Thousands of new products are set to become Building Code compliant later this month, and MBIE is seeking feedback on Building Product Specifications.
By the end of July, a new pathway for streamlining compliance with the Building Code will enable more than 12,000 essential products – such as plasterboard, cladding and insulation – to be more widely accepted for use by building consent authorities.
The changes will also enable the recognition of overseas certified building products and methods later this year.
MBIE is developing three new pathways in which overseas building products can be recognised in Aotearoa New Zealand following the passing of The Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Act 2025.
The Government has announced a package of initiatives it says will make it easier to use building products from overseas, by providing assurance that they will be accepted by BCAs as complying with the Building Code.
The three new pathways are:
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A new document, known as the Building Product Specifications, containing specifications and overseas building product standards that can be used as part of an acceptable solution or verification method compliance pathway.
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Recognition from MBIE of building products and methods certified overseas. This pathway will have strict criteria set in regulations for approving specific overseas certified products and methods as deemed-to-comply with the Building Code. Councils will still need to assess proposed building work so products are being used for their stated purpose but will have to accept them. MBIE expects to assess and potentially recognise the Australian WaterMark certification scheme as part of the first phase of introducing this pathway.
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Groups of overseas standards and standards certification schemes endorsed by the Minister for Building and Construction. This pathway will also have decision-making criteria set in regulations to give consenting authorities greater confidence in products tested against certain overseas standards and standards certification schemes.
The Government is currently developing regulations for these pathways to ensure only top-quality products enter the market.
This comes after the Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill giving effect to these changes was passed by Parliament on 2 April 2025.
The passing of the Bill was an important step forward to make it easier and more affordable to build in Aotearoa New Zealand by boosting consumer choice and access to internationally-recognised products.
Under the new system, unnecessary and costly delays can be avoided because builders and designers will be able to count on high-quality building products from overseas being accepted for use.
These changes will also support local manufacturers to test their products against widely accepted overseas standards, opening the door to important export markets, said MBIE’s Building Performance team, which hosted a webinar on 9 June 2025 to discuss what these pathways will look like.
Views sought on new Building Product Specifications
Tradies, local authorities, designers, retailers and the public are being urged to have their say on the draft document that would enable many more overseas products to be easily used in New Zealand.
Dr Dave Gittings, Manager, Building Performance and Engineering, said: “This new document streamlines the process for those looking to use proven and tested overseas products, knowing they will be accepted through the consenting system.”
“The draft Building Product Specifications document contains specifications and overseas standards that can be used to demonstrate compliance with the Building Code.
“Designers will be able to use overseas products that comply with any one of these standards and specifications to show the building work meets overall Building Code requirements.
On 3 June, Building Performance released the proposed first version of this document, containing specifications and standards for products, such as windows, plasterboard and cladding.
“We will be rolling out further updates to this document over time, as well as developing other pathways for recognising overseas products,” said Gittings.
“We think there’ll be a lot of interest in the changes - from councils who will be using the Building Product Specifications when assessing compliance - to designers, builders and developers keen to understand what other options are out there, and I’d like to encourage everyone to have their say.”
Where can I find more information?
The BuiltReady pages at www.building.govt.nz contain detailed information about the scheme including scheme rules and guidance material.
