Building Newsletter: May 2025

Bathroom Heater Warning

Bathroom Heaters
Recently, concerns have been raised regarding a bathroom heater that could catch fire. Obviously, this is undesirable.

The warning relates to the Serene Classic S2068 Wall Mounted Bathroom Heater.

The prohibited heaters are S2068 heaters with serial numbers in the following ranges:

• VH145173 – VH147003

• VK154294 – VK160567

• WF167045 – WF168874

More information on product safety

MBIE Warnings and Bans

Fireplace Consents

Consents for Fireplaces
With winter nearly here, we expect the wood burner rush to start. Consents for fireplaces continue to be a constant headache for us.

Please ensure:

• Plans are ruled line to a recognised scale — not hand sketches.

• Floor plans show the location of doors, windows, and the proposed location of the fire.

• Dimensions of the building are included to check escape route lengths.

• Smoke alarms are correctly shown — refer to NZS 4514:2021, which is free to download.

• Provide flue construction and flashing type.

You can often find a 1-page spec sheet for the fire on the manufacturer’s website — no need to send the whole manual.

We can provide a floor plan from our records if available — just call us.

Also, please remember:
We spend a lot of time chasing fireplace consents where the appliance has been installed but no Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) has been applied for. Often the owner doesn’t know this.

Installers — please let the owner know they need to book their inspection and apply for CCC once it’s in.

What is a BCA?

With all the government talk about speeding up consenting and reducing costs, you’ll hear the term BCA mentioned.

Under the Building Act:

• A BCA (Building Consent Authority) handles building consents and CCCs.

• A TA (Territorial Authority) deals with other local government duties.

In small councils like Carterton, this split isn’t noticeable and doesn’t change day-to-day operations.

Natural Hazards Commission (formerly EQC)

Council staff recently met with the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC), previously EQC.

They changed names to reflect their role beyond earthquakes — they also handle floods, landslides, and other events.

At the meeting, they discussed:

• Claim processes (they work directly with insurers).

• What happens when a hazard is registered on a property title.

• What can be claimed (e.g., land vs. building damage).

• How to search your property’s history (since the mid-1990s) on their website.

This is useful for engineers and homeowners alike.

Updated website: naturalhazards.govt.nz

Guides and factsheets for homeowners

• Know Your Cover
• Natural Hazards Portal
• Buying a home

Granny Flats

Granny Flats
Government has announced future legislative changes allowing granny flats up to 70m² to be built without building or resource consents. These changes are expected in early 2026.

Until then, consents are required.

Under the new proposal:

• Councils will issue a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) (currently a 20-day turnaround).

• On completion, owners must provide some information for the property file.

• Councils will not inspect during construction or offer checks and balances.

Council will not provide design advice or get involved in any disputes.
We recommend:

• Talking with insurers, banks, and neighbours first.

• Having proper contracts in place.

More info: https://www.building.govt.nz/getting-started/building-system-reforms/granny-flats

Overseas Product Verification

Government has introduced changes for overseas products and systems used in NZ buildings.

Applicants must now:

• Provide documentation showing how the product meets the NZ Building Code or overseas equivalents.

• Not rely on Council to do this research.

About overseas product verification

Invoicing

We’ve received several calls requesting invoice changes after the fact. This usually happens when someone enters their own name/contact for consents and later wants the invoice reissued.

We cannot do this due to MBIE/BRANZ levy links and audit records.

Please make sure the correct name is entered on forms at the time of submission.

MBIE Workstreams

MBIE continues work on Building System Reforms to improve the industry and deliver durable, safe buildings.

This includes:

• Potentially consolidating councils into one or fewer consenting authorities.

• Reviewing consent processes to improve efficiency and reduce delays.

If you want to influence how things work in the future, now is the time to speak up.

Useful links:

• Building system reforms: https://www.building.govt.nz/getting-started/building-system-reforms

• Sign up for updates: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/7BC65D75D18899C62540EF23F30FEDED

• Email ideas to: bcareform@mbie.govt.nz

MBIE’s site is regularly updated and worth checking.

The Minister and MBIE continue to reassure us that changes will not result in another leaky buildings crisis.

CCC Applications

When filling out the CCC application form, please ensure you fill the form out fully. We are noticing people aren’t filling in the names of the people that do the work. Often applications are handed in unsigned and undated.

We are also finding that applications are submitted but documentation such as LBP memos, as laid drainage plans, energy works certificates (gas and power) and engineers ps4’s for example aren’t provided.

Often the CCC is held up while these basic matters are resolved.

We suggest that you check the building consent form and ensure you have the documentation when applying for the CCC. Alternatively, we can receive that information where available during the course of the work.

 

Compliance Schedules

There is significant scrutiny by MBIE as it relates to compliance schedule matters. This occurs often during the 2 yearly independent audits. We are audited regularly by both MBIE and IANZ.

Typically, IANZ come in person whereas MBIE prefer online things only.

With the very strong focus on compliance schedule matters. we continue to ramp up pressure on applicants at both Building consent and CCC time to provide the necessary information to enable a compliance schedule to be finalised.

When applying for a CCC ensure you correctly fill out the compliance schedule part of the CCC application form.

You should check the information on the building consent itself to ensure that it is correct or provide new information. This will be dealt with as a minor variation.

You also need to supply documentation for each of the specified systems such as accredited inspection body certificates for fire alarms or sprinklers, test certificates for backflow preventers, emergency lighting etc.

Where possible you should also provide makes and models and plans showing layouts or locations of specified systems.

Doing this correctly when applying for a CCC will reduce the likelihood that your CCC will be delayed.

 

LBP Memos for Commercial Work

We regularly receive LBP memos for non-restricted building work, particularly commercial.

You don’t need to submit one for non-RBW — but if you do, we’ll keep it on file.

Fire Reports

Fire reports for commercial projects must be from a Chartered Professional Fire Engineer (CPEng) or independently peer-reviewed.

Otherwise, we will have our own engineer review it — and costs will apply.

If your project is complex or unusual, contact us early to discuss.

BWoF and Compliance Schedule Audits

We are audited by MBIE and must regularly audit Building Warrants of Fitness (BWoF).

This includes:

• Reviewing BWoF renewal docs

• Site visits and record checks

• Updating compliance schedules

If owners or IQPs don’t provide information, we’ll issue:

• Notices to Fix

• Infringement fines (up to $1000)

 

Government Announcements

You may have heard the government is pushing for:

• Faster inspection times

• More self-certification

Some announcements suggest councils are the main cause of delays. We disagree.

Thankfully, the Minister continues to reassure that building standards won’t be reduced — the Building Code remains unchanged.

More changes are coming — and more audits and reporting.

Got thoughts? Email MBIE: bcareform@mbie.govt.nz