text: At Property Council, we’ve been actively collaborating with our Building Systems and Resource Reform Taskforces to tackle a key issue: the current resource and building consent system. Our members have consistently voiced their frustrations about the process—highlighting that it’s slow, costly, and in desperate need of a central government overhaul.
  Since launching our taskforce discussions, we’ve been championing a more efficient consenting system, pushing for solutions that streamline both resource and building consents. One of our key proposals is a regional consenting authority model, which could take charge of either resource consents, building consents, or both, depending on risk and liability factors.
  Today, we’re thrilled to share that the Government has taken a significant step forward. They’ve announced a consultation process with three options for improving the building consenting system—one of which includes the very regional consenting approach we’ve been advocating for.
  In essence, the proposals are as follows:
  - Voluntary consolidation – allowing councils to group together to deliver building control functions. There are already a number of councils who are pooling some resources but barriers exist to full integration. This approach focuses on removing these barriers.
  - Regional BCAs – establishing a smaller number of relatively large regional BCAs to replace the current 66 district and city council BCAs. This approach focuses on improving consistency and forming entities with the critical mass to drive economies of scale.
  - Single point of contact – setting up a single point of contact for builders to submit plans to. Building inspection may be contracted out to existing BCAs or private consenting providers, creating competition and encouraging specialisation.
  As part of this work the Government will be looking at risk liability settings across the whole building system. This is a win for our industry. While all three options represent progress, adopting a regional authority for building consents could pave the way for broader changes, potentially extending to resource consents—another priority area for us.
  - We’ll be convening a meeting with our Building System Reform Taskforce to dive deeper into the options and shape our formal submission.
  - A written submission will be lodged, ensuring your voices are heard.
  - We’ll continue our close collaboration with Government to drive these changes forward.
  This is a pivotal moment for our sector, and we’re excited about what lies ahead. Our early engagement with the Government and close ties with the Minister for Building and Construction underscore the strong influence we have in shaping the future of our industry.
  To join our Building System Reform Taskforce, contact Katherine Wilson.
  Stay tuned—big changes could be on the way!
  Author | Katherine Wilson
  As Property Council’s Head of Advocacy, Katherine is tasked with leading our advocacy campaigns at both a regional and national level.
  Level-headed and engaging, Katherine has both a law degree from Otago University and an arts degree (majoring in politics) from Auckland University. With solid experience as a policy analyst and advisor in Wellington and Auckland, she has extensive networks and solid analytical skills.
  Katherine is hugely dedicated, highly intelligent and committed to ensuring the voice of our members is heard at all levels of governance. She’s also relentlessly positive and enjoys a good chat.