Appendix 1: General roles and responsibilities

 

Roles and responsibilities of a territorial/regional authority

A territorial/regional authority performs the following functions (including any functions that are incidental and related to, or consequential upon, these functions).

Issuing

  • Project information memoranda
  • Building consents where the consent is subject to a waiver or modification of the Building Code
  • Certificates of acceptance
  • Compliance schedules and amending compliance schedules

Power to inspect and enter land

Sections 222 to 228 provide details of the powers of entry to undertake an inspection. A clear reason for any inspection must be provided to the owner/ occupier/builder.

Enforcement powers

The territorial/regional authority may choose to warrant enforcement officers to issue infringement notices under section 372 of the Building Act.

Other

  • Follows up and resolves notices to fix
  • Administers annual building warrants of fitness
  • Enforces the provisions relating to annual building warrants of fitness
  • Decides the extent to which buildings must comply with the Building Code when they are altered, their use is changed, or their specified intended life changes
  • Performs functions relating to dangerous, earthquake-prone or insanitary buildings
  • Determines whether building work is exempt under Schedule 1 (paragraph k) of the Building Act from requiring a building consent
  • Carries out any other functions and duties specified in the Building Act 2004. Administers dam safety regime

Roles and responsibilities of a building consent authority

A building consent authority performs the following functions:

  • Issues building consents (except consents subject to a waiver or modification)
  • Inspects building work for which it has granted a building consent
  • Issues notices to fix
  • Issues code compliance certificates
  • Issues compliance schedules

This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: