Hon Shane Jones
Minister for Building and Construction
Associate Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Associate Minister of Immigration
Associate Minister of Trade
9 September 2008 Media Statement
Bill to simplify building consent process introduced
A Bill to increase flexibility and efficiency in the building consent process -- the Building Amendment Bill No. 2 --
was introduced to Parliament today by Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones.
The Bill will:
o Introduce a new pre-approval system that will fast track the building consent process for homes where designs are to
be replicated on a substantial scale.
These will be known as national multiple use approvals. However, councils will still need to assess site specific
matters.
o Clarify the process for making variations to consented building work. This will encourage consistency by councils and
reduce unnecessary costs for applicants.
o Make it optional for a building consent applicant to obtain a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) from a territorial
authority.
“This Bill will help reduce unnecessary delays in the building consent process which I know causes frustration among
builders," Mr Jones said.
“This and other measures I am taking will assist in increasing the supply of good quality affordable homes.”
The measures include a compliance document for modest simple homes, which brings together in a way that has not been
done before, all the compliance information needed to build a simple starter home. These also include extending the list
of low-risk building work that does not require a building consent.
“This Bill and other initiatives demonstrate the government has been listening and is prepared to act to help improve
the supply of good quality affordable homes,” Mr Jones said.
ENDS