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 Green Star Technical Clarification Rulings

Technical Clarifications for Green Star represent our answers to Technical Questions submitted by projects, and provide further guidance and reference to others. The list is regularly updated.  

There are two types of Technical Clarifications listed in the table below:

General Clarifications

These are extensions to the guidance provided in the Submission Guidelines. They clarify and sometimes supersede the original Credit Criteria or 
Compliance Requirements. General Clarifications set precedent for future project teams to follow. Should a project team wish to apply a general clarification to its project, there is no requirement for further Technical Questions to be submitted. NZGBC Assessors will also use them as precedents to assess submissions.

Project Specific Clarifications

These are published as references for other projects but, unlike General Clarifications, they do not set precedent. They often relate to special 
situations where multiple prerequisites exist for a particular project and are less likely to reoccur to another project. Therefore, rulings set for Project Specific Clarifications are often conditional and will likely vary for other projects. Each project still needs to submit its own Technical Questions and provides evidence relating to its own building in order to have a similar ruling approved for that specific building. 

Should you wish to apply any Technical Clarification for legacy rating tools to your projects, please submit a Technical Question to the NZGBC to 
explain why and how it applies. You can access the online Technical Question form here

Technical Question Title Tool Version Date Released Credit Name Sub-credit Name TC Link
GSAP Alternative Compliance Requirements DABv1 July 2020 1 - Green Star Accredited Professional Accredited Professional Link
Approved Ruling:

The following alternative Compliance Requirements can be used and applied holistically for Credit 1.1 Green Star Accredited Professional:

1. GSAP engagement from Green Star registration, or within one month following (rather than from schematic design);

2. GSAP certificate validity from Green Star registration to construction completion; and

3. GSAP involvement. To demonstrate GSAP involvement there must be at least one GSAP that:

  • is part of the team delivering the Green Star certification from registration to completion;
  • is listed as a ‘Project Contact’ for the purpose of communication with NZGBC; and
  • Provides advice, guidance and support from project registration through to certification, by ensuring the project team has access to the information covering Green Star principles, structure, timing and process including:
    • eligibility
    • environmental categories
    • points allocation and scores
    • documentation and compliance requirements
    • technical questions
    • certification process
    • Green Star branding and marketing rules
  • deliver at least one workshop addressing the topics above; OR the GSAP plans the Green Star submission and targets with the project team using the Submission Planner, Submission Guidelines and/or other relevant information;
  • participating in meetings/workshops with the design and construction team; Note: the GSAP does not need to attend all design and construction meetings. However, if the GSAP does not attend they are responsible for reviewing the meeting minutes to ensure appropriate Green Star advice, guidance and support is provided, to support the Green Star certification process.
  • reviewing all documentation for compliance; and
  • be responsible for the preparation and execution of the Green Star submission(s) for certification.

The GSAP involvement tasks outlined above may be carried out by more than one GSAP. The GSAP role can be shared by multiple professionals involved in the project. This is acceptable as long as each GSAP individually meets the requirements above (apart from the workshop requirement) and this role has been fulfilled continually from registration to practical completion.

Documentation Requirements - at Design Review, and As Built Stage:

  • Submission template
  • GSAP Certificate(s)
  • Letter of appointment of a GSAP from Green Star registration, or within one month following, with scope of works
    • as per Compliance Requirements OR as per the above GSAP involvement.
  • Sample minutes or other written correspondence of the GSAP with the design and construction team, addressing the GSAP involvement.
  • Letter from the client confirming the GSAP satisfactorily fulfilled their engagement responsibilities as per the scope of works.