Shane Jones
Minister for Building and Construction
23 October 2008 Media Statement
Future policy to extend building sector initiatives
Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones says Labour’s building policy will extend the pragmatic initiatives he
has introduced this year.
Mr Jones launched the Building and Construction policy in Whangarei today outlining that Labour intends to develop a
nationwide set of guidelines on standards set to achieve consistency in the administration of building consent by the
different territorial and local government authorities.
“By improving and achieving consistency in consenting we will not only continue to cut red-tape, which I have done, but
also ease the frustrations of builders who simply want to get on with their work,” Mr Jones said.
"I am especially pleased to launch my policy in Whangarei after all three of our Northland mayors – Wayne Brown (Far
North), Neil Tiller (Kaipara) and Stan Semenoff (Whangarei) – gave me a walloping over the amount of red-tape in the
Building Act.
“There are a number of initiatives -- like simplifying building code requirements for DIY-builders, extending the
successful starter homes portfolio of designs, simplifying legislation and organising training for practitioners,
developing a centralised data base for territorial authorities, protecting property rights within multi-units and
high-rise apartments, amending the Unit Titles Act to provide security for stakeholders in units and encouraging
research through Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) -- which will establish the foundations for
long-term consumer confidence in builders and contractors.
He added he was firmly in support of the Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) scheme that will allow builders to
demonstrate their qualifications.
“I am a strong supporter of the LBP scheme which I hope will eventually lead to qualified self-certification in the same
way that other trades-people such as electricians and plumbers currently enjoy.”
Launch host, Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff said he was pleased that Mr Jones had listened to his and the other mayors’
concerns.
“Thank you for listening to our haka at the start of the year. You have done what you said you would do. I’m pleased you
have cut red-tape,” Mr Semenoff said.
ENDS