On 26 February 2026, PDS held a members’ event at Remuera Club in Auckland, bringing together developers, industry advisers and professionals to discuss the direction of reforms to New Zealand’s building regulatory system and how these changes will shape the property development environment over the coming years.
The event featured two prominent guests:
Carlos Cheung
Dr. Carlos Cheung MP
New Zealand National Party MP
Jason Reu
Adviser to the PDS Board
The two guests shared their observations and analysis of current building industry reforms from the perspectives of policymaking and industry practice, offering valuable insights into the future of the development sector.
They conveyed a shared message: New Zealand’s regulatory environment is gradually shifting towards a model that is more supportive of development and more focused on efficiency. However, the development sector still needs stronger professional judgement and industry collaboration to seize opportunities as changes unfold.
Policy reform: creating a more efficient building and development environment
In his presentation, Dr Carlos Cheung outlined the direction of the government’s reforms to the building and construction sector.
For many years, New Zealand’s building industry has faced challenges including complex regulatory processes, lengthy approval times and steadily rising construction costs. These issues have hindered project delivery to some extent and constrained housing supply.
The government’s current reform objective is to improve the regulatory system so the building industry can deliver development projects more efficiently.
Future policy will focus on improving approval efficiency, reducing unnecessary administrative processes and encouraging more flexible and efficient construction methods.
For example, small homes such as granny flats, or minor dwellings, which have attracted growing attention in recent years, are seen as an important way to increase housing supply.
Overall, policy is moving towards a framework that is more supportive of development and construction, allowing the building industry to respond more quickly to market demand.
For developers, this brings new opportunities while also requiring them to understand policy changes early and adjust their project strategies accordingly.
Putting reform into practice: balancing efficiency and regulation
While policy direction determines the industry’s future trajectory, how reforms are implemented will directly influence how the industry operates.
At the event, Jason Reu gave a detailed overview of the reform framework being advanced by MBIE, New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and explained the practical implications these changes could have for the development sector.
Improving the Building Consent Authority (BCA) system is one of the major reforms. The aim is to make the building consent system run more smoothly through more efficient inspection processes and approval mechanisms.
The reforms are also exploring support for newer building methods such as modular and off-site construction. These technologies could significantly shorten construction programmes and reduce overall building costs.
The industry is also discussing adjustments to the existing liability framework. Jason noted that overly relaxed regulation could compromise industry quality, while an overly complex system would increase development costs. Policymakers therefore need to strike a reasonable balance between protecting consumers and improving industry efficiency.
Under the current policy timetable:
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A Building Amendment Bill is expected to be introduced in the first half of 2026;
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It could pass in the third quarter of 2026, followed by a transition period of one year;
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Some key reforms are expected to formally take effect around 2027.
These policy changes are an important consideration for developers planning medium-term projects.
Development needs more structured support in a complex environment
Property development is inherently a highly complex undertaking.
A project often involves multiple parties, including regulators, financiers, consultant teams and contractors. Any policy change can affect project timelines and cost structures.
In this environment, developers increasingly need platforms that help them bring resources together and manage risk.
This is where PDS plays a role.
By bringing together funding channels, professional services and industry networks, PDS provides a collaborative platform that helps developers progress projects more efficiently in a complex environment and control costs while maintaining quality.
As regulatory reforms progress, this capacity to provide structured support will become increasingly important.
In a changing world, information and connections are an advantage
As New Zealand’s building regulatory system moves into a period of reform, the way the development industry operates will also change over the coming years.
Changes to approval processes, liability arrangements and construction methods will have far-reaching effects on project timelines and cost structures. For developers, understanding policy direction promptly and adjusting strategies quickly will be important to remaining competitive.
However, relying on a single source of information often makes it difficult to form a complete assessment in a constantly changing regulatory environment. More developers are recognising that ongoing industry dialogue and professional collaboration are becoming important conditions for project success.
This is also why PDS continues to promote industry dialogue.
By holding regular members’ events, PDS provides a forum for developers, investors and industry experts to exchange information, discuss trends and build long-term working relationships.
In a rapidly changing market, information and connections are themselves a competitive advantage.
???? Next PDS members’ event: 26 March 2026
???? Remuera Club, Auckland
Further guests and topics will be announced in due course. Stay tuned.
For developers seeking to stay ahead as the industry changes, a forum like this could offer an important window into understanding the market and identifying opportunities.