Building Practitioners Board
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Introduction
The Building Practitioners Board (the Board) oversees the licensed building practitioner (LBP) Scheme. The Board is independent of the Department of the Building and Housing, but the Department supports the performance of its role and functions.
Board Members are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Building and Construction. The Board has eight members with a mix of skills, including industry expertise in design, construction and inspection services, legal, dispute resolution and mediation skills. Although some Board members belong to industry groups, they act independently in their role as Board members.
Board membership is reviewed as members’ terms expire.
Functions of the Board
The Board’s functions are to:
- approve Rules about LBPs
- investigate and hear complaints about LBPs
- hear appeals against licensing decisions of the Registrar
- review and report to the Minister on the performance of its functions and duties.
Annual Report to 30 June 2011
Contact
For any queries or questions about complaints contact our free Helpline on 0800 60 60 50 or email licensing@dbh.govt.nz
Introducing the Board members
Alan Bickers (Chairman)
Mr Bickers currently provides dispute resolution, management and governance services to public and private sector clients and is an independent resource consent commissioner for regional and territorial local authorities.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Dispute Resolution) and is a Chartered Professional Engineer. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand, a Fellow of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand and a Justice of the Peace.
Mr Bickers has worked for four local authorities, most recently as Chief Executive of Tauranga City/District Council (1987-1995). He has served on the Standards Council of New Zealand (1993-1997), Bay of Plenty District Health Board and Transit New Zealand Board (1997-2004), which he Chaired for three-and-a-half years. He has a lengthy involvement with the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (including President 1991-1992) and many years experience on the IPENZ Disciplinary Committee. He was appointed Chairman of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers’ Board in 2011.
Mr Bickers was appointed in 2005 and is from Tauranga. Mr Bickers’ current term expires in 2013.
David Clark
Mr Clark is a senior partner of law firm Wilson McKay, undertaking a range of commercial and civil litigation work. Clients include homeowners, developers, contractors, builders and financiers.
Mr Clark gained his Bachelor of Laws in 1987 and was admitted to the Bar in 1988. He is an Associate of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand and is currently engaged by the Department as a Weathertight Homes Resolution Service Mediator. He is also the former Chair of the Electricity and Gas Disputes Resolution Service and a Board member of Youthtown New Zealand.
Other professional activities include being a Code of Conduct Commissioner for New Zealand Cricket and a faculty member of the New Zealand Law Society Litigation Skills programme.
Mr Clark was appointed in 2005 and is from Auckland. Mr Clark’s current term expires in 2015.
Jane Cuming
Ms Cuming is currently Building Standards Manager for PlaceMakers, working with their suppliers and customers on regulatory changes at a technical level.
She is a trade certified carpenter and holds a Certificate in Teaching Adults. Previous roles include Education Advisor for the Building Industry Authority and Technical Sales Representative for James Hardie Building Products.
Ms Cuming is past President and current member of the National Association of Women in Construction.
Ms Cuming was appointed in 2005 and is from the Kapiti Coast. Ms Cuming’s current term expires in 2014.
Dianne Johnson
Ms Johnson is Managing Director of Capital Improvements Ltd, undertaking building surveyor consultancy services throughout New Zealand.
Ms Johnson holds a NZ Certificate in Draughting (Architectural) and Diploma in Business Studies (Dispute Resolution). She has previously held executive roles with the NZ Institute of Building Surveyors and is a current member of National Association of Women in Construction and associate member of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand.
Ms Johnson was appointed in 2011 and is from Petone. Her term expires in 2014.
Brian Nightingale
Mr Nightingale is a director of Building and Construction Services Ltd providing consultancy services to the construction industry. Prior to this, he was General Manager of McKee Fehl Constructors Ltd.
Mr Nightingale has held a number of building-related board appointments, and is currently Chair of the Registered Master Builders Technical Advisory Committee.
Mr Nightingale was appointed in 2010 and is from Lower Hutt. His term expires in 2013.
Colin Orchiston
Mr Orchiston is Principal of Orchiston Architects Ltd: Architecture and Dispute Resolution. Since 1976 his experience in architecture has included management roles in both small practice and a large multidisciplinary consultancy. Since 1993 his involvement in building disputes has included both litigation support and dispute resolution.
Mr Orchiston is a Registered Architect and also holds qualifications in valuation and dispute resolution. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand. He serves on arbitration, adjudication and mediation panels for the latter.
Mr Orchiston was appointed in 2005 and is from Wellington. His current term expires in 2014.
Bill Smith
Mr Smith has 32 years experience in building products manufacture, mainly as General Manager of subsidiaries of Fletcher Building and Carter Holt Harvey. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce.
Mr Smith is Chair of the Building Industry Federation of New Zealand. He is Chair of the Governance Group of the Productivity Partnership and the Building Advisory Panel, which report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Building and Housing. He is a Director of the Asthma Foundation and was previously a Director of Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority and two retirement pension plans.
Mr Smith, was appointed in 2010, and is from Auckland. His term expires in 2013.