Engineers annoyed by hold over house building standard
Standards New Zealand has revealed the entire standards system is now under review.
Engineers are frustrated by an outdated house building standard that is taking too long to update. Standards New Zealand, which oversees the standards, is undergoing significant changes but insists the current system provides better viewability and protects its intellectual property. However, structural engineers John Scarry and Daniel Langford claim the new format is too difficult to navigate, wasting thousands of hours of engineers' time.
They argue that the standard's 15-year age means it needs urgent revision to meet modern standards and protect consumers. Standards NZ says the new approach is necessary to prevent draft material from being circulated and used in place of the final version, and to guard against AI harvesting standards content. However, engineers argue that the new online controls, which limit access to two pages at a time and prevent downloads, are inadequate for reviewing complex documents like NZS 3604.
They urge for a more accessible review process, as errors in these standards can have major consequences for consumers and the economy. Standards NZ claims it is working on a more sustainable funding model, but industry bodies remain skeptical, citing insufficient funding and the long review process.
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