Resources
This is the space to know more about New Zealand Construction Industry
The following is an extensive list of all construction laws, regulations and stakeholders likely to participate in a Building Project, depending on its requirements.
RMA is the primary environmental legislation in NZ. Its purpose is to promote the sustainable management of NZ natural and physical resources. RMA regulates the development of the district and regional plans, the use of land, marine coast, lakes, rivers etc and the need for resource consent.
The Building Act is the primary legislation governing the building design and construction industry.
The Building Regulations 1992 contain the Building Code, the secondary building legislation in NZ. The Building Code consists of 3 general clauses and 38 technical clauses. All building work in NZ must comply with it, even if Building Consent is not required.
Standards are agreed specifications, processes and performances for services and products. Standard New Zealand is an independent business unit within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment that develops and publishes the Standards. They also participate in the worldwide development of international standards, like ISO and IEC.
Integrated Whole Building Design Process IWBDP is a holistic approach to design and build which thinks the building as a whole and considers the early involvement of all stakeholders and current and future users needs. Differently from the "conventional" design process, the IWBDP recognises the interdependency of all aspects of a building early in the process. The Ministry for the Environment promotes its use.
Building System Performance (BSP) is a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment branch. Its role is to provide policies and technical advice on New Zealand's building system, rules and standards. By working with construction sector stakeholders, BSP aim to lift the sector's performance. The website contains a comprehensive set of information for everyone that is engaging in building and it is the prime source of information in NZ.
Restricted building work applies to residential building design and construction, new or alterations, when it relates to the primary structure and weathertightness. The definition is set in the Building (Definition of Restricted Building Work) Order 2011, pursuant to Section 7 of the Building Act 2004. Only licenced practitioners (LPBs) are allowed to design and carry out this work.
Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP) is a scheme first launched in November 2007 to address the requirements of the Building Act 2004. Its objective is to encourage competency in the construction industry by regulating building practitioners performance. According to the website, the scheme also aim to inform consumers about the competence of building practitioners they may engage for Restricted Building Work.
Do I need Resource Consent? Resource Consent is about complying with the requirements of the district and regional plans. The Plans are part of a wider system of laws around resource management.
Do I need Building Consent? Some building works are considered exempt under the Building Act, but most of them require Building Consent. Find out more here, in this section of the Building Performance website.
The New Zealand Registered Architects Board is a statutory entity stablished under the Registered Architects Act 2005. The law sets minimum standards for initial and continuing registration, the code of ethics and complaints and discipline processes. The entity is linked to the Building and Construction Portfolio, which appoints the members of the Board.
The Institute of Architects is another professional organisation that represents registered architects. Their website is also a quite informative source in the design sector. There you can find more information about the design process and the competencies of an architect, specifically a registered one.
ADNZ is a professional body for architectural designers and architects in New Zealand. Professionals in the field are encouraged to become part of the body and, by doing so, demonstrating commitment with the profession and the services. The website brings information about the different kinds of professional and advices on how to select them. It also guides you through the design process.
New Zealand Planning Institute represents the planning profession in New Zealand. If you need Resource Consent, they are the ones prepared to help you. The Institute website provides more information about types of planner and how they can help you with your project.
This is the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors (NZIS). Among the services, Land Surveyors - also called Cadastral Surveyors - can help you with boundary marking, topographical surveys, set-outs, aerial mapping, developments and all matter related to land registration and cadastral survey in LANZ.
Building Surveyors are professionals trained in the existing building environment. Among their competencies, building surveyors inspect, test, monitor, design and advice on matters like demolitions, for instance. Their website brings more information about their services.
PLAZA seats here, in the Quantity Surveying field. The NZIQS objective is to promote and elevate professional standards. The website brings more information about the services a QS is qualified to provide before, during and after the construction period.
Registered Master Builders is a professional organisation that represents building companies and builders. Their aim is to ensure support for builders and their services. Their website brings information about how Registered Master Builders contributes to the construction industry in NZ by setting the quality criteria builders must met to become registered.
New Zealand Certified Builders is a another association of qualified builders. The minimum requirement to become a member is to hold a National Certificate in Carpentry Level 4, experience and financial stability. The website brings more information for homeowners.
Engineering New Zealand brings all engineers together in one organisation. Engineers are usually engaged by architects and architectural designers at appropriate time, according to their practice field. To find out more about the role and the different types of engineers, visit Engineering NZ website.
Electrical workers are required to have a practising licence. The licence will list the classes of registration the electrician has achieved and specify the electrical work the holder is licenced to undertake. At the end of a job, the electrician must issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC).
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers must held a licence to provide their services. Almost all aspects of the trade are considered restricted and illegal to DIY. There are also matters related to Building Consent. To find out more, visit the website.
The Green Building Council represents companies and organisations committed with the adoption of green and sustainable buildings. It is a not-for-profit organisation promoting sustainability awareness. They adapted the Green Star, Home Star and Home Fit independent Certification to New Zealand. Find out more.
BRANZ is an independent organisation within the construction industry. They provide impartial services such as research, testing and consulting. BRANZ undertakes and commissions research and testing funded by the Building Research Levy with the objective of improving industry practices and the building system. Maintaining My Home is a BRANZ website developed specially for homeowners. It brings a wide range of information and guides about residential maintenance.
NZ Construction Industry Council (NZCIC) is an industry association of associations in the construction, design and property sectors. It operates at the interface between government and the industry. Among its projects, NZCIC prepares and constantly updates the Design Guidelines and the Standard NZS3910 Construction Contract. NZCIC Design Guidelines standardise the Stages and Deliverables of a Building Project in NZ.
WorkSafe is New Zealand primary workplace health and safety regulator. Regulatory activities are constantly undertaken to ensure workplaces are managing health and safety appropriately.
BIM stands for Building Information Modelling. The digital technology development has allowed 3D modelling software to incorporate data that allows the assessment of all dimensions of a building project, from 2D plans to building systems overlaps, to time, costs and the life-cycle of a building. The traditional design coordination is being optimised by computer-aid design called BIM. BIMinNZ was created to promote the use of BIM in New Zealand.
Landscape Architects are qualified professionals who design the outdoor - for people, for plants and for animals. Their competencies range from private garden design to parks and wetlands management and conservation. Find out more here.
Lifemark is a commercial division of CCS Disability Action and offers a independent rating system called Lifemark Star Rating that shows how well a home or retirement village suits a family need over a life time. They work with architects and builders, offering Universal Design advices.
The Designers Institute brings together all kinds of designers - graphic, digital, motion, industrial, interior. Find out more.
Building and Construction Sector is among the ones that affects a country macroeconomic stability the most. Find out more about MBIE programs to keep the sector running.
Consumer Protection website brings more information for consumers to understand their rights when it comes to building.
Building Guide is a magazine/directory first published in 1991 and still helping homeowners in prime matters about construction. It is a easy-to-use website, which also connects the consumer to professionals and products. Find out more.
ArchiPro is a social media platform that connects consumer, construction industry professionals and products in one online marketplace. It is worthwhile to learn more about.