Articles tagged with Mbie

New Zealand Approves WaterMark Certification for Over 90,000 Building Products

1 month ago | 178 views

New 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 products

Introducing the Employment Leave Act: Simplifying Leave Entitlements for Employers and Employees

1 month ago | 303 views

The speaker acknowledges the complexity and challenges associated with the Holidays Act 2003, highlighting the need for reform to simplify calculations and reduce compliance costs. They introduce the Employment Leave Act as a replacement, outlining key changes such as transitioning to an hours-based accrual system for annual and sick leave. Additionally, the new legislation includes provisions for casual workers through a Leave Compensation Payment system and addresses issues related to parental leave entitlements, with a focus on clarity, fairness, and simplicity in the new employment laws.

Tags: Holidays Act 2003 Employment Leave Act Cabinet MBIE EMA members Leave Compensation Payment parental leave annual leave sick leave public holidays

New Regulations Speed Up Building Inspection Wait Times, Boosting Efficiency and Cutting Costs

2 months ago | 359 views

New regulations mandate Building Consent Authorities to complete 80% of building inspections within three working days of the date requested by the building owner, aiming to reduce delays and costs in construction projects. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will publish quarterly wait time data for every council to improve transparency and performance. Additional reforms include a self-certification scheme for reputable building companies and homeowners being able to build a granny flat without consent, all aimed at streamlining processes and holding accountable those responsible for substandard work.

Tags: Chris Penk Building and Construction Minister Building inspections Building Consent Authorities MBIE Wait times Building projects Regulatory reforms Building companies Councils

New Zealand Government Enhances Building Code for Improved Fire Safety

3 months ago | 782 views

The Government will amend the Building Code to enhance fire safety protections for New Zealanders, prompted by a nationwide fire safety review following a tragic fire at Loafers Lodge in Wellington. Over 100 organizations and individuals contributed feedback during the consultation, highlighting the need for clearer regulations and improved evacuation measures, especially in larger residential buildings. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will incorporate this feedback into proposed Building Code changes separate from the regular update cycle, with a focus on aligning fire safety provisions with modern technologies and ensuring the safety of occupants and firefighters.

Tags: Government Building Code New Zealanders fire safety Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Loafers Lodge Wellington

Government Pauses Major Changes to Building Code System for Certainty in Construction Sector

3 months ago | 668 views

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced a pause on major changes to the Building Code system to provide stability and clarity for the building sector amidst disruptions from the pandemic and supply chain challenges. The government aims to implement a predictable three-year cycle for updates, allowing businesses to plan ahead and invest with confidence. While major changes will be paused, updates related to life safety, energy efficiency, Building Product Specifications, and fire safety will continue, supporting economic growth and productivity improvements in the building sector.

Tags: Government Building sector Building Code system Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Builders Designers Developers

New Zealand Passes Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Legislation for National Security

3 months ago | 684 views

New Zealand's Parliament has passed legislation under urgency to regulate ground-based space infrastructure, enhancing national security and protecting against foreign interference, according to Space Minister Judith Collins. The Outer Space High Altitude Activities Amendment Bill aims to ensure the safe and responsible use of space, with oversight and safeguards for satellite operations starting from 29 July. Operators will need to meet security requirements and undergo due diligence to obtain authorisation, with enforcement powers in place to address any national security concerns.

Tags: Legislation foreign interference national interests Space Minister Judith Collins national security satellite operations regulatory settings MBIE enforcement powers