Review of the building consent system
Last updated: 15 December 2022
MBIE is reviewing the current building consent system as the first step in a system-wide review.
Background to the review
The Government has commenced a review of the building consent system, as part of the Building System Reforms. The reforms are a comprehensive approach to lifting the performance of the building regulatory system, ensuring building work is done right the first time and providing fairer outcomes if things go wrong. The reforms seek to make much-needed improvements to our building regulatory system so that building work can be done more efficiently and buildings are safe, healthy and durable.
The building consent system review is an end-to-end review from the building design phase through to the issuing of a code compliance certificate.
In July 2022, MBIE released an issues discussion document for public consultation along with a policy position statement on risk and liability.
Issues discussion document
The issues discussion document aimed to build a shared understanding of issues with the current consenting system as a basis for considering future system change.
The discussion document focuses on three key areas:
- the role of government and third parties, such as builders, designers and architects, in providing assurance that buildings are safe, healthy and durable
- desirable outcomes that good building consent regulation should seek to achieve
- issues with the current building consenting system.
The issues discussion document identified four desirable outcomes that an efficient and effective building consent system should have. It also identified issues that are barriers to achieving this.
MBIE asked for feedback on whether we have identified the right outcomes and issues, and whether there are others that should be considered.
Read the Issues discussion document - mbie.govt.nz
Risk, liability and insurance
To support the building consent system review, MBIE has released the Risk, Liability and Insurance in the Building Sector policy position statement.
The policy position statement provides supplementary background and context that clarifies the Government's position on risk, liability and insurance matters for the building and construction sector. The joint and several liability rule is out of scope for the review of the building consent system.
Read the Policy position statement - mbie.govt.nz
Outcome of the consultation
In July 2022 MBIE opened a consultation on the building consent system to help to set the direction for future changes. Consultation closed on 4 September 2022.
MBIE has analysed the submissions and a summary of these is provided below. Further work is being undertaken to confirm the key issues and develop options for a new or revised building consent system.
Further information on next steps will be published in 2023.
Summary of Submissions - mbie.govt.nz