Other organisations that can help
The Department of Building and Housing provides a comprehensive range of building and housing-related information and services. This also involves working with other government agencies and organisations in the sector to better align and integrate the help available to New Zealanders.
We believe there should be ‘no wrong door’ for people seeking advice, so we’ve prepared information on a number of topics that we can help with, or provide details of other organisations that can help.
To go straight to a particular topic on this page, use the topic links on the right.
Accommodation supplement
Accommodation Supplement is a regular payment made by Work and Income to help people with accommodation costs such as rent, board or the cost of owning a home. You may be able to get assistance depending on your income, assets and housing costs but you can’t get it if you rent a property owned or managed by Housing New Zealand COrporation. You do not have to be receiving a benefit to qualify for Accommodation Supplement.
> You may also qualify for Temporary Additional Support. Temporary Additional Support can provide financial assistance as a last resort for people in financial hardship who can’t meet their essential costs from their income or other sources.
To find out more, contact Work and Income 
.
Building consent, inspection, and sign-off process
- For information about the building consent, inspection and sign-off process for a particular project contact your local council. To find the contact details of your council, visit the Local Government New Zealand website .
- General information about the building process, and how to comply with the law is available on this website, or the ConsumerBuild website: www.consumerbuild.org.nz .
Buying a house
- For advice about buying a house or apartment, including organising a property inspection before you buy, visit ConsumerBuild: Buying a house .
Buying a section
- For information about buying a section, including the information you may be able to obtain from your local council, visit ConsumerBuild: Buying a section .
Construction techniques and technical advice
The Department of Building and Housing has a high level of technical expertise. It publishes a range of technical building information and practical guidance to help people comply with the law and meet performance standards set for buildings.
Other organisations that complement our expertise include BRANZ Ltd and Standards New Zealand.
- For technical advice about construction methods and materials you may like to contact BRANZ Ltd. BRANZ provides an advisory service on building matters: If you are a member of the building industry, phone their helpline on 0800 80 80 85. If you are a home or building owner or a member of the public requiring advice, there is a public helpline that costs $1.99 per minute + GST: phone 0900 590 90. Or visit their website: www.branz.co.nz .
- The New Zealand Standards contain specifications which define materials, methods, processes or practices, many of which relate to buildings. The Standards are frequently referred to in the Department’s Compliance Documents. The Standards are developed by and available for sale from Standards New Zealand. You can contact them on 0800 782 632 or view more information at: www.standards.co.nz .
Consumer information and advice
- Consumers’ Institute is an independent, non-profit organisation that undertakes a wide range of activities relating to consumer protection and information. Visit their website at www.consumeronline.org.nz .
- Together, the Department of Building and Housing and Consumers’ Institute created the ConsumerBuild website . It provides a range of helpful information about building, renovating and maintaining homes, as well as outlining your rights, responsibilities and dispute resolution options if things go wrong.
- For general consumer information and advice, contact the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) . It's a voluntary organisation providing free, confidential information and advice to anyone about any query or problem. CABs are listed in the telephone book or phone 0800 367 222.
Disputes
Options for resolving building and housing-related disputes.
- The Department of Building and Housing offers a range of advice on ways to resolve tenancy disputes between a tenant and landlord.
- If you have a dispute about whether building work complies with the Building Code, you may seek a ‘determination’ from the Department under the Building Act.
- If you have a dispute relating to a leaky home, the Department’s Weathertight Services may be able to help.
- For advice to help solve common problems between you and a builder or contractor, refer to the ConsumerBuild website for guidance: Common Problems and Dispute Resolution .
- For problems relating to the quality of goods and services see ConsumerBuild: Consumer Guarantees Act .
- For help resolving disputes with an architect or designer see ConsumerBuild: Disputes with designers .
- For breaches of a building contract, see ConsumerBuild: Contract law .
- If you have a dispute over the amount you are being asked to pay under a building contract, see ConsumerBuild: Construction Contracts Act .
- If you have a dispute about a building guarantee see ConsumerBuild: Builders’ guarantees .
Faulty materials
Housing New Zealand Corporation
Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) provides a range of housing support services, including:
- access to state (social) housing for people in greatest need
- rental properties for community groups providing housing
- assistance for people with long-term disabilities who need access to modified housing
- lending products including home improvement loans, and low-deposit rural loans for people wanting to buy in rural and regional parts of New Zealand.
For more information - for example eligibility - visit www.hnzc.co.nz , or contact an office by referring to www.hnzc.co.nz/offices/index.htm .
- If you are a Housing New Zealand tenant, you can call their 24-hour Housing Assistance freephone: 0800 801 601.
Landlord advocacy and advice
- For information of relevance to landlords contact the New Zealand Property Investors Federation (www.nzpif.org.nz ) or the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (www.reinz.org.nz ).
Legal advice
The Department of Building and Housing does not provide legal advice to members of the public. There are a number of instances where you will need to seek legal advice from a solicitor, for example:
- certificates of title, for example ‘How do I change my name on my property title?’
- agreements for sale and purchase, for example ‘Can I get out of an agreement once I’ve signed?’
You can also contact Citizens Advice Bureaux www.cab.org.nz or a Community Law Centre for help.
For information about how to get legal help from a community organisation see the Legal Services Agency webpage.
Overseas building professionals and immigration
- For advice about migrating to and working in New Zealand, contact Immigration New Zealand from outside of New Zealand on: +64 9 914 4100 or visit their website: www.immigration.govt.nz .
- If you are thinking of working in New Zealand, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has responsibility for assessing international qualifications held by people seeking residence, employment, professional registration or opportunities for further study within New Zealand.
Ownership of property (types of ownership)
- For advice about the different types of property ownership, including cross leases, unit titles and freehold see: ConsumerBuild: Land titles .
Retirement villages
Tenant advocacy and advice
- The Tenants Protection Association promotes and protects the rights of tenants in several regions.
- Christchurch: Contact Helen Gatonyi, (03) 379 2297. tpa@xtra.co.nz. www.tpa.org.nz
- Auckland: Contact Angela Maynard, (09) 360 1473
- Manawatu: Contact Kevin Reilly, (06) 357 7435
Tradespeople, architects and designers
- The ConsumerBuild website has advice about dealing with tradespeople , including contracts, choosing a tradesperson, and what to do if things go wrong.
- ConsumerBuild also has information about the house design process, including dealing with architects and designers .
Trade and professional organisations
- For contact details of trade and professional organisations, see ConsumerBuild: Trade and professional groups .
- For information about the various legal remedies and other dispute resolution services available when dealing with tradespeople see ConsumerBuild: Resolving disputes .
Training providers
- The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) is the organisation appointed by the Government to develop and implement industry qualifications for the building and construction sector. If you have a query about what training is available, contact BCITO on (0800 422 486) or on www.bcito.org.nz .
- For a list of accredited industry training organisations in New Zealand visit the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website.
Weathertightness (and ‘leaky homes’)
- For information about designing and building houses that are weathertight, as well as how you can use Weathertight Services, refer to our weathertightness resources.
- Owners of ‘leaky homes’ may like to get in touch with the Leaky Homes Action Group , which has been set up as an independent support network.