Previous determinations

Determinations are made by MBIE on matters of doubt or dispute to do with building work. Rulings are legally binding, but only in relation to each case.

Previous determinations may provide some useful guidance for those faced with similar problems, but note that individual circumstances may vary.

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2025/017: An authority’s decision to grant a building consent under section 72

This determination considers an authority’s decision to grant a building consent under section 72 of the Building Act 2004.

The authority’s decision gave rise to a natural hazard notice being entered on the record of title for the property where the building work was to take place.

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2025/011: An authority’s decision to grant a building consent under section 72 in relation to slippage on neighbouring land

This determination considers an authority's decision to grant a building consent under section 72 for a new building on land adjacent to a neighbouring property that is subject to the natural hazard of slippage.

The matter turns on whether the neighbouring land is intimately connected with the land on which the building work is being carried out. 

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2021/004: Regarding the proposed decision to grant a building consent conditional on a natural hazard being recorded on the property title

This determination discusses the correct interpretation of the natural hazards provisions in the Building Act (sections 71 to 74). It considers whether measures to mitigate a rockfall natural hazard constitute “adequate provision” to protect the land and buildings from the hazard.

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2019/059: Regarding the issue of a building consent with a section 73 condition

This determination considers whether the building consent should have been issued subject to a section 73 condition, which requires notification of a natural hazard to be placed on the land title. The determination considers whether the land is subject to a natural hazard, and whether the building work was a ‘major alteration’. 

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2019/034: Granting a building consent for the construction of a dwelling without requiring notification under section 73 of the Building Act

This determination considers whether a building consent issued to a previous owner for the construction of a new dwelling should have been issued subject to a section 73 condition requiring notification of a natural hazard to be placed on the land title.  The determination was sought by the current owner who believes the land is subject to inundation.  The determination considers whether the land is subject to a natural hazard and the information the authority relied upon in issuing the building consent.

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2019/006: Regarding the removal of an insanitary building notice and lack of notification of a natural hazard for a relocated building

Note: This determination is subject to clarification

 

This determination considers the lifting of an insanitary building notice and whether the building in its current state is insanitary or dangerous.  The determination also considers whether two building consents should have been granted subject to notification of the natural hazard inundation, and whether a notice to rectify should have been for building work that was not compliant with the Building Code and for building work carried out without building consent.

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2017/080: Granting of building consent for alterations, subject to notification that land is subject to a natural hazard

The granting of a building consent for alterations to an existing building subject to noficiation that the land is subject to a natural hazard at 102 Dillon Street, Waihi Beach

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2017/048: Decision to grant a building consent subject to notification under section 73 for building work on land subject to a natural hazard

This determination concerns the natural hazards provisions of the Act. The matter turned on whether the conditions under section 71(2) had been met and the consent could be issued without notification under section 73. Adequate provision had been made to protect the building work from the natural hazard (inundation) and the building work would not accelerate, worsen, or resulting in a natural hazard, but no provision had been made to protect the land.

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2024/055: An authority’s decision to refuse to grant a building consent for dam upgrade works under section 71

This determination considers an authority’s decision to refuse to grant a building consent for upgrade works to a dam under section 71 of the Building Act 2004. This matter turns on whether the threshold in section 71(1) is met.

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2024/053: An authority’s decision to grant a building consent under section 72 on land that is subject to a natural hazard

This Determination is subject to appeal.

This determination considers the authority’s decision to issue a building consent under section 72 for alterations to a dwelling on a property that is subject or likely to be subject to the natural hazard of inundation by flooding.

It considers whether adequate provision to protect the land for flooding has been made.

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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: