2013 News
Media releases and other news updates.
New Tenancy information sheets
22 May 2013: Available now are four new information sheets
Bodies Corporate - GST registration consultation
15 May 2013: The Department of Inland Revenue wants to clear up what it says is uncertainty around the GST treatment of bodies corporate registered under the Unit Titles Act 1972 or the Unit Titles Act 2010.
In a draft paper, IRD says its tentative view is that a body corporate carries on a taxable activity and makes supplies to the owners of a number of services required by law. That includes maintenance, organising building insurance, and administration and financial management of the development. The body corporate levies owners to fund those services. Consequently, IRD believes it is arguable such fees are consideration for the supplies by the body corporate.
Submissions close on 18 June.
To have your say visit the Inland Revenue website.
Key Indicator Reports (KIRs) for May 2013
14 May 2013: The Key Indicator Reports (KIRs) analyse sector trends for stakeholders and people interested in the building and construction and housing sectors. View the latest reports »
Technical review for Marlborough District Council released today
10 May 2013: The Ministry reviews the performance of territorial authorities and building consent authorities in relation to their functions under the Building Act.
Read the latest review for the Marlborough District Council »
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims statistics April 2013
7 May 2013: New Weathertight Services statistics for March have been published. View the latest statistics »
Latest clarifications and updates to the guidance Repairing and rebuilding houses affected by the Canterbury earthquakes
6 May 2013: These updates are aimed at professional engineers and others implementing the guidance and should be read in conjunction with the guidance itself. The updates seek to provide clarification of issues that are not well understood, respond to new issues raised in relation to the guidance, and correct any errors that have been noted. The list will be updated on a regular basis.
View the latest clarifications and update to the guidance »
Market rent 1 November 2012 - 31 April 2013
6 May 2013: Market rent is described (in the Residential Tenancies Act) as what a willing landlord might reasonably expect to receive, and a willing tenant might reasonably expect to pay for the tenancy, in comparison with rent levels for similar properties in similar areas.
Find out the weekly rent being charged in different regions »
New Members sought for Chartered Professional Engineers Council
3 May 2013: The Minister for Building and Construction is seeking expressions of interest from people wishing to be considered for appointment as a Member of the Chartered Professional Engineers Council »
BC Update 142 – Updated requirements for masonry veneer wall cladding in NZS 4229:2013
26 April 2013: Read about the updated requirements for masonry-veneer wall cladding published in the latest version of NZS 4229:2013 and the intended compliance route for concrete masonry buildings.
Read more in BC update 142 »
Quick guides for builders working in the Canterbury Green Zone
24 April 2013: These guides give a quick overview of requirements for building in the Canterbury Green Zone. They briefly outline regulatory requirements and highlight special issues.
Read the quick guides
New Member and Deputy Chair sought for Building Practitioners Board
19 April 2013: The Minister for Building and Construction is seeking expressions of interest from people wishing to be considered for appointment as a Member or Deputy Chair of the Building Practitioners Board »
Estimated building costs update
17 April 2013: The Ministry provides estimated building costs to help territorial authorities estimate values when questioning a job value provided with a building consent application. The latest 6-monthly overview of estimated building costs, to January 2013 have been published »
Key Indicator Reports (KIRs) for April 2013
16 April 2013: The Key Indicator Reports (KIRs) analyse sector trends for stakeholders and people interested in the building and construction and housing sectors. View the latest reports »
Royal Commission of inquiry into building failure caused by the Canterbury earthquakes: Final recommendations
15 April 2013: The Government's formal response to the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission, released today, sets out a large and critically important work programme for MBIE.
A staged approach has to be taken because many of the recommendations require changes in the law or how professional bodies operate, and in some instances significant research. This is the first stage of the Government's response.
Building Controls Update No. 141: Fire Safety transition period ends 9 April 2013
9 April 2013: Up until now, a transition period has been in effect where the old Building Code Fire Safety Clauses C1-C4 still applied, and the associated acceptable solution could still be used.
This transition period ends on 9 April 2013.
Read more in BC update 141 »
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims statistics March 2013
5 April 2013: New Weathertight Services statistics for March have been published. View the latest statistics »
Three Building Advisory Panel positions available
5 April 2013: Up to three positions are available on the Ministry’s Building Advisory Panel.
The Ministry has a role as the regulator in terms of the Building Act , however, the Ministry is also a cross sector organisation, with objectives in a number of areas with a strong relationship with and impact on the building and construction sector, including health and safety, the labour market, infrastructure, housing, government procurement, science and innovation, and economic performance.
The Panel as set up under the Building Act 2004. Under the former Department of Building and Housing, was responsible for providing operational and technical advice.
In order to meet the needs of the Ministry, the Panel mandate is being enhanced to include boarder Ministry responsibilities, and to ensure more strategic level input.
The Ministry is seeking leaders in the building and construction sector with interests and experience in other areas, to join the Panel in order to provide strategic advice to the Ministry and leadership to the sector.
You can view the advert here »
For further information please email advisorypanel@dbh.govt.nz
Applications close at 5pm, Thursday 11 April 2013.
Housing pressures in Christchurch report
4 April 2013: Today the Ministry published its report on housing pressures in Christchurch.
The report details changes in the availability and cost of housing in the greater Christchurch area in the wake of the earthquakes since September 2010.
Read more about the report, and download it at the link below.
New Zealand housing research »
Market rent 1 October 2012 - 31 March 2013
2 April 2013: Market rent is described (in the Residential Tenancies Act) as what a willing landlord might reasonably expect to receive, and a willing tenant might reasonably expect to pay for the tenancy, in comparison with rent levels for similar properties in similar areas.
Find out the weekly rent being charged in different regions »
Review of the Building Code system: Options for future development report released.
2 April 2013: The former Department of Building and Housing commissioned the Sapere Research Group to look at potential changes to the Building Code System.
The Sapere Group delivered its report in June 2011 but because it was important for the Ministry to consider the recommendations made by the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission, it hasn’t been appropriate to release until now.
The Ministry believes this document contains some thoughtful insights and can contribute to the on-going discussion on the national development of Standards and the Building Code.
View this report »
Landlord newsletter Issue No.24
28 March 2013: The March edition of Landlord newsletter has been released. Read the newsletter online »
Canterbury earthquake: New information sheets for homeowners
28 March 2013: New information sheets are available for Canterbury homeowners. View these here »
Workshop for Project Management Offices and their associated Group Home Builders: New-build case studies, Green Zone Technical Category 3
27 March 2013: Register today for this workshop for 'technical leaders' of Project Management Offices (PMOs) and their associated Group Home Builders. The workshop will cover case studies that will take participants through two Green Zone TC3 new builds. Find out more »
Consultation: Making pool safety easier
21 March 2013: The Ministry seeks your comments on the Making pool safety easier consultation document.
Have your say »
Key Indicator Reports (KIRs) for March 2013
19 March 2013: The Key Indicator Reports (KIRs) analyse sector trends for stakeholders and people interested in the building and construction and housing sectors. View the latest reports »
New Tenancy information sheets
14 March 2013: Available now are two new information sheets
Codewords issue no. 55
11 March 2013: Keeping you up to date with information from the Building and Housing Group of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Read the latest issue of Codewords »
Market rent 1 September 2012 - 28 February 2013
6 March 2013: Market rent is described (in the Residential Tenancies Act) as what a willing landlord might reasonably expect to receive, and a willing tenant might reasonably expect to pay for the tenancy, in comparison with rent levels for similar properties in similar areas.
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims statistics February 2013
6 March 2013: New Weathertight Services statistics for February 2013 have been published by the Building and Housing Group. View the latest statistics »
Finalists announced for ‘Breathe’ - Christchurch urban design competition
1 March 2013: The Minister for Building and Construction Hon Maurice Williamson has announced the winners of stage one of Christchurch urban design competition ‘Breathe’. Read more »
Protection from Fire - FAQs
13 February 2013: On 10 April 2012, the new Building Code clauses for Protection from Fire (C1-C6), new Acceptable Solutions (C/AS1-C/AS7) and a new Verification Method (C/VM2) were published.
We held a series of nationwide workshops about these changes in 2012.
Read the FAQs protection from fire »
Draft construction research strategy released for feedback
13 February 2013: A significant amount of money and effort goes into building and construction related research every year. It’s important that funding is spent in a coordinated manner, and that it results in better quality, innovation, and buildings that meet the needs of New Zealanders.
A draft strategy, ‘Building a Better New Zealand’, has been developed with close collaboration and co-operation between industry and MBIE. It seeks to guide those who fund and engage in building and construction research in New Zealand.
You can read the draft strategy and provide feedback on it, at the website below:
Building a Better New Zealand
Feedback closes on 1 March 2013.
International interest in Christchurch inner city residential design competition
12 February 2013: Almost 60 entries, many from overseas, have been received for stage one of ‘Breathe', a competition to design and build a new housing complex in central Christchurch.
MBIE is one of the organisers of the Breathe project.
MBIE's Chief Architect, Duncan Joiner, is very pleased with the 58 entries.
“As well as getting 36 entries from New Zealand, it is exciting to have several entries from Europe, Asia and even the Middle East. This demonstrates that the challenge of providing excellent medium density inner city housing is one that is capturing the world’s imagination.”
The inner city residential design competition was open to any group that included a designer and a developer. The ultimate winner’s concept will be constructed on a site set aside near Latimer Square.
“This competition is about beginning to breathe new life into Christchurch’s inner city, but even more than that it will provide examples of how to provide better opportunities for achieving more beautiful and desirable inner cities. Places where people feel happy to raise families, work and play and grow old,” Mr Joiner says.
The judging panel, which includes the host of the BBC's Grand Designs programme Kevin McCloud, will select three winners to progress to stage two. These finalists will be announced at the end of February, and will be awarded 20,000 to develop their concepts.
The final winning design will be announced in August 2013.
Read the Christchurch City Council’s media release
New Chairperson sought for Building Practitioners Board
8 February 2013: The Minister for Building and Construction is seeking expressions of interest from people wishing to be considered for appointment as the Chair of the Building Practitioners Board »
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims statistics January 2013
7 February 2013: New Weathertight Services statistics for January 2013 have been published by the Building and Housing Group. View the latest statistics »
Workshop for Architects and Designers - "The groundwork for good decisions"
5 February 2013: Register today for this workshop for Architects and Designers on guidance about the Canterbury Rebuild. Find out more »
Market rent - 1 August 2012 - 31 January 2013
5 February 2013: Market rent is described (in the Residential Tenancies Act) as what a willing landlord might reasonably expect to receive, and a willing tenant might reasonably expect to pay for the tenancy, in comparison with rent levels for similar properties in similar areas.
Workshop for Structural and Geotechnical Engineers - "The groundwork for good decisions"
23 January 2013: Register today for this workshop for Structural and Geotechnical Engineers on guidance about the Canterbury Rebuild. Find out more »
Market rent - July 2012 - 31 December 2012
14 January 2013: Market rent is described (in the Residential Tenancies Act) as what a willing landlord might reasonably expect to receive, and a willing tenant might reasonably expect to pay for the tenancy, in comparison with rent levels for similar properties in similar areas.
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims statistics December 2012
10 January 2013: New Weathertight Services statistics for December 2012 have been published by the Building and Housing Group. View the latest statistics »