New Zealand’s building industry has responded to the government’s proposed self-certification scheme with cautious support — but has been clear that the detail of implementation will determine whether it achieves its aims or creates new risks.
“It takes on average 569 days for a home to be built and consented — amid a housing shortage, that is simply too long to wait,” said Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk when announcing the proposal. The opt-in scheme would allow approved building professionals and accredited businesses to self-certify low-risk building work without requiring council inspection at every stage.
Why the Industry Is Cautiously on Board
The building sector has long argued that the current inspection regime is both slow and inconsistent. Builders working across multiple local authority areas encounter different interpretation of the same Building Code provisions, and inspection wait times — which can stretch to weeks during busy periods — extend project timelines and increase holding costs.
Self-certification, in principle, addresses both problems. Trusted builders who know the code and have a track record of compliant work don’t need the same level of oversight as less experienced operators. Freeing up council inspectors to focus on higher-risk work and less experienced practitioners is an efficient use of limited regulatory resources.
The Conditions the Industry Has Set
Industry bodies have been consistent about what they need to see for the scheme to work:
- Eligibility criteria must be genuinely robust. A track record of compliant work, ongoing professional development, and active Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) status are the minimum bar. The scheme’s value depends entirely on the quality of who is admitted to it.
- Audit mechanisms must have teeth. Certification without audit is not accountability — it’s just an honour system. Builders in the scheme need to know that their self-certified work will be checked, and that non-compliance has real consequences.
- The scheme must not create a two-tier system. Consumers need confidence that a home built under self-certification carries the same protections as one built with full council oversight. Insurance, warranty, and liability frameworks need to reflect this.
What Happens Next
The legislation enabling the scheme is expected to be passed by the end of 2025. Industry bodies are engaged in consultation on the eligibility criteria and audit framework. Builders interested in participating should ensure their LBP records are current and their documentation practices are solid — both will be relevant to eligibility assessments.