Kia ora from your BCA team

It has been a busy time here and in recent times. One of our main focuses has been the building up of our team with the hiring of a new Team Leader and additional supporting Building Control Officers. 

Our new and current members of the team are here to support you and come from a diverse range of construction related backgrounds which includes: 

Quantity surveying

Architectural drafting

Engineering drafting

Professional building surveying (including moisture ingress/damage, structural and asbestos management) and 

Carpentry

Building Code Compliance 

We're in this together! Ensuring compliance with the Building Code is key.  When obtaining consents and certifications, we want to assure you that our main focus when processing and inspecting (believe it or not) is to look for compliance. The majority of what we see falls within that threshold and we thank you for this. 

When we have looked at your consent application and cannot establish compliance, we then require more information. Below are some useful ways to establish compliance. Because as much as we may agree with your opinion, we really do need your help to move things along by providing us with clarification, justification and documentation to support your opinion. 

Section 19 of the Building Act 2004 – How compliance with building code is established 

There are many compliance pathways that a BCA can accept to establish compliance with the building code – 

 · Comparison with a compliance document (Acceptable Solution) 

 · Comparison with other documents 

 · Comparison with in-service history 

 · Expert opinion

 · Comparison with a previously accepted alternative solution

 · Product Certification

 · Determination 

 · Verification method 

 · Acceptable Solution 

 · Multiple-use

 · Current registered product certificates

RFI Response Reminder

Requests for further Information (RFI)

Please also remember to “cloud” changes on the plans and only submit the plans which have been changed, in your response.

Minor Variation vs Amendment

We have noticed an increase in queries related to whether onsite changes are a Minor Variation or an Amendment. Please see the MBIE guidance below, anything that does not fit within the diagram below is classed as an Amendment.

Submitting the Minor Variation for Approval 

Please also remember to use the Build Waikato Application for Approval of a Minor Variation form and wherever possible submit the application for variation or amendment prior to proceeding with the changes.  

Engineering – Post Building Consent Changes 

 While an engineer most definitely has the requisite skills to be able to make changes to the design, these changes do still need to be documented and approved either by way of a minor variation or (most likely) an amendment.  

It's Fireplace Season 

Let's keep safe and warm 

We have received many consents for Fireplaces and we have observed that the following information requests from us have been a common occurrence.

Please see the reminders below. 

Interconnected Smoke Alarms are to be designed and positioned in accordance with NZS 4514:2021. Please provide a scaled floor plan demonstrating compliance with this standard. 

Section 112 (1) (i) of the Act requires that alterations to buildings are to comply as nearly as is reasonably practicable with the provisions of the building code that relate to means of escape from fire (i.e smoke alarms). 

We consider the following as confirmation that this request is reasonable. 

The cost is approximately $220 for a packet of six interconnected smoke alarms.

They are easy to install and can be battery operated. 

They are readily available and can be purchased from most hardware stores.

Penetration details – please provide a complying and relevant roof penetration detail. 

Flue Installation – please provide the manufacturers specification and installation documentation for the Flue as well as the Fireplace.  

Below: Schematic of interconnected fire alarm positions, note that alarms must not exceed 5m from any wall and not more than 10m apart. Please also refer to NZS 4514:2021 for further details.

Is there a topic you'd like covered?

Any recommendations for future e-newsletters, please email info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz and attention it to the Building Duty Officer.

Referenced Documents and Useful Links. 

BRANZ Build 113 (1&2) Compliance Pathways.

BUILD113(First Half).indd 

BUILD114(First Half).indd 

MBIE Guidance – Minor Variations. 

Minor variations guidance | Building Performance 

NZS 4514:2021 – Free PDF Standards New Zealand 

Section 112 of the Build Act 2004. 

Building Act 2004 No 72 (as at 08 April 2025), Public Act 112 Alterations to existing buildings – New Zealand Legislation