A Builder-Led Blueprint for a Fairer, Faster and
More Certain Building System
CBS
Co-operative has today released its 2026 Election Manifesto,
setting out a practical blueprint to improve New Zealand’s
building system, increase housing supply and create a more
productive environment for the thousands of builders
delivering homes across the country.
Developed
following extensive consultation with builders, suppliers
and industry stakeholders, the manifesto outlines practical
recommendations to reduce unnecessary costs, improve
certainty and ensure New Zealand’s regulatory settings
better support both homeowners and the construction
sector.
Representing more than 2,200 builders and
tradies across New Zealand and Australia, CBS says the
manifesto focuses on delivering constructive, evidence-based
reforms that improve productivity while maintaining strong
consumer protection.
Supporting Positive
Reform
CBS has welcomed the Government’s proposed
Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms, describing them as an
important step towards improving housing affordability and
reducing unnecessary barriers to development.
CBS
Co-operative Chief Executive Carl Taylor said the proposed
reforms demonstrate that meaningful change is possible when
Government and industry work together.
“We commend
the Government for progressing the proposed RMA reforms.
Simplifying New Zealand’s planning system is essential if we
are serious about increasing housing supply, improving
affordability and giving builders greater
certainty.”
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“Our role isn’t to oppose
reform—it’s to help shape good reform. We support
changes that reduce unnecessary red tape, improve
productivity and make it easier to build quality homes.
Where reforms move the industry forward, they deserve our
support.”
Mandatory Building Warranties Require
Further Refinement
While supporting many of the
Government’s broader reform initiatives, CBS believes the
proposed mandatory residential building warranty framework
requires further refinement before
implementation.
Taylor said everyone supports stronger
consumer protection, however any new framework must
strengthen the industry rather than unintentionally reducing
competition.
“This manifesto isn’t a wishlist.
It’s a blueprint built from what builders across New
Zealand are telling us every day. They want a building
system that is fairer, faster and more
certain.”
“Everyone supports protecting
homeowners, but we cannot create a system that
unintentionally locks good builders out of the industry
simply because they can’t access a warranty
provider.”
CBS believes mandatory warranty products
should remain independent of industry membership
organisations and commercial groups.
Builders should
be free to choose which organisations they belong to without
that decision affecting their ability to obtain the
mandatory warranty cover required to continue
operating.
“Consumer protection should never depend
on which membership group a builder belongs to. Mandatory
warranty products must be available through an independent,
transparent and nationally consistent system that treats
every builder fairly.”
CBS also believes New Zealand
should look to proven international models, including
Queensland’s long-established government-backed home
warranty framework.
“Australia has shown there is a
better way. Government-backed and government-underwritten
warranty arrangements provide independent oversight,
long-term stability and fair access for builders while
giving homeowners confidence that consumer protection is not
tied to a commercial membership decision.”
“New
Zealand does not need to reinvent the wheel. We should adopt
the same principle by ensuring warranty products remain
independent, accessible and supported by a framework that
serves the entire industry—not the commercial interests of
individual organisations.”
Builder-Led
Priorities
• Faster and nationally consistent
building consenting.
• Accountability for
unnecessary consenting delays.
• Full implementation
of proportionate liability.
• A competitive and
independent building warranty market.
• Reduced
compliance costs and increased productivity.
•
Policies that retain skilled builders and apprentices in New
Zealand.
• Greater certainty for small and
medium-sized building businesses.
Taylor said the
construction industry remains one of New Zealand’s largest
employers but continues to operate under significant
economic pressure.
“Builders aren’t asking for
special treatment. They’re asking for certainty. Every
unnecessary delay, every layer of compliance and every
poorly designed policy ultimately adds cost to the homes New
Zealanders are trying to buy.”
“Our manifesto is
designed to start a constructive conversation with all
political parties. We believe New Zealand can build faster,
better and more affordably if we get the policy settings
right.”
CBS is encouraging all political parties to
consider the recommendations and work alongside the industry
to deliver reforms that improve housing affordability,
strengthen consumer confidence and support the businesses
building New Zealand’s homes.
Download the
CBS Co-operative 2026 Election
Manifesto
