In a bid to tackle housing shortages and reduce construction bottlenecks, the New Zealand Government has announced a new scheme aimed at speeding up building projects by allowing industry professionals to self-certify their own work.

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk revealed the initiative during a media briefing on Monday, stating that the move will streamline the building consent process and cut down on lengthy approval delays. Under the new scheme, qualified builders, plumbers, and drainlayers will be permitted to sign off on specific aspects of their work without waiting for local council inspections.

“This is a game-changer for our building sector,” Penk said. “By trusting skilled professionals to certify their own work, we’re freeing up the system and enabling thousands of homes to be built faster and more efficiently.”

The scheme includes strict performance targets and accountability measures to ensure quality and safety are not compromised. According to government estimates, the changes are expected to facilitate the construction of an additional 3,000 homes per year by eliminating administrative backlogs.

Industry leaders have broadly welcomed the move, with many describing it as a long-overdue modernization of New Zealand’s building consent system. However, some critics warn that reduced oversight could increase the risk of non-compliant or substandard work if not carefully monitored.

In response, Minister Penk emphasized that professionals participating in the scheme will be subject to regular audits and face penalties for non-compliance. “This is about smart regulation not deregulation,” he noted.

The government plans to roll out the scheme in phases, starting with a pilot program in selected regions later this year.

As New Zealand continues to face housing pressures, the success of this initiative could set a precedent for how other countries modernize their construction approval processes while balancing speed with accountability.