Building Practitioners Board
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Introduction
The Building Practitioners Board (the Board) oversees the licensed building practitioner (LBP) Scheme. The Board is independent of the Department of the Building and Housing, but the Department supports the performance of its role and functions.
Board Members are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Building and Construction. The Board has eight members with a mix of skills, including industry expertise in design, construction and inspection services, legal, dispute resolution and mediation skills. Although some Board members belong to industry groups, they act independently in their role as Board members.
Board membership is reviewed as members’ terms expire.
Functions of the Board
The Board’s functions are to:
- approve Rules about LBPs
- investigate and hear complaints about LBPs
- hear appeals against licensing decisions of the Registrar
- review and report to the Minister on the performance of its functions and duties.
Annual Report to 30 June 2010
Contact
For any queries or questions about complaints contact our free Helpline on 0800 60 60 50 or email licensing@dbh.govt.nz
Introducing the Board members
Alan Bickers (Chair)
Mr Bickers currently provides dispute resolution, management and governance services to public and private sector clients and is an independent resource consent commissioner for regional and territorial local authorities.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Dispute Resolution) and is a Chartered Professional Engineer. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand, a Fellow of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand and a Justice of the Peace.
Mr Bickers has worked for four local authorities with his last position as Chief Executive of Tauranga City/District Council (1987-1995). He has served on the Standards Council of New Zealand (1993-1997), Bay of Plenty District Health Board and on the Board of Transit New Zealand (1997-2004), where he was Chair for three and a half years. He has a lengthy involvement with the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (including President 1991-1992) and many years’ experience on the IPENZ Disciplinary Committee. He was appointed to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers’ Board in 2011.
Mr Bickers was appointed in 2005 and is from Tauranga. Mr Bickers’ current term expires in 2013.
Paul Blackler (Deputy Chair)
Mr Blackler is General Manager – Southern Region for Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd.
Mr Blackler is a trade certified carpenter and has served on the Boards of Canterbury Registered Master Builders and Site Safe New Zealand. He is Chairman of the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology Trades Innovation Institute Advisory Board, and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB).
In 1997, Mr Blackler received the NZIOB/James Hardie Award for Excellence in the Building Profession (residential).
Mr Blackler was appointed in 2005 and is from Christchurch. Mr Blackler’s current term expires in 2015.
David Clark
Mr Clark is a Senior Partner of Wilson McKay, undertaking a range of commercial and civil litigation work. Clients include homeowners, developers, contractors, builders and financiers.
Mr Clark gained his Bachelor of Laws in 1987 and was admitted to the Bar in 1988. He is an Associate of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand and is currently engaged by the Department as a Weathertight Homes Resolution Service Mediator. He is also the former Chair of the Electricity and Gas Disputes Resolution Service and a Board member of Youthtown New Zealand.
Other professional activities include being a Code of Conduct Commissioner for New Zealand Cricket and a faculty member of the New Zealand Law Society Litigation Skills programme.
Mr Clark was appointed in 2005 and is from Auckland. Mr Clark’s current term expires in 2015.
Jane Cuming
Ms Cuming is currently Building Standards Manager for PlaceMakers working with their suppliers and customers on regulatory changes at a technical level.
She is a trade certified carpenter and holds a Certificate in Teaching Adults. Previous roles include Education Advisor for the Building Industry Authority and Technical Sales Representative for James Hardie Building Products.
Ms Cuming is past President and current member of the National Association of Women in Construction.
Ms Cuming was appointed in 2005 and is from the Kapiti Coast. Ms Cuming’s current term expires in 2011.
Brian Nightingale
Mr Nightingale is a director of Building and Construction Services Ltd providing consultancy services to the construction industry. Prior to this, he was General Manager of McKee Fehl Constructors Ltd.
Mr Nightingale has held a number of building-related board appointments, and is currently Chair of the Registered Master Builders Technical Advisory Committee.
Mr Nightingale was appointed in 2010 and is from Lower Hutt. His term expires in 2013.
Colin Orchiston
Mr Orchiston is Principal of Orchiston Architects Ltd: Architecture and Dispute Resolution. His 35 years in architecture include management roles in both small practice and a large multidisciplinary consultancy. His 18 year involvement in building disputes includes both litigation support and dispute resolution.
Mr Orchiston is a Registered Architect and also holds qualifications in valuation and dispute resolution. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand. He serves on arbitration, adjudication and mediation panels for the latter.
Mr Orchiston was appointed in 2005 and is from Wellington. His current term expires in 2011.
Bill Smith
Mr Smith has 30 years in the building industry, largely in senior management roles in building companies.
He holds numerous board statutory and private appointments. Mr Smith is Chair of the Building Industry Federation of NZ. He is a member of the Productivity Partnership and the Building Advisory Panel, which report to the CEO of the Department of Building and Housing. He is also a Director of the Asthma Foundation and a member of the Building Research Advisory Panel.
Mr Smith, was appointed in 2010, and is from Auckland. His term expires in 2013