Building surveyors welcome standards bill

Greater clarity and support are needed around implementing the new Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill before 12,000 new construction products flow into New Zealand by July, writes David Clifton, President of the NZ Institute of Building Surveyors.

As trusted certified professionals in improving our built environment, our institute members serve an essential, although not widely known, role in technically safeguarding buildings throughout their life cycle. Vital to this is ensuring products for construction, whether manufactured or imported, are fit for purpose.

We welcome the broader reform efforts to improve efficiency in the building sector.

As is always the case, education and resourcing will be critical to ensure that overseas products are safe and effective for use here in New Zealand.

While the Bill opens the door to potential cost and time savings, we must not overlook the complexities involved. Access to overseas standards is currently expensive and often confusing. Without proper training and guidance, there’s a real risk of misinterpretation or misuse in the New Zealand context.

There are also concerns around liability protections for Building Consent Authorities (BCAs). The Bill’s proposed “good faith” clause remains vague and could expose BCAs (i.e., local councils) to risk.

We’ve seen in the past, particularly during the leaky building crisis, that liability often defaults to BCAs under joint and several liability rules. Without clear protocols and accountability, history could repeat itself.

While adopting international standards could support innovation and broaden product choice, these products must still meet New Zealand’s unique environmental and seismic requirements. Product durability, sustainability, and safety remain paramount. Ultimately, the Bill’s success depends on a well-supported system that can adapt and respond to real-world outcomes. We need a robust framework that captures feedback and identifies failures not just during the design phase, but throughout construction and beyond.