About the Building Act
The Building Act 2004 is the legislation that governs the building industry in New Zealand.
The Act aims to improve control of, and encourage better practices in, building design and construction.
This means:
- more clarity on the standards we expect buildings to meet
- more guidance on how those standards can be met
- more certainty that capable people are undertaking building design, construction and inspection
- more scrutiny in the building consent and inspection process
- better protection for homeowners through the introduction of mandatory warranties.
The Building Act 2004 repealed the Building Act 1991
The Building Act 2004 repealed the Building Act 1991 and dissolved the Building Industry Authority, which had regulated the building industry under the 1991 Act. Administration of the Building Act then shifted to the Department of Building and Housing, which was established on 1 November 2004.
The Act is implemented in stages
Some measures in the new legislation came into effect on 30 November 2004 and 31 March 2005. Some amendments to the Act took effect from 14 April 2005.
Other measures will be implemented over the next few years to allow time for supporting regulations to be developed.
The Act sets up a framework
The Act set up a framework that aims to ensure there is strong decision-making at every stage of the building or renovating process.
The Act introduces:
- a review of the Building Code for more clarity about building standards and more guidance about how to meet those standards
- licensing and accreditation, which aim to provide more certainty that the people doing and certifying the work have the skills for the job
- more scrutiny in the monitoring process that checks building and design work, and overseeing of the sector by the government.