Government Opens Door to Overseas Building Products: What It Means for New Zealand Builders and Homeowners

In a significant shift for the construction industry, the New Zealand Government has announced new legislation that will make it easier to use overseas building materials in local projects. The aim is clear: reduce building costs, increase supply options, and ease pressure on a heavily constrained sector.

Under the Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Act 2025, the government will now recognise building products certified under trusted international schemes, such as those from Australia, the United States, and Europe. The first phase of this change opens access to around 12,000 new building products, including cladding, plasterboard, insulation, windows, doors, and plumbing supplies.

Bassett Rd, Remuera, Auckland renovation and extension.

The Benefits

1. Increased Competition and Choice
Previously, the New Zealand construction market was dominated by a small number of suppliers. This limited product range has contributed to inflated costs and supply bottlenecks. With access to international products, clients and builders will now be able to source a wider variety of materials, potentially at more competitive prices.

2. Lower Building Costs
Building materials contribute significantly to the overall cost of construction. In some cases, New Zealanders have been paying 30% to 60% more for standard products compared to international markets. The hope is that by introducing competition, prices will come down across the board.

3. Faster Project Timelines
Supply chain delays—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the plasterboard shortage—caused major disruptions. The new policy allows for more supply options, meaning fewer hold-ups waiting for specific materials to become available.

4. Access to Innovation
Many high-performing, energy-efficient, and sustainable materials are already widely used overseas but have been hard to access in New Zealand due to regulatory constraints. This change could open the door to smarter, more efficient building solutions for residential and commercial projects.

The Drawbacks

1. Not All Products Will Be Suitable
While the government will only approve products that meet rigorous international standards, not all will be suitable for New Zealand’s unique conditions. Products must be fit for local environments, including seismic requirements, UV exposure, and moisture levels. Builders and designers will need to ensure that imported materials are appropriate for the specific site and building type.

2. Regulatory Changes Are Still Being Finalised
Although the law is in place, many of the regulations and processes that govern how overseas products are assessed and approved are still being developed. Full implementation will likely take until late 2025. This means there may be a transition period before the benefits are fully realised.

3. Increased Due Diligence for Builders and Designers
With greater freedom comes greater responsibility. Builders, architects, and developers will need to be diligent in checking that overseas materials are used correctly, meet code, and are installed as intended. Mistakes in application could result in costly delays or compliance issues.

What It Means for Clients Looking to Build

If you’re planning to build in the next 12 to 24 months, this policy shift could work in your favour. In the short term, prices may start to stabilise, and a broader range of materials may become available. Over time, this could open up opportunities to build more affordably and with higher quality or more sustainable materials.

At Origin, we’ll be actively reviewing new product options as they are approved and will continue to guide our clients through any compliance considerations. We see this as a positive step toward better housing affordability, more design flexibility, and more resilient project delivery.

As always, the key to success is thoughtful design and planning. By engaging early with your architectural team and builder, you can ensure the materials specified are not only cost-effective but also well suited to New Zealand’s environment and your long-term needs.