New building laws will support housing supply and affordability, improve trust and confidence in the building sector and support the use of new, innovative and efficient building methods, Building and Construction Minister Poto Williams announced.
The Building (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, passed in Parliament on the 3rd of June, representing the first phase of a suite of reforms to the Building Act that aim to lift the efficiency and quality of building work and provide fairer outcomes if things go wrong. Currently out for submission, is a discussion document on the new and amended regulations that will be needed to support the implementation of the new Bill. Feedback from industry on this MBIE discussion document closes on the 18th of July. The NZIOB will be making a submission.
In terms of the Bill that Parliament passed last week, a new modular component manufacturer scheme will allow offsite building manufacturers who meet certain requirements to be certified, which will allow them to sign off their own designs and construction. This could significantly speed up the consenting process.
Other law changes include a new requirement for manufacturers and importers to make information about building products and their uses publicly available. This will help builders and designers choose the right products and install them in the way intended and be held accountable for doing so, which will lead to safer and more durable buildings.
