What are our customers telling us?

In June, Standards New Zealand conducted a survey to gather feedback on how users access, store and use sponsored (pre-funded) building and construction standards.

The results said

The most common reason for accessing sponsored building standards is to show that new building design and construction work undertaken is, or will be, building code compliant.

The survey results indicate that sponsored standards have a positive impact on users and the industry by removing cost barriers to accessing standards, meaning that more users are willing to access the standard and find it easier to comply with regulation. Since the building regulator commenced sponsoring (pre-funding access to) building and construction standards they cite in regulations and the building code, the uptake and use of these standards has increased 20-fold.

Respondents also advised that:

• the relevant building standards are easy to locate on Standards NZ website, making it easier to comply with regulations and achieve building code compliance
• they recommend the use of sponsored standards to others within their industry, which assists with promoting good practice and compliance outcomes
• they would rarely, or not at all, access a building and construction standard if it was not sponsored (free to access)
• they are interested in digital formats and more sophisticated product features for sponsored standards. This was especially true of the architectural and engineering fraternity, whose work today is digital (for example, using Computer Aided Design [CAD] and Building Information Management [BIM] software)
• other benefits of using sponsored standards included achieving improved quality of building products and services, faster response times to building consent authorities’ information needs, and cost savings for design and construction activities.

Figure 1 – Survey findings on using sponsored building standards

Based upon your experience using sponsored building standards, please tell us how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statement:

Standardisation underpins trusted robust construction contracts

New Zealand benefits by having robust and clear contracts behind construction projects

With contracts underpinning the detail of multi-billion-dollar construction, engineering and infrastructure projects, standardisation plays a crucial role in ensuring clarity in establishing well understood contractual arrangements. NZS 3910 Conditions of contract for building and civil engineering construction has proven to be one of our most hotly anticipated standard reviews under way (its first revision in 10 years) and is due for publication in late 2023.

The Construction Sector Accord (through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Hīkina Whakatutuki) and the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, jointly commissioned Standards New Zealand to lead the revision.