2009 News
Media releases and other news updates from the Department.
Comment sought on NASH steel framing standard
24 December 2009: The National Association of Steel Framed Housing (NASH) has released for comment a draft NASH Standard for Residential and Low Rise Steel Framing. The document covers design criteria and is part of a series of design documents that are being developed by NASH for the steel construction industry.
The Department welcomes NASH's initiative and encourages all interested building professionals to provide comment. To comment go to www.nashnz.org.nz
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Government-initiated review shows scale of weathertightness problem
22 December 2009: Read the PricewaterhouseCoopers report »
New regulations about building issues
18 December 2009: New regulations for National Multiple-Use Approvals and minor variations to building consents, and reduced licensing fees for trade-qualified building practitioners were made on 14 December 2009. These regulations will come into effect in February 2010.
Technical guidance
17 December 2009: The Department publishes Technical Guidance documents, which are designed to assist building practitioners, building officials and industry to consider a wider range of options for complying with the Building Code than those means provided by Compliance Documents. Technical guidance documents aim to promote a consistent approach to establishing compliance.
Consulting on Compliance Documents
10 December 2009: The Department seeks your comments on proposed changes to 11 Compliance Documents. The changes are to update references to Standards and other documents which are cited in the Compliance Documents. These contain building methods that assist designers, architects and builders to ensure compliance with the Building Code.
The closing date for comments is 15 February 2010.
Review of the implementation of the BCA Accreditation scheme
6 November 2009: The Department engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers in November 2008 to review the implementation of phase 1 of the BCA Accreditation scheme.
National Multiple-Use Approval Service
30 October 2009: The Department will be providing a National Multiple-Use Approval (NMUA) Service from 1 February 2010. This means that volume builders can apply to obtain NMUAs for building designs that will be replicated multiple times in any part of New Zealand. The benefit of NMUAs is that the Department can pre-approve building designs for compliance with the Building Code.
Annual Report 2008-2009
22 October: A summary of the last 12 months of the Department
What do you think should be included in the Retirement Villages Disclosure Statement?
2 October 2009: The Department is consulting on the style and content of disclosure statements for retirement villages. The consultation runs for 12 weeks and the closing date is 11 December 2009.
Landlord e-newsletter No.10
16 September 2009: The September 2009 e-newsletter.
Weathertight e-news issue No.3
8 September 2009: The September 2009 e-newsletter.
In this issue we cover:
Licensing Update No. 14
1 September 2009: Latest news about the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme
Building Act Review and Licensing Scheme announcements
27 August 2009: A review of the Building Act 2004 and decisions about the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme have been announced by the Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Maurice Williamson.
Full details, including the Minister’s media release and his speech to industry stakeholders, are available on the Beehive website. See also:
Building safety evaluation in a state of emergency
20 August 2009: Guidelines for council building control managers
Building Amendment Act
The Building Amendment Act 2009 came into force 1 August 2009
Building and Construction Sector Forum
The second forum was held in Auckland on 24 July
Advanced landlord seminars
Landlord seminars for September and October
Backcountry huts
17 July 2009: A new Building Code Compliance Document
Building and Housing Trends: January - March 2009
3 July 2009: The January to March quarterly summary of sector trends and statistics has been released.
- Read the Building and Housing Trends report for January - March 2009 »
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service claims statistics June 2009
3 July 2009: As at 30 June, the Department has received 5802 claims lodged for 7190 properties, and completed assessments for 6560 properties.
Landlord e-newsletter No.9
12 June 2009: The June 2009 e-newsletter features clean and tidy premises.
Best practice guide: Determining refurbishment and fair wear and tear in retirement villages
11 June 2009: A guide for residents and operators.
Statement of Intent 2009/12
28 May 2009: the Department's plans and operating intentions for the next three years.
Apprentice of the Year 2009
18 May 2009: Entries for the Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year 2009, in association with Carters close on 31 July.
Electrical Workers’ Practising Licences
14 May 2009: Electrical Workers’ Practising Licences expired on the 30 June 2009.
Tenancy latest
4 May 2009: New information and forms to help make renting work for you from the start.
Licensing Update No. 13
4 May 2009: Latest news about the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme
Starter Home Design winners announced
31 March 2009: The winners of a Starter Home Design Competition organised by the Department were announced at a function at Parliament on 31 March.
BC update issue No.96 - Guidance on the classification of freestanding, uninhabited garages
4 March 2009: The Department has moved to clarify the classification of freestanding, uninhabited garages.