Sector and Regulatory Policy
This output class involves the provision of policy advice in relation to the building and housing sector in New Zealand. It includes the provision of policy advice on the government's regulation of the building and housing sector, monitoring the building and housing sector, and the provision of the regulatory framework for the building industry.
It also includes the provision of ministerial services to assist the Minister(s) to carry out their executive and legislative functions.
Key Business Strategies
The key business strategies in this output class are to:
- establish the policy, research and evaluation capability necessary to provide robust policy advice in support of building and housing sector outcomes
- provide policy advice to government on the building and housing sector and on legislation regulating the sector.
Service Performance
| Deliverable |
Performance to 30 June 2005 |
| Ministerial satisfaction is assessed through a structured discussion with the Minister. This will include performance on quality standards agreed with the Minister |
It was originally intended that ministerial satisfaction would be assessed through a structured discussion with the Minister. This was superseded by the formation of the Department and the regular meetings that followed between the Chief Executive and the Minister for Building Issues at which oral feedback was obtained, and detailed discussions undertaken on ministerial/departmental issues and priorities |
| Policy |
| Produce a discussion document for public discussion on the review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 by October 2004 |
The public discussion document Getting the Balance Right was released on 1 November 2004 |
| Present final recommendations on the review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 by September 2005 (extended from May 2005 - refer SDC Memo (05)10/1) |
Public consultation has been undertaken. The 547 submissions received have been analysed, and a synopsis of them prepared. The key issues that need to be addressed have been confirmed
Analysis and development of options to address the key issues is now under way
|
| Provide advice on the implementation of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2001 |
Initial planning for implementation of the Bill has been completed. Detailed implementation planning has been put on hold until the enactment date of the Bill is known |
| Provide policy advice on issues related to the rental market as required |
No advice on specific issues related to the rental market has been provided. All issues that have arisen have been fed into the RTA review for consideration |
| Develop a statistical framework to support a rental market monitoring function |
Work on developing the framework is at a preliminary stage. This work will be progressed as part of the broader knowledge strategy to be developed in 2005/06 |
| Review the Unit Titles Act 1972 |
Public consultation has been undertaken. The 138 submissions received have been analysed, and a synopsis of them prepared. The key issues that need to be addressed have been confirmed.
Development of options and proposals for further public consultation is now under way
|
| Provide policy advice to government on an alternative dispute resolution mechanism for homeowner building disputes and support the introduction of legislation into the House |
Provided advice on issues related to building dispute resolution and WHRS policy, including policy issues related to the transfer of the WHRS from the Department of Internal Affairs to the Department |
| Facilitate enactment of the Building Bill and Architects Bill, including the development of regulations required for enactment |
The Building Act was passed on 20 August 2004 prior to the responsibility for this deliverable transferring to the Department on 1 November 2004. Regulations required for commencement of building controls under the Building Act 2004 were agreed by Cabinet and promulgated with effect from 31 March 2005 The Registered Architects Act 2005 was passed in April 2005.
The ministerial appointment process for the eight-member Registered Architects Board was completed in June, subject to sign-off by the Governor-General
|
| Existing Building Standards - complete handover from Housing New Zealand Corporation of work on sub-standard housing |
Completed handover from Housing New Zealand Corporation of work on sub-standard housing and developed a project plan in June that expanded the project and clarified upcoming deliverables. Report to Ministers on future work programme completed in July 2005 |
| Retirement Villages Act 2003 |
Provided comment and advice to the Ministry of Social Development in relation to draft regulations |
| Ministerial Servicing |
2005
Actual |
2005
Estimated
Demand/Target |
2004
Actual |
| Parliamentary Questions |
| Draft responses to parliamentary questions |
80 |
70 |
46 |
| Percentage of answers provided within deadlines agreed with Minister |
98% |
100% |
100% |
| Answers returned as inadequate or inappropriate |
6% |
5% |
7% |
| Ministerials |
| Draft responses to ministerials |
185 |
110 |
95 |
| Percentage of answers provided within deadlines agreed with Minister |
95% |
100% |
94% |
| Answers returned as inadequate or inappropriate |
6% |
5% |
7% |
| Official Information Act and Privacy Act requests |
| Draft responses to Official Information Act and Privacy Act requests4 |
46 |
110 |
17 |
| Percentage of answers provided within statutory deadlines |
98% |
100% |
88% |
| Percentage of answers that comply with the legislation |
100% |
100% |
100% |
| Financial Performance (figures exclusive of GST) |
2005
Actual
$000 |
2005
Main
Estimates
$000 |
2005
Supplementary
Estimates
$000 |
2004
Actual
$000 |
| Revenue |
| Crown |
3,037 |
- |
3,237 |
- |
| Departmental |
2 |
- |
4 |
- |
| Other |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Total Revenue |
3,039 |
- |
3,241 |
- |
| Total Expenses |
2,936 |
- |
3,241 |
- |
| Net surplus/(deficit) |
103 |
- |
- |
- |