This Government bill amends the Building Act 2004 to respond to competition issues by removing barriers to overseas building products entering New Zealand's market and being used in buildings. It was enacted as the Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Act 2025.
This Government bill amends the Building Act 2004 to make it easier to use building products that are already certified and widely used overseas. It lets the government formally recognise trusted overseas standards and certification schemes, creates a new “Building Product Specification” so international standards can be cited to show a product meets the Building Code, and requires Building Consent Authorities (the councils that sign off building work) to accept overseas products that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has recognised. It affects builders, designers, product suppliers, councils, and homeowners.
The bill responds to concerns that New Zealand’s building-products market lacks competition, keeping materials expensive and supply narrow. The main argument for is that recognising proven overseas products should widen choice, lower construction costs, and improve supply-chain resilience. The main argument against is that products certified for overseas conditions may not suit New Zealand’s climate, seismic risk, or Building Code, so councils and builders must still make sure each product is genuinely fit for its intended purpose.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.