Kiwi tradies and homeowners now have easier access to tens of thousands of additional plumbing and drainage products, following the Government’s latest move to recognise more overseas-certified materials.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has recognised a second tranche of products certified under Australia’s WaterMark scheme, issuing 54 recognition notices covering around 38,274 products. These products are already widely used in Australia and familiar to many New Zealand builders.
Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the change builds on an earlier round in October, which made more than 90,000 WaterMark-approved products easier to access.
“While these materials are already tried and tested in Australia and familiar to many tradies in New Zealand, Kiwi builders and designers previously had to individually demonstrate that each product met Building Code requirements when applying for consent to use it,” he said.
Mr Penk said amendments to the Building Act now allowed MBIE to recognise overseas-certified products in bulk, rather than one at a time. The recognition notices mean Building Consent Authorities must accept these products as compliant, reducing red tape, costs and delays.
He said broader access to materials will help address supply chain disruptions and improve competition. “Supply chain shocks and shortages choke building productivity. Better access and greater choice provide industry with more resilience and increases market competition to put downwards pressure on prices for tradies and homeowners.”
What this could mean for homeowners
For homeowners, especially those planning renovations or new builds, greater product availability may gradually lead to more competitive pricing and fewer delays waiting for materials. It also gives builders and designers more flexibility when specifying products that meet performance standards.
Mr Penk added that further reviews were under way, with more categories such as plasterboard, cladding, windows and doors expected to be considered. He said making it easier and more affordable to deliver homes and public buildings would help ease house prices and lift living standards.
While these changes do not directly affect mortgage rates or lending policy, lower building costs over time can influence overall housing supply and affordability, which in turn shapes the wider property market.
Clients planning a build or major renovation may benefit from guidance on how material costs and project timelines affect their finance arrangements, and I’d be grateful if you could refer them to me.
