On Tuesday, 21 June 2022, the Minister for Building and Construction Megan Woods announced that she had set up a Ministerial taskforce with key construction, building consent, and supply chain experts to look at what more can be done to ease plasterboard shortages, including the potential for legislative or regulatory change. 

Megan Woods said, “The Government is committed to supporting the building sector to deliver the homes and buildings that New Zealand needs. That’s why my top priority is to ensure builders, from big companies to single tradies have the materials they need to do their job with confidence.”

The taskforce’s members are:

• Rick Herd CEO of Naylor Love

• Dave Kelly CEO of Registered Master Builders Association of New Zealand

• Shane Brealey, Simplicity Living, managing director

• Sir Stephen Tindall, Founder and former Chair, The Warehouse Ltd and The Tindall Foundation

• A LGNZ representative

• Tex Edwards, 2degrees founder

The Minister says the taskforce will:

• Troubleshoot the regulation of alternative plasterboard products, including examining whether legislative change or regulatory change is needed

• Look at ways to streamline the use of products that are currently untested in the New Zealand market

• Explore new distribution models

• Provide advice regarding the appropriate approach to consenting

• Act as a forum for related supply chain concerns.