• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

      Districts

      HastingsNapier

      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

      Districts

      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

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Building Inspections

The building consent process is about protecting people and property. When you book and then pass each inspection, and are issued a code compliance certificate, you will have documented assurance that you have met the Building Act requirements. The type of inspections will depend on the nature of your building work.
Most inspections require on-site representation. Please check this when booking your inspection and make sure you can be around. The approved consent plans and associated documents must be on-site for all inspections.

In cases where design professionals (such as engineers) supervise the work, Council also requires documentation from those professionals that the work has been completed according to the approved building consent documents. This is often a producer statement supported by site notes.
Agreement for others to supervise and inspect the work is included as part of the building consent approval.

You must complete a Code Compliance Certificate Application.
Builders and installers usually arrange inspections relevant to their work, but property owners are ultimately responsible for ensuring the building is compliant.

When You Need an Inspection

Inspections cover a range of building and plumbing areas, including:

  • foundations, retaining walls and slabs
  • plumbing and drainage
  • framing, including bracing and air-seals
  • building wrap, flashings and cladding
  • pool fencing
  • solid fuel fireplaces
  • waterproofing on showers, decks, roofs and retaining walls
  • completed works.

The inspections required for your project are listed in the building consent documentation issued by Council. You must keep the approved copy of your building consent on site so the Building Control Officers can check them. If you intend to significantly vary your building work, you must get your building consent amended.

Amendments to a Building Consent

If your plan has changed and you don’t yet have a building consent, simply provide Council with two copies of your plans, showing the proposed changes.

If you already have a building consent and want to make a change

  • Complete an Application to Amend Building Consent (available on the Building Form page)
  • Provide the form and two copies of your amended plans to Council provide the form and two copies of your amended plans to Council (pre July 2017) or upload them to the online portal (post July 2017).
Arranging an inspection

Bookings require at least 24 hours notice. Phone Council to book an inspection.

The following information is required when booking an inspection:

  • Building Consent number
  • address of property where the building work is being done
  • type of inspection required
  • name and phone number of site contact person
A failed inspection

Failed inspections are due to one or more non-compliance being found. The areas of non-compliance will be discussed with the site representative. These will generally result in varying levels of site instruction such as conditional continuation or a stop work. Serious breaches can result in a notice to fix.

Please note that deviations to the plans require amendments and that you will need discuss this with your designer at the earliest opportunity. Amendments can be minor or major depending on the nature of the change.

Site Safety

On the construction site, the safety of people, including Council officers, is your responsibility. This includes providing safe access to all parts of the site to allow work to be inspected. It is a requirement that you or your representative to be on site during the inspection.

Building near powerlines

No person shall erect or cause to permit to be erected any building, structure, scaffold or any other thing, whether of the same nature or not, at a distance in any direction from an aerial conductor of an electric line than that prescribed in the following table (see below).

Notwithstanding subclause (1) of this regulation, an Electrical Supply Authority or Licensee may give permission in writing, for the use of a lesser distance than that prescribed in the table in subclause (1) of this regulation if such lesser distance is not less than the minimum clearance prescribed in Regulation 87 of these regulations in respect of any specific line, voltage and condition of use.

Minimum Distance Under Normal Conditions

Voltage of Line

Vertical Metres

Horizontal Metres

Not exceeding 33,000 volts

4

4

Exceeding 33,000 volts for spans up to 500 meters

8

20

Exceeding 33,000 volts for spans exceeding 500 metres

Such distances as prescribed by the owner of the line but not less than the clearance prescribed in Regulation 38