Skip to content.
Return to Department of Building and Housing home page.

What's new

Building Code review 2007 consultation: Our second Building Code review discussion document asks for your feedback on changes we are considering for performance requirements for the Building Code.

Guide to applying for a building consent (simple residential buildings): Guidance is now available from the Department of Building and Housing called Applying for a building consent.

keep up to date

The following publications contain the latest building controls information.

Codewords.  Codewords: Building controls newsletter | Subscribe to Codewords update.

Building Controls Update.  Building Controls Update: Periodic email news update service | Subscribe to Building Controls Update.

Licensing Update.  Licensing Update: Quarterly email news update service | Subscribe to Licensing Update. 

publications

The material in this section includes information from these publications:

related information

essential resources

 Information about the Resource Management Act external website.

Builders, tradespeople and designers

If you work in the building industry, you will know the law around building has changed as a result of the introduction of the Building Act 2004. The Act aims to improve control of and encourage better practices in design and construction.

  • There are now mandatory warranties to protect consumers, which are implied in all building contracts for residential work.
  • There are changes to building consents and inspection processes, which mainly took effect on 31 March 2005.
  • A national licensing system for building designers, site supervisors and some specialist tradespeople is also being introduced. From 30 November 2009, certain design and building work must be undertaken or supervised by licensed building practitioners.

Though a lot is changing, the basic processes you need to go through on a building project are staying the same. You still need to get a building consent and have the work signed off, and the Building Code is still performance-based.

The information in this section sets out the main changes, particularly for residential or straightforward building projects.

Building Code and Compliance Documents

All new building work in New Zealand must comply with the Building Code. To help people comply, the Department of Building and Housing publishes Compliance Documents, which are available for free download in PDF from this site, or from Vicbooks in multiple formats: www.vicbooks.co.nz [External website].

Weathertightness and treated timber

The Department also publishes guidance for designers and builders on how to ensure weathertightness , including treated timber requirements.

More information

It’s also useful to be aware of developments in basic structural engineering practice that may be relevant to your work, and building-related events and education.

You, or your customers, can also find useful information on a range of building-related topics on the ConsumerBuild website: www.ConsumerBuild.org.nz [External website].