Programme of work

In July 2025, MBIE published the first edition of the Building Product Specifications and revised multiple acceptable solutions and verification methods to cite it.

MBIE also made targeted changes to the acceptable solutions and verification methods for H1 Energy Efficiency in November 2025. 

Recent Building Code updates

Building product specifications

As part of work to make it easier to use overseas building products, MBIE published the first edition of the Building Product Specifications on 28 July 2025. The first edition includes 130 product standards and generic specifications that can be used with an acceptable solution or verification method to demonstrate compliance with the Building Code, and which provide an equivalent or better level of performance than currently set out in Building Code documents.

Acceptable solutions and verification methods citing the Building Product Specifications

Alongside publishing the Building Product Specifications, MBIE revised 15 acceptable solutions and verifications. Those acceptable solutions and verification methods now refer to the Building Product Specifications for specification of some of the products they prescribe. 

MBIE also made other minor amendments to these acceptable solutions and verification methods that include fixing typographical errors, making grammatical corrections, and applying a consistent structure and format that makes the documents easier to use in an electronic format. These revisions do not require anything new to be undertaken to comply with the Building Code but should make the documents easier to read and to understand, as well as providing more options for specifying compliant building products.

The following acceptable solutions and verification methods were updated as part of this work:

• Clause B1 Structure: B1/AS1, B1/AS3, B1/VM1 and B1/VM2 (previously B1/VM4).
• Clause B2 Durability: B2/AS1 and B2/VM1.
• Clauses C1 – C6 Protection from Fire: C/AS1, C/AS2 and C/VM2.
• Clause E2 External Moisture: E2/AS1, E2/AS2, E2/AS3 and E2/VM1.
• Clause G4 Ventilation: G4/AS1 and G4/VM1.
• Clause H1 Energy Efficiency: H1/VM3.

Targeted changes to energy efficiency provisions

On 27 November 2025, MBIE updated acceptable solutions H1/AS1 and H1/AS2, and verification methods H1/VM1 and H1/VM2, which are used to demonstrate compliance with energy efficiency requirements of the Building Code.

These changes follow a review of the energy efficiency settings in 2024, and public consultation on the proposal. The changes include the removal of the schedule method for demonstrating compliance, refining of provisions for the modelling and calculation methods, and new references to the Building Product Specifications for specification of insulation products. However, the overall level of energy efficiency and insulation required remains unchanged compared to the previous editions.

Future focus

MBIE is continuously improving the built environment in Aotearoa New Zealand and working on future changes to support government initiatives and modern methods of design and construction as part of the Building Code update programme. The Building Code is reviewed 3-yearly, with the next update due in 2028. Below are some topics we are focusing on for future updates.

Structure and Geotech

• Updating standards for timber-framed buildings up to 3 storeys in height and other complex timber buildings.
• Addressing seismic risk in structural and geotechnical engineering design.
• Referencing updated design standards for wind loading, earth buildings and structural steel.

Protection from fire

• Completion of the review of the fire safety requirements in the Building Code and implementation of its findings in Building Code clauses C1 – C6 Protection from Fire.

Internal environment

• Review of climate zones used in demonstrating compliance with Building Code clause H1 Energy Efficiency.
• Development of a methodology for assessment of overheating risk in buildings, and verification of tools for modelling of energy use for heating, cooling, and ventilation.
• Review of the requirements of Building Code clause G6 Airborne and Impact Sound, to reflect modern acoustic performance expectations.

Building services

• Changes to Building Code clause G9 Electricity to ensure minimum electrical safe distances are maintained for building work close to electricity lines.
• Improvements to the ventilation provisions G4/AS1 and G4/VM1 to safeguard indoor air quality.
• Improving natural light assessment pathways in G7/AS1 for kitchens with island benches.
• Completion of research work and development of guidance documents for plumbing work involving wetbacks, backflow prevention requirements, and expansion vessels for storage water heaters.

Building enclosure envelope

• Updating provisions for weathertightness of low-rise and mid-rise buildings in acceptable solutions E2/AS1 for timber-framed buildings and E2/AS2 for earth buildings, and in verification method E2/VM1 for low-rise buildings and E2/VM2 for mid-rise buildings.
• Introducing construction methods that enable thermal improvements through recessing of window installations that achieve compliance with Building Code clause E2 External Moisture.
• Developing an assessment methodology to assess and manage surface and interstitial condensation risks to the requirements of Building Code clause E3 Internal Moisture.
• Supporting the sector in developing and updating codes of practice that can demonstrate compliance with Building Code clause E3 Internal Moisture for linings and finishes in wet areas, and clause E2 External Moisture for below-ground tanking work.