Government to announce biggest building consent reform since 2004

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has confirmed changes to New Zealand's building consent regime. Photo / Samuel Rillstone, RNZ

By Anneke Smith of RNZ

The country’s building consent system is about to have its biggest shake-up in more than two decades.

The Government signalled in late 2024 it was investigating options for major reform to make it easier and cheaper to build.

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has now confirmed changes will be announced at today’s post-Cabinet media conference.

“This will be the biggest change to the building consent system since the Building Act came into force in 2004,” Penk said.

Penk would not make any further comment on exactly what will be announced but the Government has previously identified its options.

1. Voluntary consolidation – allowing councils to group together to deliver building control functions. A number of councils already pool some resources but barriers exist to full integration. This approach focuses on removing these barriers.
2. Regional BCAs – establishing a smaller number of relatively large regional Building Consent Authorities to replace the current 66 district and city council BCAs. This approach focuses on improving consistency and forming entities with the critical mass to drive economies of scale.
3. Single point of contact – setting up a single point of contact for builders to submit plans to. Building inspection may be contracted out to existing BCAs or private consenting providers, creating competition and encouraging specialisation.

The changes to the Building Act will be heavily scrutinised after warnings the Government risks another leaky homes crisis if reform is not properly handled.

– RNZ