2006 News
Media releases and other news updates.
New Weathertight Homes Resolution Service Act 2006
22 December 2006: Changes are being made to the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) with the enactment of the WHRS Act 2006 on 18 December 2006. Read more about the new Weathertight Homes Resolution Service Act 2006. »
Latest building and housing trends
21 December 2006: The latest report published by the Department summarising building and housing trends and performance. It covers the period July to September 2006. »
Milestone for owners of leaky homes
20 December 2006: Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove today announced a milestone in the Government’s response to the leaky homes problem, with the passing of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Bill 2006. Read more about the passing of the Bill 
Consultation on changes to Compliance Document B1 Structure to cite AS/NZS 1170
18 December 2006: The Department of Building and Housing is proposing to amend the Compliance Document for Building Code Clause B1 Structure by referencing the new joint Australian/New Zealand suite of Standards, AS/NZS 1170, Structural Design Actions, in place of NZS 4203. Read more about the AS/NZS 1170 consultation »
Read the Media release about the AS/NZS 1170 consultation »
Building and Housing Chief Executive appoints advisory panel
8 December 2006: Department of Building and Housing Chief Executive Katrina Bach today announced the appointment of a Building Advisory Panel that consists of experts in the building sector. Read more about the advisory panel »
Weathertightness - Chief Adjudicator Appointed
4 December 2006: Building and Construction Minister announces new Chief Adjudicator of Weathertight Homes Resolution Service. Read more about the appointment of the new Chief Adjudicatior
Better housing-related law for Kiwis
29 November 2006: Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove announces proposed changes to the Unit Titles Act 1972 and the Residential Tenancies Act 1986
Building Code call: more sustainability
17 November 2006: Kiwis are demanding better quality, more energy efficient buildings that last for generations. Read more about feedback from the Building Code submissions
Energy efficiency of buildings: Consultation on energy efficiency revisions to the New Zealand Building Code and Compliance Documents
3 November 2006: Our homes and workplaces are fundamental to the way we live and work, and to our quality of life.
We are proposing some changes to the way we insulate our homes, heat our water and light commercial buildings. This is so that we can lower power and gas bills and make warmer, drier, healthier, and more comfortable homes and workplaces a reality. Read more about the Energy Efficiency consultation »
Extra funding to help local authorities lift their game on building consents and inspection services
12 October 2006: Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove announces a new $3 million programme to help councils process building consents faster and to a higher standard. Read more about help for councils
Energy efficient buildings a top priority
4 October 2006: Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove announces new proposals to improve energy efficiency in homes and workplaces. Read more about Energy efficient buildings
Greater security for retirement village residents
27 September 2006: Retirement village residents will enjoy greater financial and lifestyle security with the approval of regulations that bring the Retirement Villages Act 2003 fully into force, says the Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove. Read more about greater security for village residents
Landlords and Tenants Benefit from Reforms
22 September 2006: Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove has today announced a package of reforms to improve tenancy law and tenancy services provision that will facilitate a fairer and better rental market for both tenants and landlords. Read more about tenancy reform
Enhanced tenancy services
22 September 2006: It’s now easier for landlords and tenants to access tenancy services using the enhanced services.
More than 300 submissions received on Building Code review
19 September 2006: Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove says he is pleased with the strong public involvement in the New Zealand Building Code Review that has seen more than 300 submissions received in the first formal consultation round. Read more about the Building Code review
More assurance your home is built right
14 September 2006: More changes to the building industry which are designed to help ensure houses are built right were announced today.
The Department of Building and Housing said that two important amendments to New Zealand Standards relating to framing timber will come into force on 1 April 2007. Read more about building right »
Design for people, design for the planet and design for the future
6 September 2006: Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove's address to open the Victoria University School of Architecture "Closing the Loop Making Materials from Waste" exhibition. Read the Minister's speech
Building Act amendments – public consultation process deferred
5 September 2006: The Department has decided to defer public consultation on a wide range of possible changes to the Building Act 2004 until 2007 or later, providing more time for the Act to ‘bed in’. Read more about Building Act amendments »
Electrical Workers Licensing Group transfer
1 September 2006: The transfer of the Electrical Workers Licensing Group to the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) today is another significant step in providing improved and integrated services for the building and housing sector, Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove says. Media release and more information about the Electrical Workers Licensing Group
Minister sets accelerated timetable for passage of Weathertight Bill
31 August 2006: Getting homes fixed and enabling people to get on with their lives is the aim of legislation to shake up Weathertight Homes Resolution Service. Read more about the Weathertight Bill from the Media release
Weathertight Bill proposes major shake-up of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service
31 August 2006: First Reading Speech of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill. Read more about the First Reading
New guide for designing weathertight buildings
25 August 2006: A new guide to help ensure that buildings and homes are built weathertight has been launched today by the Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove. Media release about the new guide
Weathertightness Bill introduced to Parliament
23 August 2006: Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove today introduced the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill to significantly improve the efficiency of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS), get leaky homes fixed faster and hold those responsible to account. Media release about the Bill's introduction
Occupational Licensing: Keeping your license and Complaints and disciplinary procedures
18 August 2006: The Department is currently seeking comment on proposals for the Continuing Competence process (keeping a license) and the complaints and disciplinary procedures.
Welcome to our new website
10 August 2006: The Department of Building and Housing’s new website has been designed to make it faster and easier to find the information you need. Read more about the Department of Building and Housing website »
Unit Titles Act Review: Minister releases Summary of Submissions Report
4 August 2006: Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Clayton Cosgrove, today released the Summary of Submissions Report from the latest round of public consultation for the review of the Unit Titles Act 1972. Media release about the Unit Titles Act Review
Latest building and housing trends
31 July 2006: The ninth report published by the Department summarising building and housing trends and performance. It covers the period January to March 2006.
More steps to improve leaky homes service
25 July 2006: Further measures to strengthen the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS), enhance consumer protection, hold building industry professionals to account and get leaky homes disputes settled faster through mediation and adjudication have been announced by the Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove and the Courts Minister Rick Barker today. Read more about the strengthening of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service »
Expressions of interest sought in being an assessment agent for licensed building practitioners regime
21 July 2006: Expressions of interest are sought from appropriate bodies to be assessment agents for the licensed building practitioners regime for the Design, Site and Carpentry licence classes. Closing date: 21 Aug 2006. Read more information about assessment agents »
Minister announces Registered Architects Act
29 June 2006: Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Clayton Cosgrove, today announced the new rules governing the registration, ongoing training and discipline of architects. The Act is designed to maintain high standards in the profession and improve consumer protection. Read more about the Registered Architects Act »
Dam safety regulations proposed
2 June 2006: Building and Construction Minister, Hon Clayton Cosgrove today released a consultation document on proposed dam safety regulations. Read more about Dam safety »
Minister announces important milestone in reviewing the Building Code
27 May 2006: The Minister for Building and Construction announced an important milestone in reviewing the New Zealand Building Code at the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand Conference on 27 May. A discussion document is now available for public feedback. Read more about the important new milestone »
Statement of Intent 2006/09 tabled
18 May 2006: The Department of Building and Housing's Statement of Intent 2006/2009 has been presented to the House of Representatives pursuant to the Public Finance Act 1989. Read more about the Statement of Intent »
Review of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service
12 May 2006: Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove today announced a major shake-up of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) that will stop gaming of the system, hold building industry professionals to account and get leaky homes fixed faster. Read more about the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service changes »
Unit Titles Act review
2 May 2006: The 2006 discussion document for the review of the Unit Titles Act, Options for Change is now available. Read more about the Unit Titles Act Review document »
Minister announces licensing
23 April 2006: The Minister for Building and Construction announced the new licensing system for building practitioners at the Registered Master Builders Conference in Queenstown today. This means more certainty that critical work on houses and buildings has been done to a good standard, and is certified by competent and accountable practitioners. Read more about licensing changes ahead »
Latest Building and Housing Trends
12 April 2006: The eighth report published by the Department summarising building and housing trends and performance. It covers the period October-December 2005. Read more about building and housing trends »
Earthquake-prone buildings
31 January 2006: Local authorities are about to undertake consultation in their areas on earth-quake prone buildings. The Department has prepared some general information on this. Read more about the Earthquake-prone buildings consultation »
RTA Review Update
31 January 2006: The Department is nearing the completion of its work reviewing the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA) and developing proposals for changes. Read the latest update about the RTA Review »
Further industry consultation on licensing
13 Jan 2006: In August and September 2005, the Occupational Licensing group brought together eight working parties from relevant industry and professional organisations to test and discuss proposals for licence classes, and to start developing indicative standards and assessment processes. A summary of the findings from these working parties are now available. Read more about consultation on licensing »