Green Light for Licensing	19 Feb 10
The Government has announced the streamlined licensing process for qualified builders. This is a big win for CBANZ and is a major recognition of Trade Qualifications. I was proud to be there to witness Dave Brown handing over his completed application form as the first applicant in the new process. Almost 30 different qualifications are recognised and the process will be faster and cheaper for those with qualifications. For Dave who has Advanced Trade Certificate the process for his Carpentry and Site 2 application was $280 cheaper and saved about 10 hours of time. If I extended this across the membership we are talking nearly $½ a million in cash and at least that in time saving. So what happens from here? We are working with DBH to make it even easier for CBANZ members – after all -we know how good you are at filling out forms. In the next few months every member will get a phone call to talk through what they will be applying for – for most I expect it to be Carpentry and Site 2. We know what your qualifications are and will then be able to customise your application pack to what you need. We will even be able to fill out some of the form for you before we post it out. You then complete the form and send it back to CBANZ. We will check it, chase up any bits missing and then forward the completed package down to DBH. The reason we are taking this process is that many of you have a qualification that meets the Carpentry criteria but will be relying on your experience for Site or possibly Design licences. This means you will need a mix of the old and new processes. We will be starting in Feb/March with those of you who have NZ Certificate in Building or Advanced Trade Certificate (they are approved Site Qualifications). Those with Trade Certificate, NZ Certificate in Carpentry or Due Completion of Apprenticeship will start being processed in April. We are still working on the details for those with overseas qualifications and will let you know. My goal is to have most members processed by midyear. Later in the year DBH will be starting a TV and marketing campaign to promote to the public why you should choose a licensed builder. Let’s make sure they choose a licensed Certified Builder.
- Derek 'Bax' Baxter

Media statement from Minister for Building and Construction	16 Feb 10
Licensing streamlined for qualified builders and trades people Becoming a licensed builder will be much easier for New Zealand’s more than 5000 qualified builders and trades people following a streamlining of the application process announced by Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today. “From Monday, qualified builders and trades people with a good track record will find it faster, easier and cheaper to get themselves licensed. We are recognising the hard yards that these people have already put in to get qualified. They shouldn’t then have to wade through layers of red tape to get licensed. So without compromising quality or safety, we’ve streamlined the process for them,” Mr Williamson said. Representatives of the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand (CBANZ) and the Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF) joined Mr Williamson at the launch. “Builder licensing is a key part of the Government’s commitment to building quality. We expect nearly 20,000 building practitioners to be licensed by 2012. I’m pleased that our two largest building industry organisations are fully behind the scheme and simplified application process. It will now be much easier for their members to become licensed,” Mr Williamson said. “The announcement is part of the Government’s Better Building Blueprint package of initiatives that will make it easier and cheaper for New Zealanders to build good quality homes and buildings. “The Better Building Blueprint will help New Zealanders build quality homes and buildings. Getting builders licensed is an important part of that package,” Mr Williamson said. Media contact: Bridie Wilkinson 021 243 9725
- Hon Maurice Williamson