Building Code review
Why is the Building Code being reviewed?
The Building Act 2004 requires a review of the current Building Code. This is to ensure that the Building Code:
- meets the requirements, purpose and principles of the Building Act
- is stated in sufficient detail to provide clear guidance on the performance requirements that buildings must achieve
- supports innovation in building systems while also meeting quality standards.
A report must be prepared for the Minister for Building and Construction by 30 November 2007. This will include recommendations for amendments to the Building Code that we consider necessary or desirable.
What will the review achieve?
This is a comprehensive review, the first since 1991. The review will result in recommendations for improvements to the Code. The outcome from the review will put in place building performance requirements for the next decade and beyond. The changes will take into account the Act’s requirements for sustainable development and for buildings to promote safety, health and wellbeing.
What is the review process?
The Building Code review is taking place in stages, in consultation with industry, government and consumer representatives:
- Research into and consultation on content and structure (to mid-2006).
- Work on setting performance requirements (2006-2007).
- Consult, finalise and report to the Minister with a set of recommendations for changes to the Building Code (2007).
- Educate and implement (ongoing).
A report on the review is scheduled for completion by 30 November 2007. Implementing any changes will happen after 30 November 2007.
Ongoing technical amendments
Any changes to the Code that result from the review are not likely to take effect until 2009 at the earliest. In the meantime, some aspects of the current Code will continue to be addressed and may be proposed ahead of the changes following this full review.
What work has been done so far?
A first discussion document was published in May 2006. This was concerned with the scope of the Code and identified which features of building work the Code should address.
The first discussion document was prepared after a series of public workshops in Auckland and Wellington in 2005 and 2006. These were attended by more than 500 people from a wide range of interests in the sector.
After we released the first discussion document we held focus group meetings with local and national community organisations, and workshops with individuals and organisations who made submissions. We received 265 submissions from the building industry, local and central government, individuals and the community.
A report summarising the submissions to the first discussion document, including the workshops and focus groups, was published in January 2007 [PDF 885 KB, 155 pages]. The submissions from the first discussion document have helped us to shape the direction the Code should take.
In December 2006, the Department set up workgroups to help it develop specific performance requirements for the Code. Workgroup members included researchers, industry experts, designers, Departmental advisors and people from territorial authorities and other government departments.
In August 2007, a second discussion document was published. This seeks comments on performance requirements for the Building Code. Performance requirements specify how features of buildings should perform. As part of the consultation on this document the Department will be holding public workshops and focus groups. These will provide participants with an opportunity for more detailed discussion on the proposals in the document. The closing date for comments on the second discussion document is 28 September 2007.
Next steps
We will report to the Minister for Building and Construction on the review with recommendations for changes to the Code by November this year. The second discussion document is likely to form the basis of the recommendations to the Minister.
Any changes to the Code will be made after the November 2007 report. We will carry out full consultation on all changes before they are implemented.
Discussions with the central government reference group
The Central Government Reference Group was set up in August 2004 and consists of representatives of interested government agencies. Its aim was to facilitate open channels of communication with interested government agencies about the Building Code review.
Building Code workshops
Workshops were held in 2004 and 2005 for people to share their views about the buildings they use. These workshops have helped guide progress of the review of the Building Code. Anyone interested or involved in the community's building and housing needs was encouraged to attend.
- Participants in the building sector had the opportunity to air their views on the Building Code at a series of workshops run in partnership with Building Research in November 2004 and February 2005. Workshops explored the standards New Zealanders expect for their buildings and examined how the Code could better meets users’ needs. For an overview of these workshops, see the November 2004 issue of Newsline [PDF 194 KB, 4 pages].
- A workshop with national and international experts, users, industry and local authorities was held in March 2005.
Ongoing work with other government agencies
Consultation with other central government agencies, as well as local government, is vital. Consultation with a wide range of government agencies, as well as local government groups, will continue throughout the review process.
Contact with industry and special interest groups
There has been ongoing contact with industry groups and other interested parties, such as the Construction Industry Council; Standards New Zealand; Building Research; Beacon Pathway; and the Sustainable Cities Urban Form, Design and Development Group, made up of Auckland territorial authority officers and central government agencies in Auckland.
International links
From an international perspective, the Department has ongoing and regular exchanges of information with the Australian Building Codes Board, as well as interactions with Building Code regulators from the UK and Canada. In addition, New Zealand belongs to the Interjurisdictional Regulatory Collaboration Committee, which meets on a 6-monthly basis to discuss and exchange ideas about building regulation.
What work is planned?
Public consultation
Two rounds of public consultation are planned:
- Consultation on design - now underway (2006) - A discussion document will provide background information on building codes and performance-based codes and will ask for feedback relating to the scope (or content) and structure of the new Building Code. This document will consider building features in light of the purposes and principles articulated in the Building Act:
- Consultation on detail (March-May 2007) - A discussion document will present recommendations for the Code and seek feedback on options identified.
Focus groups
In spite of the importance of buildings for individuals and communities, it remains difficult to engage building users and to get their feedback. A proposed series of focus groups will provide the opportunity to discuss specific issues with affected people and particular interest groups, for example, issues affecting people with disabilities or sustainable development issues. The initial focus groups will take place concurrent with the first round of public consultation (consultation on design), and there will be subsequent focus groups held at different stages throughout the review.