Chief Executive's overview
This is our third Statement of Intent and it reflects an exciting and challenging time for the Department. The first phase of the large programme of reforms across the building and housing sector is now complete or nearing completion. Over the next two years our focus moves from design and development to the implementation and roll-out of new systems across the sector. 2007/08 is a very significant year with some key parts of the Building Act 2004 coming into effect.
These new systems will set the professional standards and requirements for building practitioners and for territorial authorities as building consent authorities. They will improve outcomes for those with leaky homes and help them resolve issues. Consumers and potential home buyers will be better able to access information to assist them to make well-informed choices when buying a home.
The law covering the rental housing market and apartment dwellings will be updated to better reflect current and future needs of landlords and tenants and the realities of modern apartment living and higher density housing environments. A product certification scheme will be implemented and work undertaken with designers, builders, local authorities, product suppliers and manufacturers to explore further ways of ensuring a better informed sector and better informed consumers.
Licensing of building practitioners and accreditation of building consent authorities will recognise and lift skills and performance and improve accountability. It will restore pride in a job well done and give greater assurance to consumers that the people designing, building and inspecting their homes and buildings have the skills required to do the job - and to do the job right.
The outcome from the review of the Building Code will put in place the building performance requirements for the next decade and beyond and will define how the built environment works for New Zealanders in terms of their homes and buildings. How we address the question of sustainability will be a key part of this and we can expect major strides in the energy efficiency performance of homes and buildings.
The Government has set out its expectations and broader goals around economic transformation, families and national identity as well as sustainability. The Department will contribute to these goals through its work programme and the overall outcome it is working to achieve: The people of New Zealand have access to quality homes and buildings that meet their needs, reflect our environment and contribute to a sustainable New Zealand.
We are also moving to the next stage of the Department's development. With the transfer of the Electrical Workers Licensing Group last September, our component parts are now all in place.
To deliver the ambitious work programme we have in front of us and on our vision we need to continue to build the capability of the Department. We need to ensure we are focused on the right things and that we are delivering value to the building and construction sector, to consumers and New Zealanders who use our services and the Government.
Through our Building for the Future organisational development programme we are actively focused on building the organisation, the culture and the leadership capability we need to successfully deliver on our role as the Department of Building and Housing. A new organisational structure came into effect on 1 March 2007 and the new Strategic Leadership Team is in place to provide the leadership to take the organisation forward and to deliver the next stage of the reforms. This is an evolutionary process as we build on our successes and lessons learned and develop our knowledge and understanding of the sector. We are also starting to realise the benefits of being one organisation and working together in an integrated way to leverage opportunities and better deliver on strategic priorities such as improved monitoring of Housing New Zealand Corporation and improved access to the services we provide throughout New Zealand.
Underpinning everything we do is our commitment to 'working with' the sector, with local government, and with consumers. We have a strong focus on consumer information and communication and there are some important initiatives proposed in 2007 for homeowners and homebuyers and around energy efficiency. There is active engagement with local government and assistance and support for them with the changes they are making to meet accreditation requirements. Sector groups and representatives have been, and will continue to be, actively involved in system design, technical work and guidance documents and providing technical expertise. The insights and practical advice provided by a wide range of stakeholders is greatly valued and has assisted in resolving some difficult and complex issues.
As is always the case - in the end it is people who make things happen. I look forward to working together with my Strategic Leadership Team and all those in the Department and across the sector to make 2007/08 a successful year of change.
Katrina Bach
Chief Executive