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

      Hawke's Bay

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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

      View Homepage

      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.

      Tooltip

Consents

Avoid the stress involved in building a home or altering your existing home by working with your Council. A Building Consent (previously known as a building permit) is generally needed to do any structural alterations or new work. This includes plumbing and drainage.

Consult with Council staff early about your project to avoid delays and unnecessary costs later on. Council staff have the experience, willingness and ability to help you get a Building Consent for your project and to ensure that the building will comply with the standards set by the New Zealand Building Code.

It is advisable to get a professional to help with your plans if you are not skilled in this area (refer to therestricted building work and licensed building practitioners information page) . Should your plans comply with the Building Code you will be issued with a Building Consent without delay.

Council staff will inspect the job as it progresses and if the plans are adhered to, a Code of Compliance Certificate will be issued on completion of the work. This certifies that all the requirements have been complied with and that you can start using the building. Select your builder and advisor carefully.

Work Not Requiring a Building Consent

In December 2010 there were some changes made around the work allowed to be done without a building consent. By law, most work needs to be completed by a registered professional and all work needs to meet the standards of the:

  • Building Code
  • Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006
  • Electricity Act 1992
  • Resource Management Act 1991

Some building works do not require Building Consents. Very briefly these are:

  • routine maintenance
  • power poles
  • dams – please contact the Regional Council, who have jurisdiction for all dam building consents
  • any mast or pole less than 7 metres high
  • any retaining wall less than 1.5 metres high that does not support any load
  • any wall or fence less than 2 metres high
  • any tank or pool at ground level that holds less than 25,000 litres, and above ground tanks of lesser capacity
  • the construction, alteration or removal or any tent or marquee that has a floor area not exceeding 100 square metres if that tent or marquee is, or has been, for private use for a period of not more than one month.
  • any platform or bridge less than 1 metre above ground level

As the above is only a brief outline of the ‘exempt building schedule’ owners should contact one of Council’s Building Control Officers for clarification, particularly if they have any doubts or concerns or refer to the following form:

When you apply for a building consent you need to supply detailed information, documentation and a fee based on the value of the project.
If insufficient information is supplied or the application (form 2) is not completed it will be returned to you.
Please note a full description of the proposed work is required in the application form eg: if the application is for a new house with a solar water heating system and a free standing fireplace please state this.

If you wish to make an alteration to an existing Building Consent you can apply for an amendment; there may be a charge for this.
For building consents issued from 31 March 2005, the Building Act 2004 requires that the building must comply with the issued building consent. It is therefore important that significant variations from the approved Building Consent are recorded by the issue of an amendment to the Building Consent.

Related Content