Description

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment wants to ensure that legislative reforms of the building sector support innovative modern forms of construction while ensuring that buildings are safe and durable.

In April, MBIE released a discussion paper on the Building System Legislative Reform Programme that recognised:

• buildings come in many shapes and sizes, can be simple or complex and may utilise many different modes of construction
• New Zealand’s buildings depend on both building products and building methods being fit for purpose
• it is imperative to the production of safe and durable buildings that the industry identifies and specifies the right products for each situation and uses those products correctly to meet New Zealand’s Building Code
• legislation needs to be flexible enough to support innovations through modern modes of construction to increase productivity while still ensuring buildings are safe and durable.

The discussion paper recognises that innovation through modern modes of construction, such as prefabrication, will increase productivity and shift the industry into the future. MBIE has been clear that regulation must not be a significant obstacle to bringing innovative products or methods to market.

Scope

This article includes:

• Current consenting process not working
• Manufacturers having issues
• Difficulty with inspections
• Variation across the country
• Proposed regulatory framework
• Certification scheme suggestions
• Stakeholders helped clarify
• Legislative changes a few years away