of these two reports.

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24 June 2024

Resolving Disputes in Building Projects: When is a Determination Appropriate?


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LBP Skills Maintenance, June 2024 — for all LBP's | When conflicts arise between parties involved in a building project, finding the right resolution is crucial. As licensed building practitioners (LBPs) you encounter disputes that require careful handling. This article covers some methods for resolving these issues.

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24 June 2024

Records of Work

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LBP Skills Maintenance, June 2024 — for brick and block, carpentry, external plastering, foundations, and roofing licence holders | When completing and issuing records of work (RoWs), licensed building practitioners (LBPs) have certain obligations.

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