2012 News
Media releases and other news updates from the Department.
Building Controls Update No. 131: Building Code documents C1-C6 Protection from Fire, F7 Warning Systems and F8 Signs available now
14 May 2012: If you are a designer, qualified fire design engineer or building official these changes affect you. Find out how to get print or e-copies of these updated documents. Read BC Update 131 »
Experts identify reasons for Southland Stadium collapse
11 May 2012: The roof of Invercargill’s Stadium Southland collapsed on 18 September 2010 because of substandard building design and construction, Chief Executive of the Department of Building and Housing Katrina Bach announced today.
Read the full media release »
Notice of chief executive initiated determination under the Building Act 2004
12 May 2012: The chief executive of the Department of Building and Housing has given a direction under section 181(1) of the Building Act 2004. View the full notice »
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims statistics April 2012
7 May 2012: New Weathertight Services statistics for April 2012 have been published by the Department of Building and Housing. View the latest statistics »
Media release - Guidance for repairing and rebuilding foundations for homes in TC3 areas of Canterbury published
27 April 2012: The Department of Building and Housing (the Department) has today published guidance on foundation repairs and reconstruction for houses in Foundation Technical Category 3 (TC3) areas of Canterbury. View the full media release »
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims statistics March 2012
11 April 2012: New Weathertight Services statistics for March 2012 have been published by the Department of Building and Housing. View the latest statistics »
Changes to Building Code documents Protection from Fire (C), Warning Systems (F7) and Signs (F8)
On 10 April 2012, the Department of Building and Housing released:
- a new Building Code Protection from Fire with six new code clauses (replacing the previous code clauses C1-C4), seven new Acceptable Solutions (replacing the current C/AS1), and a new Verification Method C/VM2 and
- An amended Code Clause F8 and an amended Acceptable Solution F8/CAS1.
- An amended Acceptable Solution for Warning Systems F7/AS1
Find out about the changes in the latest edition of Code Watch »
Market rent - 1 October 2011 - 31 March 2012
10 April 2012: Market rent is described (in the Residential Tenancies Act) as what a willing landlord might reasonably expect to receive, and a willing tenant might reasonably expect to pay for the tenancy, in comparison with rent levels for similar properties in similar areas.
Building Amendment Act 2012 changes
14 March 2012: The Building Amendment Act 2012 is the result of a comprehensive review of the Building Act 2004 carried out in 2009/2010 and is aimed at lifting the overall performance of the building and construction sector. The Building Act 2004 is the primary legislation that governs the building and construction sector in New Zealand.
Further reforms are contained in another Bill currently before parliament.
Some of the immediate changes that come from the Amendment Act 2012 are:
- An Owner-Builder Exemption from Restricted Building Work
- New provisions clearly stating the responsibilities of the parties involved in building work
- A number of changes to the compliance schedule and Building Warrant of Fitness regimes which affect councils and building owners. The changes introduce new requirements for the content of compliance schedules and the requirement to amend compliance schedules where they do not align with the Building Act 2004 provisions.
- Some aspects of the licensed building practitioners scheme are clarified. These include some new grounds for discipline.
See here for more details »
Market rent - 1 September 2011 - 29 February 2012
09 March 2012: Market rent is described (in the Residential Tenancies Act) as what a willing landlord might reasonably expect to receive, and a willing tenant might reasonably expect to pay for the tenancy, in comparison with rent levels for similar properties in similar areas.
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims statistics February 2012
8 March 2012: New Weathertight Services statistics for February 2012 have been published by the Department of Building and Housing. View the latest statistics »
Statutory board appointment
20 February 2012: The Minister for Building and Construction is seeking expressions of interest from people wishing to be considered for appointment as members of the:
Building Controls Update No. 128: End of transition period for Structure and External Moisture Building Code documents
10 February 2012: From 1 February 2012, only the latest versions of the Structure (B1) and External Moisture (E2) documents can be used. These incorporate changes introduced on 1 August 2011. The transition period for the Structure (B1) and External Moisture (E2) documents ended on 31 January 2012. Read BC Update 128 »
Building Controls Update No. 127: P21(2010) Wall bracing test and evaluation procedure
10 February 2012: From 1 February 2012 all users of the Acceptable Solution B1/AS1 document must follow the latest version (Amendment 11). This version references NZS 3604:2011. Read BC Update No. 127 »
Media release – Experts identify critical factors in CTV collapse
9 February 2012: Intense ground shaking, non-ductile columns and the asymmetrical layout of shear walls were the critical factors contributing to the collapse of the CTV building during the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, a Department of Building and Housing technical investigation has found. View the full media release »
Market rent - 1 August 2011 - 31 January 2012
06 January 2012: Market rent is described (in the Residential Tenancies Act) as what a willing landlord might reasonably expect to receive, and a willing tenant might reasonably expect to pay for the tenancy, in comparison with rent levels for similar properties in similar areas.
Briefings to the Incoming Ministers
2 February 2012: The Briefing for the Minister for Building and Construction and the Briefing for the Minister for Housing are now available on the Departments website.
"Build it Right" New Zealand
17 January 2012: The Department of Building and Housing today launched a two-year campaign “Build it Right” aimed at improving the quality of building in New Zealand and increasing the confidence of consumers. View the media release
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims statistics December 2011
16 January 2012: New Weathertight Services statistics for December 2011 have been published by the Department of Building and Housing. View the latest statistics »
Market rent - 1 July 2011 - 31 December 2011
06 January 2012: Market rent is described (in the Residential Tenancies Act) as what a willing landlord might reasonably expect to receive, and a willing tenant might reasonably expect to pay for the tenancy, in comparison with rent levels for similar properties in similar areas.