Auckland Council achieves major accreditation

Auckland Council has received Building Consent Authority Accreditation from IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand), empowering the new entity to issue building consents and provide other building related services consistently across Auckland.

Building Control Manager Ian McCormick says the accreditation is a significant milestone for Auckland Council and a tangible benefit to customers one year on from amalgamation.

“With this accreditation we now have formal approval to operate under a single set of Auckland Council Building Control policies and procedures we have developed over recent months, which will make doing business with us easier, as well as raising our reputation as a can-do council.”

Mr McCormick says building consents, which are required for almost all building work and associated plumbing and drainage, can now be handled consistently across the region, regardless of where the work is being done or which council service centre a customer visits.

“Achieving accreditation within a year, as required under the legislation which established Auckland Council, created a real platform to change the way we work, with a focus on improving the customer experience.

“The results, including improved policies and procedures, took months of hard work by the team and represent both an exciting opportunity that becoming one council has provided and another step towards ensuring every interaction with our customers is positive.”

Under the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009 Auckland Council was given one year to get Building Consent Authority Accreditation and permitted to operate under temporary accreditation until that was achieved. From now on council will need to apply to IANZ to renew its accreditation every two years.