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News

Media releases and other news updates published by the Department of Building and Housing.

Electrical Worker’s Practising Licences 2008/2009

14 May 2008: Practising Licences are due to expire on the 30th of June 2008, renew your practising license online today to avoid expiry. Go to www.ewr.govt.nz/renew

Why renew online?

It’s fast and easy
You can renew your practising licence when you want to 24hrs a day, 7days a week
You can update your contact details and safety training information at the same time

What will I need?

Your File Key
Up to date safety training, testing, cpr & basic first aid
A Credit Card for Payment, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Dinners or America Express

How to renew online

Start	by visiting our website www.ewr.govt.nz/renew
Enter	your family name in the "File/Family name" field or enter your registration number in the "Approval Number" field then click the "Search" button at the top of the page. Click your name from the list of results
Enter	your File key in the "key" field then click the "continue" button at the top of the page. Note: If you don't have your File Key it is on the covering letter included in your renewal pack sent by EWRB late May or please call 0800 661 000
Check	that your contact details and safety training information are all accurate and update them if necessary
Tick	the box to indicate that you require a practising licence and that you have undertaken prescribed work since 1989
Pay	by entering your credit card and GST Invoice receipt details then click the "continue" button Note: GST invoice receipts can be printed on screen or emailed to you - ensure you enter a valid email address if you would like a GST invoice receipt by email
Wait	until the confirmation screen is displayed to conclude your transaction
What next?	That's all you need to do. Your practising licence card will be automatically posted to the latest address shown in your contact details screen.

More market rent data available

5 May 2008: Landlords and tenants around the country will find it even easier to pinpoint precise market rent information for their local area by visiting an updated website.

The Department of Building and Housing has expanded its market rent data and now offers information on 298 areas in New Zealand.

The Department’s services centre manager Allan Galloway said the change was in response to customer demand.

Allan Galloway said: “The market rent data is one of the most frequently visited on the Department’s website and is valuable information for tenants and landlords.

“We are now providing information for 117 additional areas in New Zealand. This will help landlords ensure they are charging a fair market rent and for tenants to ensure they are paying a fair market rent.”

The new data breaks down areas like Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington into more precise districts.

The Department is increasing its market rent information:

from 43 locations to 102 locations in the Auckland area
from 24 locations to 43 locations in the Wellington area
from 23 to 35 locations in the Canterbury area.

For tenancy advice and information call 0800 TENANCY (0800 83 62 62) or visit http://www.dbh.govt.nz/tenancy-index

Bill to modernise apartment laws set for introduction

28 April 2008: A Bill to modernise apartment-ownership and body corporate laws – The Unit Titles Bill – will be introduced to Parliament shortly by Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones. Read the Minister's news release about the Unit Titles Bill

Lower hot water bills on the way

27 April 2008: Home owners are set to save money through strengthened energy efficiency rules for new hot water systems, says Shane Jones. Read the Minister's news release about strengthened energy efficiency rules

DIY rules aimed at eliminating building rogues

24 April 2008: Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones today announced new guidelines for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home owner-builders aimed at eliminating rogues in the building sector. Read the Minister's news release about DIY rules

Latest building and housing trends

15 April 2008: The latest report published by the Department summarising building and housing trends and performance. It covers the period October to December 2007. Read the October - December 2007 Building and Housing Trends »

Swimming pool fencing laws to be reviewed

29 March, 2008: The highly effective Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 is to be evaluated to see if it can be made more effective and to create uniformity with Local Governments in how they interpret and enforce the Act. Read the Minister's news release about the review of Swimming pool fencing laws

Government slashes building industry red tape

25 March, 2008: Minister for Building and Construction, Shane Jones, today announced plans to slash red tape in the building industry and provide simpler, more flexible consents process for starter homes. Read the Minister's news release about more flexible consents

‘Multiple use’ consents will provide a “fast track”

25 March, 2008: Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones says the provision of ‘multiple use’ consents has the potential to provide a “fast track” approach for big property developers and large volume builders. Read the Minister's news release about 'multiple use' consents

Design competition will boost starter homes initiative

25 March, 2008: Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones is proposing a nationwide design competition as part of the package to improve flexibility and reduce regulatory costs of building a modest starter home. Read the Minister's news release about the proposed design competition

Speech at Opening of Summerset Retirement Village

14 March, 2008: Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones' speech at the opening of the Summerset Retirement Village, Porirua. Read the Minister's speech at Summerset Retirement Village

Licensed Building Practitioner presented his licence

27 February 2007: Minister Shane Jones today presented Auckland's Craig Shorrock his licence to practice as a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). Read the Minister's news release about the Minister's presentation of one of the first Licensed Building Practitioner licences

Progress in the building sector: where to next

22 February 2008: Address at the opening of the Australbricks new brick and tile selection centre at Penrose Auckland. Read the Minister's speech about progress in the building sector

Minister welcomes bold ideas from Northland mayors

17 February 2008: Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones says a series of bold ideas presented to him by the three Northland mayors at a forum in Whangarei last week (Thursday 14) has given him positive food for thought. Read the Minister's news release about ideas from Northland mayors

Commitment to flexibility in building sector

12 February 2008: Minister for Building and Construction Shane Jones is committed to increasing flexibility and tackling regulatory costs in the industry sector, as was announced by the Prime Minister today. Read the Minister's news release about flexibility in the building sector

Good Ventilation is common sense says Minister Jones

4 February 2008: Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones says extractor fans are not compulsory, but it makes common sense to ensure good ventilation in new houses. Read the Minister's news release about good ventilation

Minister welcomes responsibility for PGD under his portfolio

31 January 2008: Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones today takes over administrative responsibility for the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers (PGD) Act 2006. Read the Minister's news release about the new administrative responsibility

Minister keen to discuss CBANZ concerns over Far North building regulation issues

19 January 2008: Minister responds to concerns voiced by the Bay of Islands/Far North Certified Builders Association (CBANZ) over excessive industry regulation. Read the Minister's news release about building regulation issues

Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme off to a good start

3 January 2008: More than 7000 Licensed Building Practitioner application packs have been requested since the scheme was launched last November. Read the Minister's news release about the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme

Latest building and housing trends

20 December 2007: The latest report published by the Department summarising building and housing trends and performance. It covers the period July to September 2007. Read the July - September 2007 Building and Housing Trends »