Nearly 40,000 additional plumbing and drainage products already widely used in Australia have been approved for use in New Zealand, in a move the Government says will reduce costs, cut red tape, and improve building productivity.

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the approval of the second tranche of overseas certified products would make it easier and more affordable to deliver new homes and public buildings.

“The Government is focused on fixing the basics and building a better future for New Zealand, and that means making it easier and more affordable to deliver the homes and public buildings that will ease house prices and lift living standards,” Penk said.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has issued 54 recognition notices covering around 38,274 plumbing and drainage products certified under Australia’s WaterMark scheme.

“A first round in October made it easier to bring more than 90,000 WaterMark approved products onto the market, including tapware, water service products, and sanitary and stormwater drainage products,” he said.

While many of the products were already familiar to New Zealand tradies, Penk said builders and designers previously had to individually prove each product met Building Code requirements when applying for consent.

“While these materials are already tried and tested in Australia and familiar to many tradies in New Zealand, builders and designers previously had to demonstrate compliance one product at a time,” he said.

“By amending the Building Act through the Overseas Building Products Amendment Bill, MBIE can now recognise building products already certified under overseas schemes in comparable countries in the tens of thousands rather than one at a time,” he said.

The recognition notices mean Building Consent Authorities must accept the approved products as compliant, reducing delays and compliance costs.

“The granting of these recognition notices reduces unnecessary red tape, costs, and delays while allowing a more diverse range of materials to be used,” Penk said.

“Supply chain shocks and shortages choke building productivity,” he said.

“Better access and greater choice provide industry with more resilience and increase market competition, which puts downward pressure on prices for tradies and homeowners.”

Penk said further products were expected to be approved as reviews continued.

“As MBIE continues to review overseas building products under the new law, tradies and homeowners can expect even better access to essential materials, including plasterboard, cladding, windows, and doors,” he said.