A building consent establishes that your proposed building work meets the Building Act 2004(external link) and the building code(external link). The Building Act sets out the rules for the construction, alteration, demolition and maintenance of new and existing buildings in New Zealand.
These rules ensure that:
- people who use buildings can do so safely and without endangering their health.
- buildings have attributes that contribute appropriately to the health, physical independence, and well-being of the people who use them.
- people who use a building can escape from a building if it is on fire.
- buildings are designed, constructed and able to be used in ways that promote sustainable development.
The Building Act 2004(external link) is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment(external link) (MBIE) Building Performance Group.
The building code sets the mandatory standards for building work. All building work in New Zealand must comply with the building code. The building code states the performances a building and its components must meet.
Please note: It's an offence to build without a building consent if one is needed. It could result in fines and possibly the removal of the building work. It may also make it difficult for you to sell the building or get insurance.
Working through the building consent process provides building owners with documented assurance that they have taken all the right steps.