The Licensing Gap
Roofing sits within the Licensed Building Practitioner framework, but in a way that Luke Boustridge, CEO of the Roofing Association of New Zealand (RANZ), describes as inadequate. The current structure permits operators to enter the roofing market without the qualifications or accountability that the LBP framework is meant to enforce. Unqualified operators — often competing on price alone — are “eroding public trust, dragging down prices,” and undermining the professional standing of the qualified tradespeople who invest in training and ongoing competency.
This is not a new problem in the trades, but roofing faces particular exposure because roof failures are often hidden until significant water damage has occurred. By the time a homeowner discovers a problem, the operator who caused it may be long gone, leaving the building owner and often the original builder to manage the consequences.
The Building Code Alignment Problem
A second structural issue RANZ is working to address involves building code requirements that are misaligned with modern roofing technology. Current ventilation and condensation provisions were developed in an era of simpler roofing assemblies. Applied to modern metal roofing systems, breathable underlays, and insulated roof structures, the code requirements can produce outcomes that are technically compliant but physically counterproductive — causing the very moisture and performance failures they are designed to prevent.
RANZ is engaging with MBIE on code review processes to ensure the technical requirements reflect contemporary materials and installation methods.
A Shift in Strategy
Historically, RANZ has focused internally — on member services, training programmes, and industry events. Boustridge is reorienting the association outward, toward public-facing advocacy, engagement with specifiers and building owners, and direct communication with government on regulatory reform.
“Being part of RANZ isn’t just a badge — it’s a signal: that you’re competent, qualified, and accountable,” Boustridge said. The message is directed not just at members but at architects, builders, and building owners who specify roofing work. If specifiers start treating RANZ membership as a meaningful credential in their supplier selection process, the commercial incentive for operators to meet professional standards increases accordingly.
What This Means for Builders
For builders who subcontract roofing work, the practical implication is straightforward: knowing whether your roofing subcontractor is RANZ-affiliated and LBP-licensed is not just a compliance checkbox — it is a risk management decision. A non-compliant roof is a building consent issue, a weathertightness liability, and a customer relationship problem. Selecting subcontractors who operate within a recognised professional framework reduces all three risks.
