FNDC votes to transfer IQP register to Auckland Council

Administration of Far North District Council's (FNDC) Independent Qualified Person (IQP) register will be transferred to Auckland Council after a decision was made during the final council meeting for 2024 held last month.

IQPs are responsible for ensuring safety systems in commercial buildings are working properly by carrying out building warrants of fitness checks. The register lists the IPQs available to undertake checks within Northland.

Moving administration of the register will not affect on-the-ground building warrant of fitness audits or other building checks with FNDC staff remaining responsible for safety regulation compliance.

For the past 20 years, Whangārei District Council (WDC) has managed the IQP register for all three of Northland’s district councils. WDC recently transferred its own IQP register to Auckland Council and can no longer manage the service for FNDC.

The transfer to Auckland Council brings several advantages, including reduced compliance costs and access to a more efficient, web-based portal system. With a dedicated team overseeing IQP administration, Auckland Council is better equipped to manage the register.

This decision aligns with national trends where councils are collaborating to streamline IQP registration. For example, South Island councils operate under a single register administered by Timaru District Council.

The proposal was moved by Councillor John Vujcich and seconded by Kōwhai Kelly Stratford, who expressed support for the resolution.

The council sought community feedback on the proposal earlier this year before making its decision.

Continuity of IQP register management will be ensured during its transfer to Auckland Council’s administration.