Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on building consents and construction sector activities in New Zealand

The construction sector significantly contributes to New Zealand's economy, but obtaining building consent is a crucial preliminary step for any construction project. This study used a document analysis technique to examine the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on building consents and construction sector activities with a detailed analysis of approved new domestic buildings in different regions. The findings revealed that building consent applications increased significantly throughout New Zealand despite the pandemic affecting construction activities and resulting in work stoppages due to various lockdowns and reduced cash inflows. Also, some amendments to building consent regulations, as part of the ongoing building system reform program for low-risk building projects, were found to have contributed to this increase. This study recommends closely monitoring low-risk building projects under the exemption category to ensure compliance with building codes and standards. These findings hold significant implications for the government authorities, providing crucial insights into the impact of the amended building consent regulations on the productivity of the New Zealand construction sector.