The LBP scheme is part of a broad package of legislative reforms to the Building Act 2004 which Mr Williamson introduced into Parliament over the past 12 months.
“This is a significant milestone, and credit is due to the work of the Department of Building and Housing which is responsible for administering the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme,” Mr Williamson says.
“The LBP scheme underpins an efficient and accountable building sector focused on quality. Licensing confirms a practitioner’s level of expertise, and practitioner responsibility and accountability becomes clearer.
“It’s a scheme which rewards diligent, hard working and trustworthy building practitioners, and it enhances consumer protection.”
On October 25 the Minister attended a function at the Department to celebrate reaching the 10,000 milestone, and to congratulate Department chief executive Katrina Bach and her staff for the success of their hard work.
The core elements of the Government’s reform package are contained in Building Amendment Bills No 3 and No 4. Bill No 3 has been reported back from the select committee and is expected to be passed into law early next year, while Bill No 4 was introduced into the House in September.
“Our goal is to have a more efficient and productive sector that stands behind its work,” Mr Williamson says.
“The reforms we are driving are about creating fundamental changes to the building sector’s culture to deliver a construction market that works smarter, has the skills and productivity to deliver good quality, affordable homes for New Zealanders, and contributes to strong communities and a prosperous economy for New Zealand.
“It’s an ambitious work programme with the goal of a more efficient, effective, accountable and, ultimately, a more profitable sector where building practitioners get it right first time and are proud to stand behind the quality of their work.
“That is going to be critical for rebuilding Canterbury, where there are an estimated 10,000 homes needing to be rebuilt and a further 100,000 needing repairs.
“In this regard, I note that more than 2000 of the country’s 10,000 LBPs are in Canterbury. I commend the Department of Building and Housing for its initiative in making it a priority to sign up Canterbury practitioners,” Mr Williamson says.
