Subject Guides: Construction / Painting / Joinery Trades: Legislation, Standards and Guides

Building legislation and codes

BRANZ: Contracts and consumer protection
Looks at the Building Act, Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees act.
BRANZ Building blocks for building controls
An article in Build, November 2008 about the Building Code and the Building Act clarifying these two pieces of legislation
Building Contracts and Consumer Protection : A tradies guide
The BCITO discusses building contracts, insurance, managing a project and consumer protection.
Building Contracts and Consumer Protection : A tradies guide
The BCITO discusses building contracts, insurance, managing a project and consumer protection.
Building Legislation: A tradies guide
The BCITO review building legislation, regulations, consents and licensing.
Business.govt.nz: Going contracting
If you or the people you advise are contracting — or thinking about it — these tips, tools, templates and case studies can help.
Christchurch City Council - Bylaws
Christchurch City Council - Consents and Licences
Environmental Legislation: A tradies guide
The BCITO cover environmental legislation, resource consent, land transfer and hazardous substances.
New Zealand Legislation (2004) Building Act 2004
Resource Management Act 1991
In February 2021, the Government confirmed that the RMA is to be replaced by three separate acts. These will be the Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA), the Strategic Planning Act (SPA), and the Climate Change Adaptation Act (CAA). These new laws are to be drafted and implemented within the current term of Government.
What you should know about the RMA
Consumer explains the Act - when you might need resource consent in relation to building work. Why you need to have one and how to apply for one.

Image: Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd.

New Zealand Building Code

This is the latest edition of the New Zealand Building Code published in 2014. This is has been published in accordance with the Building Act 2004. All building work in New Zealand must comply with the Building Code, even if it doesn’t require a building consent. This ensures buildings are safe, healthy and durable for everyone who may use them.

Health and Safety

The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 : A tradies guide
Guide from the BCITO about why the Act needed to change and what the purpose of the Act is.
WorkSafe guidelines for the construction industry
Understanding the new Health and Safety at Work Act
Outlines what this legislation means for employees and employers.

Other WorkSafe Construction Health and Safety Guides:

Toolbox talk:

Wood dust and your health (These can be delivered as part of a team meeting or training session)

Part One:
To raise awareness of the health risks from wood dust and why health monitoring is important for workers
Part Two
Covers local exhaust ventilation and respiratory protective equipment which are controls that can be used to protect workers health.

Common Standards

Image: Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd.

Access New Zealand Standards Online Library to find the Standards below:

How do I find a New Zealand Standard?

NZS3604:2011 Timber framed buildings
NZS3602:2003 Timber and wood-based products for use in building
NZS/AS4251:1974 Code of practice for solid plastering
AS/NZS2311:2009 Guide to the painting of buildings
AS/NZS 4387.0:1996 Domestic kitchen assemblies - Methods of test - Introduction, list of methods and general requirements
NZS 3619:1979 Specification for timber windows
Building related Standards (Free to download)
MBIE has funded a number of building standards for free download. This initiative fits within Standards New Zealand’s strategy of working with regulators and industry to get more standards pre-funded, as well as enabling better access to standards that make a difference to the wellbeing of New Zealanders.