Real progress, practical steps, and more to come
In recent weeks, we’ve seen two important announcements from the Government that mark a welcome shift in how our regulatory system supports the building sector.
These changes won’t fix every challenge, you, our members face - but they are real steps in the right direction. They reflect a growing recognition that to build more homes, more affordably, we need to make it easier to get on with the job.
Building Code stability: certainty our members can work with
The Government has announced it will move to a three-yearly cycle for updates to the Building Code. For many of our members, this change will come as a relief.
We’ve long heard frustration about the unpredictability of regulatory updates - particularly the way changes like H1 insulation standards and E3 waterproofing rules have been rolled out. When different councils interpret the same rule in different ways, or when changes are introduced with little notice or support, it creates confusion, cost, and delay.
A fixed three-year cycle gives builders, designers, and suppliers the certainty they need to plan and invest. It allows time for proper training and guidance. And it means changes can be properly implemented, rather than rushed through without regard for practical realities on site.
It’s a sensible reform and one that supports better outcomes for builders and homeowners alike.
New product approvals: a win for flexibility and affordability
We also recently had the opportunity to host the Prime Minister and Building and Construction Minister at a Mike Greer Homes site in Mt Roskill, where they announced a new regulatory pathway for overseas building products.
The goal is simple: get safe, high-quality materials into the market faster. By streamlining the approval process, the Government expects to enable access to up to 250,000 new products. These are materials that would previously have faced lengthy, expensive assessments.
This is welcome news. Product shortages and supply constraints have been a persistent headache for many builders, contributing to delays and adding cost. Greater access to trusted international products means more flexibility for builders, more competition in the market, and better outcomes for clients.
It’s not a silver bullet - but it’s certainly not going to leave us any worse off.
Part of a bigger picture
Both of these reforms respond to long-standing challenges our sector has raised - uncertainty, complexity, and cost. They are practical steps that ease pressure on builders and help restore momentum across the industry.
But we also know they are just pieces of a much larger puzzle.
If we’re serious about improving housing affordability, lifting productivity, and delivering better value for clients, then we need to see further action across procurement, consenting, and planning. We need greater consistency across Building Consent Authorities. We need delivery models that work for both public and private sector clients. And we need a clear, forward-looking pipeline of projects.
That’s the conversation we’ll continue to lead on your behalf with policymakers, agencies, and industry partners.
Join us at Constructive 2025
These issues, and the bigger picture, will all be on the table at Constructive 2025, our national forum on 11–12 September at the Aotea Centre in Auckland.
We’ll hear from leaders across Government, business, and the construction sector about what it will take to truly unlock delivery and how we can work together to make it happen.
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to register early. It’s shaping up to be a powerful two days of insights, connections, and forward momentum.
Ngā mihi nui,
Ankit Sharma
CEO, Master Builders