Shane Jones
Minister for Building and Construction

23 October 2008 Media Statement
Future policy to extend building sector initiatives

Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones says Labour’s building policy will extend the pragmatic initiatives he has introduced this year.

Mr Jones launched the Building and Construction policy in Whangarei today outlining that Labour intends to develop a nationwide set of guidelines on standards set to achieve consistency in the administration of building consent by the different territorial and local government authorities.

“By improving and achieving consistency in consenting we will not only continue to cut red-tape, which I have done, but also ease the frustrations of builders who simply want to get on with their work,” Mr Jones said.

"I am especially pleased to launch my policy in Whangarei after all three of our Northland mayors – Wayne Brown (Far North), Neil Tiller (Kaipara) and Stan Semenoff (Whangarei) – gave me a walloping over the amount of red-tape in the Building Act.

“There are a number of initiatives -- like simplifying building code requirements for DIY-builders, extending the successful starter homes portfolio of designs, simplifying legislation and organising training for practitioners, developing a centralised data base for territorial authorities, protecting property rights within multi-units and high-rise apartments, amending the Unit Titles Act to provide security for stakeholders in units and encouraging research through Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) -- which will establish the foundations for long-term consumer confidence in builders and contractors.

He added he was firmly in support of the Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) scheme that will allow builders to demonstrate their qualifications.

“I am a strong supporter of the LBP scheme which I hope will eventually lead to qualified self-certification in the same way that other trades-people such as electricians and plumbers currently enjoy.”

Launch host, Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff said he was pleased that Mr Jones had listened to his and the other mayors’ concerns.

“Thank you for listening to our haka at the start of the year. You have done what you said you would do. I’m pleased you have cut red-tape,” Mr Semenoff said.

ENDS

Building_and_Construction.pdf

© Scoop Media