Links to earlier legislation

Last updated: 9 September 2025

To check whether or not earlier building work on a property was covered by an exemption, you need to refer to the legislation in force at the time.

Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 has been issued and amended on the following dates:

  • 26 November 2024
  • 23 December 2023
  • 7 September 2022
  • 31 August 2020 
  • 1 July 2019 
  • 1 January 2017
  • 28 November 2013
  • 23 December 2010
  • 16 October 2008
  • 24 August 2004.

You can download these versions at www.legislation.govt.nz

Before the Building Act 2004 was enacted, the Building Act 1991 was the relevant legislation: its Third Schedule (Exempt buildings and building work) was similar to the current Act's Schedule 1.

You can download this from the New Zealand Legal Information Institute — nzlii.org

This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: