A Word from the Chair

Tēnā koutou katoa (Greetings to you all),

Welcome to our newest members. We hope you find being part of our Association helpful. We encourage all our members to be active and attend our regional forums in person if possible, however we also have the option of attending online as well. Registering for forums is easy and done via our website once you login. Please do this as it contributes to your personal CPD record found in your unique member profile.

In industry news, we are repeatedly hearing from members about Council’s carrying out building compliance site audits. The common issues appear to be around failing the audit based on lack of records onsite or that owners agents are not being informed of these audits and or are being informed too late, meaning agents don’t have the ability to rebook jobs / re-allocate staff in order to attend these audits.

The unfortunate outcome with some of these methods by council auditors is that often when an owners agent or IQP doesn’t attend the audit, the records are often not found (they could be hidden on the shelf behind Mary’s desk!) but there are also dozen of other reasons why records are not found or why the log book wasn’t filled out, yet the building owner will then receive a harshly written letter from council and in some cases with the word “FAIL” in scary capital letters.  To the unsuspecting building owner this can be interpreted as their building is unsafe and or that no inspections have been done at all. So, owners agents and IQPs are now on the receiving end of abuse and threats of loss of business, despite this not actually being the case. Time and energy is then put in to “putting out the flames” which takes away from other duties that we could be doing for our businesses and clients.  The truth of it is that the majority of companies and our members have a copy of their work electronically, and they are easily provided upon request.

So, what can we do? It would be extremely helpful for all parties if council informed owners and their agents of an upcoming audit along with a decent notice period. That the audit letter results were sent back to a building owner and their agent requesting any further information required to satisfy the audit and should the information being requested not be forth coming then a NTF issued.

Key points from this would be better communication with the owners and their agents and that councils and MBIE become aware that our industry has shifted to a mostly electronic way of recording work – it is time our regulations are updated to reflect this. Has the time of the lonely scabby log book hidden on Mary’s shelf come to an end?...

Ngā mihi nui

Laura Williams

Chair

Association of Building Compliance 2024 Conference: "Mitigating Risk - Prevention, Procedures, Practice"

We are excited to announce the Association of Building Compliance's flagship event of the year, our 2024 Conference: "Mitigating Risk - Prevention, Procedures, Practice". This year’s conference is dedicated to enhancing the knowledge, practices, and standards of professionals across the Building Compliance Industry. Our focus is on exploring innovative strategies and practical solutions to mitigate risks, with a strong emphasis on prevention, established procedures, and best practices.

This premier event offers an unparalleled opportunity for our members, including Independently Qualified Persons (IQPs), Facility Managers, Compliance Officers and Managers, Compliance Administrators, Fire Safey Officers, Territorial Authorities, Technicians and all professionals involved in the building compliance process, to engage with industry leaders, share insights, and gain valuable knowledge. Anyone with an interest in building compliance will find the conference to be of immense value.

Key Highlights:

• Expert-Led Sessions: Learn from leading experts who will share their insights on the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies in building compliance.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, industry leaders, and innovators in the building compliance field.
• Interactive Workshops: Participate in engaging workshops designed to equip you with knowledge and new skills to apply in your role.

Registration Now Open! We are pleased to inform you that our registration portal is now open. Secure your spot to be part of this pivotal event that promises to shape the future of Building Compliance in New Zealand.

To register, please visit our website and to the conference section here. Early bird registrations are available until 1 July, offering special rates to our members, affiliates, and partner association members.

In relation to accommodation options, we have secured a Delegate rate for you at the Rutherford Hotel with a special price if you book before 1 May 2024. View your accommodation options here.

Do not miss out on this opportunity to be at the forefront of building compliance, innovation, and excellence. Join us in setting new standards and contributing to a safer, more compliant future. We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an insightful and transformative event.

We are in full swing with training with more offerings to be published soon. Yesterday was the successful delivery of our new Signage for Compliance SS14.2 & SS15.4 course. Participants said the course was pitched at the right level and contained the essential technical information that they needed.

Our workshops are filling up quickly so take a look below at our offerings for March and April 2024 and book now to secure your place.

21 March – Online                          Means of Escape to a Final Exit morning

21 March – Online                          Emergency Lighting afternoon

11 & 12 April – Christchurch          IQP Backflow Prevention Course

12 April – Auckland                        BWOF Fundamentals morning

12 April – Auckland                        Owners Compliance Checks afternoon

19 April – Palmerston North           BWOF Fundamentals morning

19 April – Auckland                        Owners Compliance Checks afternoon

3 May - Christchurch                      Signage for Compliance, SS14.2 & SS15.4 morning

9 May – Online                               BWOF Fundamentals morning

9 May – Online                               Owners Compliance Checks afternoon

14 May - Wellington                      Means of Escape to a Final Exit morning

14 May - Wellington                      Signage for Compliance, SS14.2 & SS15.4 afternoon

24 May – Christchurch                   BWOF Fundamentals morning

24 May – Christchurch                   Owners Compliance Checks afternoon

Ongoing - Online Modules            Compliance Fundamentals - IQP Practising Certificate Level 1

‍‍For a list of all courses throughout the year and a detail description of them, please visit our website via the link below.

Workshops/Seminars » Association of Building Compliance (abciqp.org.nz)

We would to welcome all our new members to the Association. This is great news and hopefully we can share our knowledge with these members and learn from their experiences too. We are always looking to improve ourselves and to develop others.

Diamond Partners

                                           Gold Partner                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Silver Partner