The Hon Jenny Salesa, Minister for Building and Construction, met with Kāpiti Coast District Council Chief Executive
Wayne Maxwell and the Council Building Team early this week to discuss their submission to MBIE’s consultation around
proposed building system legislative reform. Minister Salesa said that MBIE received nearly 500 submissions during the
consultation.
Mr Maxwell said that the Council has conservative forecasts anticipating the Kāpiti Coast’s population to reach 63,685
people by 2043, but that the significant infrastructure investments in the district – especially the expressways – are
likely to turbo-boost the area’s growth well beyond those forecasts.
“To meet the anticipated influx, we know that the time is now for getting our ducks in a row. Ensuring healthy, safe and
durable houses in our district is paramount for us and we support changes to the existing legislation that will make
this goal a reality.”
Building Team Manager Katharine Wheeler was pleased to have the opportunity to speak directly to the Minister about
issues specific to the Kāpiti Coast, supporting points made in the Council submission.
“We know that the buildings here in our district are not just houses, but people’s homes. The Building Act’s proposals
to strengthen the regulation of building products and methods will help make homes healthy, safe and sustainable, and
contribute to a more resilient community.
“The government’s proposals seek to improve the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme for designers and builders and
overhaul engineer certification. We are optimistic the changes will mean better quality building work and reduced risks
for homeowners.”
Mr Maxwell said that Council continues to be concerned about the issue of joint and several liability.
“While we all agree that the protection of home owners is the priority, it is a huge impost on ratepayers when we as
councils are often the last person standing.”
Mr Maxwell said that the meeting with the Minister was constructive.
“We appreciate Minister Salesa taking the time to meet with us. We were heartened by the Minister’s real understanding
of the issues and her expectation of delivering improvements that will benefit us all.”
It is anticipated that the government will announce its decisions around the consultation by the end of the year, and
legislative changes will follow.
To read the Council’s full building system legislative reform submission, see https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/your-council/planning/submissions/