Building for the 21st Century: Report on the Review of the Building Code

Foreword

I am pleased to present this report on the Department of Building and Housing's review of the Building Code, the first full review of the Code since it was written in 1992.

The report is the outcome of a high level of engagement over the past three years with the building and construction sector and with other stakeholder groups - including the general public. We sought and listened to their views on how the Code might be improved, to meet the needs of society and our built environment in the immediate and long-term future.

The recommendations are forward-looking. They reflect the fact that society is ever-changing and the standards we require of our buildings must be flexible, pragmatic and responsive to changing needs.

The housing and building sector is important economically, socially and environmentally.

We all live somewhere. The built environment impacts on:

• our wellbeing
• our communities
• our cities
• how we see ourselves - and how other people see us.

In looking at the standards we require for our buildings, the review also addresses the importance of fostering sustainability, so that what we do in our built environment today is sustainable for the communities of tomorrow.

The Department of Building and Housing is committed to continuing to engage with the building and construction sector as we move forward from this review.

This reflects our desire to show leadership in:

• achieving better-quality buildings
• providing guidance to the sector through technical guidance material and targeted education
• regulating in a way that is sensible, cost effective, enhances the sector and protects consumers.

The recommendations of this review present a significant step forward in thinking about the future buildings of New Zealand and the quality we want for our homes and living environment.

Katrina Bach
Chief Executive

November 2007