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Specialty Timbers NZ

Specialty Timbers Newsletter 28

Secretary:
Eric Cairns
04 526 7929
Message secretary		  

Specialty Timbers NZ is an industry body representing the interests of specialty timber producers and users in New Zealand. We support and advocate for locally produced timbers and local markets for our products. We represent all facets of industry – membership ranges from growers right through to designers and users of timber.

In this newsletter:

  • Editorial
  • Making it easier to build standalone dwellings

Editorial

 

Editor

If you have a story for this newsletter, please get in touch with the newsletter editor.

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Making it easier to build standalone dwellings

The Government is making it easier to build small standalone dwellings, known as ‘granny flats’, improving affordable housing options and ensuring Kiwis have safe, healthy and durable homes to live in.

Work is underway to enable small standalone dwellings to be built without a building consent, the building consent exemption is expected to be in force by early 2026. 

The proposed building consent exemption will allow small standalone dwellings up to 70 square metres in size, commonly known as granny flats, to be built without a building consent if: 

it has a simple design and meets the Building Code 
building work is carried out or supervised by licensed building professionals 
homeowners notify their local council before they commence building and once it is completed.   

Until the law changes by early 2026, small standalone dwellings still need a building consent.

The proposed exemption will not apply to any building work in progress or existing structures, it will only apply to small standalone dwellings built after the exemption is in force.

If you are unsure whether building work needs a building consent or not, check with your local council.  

More information about the small standalone dwelling changes

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Removing barriers to overseas building products

The Government has passed legislation that makes changes to the Building Act that target each level of the building product assurance system - standards, certification schemes and compliance pathways.

This will deliver the greatest benefit to improve competition by:  

  • enabling recognition of overseas standards and standards certification schemes
  • streamlining the citing of international standards with the new Building Product Specifications to show compliance with the Building Code
  • requiring BCAs to accept building products certified overseas and recognised by the regulator, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).  

By July 2025, the new pathway for streamlining citing of international standards will be in place, which will enable essential building products (such as plasterboard, cladding and insulation) to be more widely accepted for use by building consent authorities (BCAs).

Find out more about overseas building products 

Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on this site, Specialty Timbers New Zealand Inc. do not accept liability for any consequences arising from reliance on the information published. If readers have any doubts about acting on any articles they should seek confirming, professional advice.




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