WorkSafe New Zealand Opens Consultation on Draft Residential Construction Code of Practice

The following is an abridgement of an article originally published by WorkSafe New Zealand.

Draft Code of Practice

WorkSafe New Zealand has opened public consultation on a draft Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) designed to clarify health and safety roles and responsibilities in the residential construction sector. The draft applies to new builds and renovations of standalone homes, townhouses, apartments, and multi-unit developments.

According to WorkSafe, the ACOP does not introduce new legal duties beyond the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Instead, it aims to remove ambiguity when multiple parties operate on a single site. Key features include defined actions for various roles, guidance on inter-business coordination, and 15 scenario-based examples demonstrating the application of legal duties.

"Residential construction is a high-risk sector, and the people working in it have told us they want clearer information on who is responsible for what," stated WorkSafe Chief Executive Sharon Thompson.

Legislative Alignment and Consultation

The draft ACOP aligns with the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill currently before a parliamentary select committee. Under the proposed legislation, compliance with an ACOP would provide a "safe harbour" legal protection, treating compliant businesses as having met their relevant legal duties.

The initial public consultation period concludes on 10 May 2026. Following further consultation on an updated draft, a finalized version will be submitted to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety for approval.