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Why the Department was formed

The Department of Building and Housing has an important role to play in working with the sector to lift standards and performance.

We must also look ahead and consider how our buildings and built environment can better meet New Zealanders’ needs now and in the future, and how to best respond to changing building technologies and systems, and changing housing needs.

We are committed to making an effective contribution to the Government’s overall priorities through:

  • working with the building and housing sector and local government to implement reforms to improve building quality and performance and lift skill levels
  • helping to ensure the people of New Zealand have access to quality housing and buildings that meet their needs
  • ensuring the regulatory frameworks that apply to building and housing are relevant, balanced and effective, deliver quality and support innovation at reasonable cost
  • lifting consumers’ and users’ awareness and understanding of building and housing standards and performance to enable them to make informed decisions and to transact with confidence
  • providing access to quality dispute resolution services so social and economic costs of disputes are reduced
  • investing in developing our knowledge and understanding of sector trends, performance, and changing building technology and systems.

Establishment of the Department

The Department of Building and Housing was established in November 2004. It brings together in one organisation building and housing sector policy and related regulatory functions and dispute resolution services from across a range of government agencies.

Consolidating the Government’s building- and housing-related activities is designed to:

  • ensure an effective regulatory system for the building and housing sector
  • deliver good-quality advice to the government
  • improve and streamline services to the public.

The Department incorporates the Ministry of Housing, the Building Industry Authority, the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service from the Department of Internal Affairs, the building policy functions from the Ministry of Economic Development, and related functions from the Ministry of Social Development and Housing New Zealand Corporation. The functions of the Electrical Workers Registration Board will be transferred to the Department in September 2006.

We are responsible for:

  • ensuring an effective regulatory environment for the sector
  • regulating the sector
  • delivering effective information, advice and dispute resolution services
  • providing purchase and monitoring advice to the government on Housing New Zealand Corporation
  • providing policy advice on the sector, including emerging trends and issues and regulation
  • providing occupational licensing for the sector
  • working with Housing New Zealand Corporation to improve housing outcomes for the sector
  • undertaking analysis of the building and housing environment, emerging issues and monitoring trends
  • influencing the wider Government sector to ensure it contributes to the Government’s goals for housing
  • working with other agencies to influence and promote delivering the Government’s outcomes for the housing and building sector
  • undertaking specific initiatives under the New Zealand Housing Strategy.

The Department also administers a range of legislation and regulations in the building and housing sector.

A ‘whole of government’ approach to New Zealand’s built environment

The Department was formed after a major review of agencies with housing and building-related responsibilities found that regulatory and dispute resolution functions were spread across too many departments.

Consolidating the Government’s building and housing related activities into one department has allowed for a more integrated approach to policy development, compliance and enforcement, advice to government and, most importantly, improving the delivery of services to New Zealanders.

For more information, refer to the media release External website on the decision to create the Department, and the review of government agencies External website with housing and building-related responsibilities. 

Social Services Cluster

The Social Services Cluster aims to better integrate the services of the Ministry of Social Development External website, Child, Youth and Family Services External website, Housing New Zealand Corporation External website and the Department of Building and Housing for common clients.

The cluster enables us to develop practical and effective ways of working together. We are committed to working with each other, and with other government and nongovernment agencies, to help deliver the
best possible results.

Our commitment to working together recognises that our clients often have multiple needs that are best addressed together, instead of being dealt with by different agencies.

The Department is working with other members of the cluster on implementing the New Zealand Housing Strategy and other strategies to achieve results for shared clients. An example of this approach is the Care to Independence project. This project involves the Department working with the Ministry of Social Development and Housing New Zealand Corporation to better support young people moving from institutional care to independent living.

About Housing New Zealand Corporation

The Department of Building and Housing complements the role of Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC), which is predominantly focused on providing social housing and policy advice on social housing issues, and affordable housing initiatives.

The Department is responsible for monitoring the performance of HNZC and providing advice to ministers on this.

HNZC was established to deliver housing assistance to those in greatest need, and to advise the Government on social housing and housing policy.

It provides New Zealanders with access to affordable housing through:

  • providing rental homes to people with a housing need
  • links with other housing providers to help people who may have to wait for Housing New Zealand Corporation homes, or who aren't eligible
  • working in partnership with community groups, local government and iwi to address housing needs in their area
  • working with local residents, government and non-government agencies to build strong and healthy communities
  • working to improve the supply and quality of affordable housing in New Zealand
  • providing a range of home ownership assistance.

The Department works closely with HNZC in the development and implementation of the New Zealand Housing Strategy External website, which HNZC leads. The strategy sets out a vision and strategic direction for housing over the next 10 years.

It outlines ways that central and local government, iwi/Māori, Pacific groups and the wider housing sector can work together with the aim of achieving quality, affordable and sustainable housing for all.

For more information about the work of the Housing New Zealand Corporation visit www.hnzc.co.nz External website.