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Our operating intentions

Buildings that perform well in the New Zealand environment and contribute to sustainability
Operating environment Building Act 2004: Building Consent Authority scheme to accredit councils to carry out building control functions, eg, building consents, code compliance certificates; dam safety scheme; product certification scheme; Departmental statutory functions (complaints, determinations, monitoring, building control standards) Building Code (performance standards for buildings) Compliance Documents, Acceptable Solutions Building Consent Authority (BCA) Regulations (robust processes and procedures for council building control functions) Electricity Act and Regulations Building Act Regulations and Rules Licensed Building Practitioner related rules and regulations
Working with The Department works collaboratively with its stakeholders to improve building design, achieve smooth implementation of regulatory reforms and effective delivery of our other services provided to the building sector. Our stakeholders include: Councils/local authorities IANZ (Building Consent Authority accreditation body) JAS-ANZ (product certification accreditation body) and Australian Building Codes Board Building professionals, building product manufacturers/suppliers Consumers - building professionals, home owners, building managers, dam owners Standards New Zealand, IRRC (International Regulatory Group) Department of Internal Affairs, Ministry for the Environment, Beacon Pathways, BRANZ, Victoria University, Green Building Council
Operating intentions	Impacts	Department interventions/outputs
1.1 Building standards are updated to reflect contemporary social expectations about health, safety, well-being and sustainability	Content of updated Building Code reflects societal expectations and international trends and measurable contemporary building standards More guidance examples of building designs that comply with contemporary building standards	Maintain and update the Building Code Update NZ Standards and Compliance Documents Implement product certification scheme Provide policy advice and quality assurance input to building related legislation and policies
1.2 Regulatory schemes are well designed, streamlined, flexible and cost effective	Accredited and registered BCAs make quality and timely decisions in a consistent manner Well performing local authorities in their building control functionsDeeper understanding of the application of the Building Code, building design, building construction and performance Higher public satisfaction/fewer complaints about building processes, timeliness, costs, leaky homes, etc Improved efficiency and effectiveness of building consent processes through Council collaboration and smart technology Department pro-actively addresses any performance issues in the delivery of building control functions	Streamline the building design and consenting process Complete implementation of the Building Act reforms, eg accredit councils to perform building control functions, implement product certification and dam safety schemes Monitor performance of councils' statutory building control functions Effectively resolve disputes and remove uncertainty around application of the Building Code through the Determinations process Provide technical guidance and advice to the building sector
1.3 Improved sector and consumer awareness and understanding of the consent process and building standards	Better quality documentation leading to less rework of consent documentation Improved compliance (eg, less unconsented building work or infringement notices) Improved consent sign-off processes and more consents meeting Code standards	Monitor performance of the councils' statutory building control functions Streamline building design and consent process Provide technical guidance and advice to building sector and information to consumers Building sector skills and performance by assisting councils in implementing regulatory schemes eg, the Infringement Regulations Effectively resolve disputes and remove uncertainty around application of the Building Code through the Determinations process Consent Authority performance assessed through Technical reviews and complaints and investigations
1.4 Department works with the sector to increase investment and research into building science and building design	More sector investment and activity in building research and design A coherent and integrated approach to building research across the sector including Government More building research publications/articles in sector media/increased level of interest	Develop a strategy for a coherent and integrated approach to building research across the sector including Government

A strong well-performing sector with skilled building and housing professionals
Operating environment Building Act 2004: accreditation of councils' building controls staff, licensing of building practitioners, administrative support and monitoring of Building Practitioners Board, Electrical Workers Registration Board, Plumbers, Drainlayers and Gasfitters Board LBP related Regulations and Rules BCA Regulations (skills/qualifications for building controls staff) Building Act Regulations Professional standards set by professional Boards NZQA-approved qualifications and unit standards Electricity Act and Regulations
Working with The Department works collaboratively with its stakeholders to improve building design, achieve smooth implementation of regulatory reforms and effective delivery of our other services provided to the building sector. Our stakeholders include: Professionals' Boards (eg, Building Practitioners Board, Plumbers, Drainlayers and Gasfitters Board, Electrical Workers Registration Board) Local government - building controls staff, building inspectors Building surveyors (eg, WHRS assessors contracted by the Department) IANZ (Building Consent Authority accreditation body for building controls staff qualifications, skills etc) Building and electrical professionals and their trade associations - eg, builders, designers, electricians, plumbers, drainlayers and gasfitters, architects, engineers, etc Training/education providers, eg, PolytechnicsIndustry Training Organisations eg, BCITO, ETITO and ESITO
Operating intentions	Impacts	Department interventions/outputs
2.1 Work with sector to improve skills of building practitioners and electrical workers	Increased promotion of building and electrical sector as a career choice Increased number of professionals engaged in further training/professional development Higher levels of skill and productivity	Implement licensing of building professionals (LBP scheme) Monitor professional Boards' standards, accountability and disciplinary functions Educate public about licensed building professionals and benefits to consumers of the licensing system Assist sector to improve skills, training infrastructure and professionalism Undertake technical reviews, and investigate complaints and make investigations in relation to councils' performance of their building controls functions
2.2 Lift consumer awareness of and confidence in licensed building practitioners and electrical workers	Increased consumer awareness of Registers to locate licensed/registered professionals Increasing proportion of engagement of licensed/registered professionals Higher levels of public awareness and contact with professional Boards Timely board responses to public complaints	Educate public about licensed building professionals and benefits to consumers of the licensing system Implement licensing of building professionals (LBP scheme) Licensing of electrical workers Maintain registers of licensed building practitioners and registered electrical workers
2.3 Monitor building practitioners and electrical workers for accountability for their work	Electrical certificates of compliance form part of the council records for specific building projects People working as electrical workers are licensed Council files record the names of licensed building practitioners on specific building projects after the introduction of restricted building work regulations Effective and comprehensive LBP and Electrical Workers' schemes	Guidance and advice Implement licensing of building professionals (LBP scheme Licensing of electrical workers
2.4 Monitor statutory boards to ensure they carry out their functions in an effective manner	Timely advice to Minister on appointments to, expectations of, and performance of statutory boards Boards take timely action on public complaints and reach/publish appropriate decisions about disciplinary actions Boards operate in accordance with their output agreement or memorandum of understanding with the Minister	Monitor professional Boards' standards, accountability and disciplinary functions Provide administrative support to statutory boards

Well-designed, well built, warm, safe and healthy homes and buildings that meet the changing needs of New Zealanders and contribute to strong, effective communities
Operating environment New Zealand Housing Strategy Sustainability Programme of Action Urban Design Protocol New Zealand Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy New Zealand Disability Strategy, and Strategy for Older People Housing Affordability Review (Prime Minister's speech from the throne, February 2008) Building Act 2004 (building consents process, product certification etc) Building Code (building performance standards) Resource Management Act 1991
Working with The Department works collaboratively with its stakeholders to improve building design, achieve smooth implementation of regulatory reforms and effective delivery of our other services provided to the building sector. Our stakeholders include: Central government agencies on cross-sector sustainability and urban design work eg, Ministry for the Environment, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Internal Affairs, HNZC, Ministry of Economic Development, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Transport agencies, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Central and local government forums, eg. Senior Officials' Energy Group Green Building Council BRANZ Architects, building designers Councils - land availability, district planning and residential zoning Beacon Pathways
Operating intentions	Impacts	Department interventions/outputs
3.1 Increase consumer awareness and knowledge about buildings as they fit into the environment and meet people's needs	High uptake of Department resources on energy efficient homes, sustainable development, accessible buildings, etc High customer satisfaction with Department resources meeting information needs and being easy to access More building consents/projects include elements of energy efficiency, sustainability, accessibility etc	Department guidance and information - website, pamphlets Incorporate sustainability principles in building standards
3.2 Housing and building regulatory framework supports and assists with the response to housing affordability	Regulatory barriers to housing affordability are identified and minimised, eg, simpler building consent process Remove unnecessary barriers to economies of scale for housing	Provide policy advice - on Housing Affordability, Building Act amendments, streamline consent process Streamline the building design and consenting process Monitor and evaluate the building and construction sector Undertake research into building design and systems that support the regulatory system
3.3 Contribute to Government response to sustainable development	Building Code standards reflect sustainable development principles Government actions on sustainable development are informed by an understanding of and advice about building systems and the building sector	Participate in cross government working groups addressing urban design and sustainability, eg, Senior Officials Energy Group, and NZEECS (NZ Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy) Implement relevant actions in NZEECS Incorporate sustainability principles in building standards Provision of guidance and advice on the Building Code to the building sector Undertake research into smarter building design and systems
3.4 Positively influence the incorporation of sustainability principles into building and urban design	Regulatory systems encourage more quality high density homes, and energy efficiency features in existing and new homes Building Code reflects sustainability principles Building legislation and processes do not present barriers to good urban design	Building Act amendments Provide policy advice on legislative interfaces and reducing barriers to good building design (eg, Quality Regulation Review, Unit Titles Bill) Incorporate sustainability principles in building standards Undertake research into building design and systems that support the regulatory system Implement the Product Certification scheme Coordinate with environment and land planning agencies

Confident building and home owners, tenants and users
Operating environment New Zealand Housing Strategy Housing Corporation Act Memoranda of Understanding with Housing New Zealand Corporation and Ministry of Justice Residential Tenancies Act - information and guidance, mediation services, Tenancy Tribunal Retirement Villages Act - information and guidance, Code of Practice Unit Titles Act, Retirement Commissioner dispute resolution Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act - assessment of claims, mediation on behalf of the Weathertight Homes Tribunal
Working with The delivery of both tenancy and weathertight dispute resolution services are functions shared with the Ministry of Justice and both agencies work closely together to ensure a seamless service is delivered to the client. The Department works collaboratively with its stakeholders to improve service delivery, and the services work best when their delivery, design and implementation are informed by stakeholder input. Our stakeholders include: Landlords and tenants Retirement village operators and residents Unit title owners and bodies corporate, lawyers Ministry of Justice Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC), State Housing Appeals Authority Weathertight Homes Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Retirement Commissioner Territorial authorities
Operating intentions	Impacts	Department interventions/outputs
4.1 Effective monitoring of the Government's investment in HNZC	Minister satisfaction with the Department's monitoring of HNZC performance and planning functions Minister satisfaction with the Department's advice on HNZC risk	Provide purchase and performance monitoring advice on HNZC performance Provide advice to the responsible Ministers on statutory obligations and central agency guidelines
4.2 Increased public access to and use of the Department's information and advice services	More customers access, and are satisfied with, Departmental advice and information provided Fewer situations escalating to formal disputes (eg, Tenancy Tribunal hearings)	Provide Retirement Villages Act, Residential Tenancies Act, Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act, Unit Titles Act information and advice services Provide Residential Tenancies Act, Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act, Unit Titles Act dispute resolution services (eg, mediation, hearings)
4.3 Increased consumer knowledge and confidence in rights and obligations	Increased public awareness of their rights and obligations Increased consumer demand for pre-purchase inspections and retirement village disclosure statements	Guidance and information for: tenants, landlords, retirement village operators and residents guidance and information for prospective homeowners and homeowners/builders/councils about leaky homes issues
4.4 Disputes are managed effectively to promote stable housing relationships	Increased tenure stability through, for example, reduction in conflicts that lead to involuntary cessation of tenancies Tenancy and Weathertightness disputes resolved at mediation Weathertightness claimants receive appropriate advice and support so claims are settled quickly Quality information, advice and technical assessor reports provided to claimants to allow them to better manage their claim	Residential tenancy services - advice and dispute resolution Retirement villages services - advice Weathertight homes services - dispute resolution services Unit Titles - advice and legislative reform HNZC monitoring (biggest landlord) Assessments of homes with weathertight claims Weathertight claims advisory service

08/09 Deliverables in the context of the outcomes framework

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How we will measure progress

Measurement

The Department has described in the Operating Intentions section of the Statement of Intent pages 15 to 22 the impacts of the Department's interventions and the outputs. In 08/09 the Department will establish base measures for each of these impacts from which progress will be measured over 09/11.

Cost-effectiveness of interventions the Department delivers or administers

This section outlines our approach to assessing the cost-effectiveness of the interventions that the Department delivers or administers.

Our approach

The Department undertakes a wide range of functions to lift overall standards and performance of the building and housing sector. Our approach to cost effectiveness reflects this diversity in the Department's functions and includes assessment at three levels:

the effectiveness of our own service delivery systems and processes, and how efficiently we deliver those services
measuring the cost effectiveness of the individual interventions we administer
developing a view of the cost effectiveness of the overall building and residential tenancy regulatory systems, including considering interconnections between the various interventions.

In practice, we undertake or have initiated the following activities to enable the Department to measure cost effectiveness of its interventions.

For each of our main intervention areas, we develop intervention logic frameworks to understand the linkages between the intervention and the Department's outcomes.
We encourage the use of a robust monitoring and evaluation approach to strengthen the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our services, and to assess the extent to which the intended outcomes are achieved at least cost.
We use the evaluation and monitoring information we collect to tell an evidence-based performance story about cost-effectiveness of the services, policies and regulatory systems we deliver, administer and support.

Service delivery

Regulatory regimes require effective enforcement and service delivery systems. These in turn need to be supported by efficient, high quality processes. The Department delivers a number of services that can be assessed for cost effectiveness. Our outputs for 2008-11 include:

delivery of an integrated service delivery approach that in partnership with other community and government agencies, identifies the services that are actually needed by communities, families and individuals, and then delivers those services in a way that is cost efficient and accessible to those clients
active exploration of opportunities with other agencies to jointly deliver services so that, together, the service delivery outcomes of each agency contributes to better outcomes for communities, families and individuals
implementation of the evaluation and monitoring strategy for the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services output class, including value for money of the services provided by 30 June 2009
building a robust cost effectiveness model for the Residential Tenancy Services output class by 30 June 2009.

Individual interventions we deliver or administer

The Department delivers and administers a range of interventions including Building Consent Authority Accreditation, Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme, etc. Our priorities, and where appropriate in partnership with local government, for measuring and reporting on cost-effectiveness measures for these interventions include:

implementing the Department's monitoring and evaluation regime for the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme, which will consider the scheme's impacts on labour quality, and the direct and indirect costs imposed on taxpayers, building practitioners, building firms and consumers
progressively putting in place appropriate mechanisms for collecting data from Building Consent Authorities on key measures of effectiveness and efficiency, balancing the benefits of data against the costs to authorities and the Department of collecting it
developing a monitoring and evaluation strategy for other intervention areas (eg, Building Consent Authority accreditation) to allow future assessments of their contribution to overarching outcomes.

Building and residential tenancy regulatory system

The building and residential tenancy regulatory system refers to the collection of laws, regulations and interventions that govern building work and the operation of the residential tenancy market respectively. The interdependent nature of the individual interventions means overall systems efficiency is also a relevant consideration.

Priorities for 2008-11 include:

developing an overarching strategic outcomes and performance measurement framework for the Department, to guide the development of the Department's overall evaluation and monitoring strategy by 30 June 2009. This will take a systems perspective to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the building and tenancy regulatory system
demonstrating incremental progress in the Department's ability to tell an evidence-based story about the overall cost effectiveness of the building and tenancy regulatory system, consistent with the Value-for-Money State Services goal.

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