The BRANZ Levy and the Building Levy

With the changes to the Building Levy announced in March, the Department has fielded several queries from territorial authorities about the Building Research (BRANZ) Levy and how it relates to the application forms for building consents and PIMs. 

The Building Research Levy is authorised under the Building Research Levy Act 1969. Under this Act, 0.1 percent of the contract value (exceeding $20,000) of every construction project put forward for building consent in New Zealand is payable by the builder to Building Research. The intent is to provide money for research into improved techniques and materials for use in the building industry.

The Building Levy is used to fund the Department's functions under the Building Act 2004. It is now set at $1.97 per $1,000 of building work for which there is a consent, and is only collected on building works valued at $20,000 or more.

The Building Research Levy is thus separate from both the Building Levy and the Building Act, and is not administered by the Department. You will need to include this in your fee calculator, but not in the form.

For further information on the Building Research Levy contact BRANZ on 0800 80 80 85 (press 1)