12. JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) Link to this
to the Minister for Building and Construction
What is the Government doing to assist New Zealanders to build quality homes and buildings?
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister for Building and Construction) Link to this
Better building safety and quality is the focus of a series of initiatives collectively known as the Better Building Blueprint. In August last year I announced a comprehensive review of the Building Act. I made it clear that, without compromising safety and quality, the Government was looking to reduce both the cost and the complexity of the consenting process, and to ensure that responsibility sits with the person who does the job. The misery that the weathertightness problem has caused for many New Zealand homeowners is an ongoing reminder to us all of the need to ensure that our buildings are dependable and of good quality. On Friday I will be releasing a discussion document that proposes how to achieve just that. The Government wants to discuss these ideas with New Zealanders. The public must be able to have confidence in the system, which is why I want their input into the proposals.
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON Link to this
I am delighted to say that so far this year we have introduced a streamlined licensing system for builders. Becoming a licensed practitioner will be much easier for builders and tradespeople who are qualified and have a good track record. A robust licensing scheme with a critical mass of licensed builders will give us, and give consumers, extra confidence that homes and buildings are built right, first time. We have also introduced a streamlined national multiple-use approval service for volume builders, so that, without compromising safety or quality, multi-proof, fast-tracked building consents for standard multiple-use building designs are issued just the once, saving a lot of time and money for consumers, who do not have to get multiple consents. On 5 March 2010 we will be launching a new, simple house compliance system for the first time, which brings together in one place all the information needed to design a simple house, including compliance requirements and building standards. It offers an efficient, practical path to build affordable homes of good quality in New Zealand.