The Government’s Granny flat consent exemption is now live.

 From January 15 2026, new rules allow homeowners to build a new, detached, single-storey, self-contained granny flat (up to ) without a building or resource consent.

The structure must still comply with the Building Code, with the rule change expected to save property owners around $5,500 in consent costs and speed up the building process.

Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Matt Lawson said there are still rules in place. “The exemption only applies to new simple designs that meet the Building Code and where work is carried out by authorised professionals.

Over the past few years, the Council has issued around a dozen building consents for Granny flats, and since the exemption announcement, the Council has been fielding many calls about building on vacant land. Mr Lawson said the exemption does not cover vacant land, and there needs to be a principal dwelling on the property. It’s also important to note that these changes apply to new structures built after the regulations came into effect (January 15 2026), and exemptions cannot be retrospective.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said the rule change aims to reduce consenting costs and increase housing availability, choice and flexibility for families. “People need to remember this is a Central Government change – not a local Council one. “All regulations and legislation around building come from the central government. Our Council is simply delivering what central government has instructed us to do.

Mayor Little said Council understands this is a big change and is here to support the community. For further information, including eligibility criteria and technical guidance, refer to the MBIE website. Alternatively, please email consents@wairoadc.govt.nz and one of our local team members will come back to you to arrange an appointment.”

Key Changes and Requirements: 

• Consent Exemption: No building consent needed for qualifying new, simple-designed, single-storey, self-contained structures under 70m².
• The structure must have a maximum height of (1m max floor height above ground level) and be at least 2m from boundaries/other buildings.
• New National Environmental Standards (NES) are intended to remove the need for resource consent in many cases. However, consent may still be required depending on specific matters, including district plan zoning, special site overlays, natural hazards, or significant earthworks.
• Safety & Compliance: While no building consent is required, the structure must comply with the Building Code, and all restricted building work (plumbing, electrical) must be done by Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs). 
• Process: Homeowners must obtain a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) from their local council before starting work and submit documentation upon completion.
• Limitations: Only one, single-storey, new Granny flat is allowed per property. 

11 February 2026

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