New self-certification scheme for tradies and businesses

Options for a new opt-in self-certification scheme are part of the Government’s wider programme to streamline our building system to make it faster and easier to build in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The new scheme will remove or reduce the third-party review role of Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) for qualified building professionals and accredited building companies carrying out low-risk residential building work. This would be done by:

• enabling a broad range of groups to be eligible to apply for participation in self-certification including individual practitioners and accredited companies such as volume builders 
• requiring that participants in the scheme demonstrate an appropriate, specified level of competency and experience and be trustworthy 
• limiting the type of work that can be self-certified to lower risk activities, for example work on a simple residential dwelling.  

The new self-certification scheme has the potential to reduce the load on BCAs, shift accountability to those who are doing the work, improve the efficiency of the building consent system, and reduce costs. 

MBIE will now proceed with detailed policy work and engagement with the sector to explore options for the design of a new self-certification scheme including:

• oversight and monitoring of the scheme
• the extent to which BCAs would be removed from the assurance process and the role of insurance
• developing a more detailed criteria for the regime and an assessment of costs and benefits.

All changes to the Building Regulatory System undergo a thorough process including consultation prior to any updates or new legislation being implemented. 

This gives the opportunity for feedback to be provided in shaping any changes to building regulations, and ensures we consider all perspectives before making any decisions to progress with proposed changes.  

Read the Cabinet paper:
Exploring options for self-certification of building work — mbie.govt.nz

Trusted building professionals able to self-certify — beehive.govt.nz