The Government has confirmed it will introduce an opt-in self-certification scheme allowing trusted, licensed builders to sign off on their own work — removing the requirement for council inspections at certain stages of a build. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced the scheme alongside a new mandatory target for councils to reduce building inspection wait times.
“Making it easier and more affordable to build opens the door to homeownership for more Kiwis,” Penk said. “We can’t achieve this vision while the building consent system remains slow and overloaded. Even simple, single-storey homes must go through around 12 inspections before they’re finished.”
How the Scheme Will Work
Legislation enabling the scheme is expected to come into force by the end of 2025. It will be opt-in — builders who choose to participate will need to meet eligibility criteria that are still being finalised but are expected to include an established track record as a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP), ongoing professional development, and an absence of serious disciplinary findings.
Participating builders will be able to certify that their work meets the Building Code at designated inspection stages, reducing or eliminating the need for council inspectors to attend site at those points. Councils will retain oversight and the ability to conduct audits.
Industry Reaction: Cautiously Supportive
The scheme has been broadly welcomed by the building industry, which has long complained that inspection delays extend project timelines and increase costs — particularly when councils are understaffed and inspection bookings take weeks. The New Zealand Certified Builders Association (NZCB) expressed cautious optimism, noting that the quality of the scheme’s eligibility criteria will determine whether it achieves its aims.
Some concerns have been raised about whether self-certification could reduce accountability for defects that are not immediately visible. Critics point to the leaky buildings crisis as evidence that reducing oversight can have expensive long-term consequences. Penk has acknowledged these concerns and indicated that the audit regime will be robust.
Inspection Targets for Councils
Alongside the self-certification scheme, the government will set mandatory inspection wait time targets for councils. These will come into force before the end of 2025. Councils that consistently fail to meet the targets will face scrutiny and may ultimately be required to accept building consent applications from other jurisdictions — a significant change that gives teeth to the reform.
Together, the two measures represent the most significant shift to the building consent system in many years. Whether they deliver on the promise of faster, cheaper building without compromising quality will depend heavily on implementation.