Dalziel Lianne: Building Bill — First Reading 
Dalziel Lianne: Building Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:611;Page:8425] 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) 
: 
 I move  
That the Building Bill be now read a first time. 
 I will be moving that the bill be referred to the Government Administration Committee. 
This bill is the culmination of an extensive range of reviews and a thorough consultation process and I wish to pay tribute to the literally hundreds of stakeholders who have offered advice during its development. I particularly want to thank all the retired builders and engineers who have made contact with me personally to talk me through some of the wisdom they have managed to accumulate over a number of years. I have found that very very helpful indeed. 
This bill marks an important milestone in the development of an appropriate regulatory framework for the building industry that both the industry and consumers have been seeking. Although the weathertightness issue was a catalyst for this work scrutiny of the industry through the Hunn committee the Government Administration Committee’s inquiry into weathertightness and indeed the review of the Building Act itself allowed us to look at wider issues relating to building regulation. Like a well-designed building the changes reflected in this bill are a complementary and integrated package. They are designed to work together to minimise risks of future regulatory failure. The catchphrase I have acquired for myself over recent weeks since we concluded the discussion document work is “design and build it right first time”. That has become a motto for me and if we can get that right then the risk of the kinds of things we have seen happen in the past occurring again will be minimised. That does not mean there will not be failure. We cannot actually prevent failure from occurring altogether and that is why the bill addresses consumer protection as well. 
In the discussion document we issued I said that the pendulum had swung too far one way and it was our challenge to ensure that it did not swing too far the other way. I believe that the bill represents a position of balance. That being said in my view there are those who overstate the innovation versus prescription line implying that they are opposites. They are not. Innovation cannot be used as an excuse not to build homes that are weathertight to use a very relevant example. I think that needs to be held in people’s minds—that innovation cannot be used as an excuse not to deliver a minimum standard for consumers. 
The performance-based approach has been retained but adapted to provide greater information on the outcomes sought their measurement and best practice on how to achieve them. There are changes to improve monitoring and enforcement of the building control system and to ensure the competence of those who provide the services—the designers the builders and other critical sub-trades. 
The purpose of the bill is established in the legislation. The performance standards and the licensing regime are designed to ensure that people who use buildings can do so safely and without endangering their health that buildings provide an appropriate level of amenity for people who use them that people can escape from buildings if the buildings are on fire and that buildings are constructed and used in ways that promote sustainable development. 
This bill strengthens the building regulatory regime by providing the framework to ensure that inputs into buildings are of high quality. There is a strengthening of the role of the regulator and there will be a review of the building code within 2 years to make sure it is specific enough about standards. The bill provides for the development of compliance documents that set out how the building code standards may be met and for best-practice guidance documents to provide information to territorial authorities in recognition that they are co-regulators in respect of this legislation. It requires accreditation and audits of building consent authorities and provides for the licensing of building practitioners. 
On the consumer side the bill incorporates a reference to amenity alongside the existing references to health and safety. It requires the regulator to achieve the overall purposes of the bill but also to take account of the important role played by household units in people’s lives. It gives express recognition to the importance of standards of design and construction in achieving its objectives increases the emphasis on durability and standards of maintenance and provides for mandatory standard warranties. Sustainable development will be promoted by the development of building standards in relation to energy efficiency energy conservation water efficiency and water conservation. 
This bill has had a lot of input already and I am sure that the select committee process will see it even further improved. I am very committed to maintaining the open mind I have had on this bill right from the outset. I know that stakeholders will be keen to pursue some matters as they have already raised them with me. For example I know that many would like to see further work done on the question of developers—from the perspective of the consumer but also from the perspective of the head contractor—and I know that bonds will be the subject of much discussion at the select committee. I commend the bill to the House.