Articles tagged with Chris Pen
New Earthquake-Prone Building Law Brings $8.2B Relief for NZ Owners
1 week ago | 144 viewsNew legislation refocuses New Zealand's earthquake-prone building system to target only the highest-risk buildings, easing financial burdens on many owners by removing low-risk areas and smaller buildings from mandatory remediation. This approach is expected to save over $8.2 billion nationwide, preserve heritage buildings, and revitalize communities by allowing longer remediation deadlines and reducing unnecessary costs. The Bill, now with the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee, aims to balance safety with affordability while addressing regional seismic risks more appropriately.
Tags: Chris Penk New Zealand Building and Construction Minister seismic risk unreinforced masonry Auckland Northland Chatham Islands Transport and Infrastructure Select CommitteeEarn as You Learn: Expanding Paid Manufacturing Apprenticeships Across NZ
2 weeks ago | 106 viewsThe Earn as You Learn pilot, launched in Waikato in February 2025, connects high school students with manufacturers to provide paid, real-world experience while earning a manufacturing certificate, achieving over 80% learner completion and strong employer support. Due to its success, the program will expand to the Hutt Valley and Canterbury in 2026, and Auckland in 2027, aiming to increase graduates from 17 to 100-150 annually. This initiative addresses skilled labor shortages in manufacturing, a key sector for New Zealand’s economy, by fostering collaboration between industry, educators, and government to build a future workforce.
Tags: Chris Penk Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa Wintec Waikato Engineering Careers Association Earn as You Learn New Zealand Waikato Hutt Valley Canterbury66 of 67 NZ Building Consent Authorities Meet New 3-Day Inspection Target
3 weeks ago | 126 viewsNew regulations require Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) in New Zealand to complete at least 80% of building inspections within three working days, with 66 out of 67 BCAs meeting this target and 97.3% of 67,000 inspections completed on time in Q3. Some BCAs use inspection availability data as an alternative measure, showing 96.2% of inspection slots available within three days, while building consent applications were processed within statutory timeframes at a rate of 95.7%, up from 93% previously. These improvements reflect increased accountability and productivity, reducing delays and costs in construction as part of the government’s efforts to enhance the building consent system.
Tags: Chris Penk Building Consent Authorities BCAs Queenstown Lakes District Council Kāinga Ora BCAL Limited MBIE New Zealand building inspections building consentNew Zealand's $2.5B Defence Infrastructure Plan Boosts Military and Jobs by 2040
4 weeks ago | 110 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched the Defence Estate Portfolio Plan (DEPP), a $2.5 billion long-term initiative to modernise Defence Force infrastructure by 2040, addressing aging facilities and enhancing operational readiness. The plan includes the Future Naval Base Programme and five other key projects focused on upgrading critical infrastructure, housing, and training facilities to support military capability and personnel wellbeing. This investment not only strengthens national security but also creates construction jobs and economic opportunities across the country.
Tags: Chris Penk Defence Force New Zealand Defence Estate Portfolio Plan Future Naval Base Programme Royal New Zealand Navy Devonport Naval Base Defence Capability Plan Ōhakea Infrastructure Programme Defence Estate Regeneration ProgrammeGovernment Introduces New Building Consent Reforms to Protect Owners and Boost Productivity
1 month ago | 155 viewsThe Government is reforming the building consent system by replacing joint and several liability with proportionate liability, ensuring each party is only responsible for their own work to speed up consents and protect ratepayers. New safeguards include mandatory professional indemnity insurance for designers, compulsory home warranties for most new residential builds and significant renovations, and strengthened disciplinary penalties for Licensed Building Practitioners. These measures aim to enhance accountability, protect building owners, and make the building process faster, easier, and more affordable, with legislative changes expected by 2026.
Tags: Chris Penk Licensed Building Practitioners Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Building Amendment Bill New Zealand Government Building and Construction Minister Building Act Home warranty Professional indemnity insurance Building consent systemGovernment Reforms Building Research Funding to Boost Innovation and Cut Costs in NZ
1 month ago | 155 viewsThe Government is reforming building research funding by repealing the outdated Building Research Levy Act 1969 and consolidating research funding into the existing building levy under the Building Act 2024 to improve transparency, efficiency, and innovation. The new system will centrally manage funds with sector input, ring-fence research funding for long-term projects, and make funding contestable to broaden access for universities and industry organizations, while reducing costs for consent applicants. These changes aim to enhance accountability, support a more resilient building sector, and contribute to making building easier, more affordable, and supportive of economic growth in New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Penk Building Research Levy Act Building Research Association of New Zealand BRANZ Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Building Act 2024 Building Amendment Bill Building Consent Authorities New Zealand GovernmentNew Legislation Allows Skilled Plumbers to Self-Certify Work, Boosting Efficiency
1 month ago | 171 viewsNew legislation has passed its first reading in Parliament allowing skilled plumbers and drainlayers to self-certify their straightforward work, aiming to reduce delays and ease pressure on Building Consent Authorities. Alongside this, a second Bill enhances accountability and disciplinary measures for building professionals by strengthening licensing regimes and improving complaint processes. Together, these Bills seek to support competent tradespeople, streamline the building consent system, and ensure consumer confidence through clear standards and oversight.
Tags: Chris Penk Master Plumbers Licensed Building Practitioners Registrar Building and Construction Minister plumbers drainlayers Licensed Building Practitioners gasfitters electricians Building Consent AuthoritiesVictory Achieved: Lake Wānaka Shoreline Cleared of Invasive Weed
1 month ago | 216 viewsA 20-year campaign to clear Lake Wānaka of an invasive aquatic weed has achieved a major victory, with 40 kilometers of shoreline now weed-free. The success is attributed to collaborative efforts involving various agencies and the community, with innovative control methods like hessian mats proving effective. While progress has been made in shifting the containment line, ongoing vigilance from lake users is crucial to prevent reinfestation and continue pushing towards the ultimate goal of eradicating the weed near the Wānaka township.
Tags: Lake Wānaka Chris Penk LINZ lagarosiphon freshwater ecosystems hessian mats Roys Bay Queenstown Lakes District Council Otago Regional Council Kāi TahuNew Regulations Ease Building Restrictions for Garden Sheds and Garages
2 months ago | 268 viewsHomeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages now face less red tape and delays as the setback distance requirements have been revised. The minimum distance between single-storey buildings under 10 square meters and property boundaries or other buildings has been removed, while the setback distance for buildings between 10 and 30 square meters has been reduced to one meter. These changes aim to make it easier for property owners to construct practical structures without the need for building consent, aligning with efforts to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and improve building affordability and accessibility.
Tags: Changes homeowners garden sheds sleepouts garages red tape Regulation Minister David Seymour Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk setback distance building consentNew Zealand Government Expands Solar Panel Exemptions for Sustainable Construction
2 months ago | 264 viewsThe New Zealand Government is implementing reforms to promote sustainable construction, including a new building consent exemption for rooftop solar panels to create healthier homes and reduce energy bills. The exemption, effective immediately, simplifies the process and is expected to save homeowners around $1,200 per consent. Additionally, the Government plans to introduce a fast-track consent process for sustainable buildings with performance criteria such as energy efficiency and climate resiliency, aiming to provide more choice and affordability for Kiwis while promoting renewable energy adoption.
Tags: Government reforms sustainable construction New Zealand rooftop solar panels Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Building Act solar panel consents KiwisNew Zealand's Minister Chris Penk to Represent Small Business at G20 Trade Meeting in South Africa
2 months ago | 239 viewsSmall Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk is representing New Zealand at the G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting in South Africa, aiming to advance the country's interests with major global economies. New Zealand, as a guest country alongside G20 members, will discuss trade and investment matters, including upholding the international rules-based trading system. During the meeting, Mr Penk will focus on advocating for New Zealand's priorities within the World Trade Organisation while also strengthening the relationship between New Zealand and South Africa.
Tags: Chris Penk Small Business Manufacturing Minister New Zealand G20 Trade Investment South Africa WTO International TradeNew Zealand Approves WaterMark Certification for Over 90,000 Building Products
2 months ago | 328 viewsNew Zealand has expanded access to over 90,000 overseas building products following a law change, with the WaterMark certification scheme now recognized as an endorsed standard. This change aims to make it easier for Kiwi tradies and homeowners to choose from a wide range of plumbing products, boosting competition and lowering costs. By amending the Building Act, the Government has streamlined the approval process for quality overseas building products, ensuring compliance with the Building Code and providing greater choice for building owners and designers.
Tags: Chris Penk WaterMark New Zealand Building Act Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Building Code MBIE Building Consent Authorities Building Product Specifications overseas building productsNew Zealand Defence Industry Strategy: Boosting Local Businesses and Resilience
2 months ago | 305 viewsNew Zealand's Defence Industry Strategy aims to support local businesses in delivering defence equipment and infrastructure, aligning with the 2025 Defence Capability Plan to double defence spending. The strategy emphasizes building a resilient industry to mitigate global tensions and enhance economic growth through collaboration with Kiwi innovators and major suppliers. Key actions include requiring multinational companies to partner with local businesses, establishing a Technology Accelerator, and creating offshore opportunities for showcasing New Zealand-made innovations to international partners.
Tags: Defence Minister Judith Collins Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk Defence Industry Strategy New Zealand industry Defence Capability Plan economy innovation technology suppliersNew Earthquake-Prone Building System: Lowering Costs and Enhancing Safety for Communities
2 months ago | 289 viewsBuilding and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced a shift in the earthquake-prone building system to reduce repair costs and revitalize communities. The current system places a heavy financial burden on building owners, leading to abandoned and unsafe structures. The new risk-based system will focus on high-risk buildings in seismic zones, remove NBS ratings, and provide relief by lowering costs and allowing for extensions to remediation deadlines.
Tags: repair costs communities seismic risk building owners Chris Penk seismic zones New Building Standard remediation deadlines seismic hazard areaDefence Ministry Launches Major Housing Project for Military Families
3 months ago | 351 viewsThe largest Defence housing project in decades has begun, providing modern homes for military families and generating job growth in regional communities, as announced by Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk. The initiative aims to replace outdated homes at various NZDF camps and bases with modern two- and three-bedroom houses to support the wellbeing of military families. The Government plans to invest up to $600 million in the Homes for Families program, with construction already underway at several locations and future projects in the pipeline to improve housing for Defence personnel.
Tags: Defence housing project military families job growth Chris Penk Defence Minister NZDF Homes for Families programme Defence Capability Plan Linton Military Camp Royal New Zealand Air Force