Far North call for common-sense insulation rules answered

The government has listened to calls from Far North District councillors to create common-sense insulation rules that will ease costs for Far North designers, builders and homeowners.

In March, the council wrote to Minister of Building and Construction Chris Penk and called for H1 insulation requirements in the Far North to be eased. The motion for change was spearheaded by Te Hiku Ward Councillor Felicity Foy with support from Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward Councillor Hilda Halkyard-Harawira and Mayor Moko Tepania.

They argued that that the very northern parts of the district are hotter than the rest of the country and that recent changes to H1 insulation and glazing requirements had unnecessarily added $40,000-$50,000 to the cost of a new build.

Last week, Minister Penk agreed that the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach had led to inflexible requirements for builders and homeowners forcing them to over-insulate in certain areas while offering little benefit to energy cost efficiency. He confirmed in a statement published 3 July that the current H1 Schedule will be replaced with a more flexible alternative, cutting approximately $15,000 from the cost of an average new build.

The minister said he had also directed officials to explore a suggestion made by Councillor Foy to designate the Far North as a separate climate zone under the Building Code.

“The Far North District Council made a strong case in its energy-efficiency review submission, highlighting that the region’s warmer climate and need for affordable housing allow for a more tailored approach.

“I’ve heard from the district council that building costs in the Far North are approaching $5000 per square metre. They’re pushing for change to deliver more homes for locals at a reasonable price – an ambition I fully support.”

MBIE will consult on any proposed changes to the region’s climate zone designation before final decisions are made, he said.

The full statement released by Minister Penk can be found here.