Transfer of Independent Qualified Persons Register
About this consultation
We are seeking community feedback on a proposal to transfer the administration of the Independent Qualified Person (IQP) Register, including the IQP approval process, to Auckland Council.
How will the proposed changes affect me?
IQPs are responsible for making sure the safety systems in commercial buildings are working properly by carrying out building warrants of fitness. Whangārei District Council has overseen the register of IQPs for all three of Northland’s District Councils for approximately 20 years. However, Whangārei District Council can no longer offer this service.
The proposed transfer of powers would mean the following activities would be managed by Auckland Council instead:
- Approval of Independently Qualified Persons
- The maintenance of the register of Independently Qualified Persons
- The setting of fees for approval and on-going registration
The responsibility and auditing of building warrants of fitness will remain with Far North District Council
What are the benefits?
Our proposed transfer of the administration of the IQP register to Auckland Council will result in advantages including:
- Increased efficiency
- Access to a more technologically advanced system for IQPs and building owners through the Auckland Council website.
- Reduced compliance costs
- Moving to three-yearly renewals
- Potentially lower risks due to an improved assessment process.
The council is obligated to inform the public about this proposal and gather feedback before reaching a decision. Details can be found in the Statement of Proposal (SOP).
What is the alternative?
Whangārei District Council can no longer oversee the register of IQPs for Far North District Council. If administration of the IQP Register is not transferred to Auckland Council, we will need to build and maintain our own IQP register, incurring additional costs.
How can I have a say?
Share your feedback by completing the survey linked below. Submissions are welcome for four weeks from Tuesday 2 April to Tuesday 30 April 2024.
Click here to complete the survey
While we prefer you to give your feedback online, you can download our print-friendly survey form here and send it to us:
- Email: submissions@fndc.govt.nz
- By mail: Far North District Council, Private Bag 752, Kaikohe 0440
- In person: Drop off the survey at any FNDC service centre or library (you can ask our friendly customer service team to print the survey for you).
Alternatively, you can request to share your feedback verbally by emailing us at submissions@fndc.govt.nz.
Note: any submissions that are out of scope, offensive, inappropriate, or late will not be accepted in accordance with our Submissions Policy.
Questions and answers
An IQP is qualified to carry out or supervise the inspection, maintenance, and reporting of safety systems listed in building compliance schedules. They are responsible for making sure the safety systems in commercial buildings are working properly by giving them a Building Warrant of Fitness every year. It's important that the people doing this job are properly qualified to ensure that the safety certifications are accurate and lower the risk for people who use the buildings.
The proposed transfer of power would provide increased efficiency and technical capability. While Whangārei District Council currently oversees the register of IQPs for Far North District Council, it is a very manual process with letters being emailed to and from IQPs. Although this approach does work it is not an efficient use of resources and falls short of a modern website-based portal approach.
A more advanced system for IQPs and building owners would be accessible through the Auckland Council website. Additionally, there would be increased opportunities for IQPs to work outside Northland, reduced compliance costs, and potentially lower risks due to an improved assessment process.
Councils nationwide are collaborating on IQP registration. Both Whangārei and Kaipara District Councils have already transferred their powers to Auckland Council. The South Island operates under a single register administered by Timaru District Council, and a joint group administers the register for several councils in the Hamilton region.
Based on current fees and charges the change will see a reduction in costs for IQPs.
The Auckland system is based on registration renewals every 3 years compared to our annual renewal.
IQPs who are already on the Auckland register will only pay the Auckland fees going forward.
No, we will continue to undertake our auditing role as required by the Building Act 2004.
The transfer only applies to accepting and registering IQPs so building owners will continue to work with our staff on building warrant of fitness matters.
Whangārei District Council can no longer oversee the register of IQPs for Far North District Council. If administration of the IQP Register is not transferred to Auckland Council, we will need to build and maintain our own IQP register, incurring additional costs.
Details regarding these considerations are outlined in the Statement of Proposal (SOP).