Consent process improved as councils lift performance
New Zealand’ s building consent system is showing signs of improved efficiency, with recent figures from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment( MBIE) indicating faster processing times and increased productivity across local councils.
In the first quarter of 2025, 92.70 per cent of building consent applications and 96.80 per cent of code compliance certificates were processed within the statutory 20-working-day timeframe.
That’ s up from 88.00 per cent and 93.60 per cent, respectively, when national reporting first began in early 2024.
Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk credits the uplift to a renewed focus on performance, transparency, and accountability.
“ The decision to put performance in the spotlight is paying off, and I wish to acknowledge councils who have moved quickly to expedite consenting processes,” he said.
Councils collectively processed 31,845 building consent applications, amendments, and code compliance certificates in the first three months of the year, nearly 1,000 more than the same period in 2024.
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