Planning Bill Submission

Following earlier submissions in 2025 on Resource Management Act (RMA) reform, Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects has made a submission on The Planning Bill, one of two Bills (along with the Natural Environment Bill) to replace the RMA 1991.

The NZIA strongly supports the Government’s intent to reform the planning system through the Planning Bill. We agree that the current system’s weaknesses are constraining the timely delivery of housing, infrastructure, and well-functioning urban environments. We support a shift towards clearer national direction, earlier decision-making, and more standardised planning methods, where these improve certainty and reduce unnecessary cost and delay.

Our submission focuses on how the Planning Bill can best deliver on its objectives in practice. In particular, it identifies 14 refinements that would help ensure faster delivery is achieved through clear expectations, coordinated infrastructure planning, strong spatial frameworks, and early partnership with iwi and Māori.

Read the full submission here.

Green Economic Partnership Agreement (GEPA)

Architecture is a high-value professional service export. The Institute supports the Green Economic Partnership Agreement (GEPA)  as a framework to position our sector as global leaders in low-carbon, seismic, and Indigenous design. It can potentially improve access to low-carbon materials, create further export opportunities, reduce administrative barriers through mutual recognition, and elevate mātauranga Māori internationally.

Read the full submission here.

Second Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP-2): Discussion Document Submission

The ERP-2 will outline the actions that the government intends to take to reduce emissions in New Zealand during the second emissions budget period (2026 – 2030). The omission of a dedicated chapter on the built environment in ERP-2 is concerning. Without targeted policies and incentives, we risk falling short of our emissions reductions goals.

The submission encourages the Government to take a more comprehensive approach to reducing carbon emissions within the built environment as part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s ERP-2. The construction and operation of buildings contribute 20 percent of our national emissions (Through both embodied emissions in construction materials and building, combined with operational emissions from heating, lighting, and other activities) and therefore deserve focused and targeted strategies in the plan.

The architectural sector is uniquely positioned to deliver impactful emissions reductions through thoughtful design, better regulations, and the adoption of sustainable practices. The sector is already developing strong capabilities in carbon accounting and reduction strategies in the design-and-build process.

A copy of the Institute's submission can be found here.

Making it Easier to Build Granny Flats

Submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Hīkina Whakatutuki. A copy of the Institute's submission can be found here.

MBIE Options Paper: Building Consent System

The Ministry Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) is seeking feedback on its Options Paper: Building Consent System.  The Options Paper follows MBIE’s release in 2022 of an issues discussion document alongside of a policy position statement on risk, liability and insurance in the building sector.  

You can download the PDF version of the MBIE Options Paper here. 

A copy of the Institute cover letter and submission can be found here.

For more information about Te Kāhui Whaihanga and this submission, please contact us at info@nzia.co.nz

Consultation paper: Draft Incorporated Societies Regulations 2023 and proposed 'initial fees' under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022

Ministry Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) is seeking feedback on an exposure draft of the Incorporated Societies Regulations 2023 and initial fees to be charged under the new regime.  You can download the PDF version of the MBIE consultation document here.

A copy of the Institute submission can be found here. 

For more information about Te Kāhui Whaihanga and this submission, please contact us at info@nzia.co.nz

Released for discussion
Review of key industry documents under review SCC 2023 and DZ3910

Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) is proactively releasing its comparison of the key documents currently under review, Standard Construction Contract (SCC 2023) and DZ 3910:2023 Conditions of contract for building and civil engineering construction (DZ 3910). Click here for a copy of the Institute’s discussion document.

This document is released for discussion and represents the Institute’s thinking currently, and we welcome feedback to practice@nzia.co.nz

The document may be updated over the next few weeks, and is likely to be the basis of NZIA’s response to Standards New Zealand on the Consultation Draft of DZ3910. Members and others are welcome to make use of the points and suggestions made in this document in their responses if they wish.

For more information about Te Kāhui Whaihanga and this submission, please contact us at info@nzia.co.nz

Occupational regulation reforms in the building and construction sector

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has sought feedback on occupational regulation reforms in the building and construction sector. The reform of occupational regulation is part of a series of changes to the wider building control system, called Building System Reforms. 

You can read the consultation documents here. A one-page summary can be found here.

Our submission is here. 

The Schools of Architecture also collaborated on a submisson. You can read it here.

The submission from our emerging professionals - Emerge members can be found here.

The submission from New Zealand Registered Architects Board can be found here.

Occupational Regulation Reforms - Summary of Submissions can be found here.

Occupational regulation aims to protect the public from harm by ensuring services are performed with reasonable care and skill. MBIE want to ensure occupational regulation is fit for purpose and is moving towards a consistent approach across the sector where appropriate. Statutory reviews and previous consultations have identified some areas for improvement in the current occupational regulation regimes.

The four (4) occupational regulation regimes MBIE sought feedback on were:

• Licensed Building Practitioners, including proposals for change regarding supervision and licensing, as well as seeking feedback on issues with competencies.
• Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers and Electrical Workers including consulting on the scope of codes of ethics to help lift the quality of the work and promote public confidence.
• Registered Architects, including a review of the current settings to determine if the regime is still fit for purpose.

Registered Architects are highly skilled professionals whose design expertise, professionalism and technical knowledge are relied upon to design, innovate and manage construction and infrastructure projects, across a variety of scales and complexity. The profession’s Code of Ethics (established by the Registered Architects Rules 2006, part 3) and the minimum standards for registration defines the profession, setting it apart from other occupations within the building industry, which have only recently introduced Codes of Ethics and codes of practice prepared by membership organisations.

For more information about Te Kāhui Whaihanga and this submission, please contact us at info@nzia.co.nz

Review of Building Consenting System

MBIE is consulting on a review of the building consenting system. You can read the consultation documents here.

Our submission is here.

This is a once in a generation opportunity that will shape the future of the construction sector. It is essential that the questions asked by MBIE are far reaching, not artificially limited by how we’ve always done things and focused on outcomes that deliver high quality and performing buildings, a well-functioning sector and a system that is easy to operate and cost effective to maintain.

Our members offer a wealth of experience and knowledge on the current system and are passionate about creating a better system for the future.

For more information about this submission, please contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Building Code update 2022: Transition period for the energy efficiency of housing

MBIE is consulting on a proposal to extend the transition period for Acceptable Solution H1/AS1 and Verification Method H1/VM1 Fifth Editions (first issued on 29 November 2021) for housing. You can read the consultation document here. 

Our submission is here. 

For more information about this submission, please contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

This bill amends the Resource Management Act 1991 to rapidly accelerate the supply of housing where the demand for housing is high.

Our submission.

Other relevant documents:
PwC and SensePartners (October 2021), Cost Benefit Analysis of proposed Medium Density Residential Standards

Ministry for Environment, Intensification Options Fact Sheet

Regulatory Impact Statement: Bringing Forward the Upzoning of Land for Housing

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Inquiry on the Natural and Built Environments Bill: Parliamentary Paper

This inquiry is the first part of reforming the resource management system, and replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 with three pieces of legislation. The purpose of the inquiry is to provide feedback to the government on the extent to which the provisions in the exposure draft of the Natural and Built Environments Bill will support the resource management reform objectives. A copy of the Terms of Reference can be found here.

Our submission

Other relevant documents:
Summary of Initial Impact Analysis of RM Reform
Provides a summary of the impacts identified at this stage of the reform process. It is not a Regulatory Impact Statement and is not designed to meet Regulatory Impact Assessment requirements.

Interim regulatory impact statement: Reforming the resource management system
This Interim Regulatory Impact Statement provides Ministry for Environments initial advice on how to implement the Resource Management Review Panel’s (the Panel) proposals in a way that best achieves the reform objectives.

Parliamentary Paper on the Exposure Draft of the Natural and Built Environments Bill

Natural and Built Environments Draft Exposure Bill

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Solving the Building Consenting Trilemma

During August to October 2020, Te Kāhui Whaihanga hosted a CPD event, Solving the Building Consenting Trilemma was hosted in 11 locations, with the support of Jacobsen. More than 500 members had the opportunity to participate and engage in this important professional conversation about how to ensure greater certainty, consistency, and affordability in the building consenting process.

The three perspectives of Client/Contractor, Architect and Building Consenting Authority provided important context and perspectives for these discussions. Many positive and thoughtful suggestions and improvements were identified and are included in the summary. These key insights are being shared with local councils, Local Government NZ and Construction Sector Accord to facilitate change.

Read a PDF of the summary.

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Building (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been consulting on proposals for regulations to support the Building (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components and Other Matters) Amendment Bill.
Essentially, the proposals included in the Bill will create:

• New product information requirements to make sure basic information about building products and how to use them is available to users.
• A new voluntary modular component manufacturer scheme to make consenting more efficient for some manufacturers of homes and modular building components that are built off-site.
• A strengthened CodeMark scheme to build confidence in the scheme and to provide confidence that innovative building products and methods do comply with the Building Code.

Please refer to the MBIE discussion document for more detailed information.

Read a PDF of our submission.

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Building Code Update 2021 - consultation

Every year the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) consults on the Building Code and selected acceptable solution and verification method documents, providing an opportunity for the public and the building and construction sector to have their say on the proposed changes. This year, MBIE sought views on proposals for acceptable solutions and verification methods relating to Building Code clauses B1 Structure, E2 External Moisture, G7 Natural Light and H1 Energy Efficiency.

The most significant proposed changes to the Building Code aim to:
• increase the number of climate zones to six, to better reflect the weather in different parts of New Zealand 
• change the amount of insulation needed in homes and buildings across the country, depending on where the building is located
• introduce a new verification method to ensure heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems in commercial buildings are designed and installed to reduce the load on the national grid
• ensure complex buildings over three storeys, such as high-rise buildings and apartments, have enough natural light.

Further information on the proposed changes are included in MBIE’s consultation document (PDF).

Read a PDF of our submission.

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Incorporated Societies Bill

A draft Bill to replace the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 was introduced to Parliament on 17 March 2021. The Bill had its first reading on 6 April 2021. The purpose of this Bill is to put in place a modern framework of basic legal, governance, and accountability obligations for incorporated societies and those who run them.

Te Kāhui Whaihanga was invited to make a submission on the bill. 

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Read a PDF of our submission. 

Read the draft Bill on the Parliament website. 

He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission - 2021 Draft Advice for Consultation

The Climate Change Commission's first package of draft advice to government on Climate Action for Aotearoa was released for public submissions. Consultation opened on 1 February 2021 and closed 28 March 2021.

Te Kāhui Whaihanga supports the objectives of the Climate Change Commission and the Commission’s willingness to engage with the construction industry on multiple occasions. While we take a different view to the Commission on some issues, we greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss these differences in an open and constructive manner.

Read a PDF of our submission.

Supplementary documents

•  Draft Advice Report
This report contains the draft advice of He Pou a Rangi – the Climate Change Commission. It includes advice on the first three emissions budgets and on policy direction for the Government’s first emissions reduction plan.

 • Executive Summary

 • Evidence Report 
This report accompanies the Commission’s draft advice report. This report sets out the detailed evidence that we have drawn upon to support the development of our recommendations and advice.

 • Consultation Questions
The Commission released a set of key questions it was asking all New Zealanders to provide feedback on.

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Building for Climate Change: Transforming operational efficiency and reducing whole-of-life embodied carbon

Te Kāhui Whaihanga was invited to make a submission on the first public consultation under the new Building for Climate Change programme – the building and construction sector’s contribution to New Zealand’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.  

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has set out three main objectives to increasing a building’s operational efficiency:

1.  Reduce operational carbon emissions
2. Reduce water use
3. Improve the health and wellbeing of occupants by improving buildings' indoor environmental qualities (IEQ).

MBIE proposal documents:

• Transforming Operational Efficiency

• Whole-of-Life Embodied Carbon Emissions Reduction Framework.

Read a PDF of our submission. 

The Construction Industry Council also made a submission on the proposals. Read a PDF copy of its submission.

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Building (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

Te Kāhui Whaihanga | The New Zealand Institute of Architects was recently invited to make a submission on the Amendment bill. This bill follows on from the MBIE Discussion Paper – Building System Reform in April-June 2019.

Key changes in the Bill will:

• introduce minimum information requirements about building products to support better and more efficient decision-making;
• introduce a specialist framework for modern methods of construction such as offsite manufacturing and prefabrication and speed up the consenting process;
• strengthen the product certification framework (CodeMark) to improve trust and confidence in the scheme; and
• introduce new offences and penalties to support product information requirements and modern methods of construction.

Read a PDF copy of our submission and the Amendment Bill.

Additional resources and fact sheets are available:

• Product certification (CodeMark)
• Product information
• Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
• Offences and penalties, building levy and time to lay charges

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.

Urban Development Bill

Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects was recently invited to make a submission on the Urban Development bill. This bill follows on from the Kāinga Ora–Homes and Communities bill, which disestablished Housing New Zealand and set up a Crown entity in the same name.

The bill would enable Kāinga Ora to facilitate these projects, which are called specified development projects (SDPs). SDPs are intended to improve urban development outcomes through a mix of housing types, transport connections, employment and business opportunities, infrastructure, community facilities, and green spaces.

The bill would give Kāinga Ora:

• access to a tool-kit of development powers when undertaking SDPs
• access to land acquisition powers when undertaking SDPs.

Attached is a copy of the Institute submission and the Urban Development bill.

For more information about this submission contact info@nzia.co.nz.