Hundreds of submissions on occupational regulation review

A total of 643 submissions were made during the recent consultation on occupational regulation reforms in the building and construction sector, with a summary of findings published on August 11. 

For licensed building practitioners, MBIE consulted on proposals for change regarding supervision and licensing and sought feedback on issues with competencies. The occupational regulation reforms are part of a series of changes to the wider Building System Reforms, ‘which aim to lift the performance of the building regulatory system, ensuring building work is done right the first time and providing fairer outcomes if things go wrong,’ say the Building Performance Team at MBIE.

It released a public consultation document in February this year, asking for feedback by April 6, on:

• Proposed changes to the licensing and supervision areas for the Licensed Building Practitioners regime, and the competencies and minimum standards that must be met to be licensed
• The scope of a proposed code of ethics for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers, and electrical workers
• The future of the Registered Architects Act 2005

“The consultation received responses from a broad range of stakeholders across the building and construction sector, particularly from registered architects,” said MBIE’s Building Performance Team. “We have analysed the submissions and published a summary of these on the MBIE website.”

A total of 643 submissions were received on the discussion document, from a broad range of submitters. MBIE received 178 written submissions and 464 online submissions, one over the phone, the summary report says. Of the submissions received, 115 were sent in by registered architects and architectural graduates supporting the submission made by the New Zealand Institute of Architects. MBIE received responses from submitters representing a cross-section of the building and construction sector.

Architects comprised the largest group of submitters (294), followed by licensed electricians (75), design LBPs (65) and LBPs (46). Submissions were received from all over the country, with the majority coming from Auckland (205), with a strong representation from Wellington (129) too.

Next steps

“Over the next year, we will undertake targeted consultation to confirm the changes to the Licensed Building Practitioner regime’s supervision and licensing areas. In 2024, we will further consult on the Registered Architects regime, the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers regime and the Electrical Workers regime.”