Private-sector consent authority gets approved for the first time

New Zealand experienced a milestone on June 27, when the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) approved Christchurch-based Building Consent Approvals Limited (BCAL) as New Zealand’s first standalone private-sector building consent authority (BCA). 

Previously all BCAs were councils or public entities – apart from Consentium under Kāinga Ora. Now, BCAL joins 68 BCAs nationwide with full authority under the Building Act.

BCAL is accredited by International Accreditation New Zealand and registered by MBIE, showing it meets strict standards of impartiality, competence and civil liability coverage. It can process consents, carry out inspections and issue code compliance certificates for low‑risk residential projects and some Commercial 1 buildings, essentially functioning in the same official capacity as council-controlled BCAs.

Why the new regime matters for builders and buyers

• Increased choice and competition: BCAL provides an alternative consenting path alongside councils – potentially reducing bottlenecks.
• Better turnaround for low‑risk homes: Faster processing could help new builds and simple renovations get off the ground more quickly.
• Alignment with MBIE reform efforts: Introducing a private BCA supports the Government’s drive to modernise the consent system by improving consistency and system capacity.

How it fits into broader reform

MBIE is concurrently rolling out several initiatives – including self-certification schemes and remote inspections – to alleviate pressure on council BCAs and lift industry efficiency. 

Quarterly MBIE data shows median building consent times are under 13 days, but wide regional variation remains. BCAL’s entry offers a new lever to smooth the system.

What this means for your clients

The approval of a private-sector building consent authority marks a shift in how consenting can be delivered in New Zealand. For homeowners and developers, this signals the beginning of greater choice in the consenting process – particularly for low-risk residential projects.

Having more than one type of consenting authority could help reduce pressure on councils, improve processing times and offer a more streamlined experience in some cases. It may also encourage innovation and service improvements across the sector as public and private authorities compete on performance.

That said, clients should still approach consent decisions with care. Each authority – whether public or private – will have its own processes, experience levels and service standards. For clients planning renovations or new builds, understanding those differences will be an important part of budgeting, scheduling and risk planning.

Sellers or buyers planning a new build or renovation may need guidance on structuring their finance. I’d be grateful if you could refer them to me for support.