National Multiple Use Approvals

The Building System Assurance Team of Marketing Services (MBIE) can issue National Multiple-Use Approvals (NMUAs) to volume builders for building designs that will be replicated several times in any district, regionally or nationally. The benefit of NMUAs is that MBIE can ‘pre-approved’ these building designs for Building Code compliance. Such an approval is issued in the form of a Multi-Proof statement. See Building Act 2004, sections 30A – 30H and MBIE guidance.

A Multi-proof is a statement issued by MBIE that confirms that a specific set of building plans and specifications complies with the New Zealand Building Code. A Multi-proof statement is not, and does not replace a Building Consent. The holder of a Multi-proof must apply to the relevant Building Consent Authority (your local Council) for a Building Consent each time they wish to construct the design to which the Multi-proof statement relates. The Council has 10 working days to process the application.

The BCA’s have up to 10 working days from the date of acceptance to either issue or refuse your MultiProof application. They may need to contact you for further information on aspects of your application during the assessment process.

If this is the case, they will ‘stop the clock’ and will not continue processing your application until they receive the requested additional information. They will ‘restart the clock’ and continue assessing your application when they receive the information.

When they have finished assessing your application, they will let you know the decision in writing. They will also include an invoice for any outstanding amount for processing your application.

• Follow the process for a normal building consent  and put together the required documentation.
• A completed copy of the Building Consent Application Form (Form2), including the project value for the whole project, not just the site-specific portion.
• A copy of the Multi-proof certificate, which will show any applicable conditions.
• A statement addressed to the BCA (your local Council) stating that the design for which the Building Consent is being sought:
  • Complies with the approval issued by MBIE, and
  • Meets all the conditions of the Multi-proof (such as wind and snow loading restrictions) for the proposed site.
• A complete copy of the plans and specifications to which the approval relates. These will bear MBIE’s approval mark and will include any relevant approved customisations.
• Full details of any site-specific features proposed for the building such as a site drainage plan or site-specific foundation details.
• Any technical information, calculations, and design Producer Statements or other evidence needed to establish the Building Code compliance of the building’s site-specific features (if applicable).

MBIE has published further information about NMUAs on their website, including the benefits, which are eligible, how to apply and the assessment process. The MBIE Multi-proof register is also available.