BIA must fix Building Code following building summit

Dr Wayne Mapp - National Housing Spokesperson

The building industry needs to restore public confidence in New Zealanders’ dreams to build their own home National Housing Spokesperson Dr Wayne Mapp said today after attending the Building Summit over leaky homes.

“One of the terms of reference for the summit was to improve the controls around building methods and materials. These are the core problems in this issue and the building industry must provide and urgent solutions.

“The public needs to know that they can build or buy a house that doesn’t leak and rot and that the building industry has fulfilled it’s duty in ensuring that happens.

Dr Mapp attended the open part of the summit today but was excluded from part of the meeting. “The BIA specifically excluded me. As the Housing Spokesperson for the official Opposition I should have been allowed to attend to protect the public interest.

“Given that the whole focus of the meeting was about the future and particularly about building skills and materials it is difficult to see why there was a need for such secrecy.

“Leaky homes syndrome is a matter of huge public concern. Trying to sort it out behind closed doors is not the way for the building industry to build public confidence.

Dr Mapp said the Building Industry Authority could expect rigorous examination when it came before the Government Administration regarding its performance over the past four years,” Dr Mapp said.

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