9. MOANA MACKEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Building and Construction
What reports, if any, has he received on improvements to the building consent process? [ Interruption]
Madam SPEAKER
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Minister for Building and Construction) Link to this
I have received reports noting that building consent authorities are being audited and accredited to ensure they lift their game and deliver better services to people needing building consents. Yesterday I presented the Palmerston North City Council with its accreditation certificate. It is the first council to pass accreditation. The council has boosted its building control staff numbers from 12 to 20, put these staff through rigorous training programmes, and has invested in new information technology so that they are equipped to meet the new high-quality inspection and processing standards the Government is putting in place.
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
Yes. I have seen a report from one Pat Seymour, who describes the Building (Late Consent is a Free Consent) Amendment Bill as “a daft piece of potential legislation” that will mean “the only one that will end up paying every time is the general ratepayer”. Pat Seymour is the chair of the East Coast branch of the National Party, and was writing in the National Party’s East Coast Informer newsletter. The bill she criticises is in the name of one Dr Nick Smith and is supported by the National caucus, including Anne Tolley. I seek leave to table the, a National Party newsletter, of January 2007.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I seek leave to table the report by the Registered Master Builders Federation stating that it now takes longer to get a consent to build a house in New Zealand that it takes to build it.
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
I seek to table the select committee report on the Building (Late Consent is a Free Consent) Amendment Bill, in which the select committee notes that only 20 percent of consents are processed outside the 20 working day period.