The Government has asked for submissions on its Building Amendment Bill.
We have drafted a submission to the Bill and we'd like your feedback and input.
There are four key proposed changes, each of which have significant implications for those interested in healthier, more efficient buildings and homes.
1. Fairer risk allocation - This means that in cases of defective building work, parties are responsible for the share of costs that reflects their contribution.
To support this change and help strengthen protections for homeowners it means:
Mandatory home warranties introduced for new houses, multi-unit residential buildings up to ten metres and renovations of $100,000 or above.
Professional indemnity insurance to be made mandatory for designers such as architects and engineers, strengthening accountability and helping ensure they can meet claims if issues arise.
2. Faster consenting for eligible homes - The Bill introduces a new fast-track building consenting pathway, with decisions by Building Consent Authorities being made in 10 working days for eligible solar equipped and sustainable homes.
This pathway will apply to residential buildings that include solar electricity systems or meet key sustainability criteria such as energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprint, improved water efficiency and increased climate resilience.
3. Modernising building research – The Bill introduces changes to modernise how building research is funded and governed, replacing a system that has been in place for more than 50 years.
A new approach will repeal outdated legislation and integrate the Building Research Levy into a single, more streamlined system under the Building Act, enable building research funding to be awarded through processes overseen by MBIE, which will include the use of a contestable funding mechanism.
MBIE states that the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) will continue to play an important role in the system and remain an independent organisation.
4. Supporting councils and improving consistency - To improve consistency and efficiency across the country, the Bill makes it easier for councils to work together or combine their Building Consent Authority (BCA) services. (Though some councils are needing to merge anyway under other Local Authority Changes.)
We welcome feedback on this draft, so we can improve our response. You are also welcome to take our response and add elements of it into your submission.
The submission period closes at on 11:59pm on Sunday, 15 November 2026.
Please send your thoughts to us at communications@nzgbc.org.nz - subject line Building Amendment bill by close of business Monday, 02 November, 2026.