Addressing housing affordability concerns, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced initiatives to streamline the building consent process, making home construction more accessible and cost-effective.

Mr Penk underscored the Government's commitment to facilitating affordable housing solutions, stating, "Our priority is to expedite home construction, bolstering economic recovery and facilitating faster homeownership for New Zealanders."

Recent construction data from Stats NZ, released in April, reveals an average construction duration of approximately 569 days from building consent issuance to project completion.

"This extended timeline, nearing 600 days, poses a significant challenge amidst the ongoing housing and cost of living crisis," Mr Penk remarked.

He attributed prolonged construction periods to ambiguous regulations and rigid procedures, particularly regarding minor alterations or substitutions of building materials.

"Current regulations necessitate the submission of a new building consent or waiting for specific products, resulting in unnecessary delays and increased costs," Mr Penk explained.

To address these issues, the Government aims to redefine 'minor variation' and introduce 'minor customisations' within the Building Act.

"These amendments will inject flexibility into the process, mitigating delays and cost escalations associated with minor changes," Mr Penk elaborated.

Under the proposed changes, Building Consent Authorities will continue to ensure compliance with the Building Code.

However, homeowners will no longer be required to obtain new consents for minor product or design adjustments.

Furthermore, these reforms align with the Commerce Commission's recommendation to facilitate product substitution and variation in the residential building supplies market.

Mr Penk outlined several recent measures aimed at reducing construction costs and bureaucratic hurdles, including:

• Easing restrictions on overseas building products, mandating acceptance of products meeting international standards.
• Accelerating the review of earthquake-prone building legislation and extending remediation deadlines.
• Waiving building levy fees for small projects under £65,000.
• Mandating councils to provide clear timeframes for building consent applications.
• Simplifying dam safety regulations for farmers by raising height thresholds.

"These initiatives form part of our broader strategy to revitalise the economy and enhance affordability, empowering New Zealanders to thrive," Mr Penk concluded.