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Our Strategies

Strategy: Bettter awareness and understanding of building and housing issues

What we will do

The Department is committed to promoting greater awareness and understanding of housing and building issues among consumers.

We will improve access to information for consumers about their rights and obligations so:

  • they can make informed decisions and undertake transactions with confidence
  • those providing services in the building sector are better able to do their jobs.

Why we will do it

Intermediate Outcomes

- Homes and buildings that meet the changing needs of New Zealanders.
- A vibrant building, construction and housing sector with skilled building and housing professionals.
- Confident owners, tenants and users.

We know we cannot effect positive change without achieving these outcomes. These actions will:

  • allow consumers and the sector to access the right information to make informed decisions
  • reduce poor-quality construction, reduce disputes and lower transaction costs
  • result in less government intervention (and its associated costs).

How we will do it

This strategy involves the Department working with stakeholders to develop information in the best form and delivered in the best way to ensure the sector and consumers understand their rights and obligations.

What we will deliver

Over the next 3 years we will:

  • undertake public information and education initiatives to raise awareness and understanding of building and housing sector issues, leading to better informed consumer and practitioner behaviour
  • provide information to better inform homeowners and prospective homeowners of weathertightness issues and how these can be addressed and remedied.  

How our outputs link to the strategy

Output Expense Output
Building Act 2004 Implementation Public Information and Education
Building Regulation and Control Public Information and Education
Residential Tenancy Services Residential Tenancy Public Information and Education
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service Implementation of WHRS ChangesDispute Resolution
Occupational Licensing Develop and Implement Building Practitioner Licensing Scheme