Building Code
Structure
Structure covers foundations, framing, bracing, retaining, fixings, load paths, wind, earthquake, and other loads.
What construction managers usually check
- Build to consented structural drawings
- Check bracing and fixing evidence
- Do not allow structural changes without engineer/designer direction
Documents that usually control the work
- Structural drawings
- Geotechnical report
- NZS 3604 where applicable
- Engineer details
- Consent conditions
Warning: Specific engineered design or consented drawings override generic recognition notes.
Source / Where to check
Check structure requirements, B1/AS1, Verification Methods, structural engineer design, bracing, foundations, wind, earthquake, and consented structural drawings.
Use where the project is within NZS 3604 scope; always confirm against the consented structural drawings and engineer details.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Insufficient data to verify
Insufficient data to verify — check the consented drawings, project specification, relevant NZ Standard, or council requirement.
Building Code
Durability
Durability is about materials lasting long enough for their role in the building and environment.
What construction managers usually check
- Check timber treatment
- Check corrosion compatibility
- Check product storage and coating requirements
Documents that usually control the work
- Project specification
- Product data
- Manufacturer warranty
- Consent drawings
Warning: A product substitution can change durability and warranty obligations.
Source / Where to check
Check durability expectations for materials and systems, alongside manufacturer literature and consented specifications.
Manufacturer specification
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Insufficient data to verify
Insufficient data to verify — check the consented drawings, project specification, relevant NZ Standard, or council requirement.
Building Code
Fire safety
For residential work this may include alarms, fire separations, surface finishes, penetrations, and specific consented requirements.
What construction managers usually check
- Check smoke alarm and fire separation details where specified
- Check penetrations through rated/acoustic elements
- Collect product/system evidence
Documents that usually control the work
- Consented fire/acoustic details
- Product system manuals
- Inspection requirements
Warning: Do not create fire-stopping details from memory; use specified tested systems.
Source / Where to check
Use MBIE Building Performance to find the current Building Code clauses, Acceptable Solutions, Verification Methods, updates, and technical guidance.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Manufacturer specification
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Insufficient data to verify
Insufficient data to verify — check the consented drawings, project specification, relevant NZ Standard, or council requirement.
Building Code
Access
Access covers safe entry, stairs, ramps, doorways, paths, and movement routes where the Building Code or consent requires them.
What construction managers usually check
- Check consented stair/path/deck details
- Check slip/trip/fall risks
- Check handrails/barriers where shown
Documents that usually control the work
- Architectural drawings
- Landscape/site levels
- Stair/barrier details
Warning: Dimensions and barrier requirements must be verified from current code documents and consented details.
Source / Where to check
Use MBIE Building Performance to find the current Building Code clauses, Acceptable Solutions, Verification Methods, updates, and technical guidance.
Check barriers, stairs, decks, retaining drops, fall risks, consented details, and inspection requirements.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Insufficient data to verify
Insufficient data to verify — check the consented drawings, project specification, relevant NZ Standard, or council requirement.
Building Code
Moisture
Moisture includes keeping external water out, managing internal wet areas, and preventing surface water problems.
What construction managers usually check
- Track roof/cladding/waterproofing details
- Photograph hidden membranes/cavities
- Check drainage and falls
Documents that usually control the work
- E1/E2/E3 details
- Manufacturer manuals
- Architectural sections
- Drainage drawings
Warning: Weathertightness details are project-specific; never assume one product detail works for another.
Source / Where to check
Check stormwater, surface water, drainage paths, and council/engineer stormwater design.
Check E2/AS1, consented wall/roof details, cladding specifications, flashing details, and manufacturer installation requirements.
Check wet-area surfaces, ventilation, waterproofing details, and manufacturer systems against consented documents.
Manufacturer specification
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Insufficient data to verify
Insufficient data to verify — check the consented drawings, project specification, relevant NZ Standard, or council requirement.
Building Code
External moisture
External moisture is the control of rainwater at roofs, walls, openings, cladding, decks, junctions, and penetrations.
What construction managers usually check
- Check E2 details and manufacturer manuals
- Check flashings before cover
- Check finished ground/deck clearances
Documents that usually control the work
- E2/AS1 where applicable
- Cladding/roofing manuals
- Consented details
Warning: Use the exact detail for the product, exposure, geometry, and consent.
Source / Where to check
Check E2/AS1, consented wall/roof details, cladding specifications, flashing details, and manufacturer installation requirements.
Manufacturer specification
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Use BRANZ Build, Level, and technical guidance for practical construction explanations. Verify final requirements against consented documents and standards.
Building Code
Internal moisture
Internal moisture covers wet areas, waterproofing, impervious surfaces, ventilation, and condensation control.
What construction managers usually check
- Check bathroom/laundry waterproofing
- Check ventilation/extract systems
- Collect installer declarations and photos
Documents that usually control the work
- Wet-area details
- Waterproofing manual
- Ventilation design
- Fixture schedules
Warning: Do not tile or line over wet-area details until required evidence is captured.
Source / Where to check
Check wet-area surfaces, ventilation, waterproofing details, and manufacturer systems against consented documents.
Manufacturer specification
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Building Code / WorkSafe
Safety from falling
Covers permanent barriers/stairs/decks and temporary construction fall risks.
What construction managers usually check
- Check temporary edge protection
- Check permanent barrier/stair details
- Escalate unclear drop risks
Documents that usually control the work
- F4 consented details
- Site H&S plan
- Scaffold/edge protection records
Warning: Permanent Building Code compliance and temporary WorkSafe controls are both relevant.
Source / Where to check
Check barriers, stairs, decks, retaining drops, fall risks, consented details, and inspection requirements.
Use WorkSafe NZ for construction health and safety duties, risk management, and practical guidance for residential construction work.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Services
Services
Services include water, wastewater, stormwater, power, gas, data, HVAC, ventilation, and appliance connections.
What construction managers usually check
- Coordinate rough-ins before lining
- Check service clashes
- Collect tests/certificates/as-builts
Documents that usually control the work
- Services layouts
- Electrical/plumbing/mechanical drawings
- Product manuals
- Certificates
Warning: Routes and certificates are often needed for CCC and future maintenance.
Source / Where to check
Use MBIE Building Performance to find the current Building Code clauses, Acceptable Solutions, Verification Methods, updates, and technical guidance.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Manufacturer specification
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Insufficient data to verify
Insufficient data to verify — check the consented drawings, project specification, relevant NZ Standard, or council requirement.
Services
Plumbing
Plumbing covers water supply, fixtures, valves, hot water systems, and pipework.
What construction managers usually check
- Check rough-in against layouts
- Check pressure/testing evidence
- Photograph pipes before lining
Documents that usually control the work
- Plumbing layouts
- G12 guidance
- Fixture schedules
- Manufacturer manuals
Warning: Use registered/certifying practitioners where required and collect certification evidence.
Source / Where to check
Check hot/cold water supply requirements, plumber producer statements/certificates where applicable, and consented plumbing layouts.
Manufacturer specification
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Services
Drainage
Drainage covers foul water and stormwater routes, falls, access points, and connections.
What construction managers usually check
- Check falls and pipe routes before backfill
- Book inspections before cover
- Keep as-built photos
Documents that usually control the work
- Drainage plan
- Civil plan
- Council inspection requirements
- As-builts
Warning: A buried drainage mistake can delay CCC and cost a lot to expose later.
Source / Where to check
Check stormwater, surface water, drainage paths, and council/engineer stormwater design.
Auckland Council explains local building consent processes, CCC, related certificates, producer statements, LBP notification, and whether resource consent may also be needed.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Building Code
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency covers the thermal envelope: insulation, glazing, slab/floor/roof/wall performance, and supporting calculations.
What construction managers usually check
- Check H1 report against installed products
- Photograph insulation before lining
- Check substitutions
Documents that usually control the work
- H1 report
- Insulation schedule
- Window schedule
- Product data
Warning: Do not substitute insulation or glazing without checking H1 impact.
Source / Where to check
Check insulation, glazing, thermal envelope, energy calculations, and consented H1 documentation.
Manufacturer specification
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Services
Ventilation
Ventilation covers natural/mechanical ventilation and extraction from wet areas or kitchens where designed.
What construction managers usually check
- Check fan/duct routes
- Check termination/penetration details
- Collect commissioning/manuals
Documents that usually control the work
- Ventilation layout
- Electrical plan
- Manufacturer manual
- Wet-area details
Warning: Insufficient data to verify exact airflow — confirm against consented design and manufacturer data.
Source / Where to check
Use MBIE Building Performance to find the current Building Code clauses, Acceptable Solutions, Verification Methods, updates, and technical guidance.
Manufacturer specification
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
WorkSafe
Excavations
Excavation work involves collapse risk, services, plant, access, water, spoil, and emergency controls.
What construction managers usually check
- Locate services
- Check ground and water
- Control access/spoil/plant
- Escalate unstable ground
Documents that usually control the work
- Excavation plan
- Service locate records
- Geotechnical report
- Task analysis
Warning: Excavation safety is site-specific and changes after rain, vibration, loading, and ground changes.
Source / Where to check
Use for excavation risk management, trenching, collapse, services, access, exclusion, and emergency planning.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
WorkSafe
Working at height
Height work includes roofing, framing, scaffold, ladders, openings, decks, and any place a fall could cause harm.
What construction managers usually check
- Check edge protection/scaffold/harness controls
- Stop unsafe access
- Record toolbox talks and inspections
Documents that usually control the work
- Site H&S plan
- Scaffold handover
- Task analysis
- Fall protection plan
Warning: Temporary controls must be suitable for the actual work, weather, access, and workers.
Source / Where to check
Use WorkSafe NZ for construction health and safety duties, risk management, and practical guidance for residential construction work.
Check barriers, stairs, decks, retaining drops, fall risks, consented details, and inspection requirements.
WorkSafe
Site safety
Site safety covers PCBUs, worker consultation, hazards, critical risks, incidents, inductions, plant, public protection, and emergency response.
What construction managers usually check
- Keep inductions and hazard register live
- Hold toolbox talks
- Investigate incidents/near misses
- Review controls daily
Documents that usually control the work
- Site H&S plan
- Hazard register
- Induction records
- Incident reports
Warning: Safety documents must match the actual site conditions, not just sit in a folder.
Source / Where to check
Use WorkSafe NZ for construction health and safety duties, risk management, and practical guidance for residential construction work.
Use before demolition, refurbishment, or disturbance of possible asbestos-containing material.
Use for excavation risk management, trenching, collapse, services, access, exclusion, and emergency planning.
Commercial
Contracts
Contracts define scope, price, time, variations, payments, insurance, completion, defects, and dispute processes.
What construction managers usually check
- Know who can issue instructions
- Record variations before work proceeds
- Track notices/delays/payment evidence
Documents that usually control the work
- Main contract
- Subcontracts
- Special conditions
- Scopes
- Programme
Warning: Contract advice is project-specific; get legal/professional advice where needed.
Source / Where to check
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Insufficient data to verify
Insufficient data to verify — check the consented drawings, project specification, relevant NZ Standard, or council requirement.
Council
Inspections
Inspections are council/BCA, engineer, designer, trade, or internal checks at hold points before work continues.
What construction managers usually check
- Know inspection list
- Book before cover-up
- Fix failed items
- Keep results for CCC
Documents that usually control the work
- Consent inspection list
- Council inspection results
- Engineer PS requirements
Warning: Do not cover inspected work until the inspection/evidence requirement is satisfied.
Source / Where to check
MBIE guidance explains that work should be built to the issued building consent, inspections must be managed, and records/certificates should be kept for CCC.
Auckland Council explains local building consent processes, CCC, related certificates, producer statements, LBP notification, and whether resource consent may also be needed.
Council
Producer statements
Producer statements are professional/installer documents that may support council's assessment of compliance for specific work.
What construction managers usually check
- Track PS requirements from consent
- Confirm author is acceptable
- Collect before CCC application
Documents that usually control the work
- Consent conditions
- Engineer/designer scope
- Subcontractor scope
- CCC checklist
Warning: Do not assume a producer statement will be accepted if it was not required/scoped correctly.
Source / Where to check
Auckland Council explains local building consent processes, CCC, related certificates, producer statements, LBP notification, and whether resource consent may also be needed.
MBIE guidance explains that work should be built to the issued building consent, inspections must be managed, and records/certificates should be kept for CCC.
Consented drawings and specifications
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Council
Council consent
Building consent is the council/BCA approval of plans and specifications for Building Code compliance. Some projects may also need resource consent.
What construction managers usually check
- Build to consent
- Track amendments/minor variations
- Keep inspections/certificates
- Apply for CCC with complete evidence
Documents that usually control the work
- Building consent
- Stamped drawings
- Consent conditions
- Approved amendments/minor variations
Warning: Unapproved changes can affect inspections and CCC.
Source / Where to check
Auckland Council explains local building consent processes, CCC, related certificates, producer statements, LBP notification, and whether resource consent may also be needed.
MBIE guidance explains that work should be built to the issued building consent, inspections must be managed, and records/certificates should be kept for CCC.
Use when a site change may require a minor variation or amendment before work continues.
