Media release: “Build it Right” New Zealand

17 January 2012: The Department of Building and Housing today launched a two-year campaign “Build it Right” aimed at improving the quality of building in New Zealand and increasing the confidence of consumers.

The initiative will improve the productivity, efficiency and accountability of the building sector in New Zealand.

The first major change is the introduction of Restricted Building Work (RBW) on 1 March 2012. This means most residential building work requiring a building consent must be carried out by Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP).

Department of Building and Housing sector capability deputy chief executive Alison Geddes says the programme of work being introduced over the coming months will raise standards in the sector while doing away with unnecessary red tape.

“The first step has been to ensure we have enough LBPs assessed within a range of competencies relating to their licence class. Only they will be able to carry out RBW which is design and construction work critical to the integrity of a building,” Ms Geddes says.

“The Licensed Building Practitioner programme will give consumers additional comfort that they’re getting experienced building practitioners and ultimately a quality job,” she says.

Six licence classes relate to RBW - designers, carpenters, external plasterers, brick and block layers, foundation specialists and roofers. Registered architects, gas-fitters and plumbers, as well as chartered professional engineers, who are registered with their own professional authorities, are treated as being licensed.

Ms Geddes says New Zealand’s future economic prosperity depends upon a strong and successful building and construction industry.

“Over the past few years the Department and the industry have worked very hard to find initiatives that will allow the industry to flourish while offering consumers greater comfort and protection. I think this programme of work reflects that.”

For a full list of the Licensed Building Practitioners go to www.dbh.govt.nz/lbp or for more information on your rights and obligations under the Building Act 2004 go to www.builditright.govt.nz