Latest news with #NationalDirection
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Damning New Groundwater Figures Reveal Growing Drinking Water Crisis
New data published yesterday by StatsNZ shows about half of groundwater monitoring sites had contamination that exceeded maximum health limits for New Zealand at least once between April 2019 and March 2024. Over that period, 45.1% of sites exceeded the maximum acceptable level for E. coli, and 12.4% for nitrate - a contaminant linked to cancer and preterm births. The alarming figures have been revealed less than a month after the Luxon Government released proposals to further weaken freshwater protections. Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe says the proposals show the Government is knowingly sacrificing the health of rural communities to appease corporate dairy and Federated Farmers. "While he should be ensuring that everyone has access to clean drinking water and swimmable rivers, Luxon has instead proposed scrapping the cap on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. This rule exists to prevent further nitrate contamination and protect people's health." "His Government also wants to prioritise corporate uses of water over safe drinking water and healthy rivers." "The Government's job is to safeguard public health - not bankroll big dairy." A cap on the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser was introduced in 2021, which was set at 190 kg/hectare. As part of the National Direction proposals for freshwater, the Luxon Government has proposed repealing this cap, along with other changes that weaken environmental protections and benefit irrigation companies and intensive dairy. Consultation on the proposals are open until 27 July 2025. The current maximum allowable value (MAV) for nitrate is 11.3 mg/L, which was set in the 1950s to avoid blue baby syndrome. But this standard has been criticised by health scientists for being woefully out of date, because it doesn't take into account newer health science that finds health risks like preterm birth and cancer at much lower levels. "We've already seen the influence the agriculture lobby has had over the rollback of freshwater protections last year, and this data published yesterday demonstrates the consequences." "The science is clear, and the stakes are high. Luxon needs to decide if he's governing for people - or polluters."
Scoop
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Building Consent Exemption For Granny Flats A Step Closer
Press Release – New Zealand Government Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says removing consent requirements for granny flats will boost productivity in the building sector. Minister of Housing Minister Responsible for RMA Reforms Hon Shane Jones Associate Minister of Finance Hon Chris Penk Minister for Building and Construction New Zealanders are a step closer to being able to build a granny flat of up to 70 square metres in their backyard following the successful first reading of the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Bill in Parliament. 'It's currently far too hard to build the homes New Zealanders need, with even the simplest dwellings requiring time-consuming and costly consent processes,' RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. 'We know increasing housing availability directly translates to lower living costs for our communities. That's why the coalition Government is committed to making it faster and more affordable to build granny flats. These simple dwellings have the potential to be part of the solution for providing families with more housing options, particularly for grandparents, people with disabilities, young adults and workers in the rural sector. 'Following public consultation which received huge support, the Government agreed earlier this year to allow granny flats of up to 70 square metres to be built without resource or building consents. 'We're removing the requirement for a resource consent through our updated package of National Direction under the Resource Management Act which will be in place by the end of this year, and today's first reading of the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Bill ensures we'll remove the requirement for a building consent at around the same time.' Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says removing consent requirements for granny flats will boost productivity in the building sector. 'Tradies will be able to get on with the job without being bogged down by costly and time-consuming paperwork, while homeowners can have confidence their granny flat project won't be hit by unexpected costs from delays waiting for council inspections. 'The consent exemption is expected to deliver about 13,000 more granny flats over the next ten years. That's thousands of homes built faster and more affordably, and more consistent work for builders – without frustrating hold-ups.' The legislation delivers on a New Zealand First–National coalition commitment to reform the building and resource consent system to simplify granny flat construction. Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says the changes will help lift living standards and support multigenerational living. 'This will allow older New Zealanders to maintain their independence while staying close to whānau. It's also a practical solution for young adults, especially in rural areas where housing options are limited. 'I look forward to seeing this Bill passed by the end of the year, so families can start building these much-needed homes without delay.' The Bill will exempt granny flats of up to 70 square metres from needing a building consent if: The granny flat meets the requirements of being a simple design and meets the Building Code Building work is carried out by authorised building professionals Homeowners notify their local council before they commence building and once it is completed. To support local infrastructure in growing communities, councils will charge development contributions for granny flats when issuing a Project Information Memorandum (PIM). The proposed consent exemption will not apply to any building work currently in progress or existing structures that fit the specifications of a granny flat under the final exemption criteria. It will apply only to granny flats built after the exemption is in force. Anyone who is unsure whether their building work needs a building or resource consent should check with their local council.
Scoop
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Building Consent Exemption For Granny Flats A Step Closer
Press Release – New Zealand Government Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says removing consent requirements for granny flats will boost productivity in the building sector. Minister of Housing Minister Responsible for RMA Reforms Hon Shane Jones Associate Minister of Finance Hon Chris Penk Minister for Building and Construction New Zealanders are a step closer to being able to build a granny flat of up to 70 square metres in their backyard following the successful first reading of the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Bill in Parliament. 'It's currently far too hard to build the homes New Zealanders need, with even the simplest dwellings requiring time-consuming and costly consent processes,' RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. 'We know increasing housing availability directly translates to lower living costs for our communities. That's why the coalition Government is committed to making it faster and more affordable to build granny flats. These simple dwellings have the potential to be part of the solution for providing families with more housing options, particularly for grandparents, people with disabilities, young adults and workers in the rural sector. 'Following public consultation which received huge support, the Government agreed earlier this year to allow granny flats of up to 70 square metres to be built without resource or building consents. 'We're removing the requirement for a resource consent through our updated package of National Direction under the Resource Management Act which will be in place by the end of this year, and today's first reading of the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Bill ensures we'll remove the requirement for a building consent at around the same time.' Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says removing consent requirements for granny flats will boost productivity in the building sector. 'Tradies will be able to get on with the job without being bogged down by costly and time-consuming paperwork, while homeowners can have confidence their granny flat project won't be hit by unexpected costs from delays waiting for council inspections. 'The consent exemption is expected to deliver about 13,000 more granny flats over the next ten years. That's thousands of homes built faster and more affordably, and more consistent work for builders – without frustrating hold-ups.' The legislation delivers on a New Zealand First–National coalition commitment to reform the building and resource consent system to simplify granny flat construction. Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says the changes will help lift living standards and support multigenerational living. 'This will allow older New Zealanders to maintain their independence while staying close to whānau. It's also a practical solution for young adults, especially in rural areas where housing options are limited. 'I look forward to seeing this Bill passed by the end of the year, so families can start building these much-needed homes without delay.' The Bill will exempt granny flats of up to 70 square metres from needing a building consent if: The granny flat meets the requirements of being a simple design and meets the Building Code Building work is carried out by authorised building professionals Homeowners notify their local council before they commence building and once it is completed. To support local infrastructure in growing communities, councils will charge development contributions for granny flats when issuing a Project Information Memorandum (PIM). The proposed consent exemption will not apply to any building work currently in progress or existing structures that fit the specifications of a granny flat under the final exemption criteria. It will apply only to granny flats built after the exemption is in force. Anyone who is unsure whether their building work needs a building or resource consent should check with their local council.
Scoop
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Building Consent Exemption For Granny Flats A Step Closer
Hon Chris Bishop Minister of Housing Minister Responsible for RMA Reforms Hon Shane Jones Associate Minister of Finance Hon Chris Penk Minister for Building and Construction New Zealanders are a step closer to being able to build a granny flat of up to 70 square metres in their backyard following the successful first reading of the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Bill in Parliament. 'It's currently far too hard to build the homes New Zealanders need, with even the simplest dwellings requiring time-consuming and costly consent processes,' RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. 'We know increasing housing availability directly translates to lower living costs for our communities. That's why the coalition Government is committed to making it faster and more affordable to build granny flats. These simple dwellings have the potential to be part of the solution for providing families with more housing options, particularly for grandparents, people with disabilities, young adults and workers in the rural sector. 'Following public consultation which received huge support, the Government agreed earlier this year to allow granny flats of up to 70 square metres to be built without resource or building consents. 'We're removing the requirement for a resource consent through our updated package of National Direction under the Resource Management Act which will be in place by the end of this year, and today's first reading of the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Bill ensures we'll remove the requirement for a building consent at around the same time.' Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says removing consent requirements for granny flats will boost productivity in the building sector. 'Tradies will be able to get on with the job without being bogged down by costly and time-consuming paperwork, while homeowners can have confidence their granny flat project won't be hit by unexpected costs from delays waiting for council inspections. 'The consent exemption is expected to deliver about 13,000 more granny flats over the next ten years. That's thousands of homes built faster and more affordably, and more consistent work for builders – without frustrating hold-ups.' The legislation delivers on a New Zealand First–National coalition commitment to reform the building and resource consent system to simplify granny flat construction. Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says the changes will help lift living standards and support multigenerational living. 'This will allow older New Zealanders to maintain their independence while staying close to whānau. It's also a practical solution for young adults, especially in rural areas where housing options are limited. 'I look forward to seeing this Bill passed by the end of the year, so families can start building these much-needed homes without delay.' The Bill will exempt granny flats of up to 70 square metres from needing a building consent if: The granny flat meets the requirements of being a simple design and meets the Building Code Building work is carried out by authorised building professionals Homeowners notify their local council before they commence building and once it is completed. To support local infrastructure in growing communities, councils will charge development contributions for granny flats when issuing a Project Information Memorandum (PIM). The proposed consent exemption will not apply to any building work currently in progress or existing structures that fit the specifications of a granny flat under the final exemption criteria. It will apply only to granny flats built after the exemption is in force. Anyone who is unsure whether their building work needs a building or resource consent should check with their local council.
