New Building Product Rules
What this means for your business.
If you’re a builder, plumber, or trades business owner, you’ve likely felt the pain of rising material costs, slow council approvals, and limited product choice on site. Until now, New Zealand’s strict rules meant even high quality overseas products couldn’t be used unless they met local testing standards, adding time, cost, and frustration to your jobs.
That’s changing.
On 28 July 2025, the Government launched the Building Product Specifications (BPS), and it’s good news for the construction industry.
The problem: cost, delays, and product bottlenecks
You know the story all too well:
You quote a job, then prices jump before you even start.
Local supply chains are stretched, and you're stuck waiting for that one certified product.
Council consents can be a headache when your chosen materials don’t fit the narrow list of pre-approved options.
These bottlenecks not only squeeze your margins, but they also delay builds, frustrate clients, and tie up your cash flow.
The solution: building product specifications (BPS)
The new BPS framework now allows many internationally recognised building products to be used in NZ without needing NZ specific certification, provided they meet trusted standards.
What’s in it for you?
More choice of quality building products (including plasterboard, cladding, doors, insulation and more).
Lower material costs thanks to increased competition and access to global suppliers.
Faster council approvals - Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) must now accept BPS listed products when used as intended.
This is a step toward breaking local monopolies and putting time and money back in your pocket.
What’s coming next?
Two more changes are on the way later this year:
Recognition of overseas standards (like British Standards or ASTM).
Approval of overseas certification schemes (like Australia’s WaterMark — which could open up over 200,000 plumbing products).
This means even more flexibility is coming to support how you quote, source, and deliver your jobs.
How Bizdom can help you
At Bizdom, we work with forward-thinking tradies who want more than just “a tax return.”
We help builders and plumbers:
Track profitability job by job
Optimise cashflow in the face of changing material costs
Stay compliant without the admin stress
Structure your business for growth, not burnout
With these changes to the Building Code, it’s a great time to reassess your pricing, margins, and project pipeline.
Want an accountant who gets the trade game? Let’s talk. Bizdom is here to help you build a smarter, more profitable business.