The interception of a large amount of the drug GBL is proof of the success Police and Customs achieve in the fight against crime, Police Minister Judith Collins and Customs Minister Maurice Williamson said today.

Last month Customs officers intercepted a package from Hong Kong at the International Mail Centre.

The package contents were declared as a cleaning chemical. But analysis showed the 24.24 kg of liquid was the Class ‘B’ Controlled Drug Gamma Butyrolactone commonly known as GBL or Fantasy.

Three new categories for residential foundation design have been developed and will be required for repairing and rebuilding homes in Canterbury following the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, it was announced today.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said the foundation designs apply to the flat land in the residential green zone in Canterbury, which has now been divided by engineering experts into three new technical categories (TC1, TC2 and TC3).

Building and Construction Minister Williamson has today welcomed a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report into the construction industry.

The report: Valuing the role of Construction in the New Zealand economy, was commissioned by the Construction Strategy Group (CSG) and launched by Mr Williamson at a CSG meeting in Auckland today.

The report highlights the key role the construction sector has played in the economic growth of the country and focuses on how Government and industry can achieve more economic growth by removing red tape and lifting the industry’s skills.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced the appointment of The Hon Sir Hugh Williams to the New Zealand Registered Architects Board.

Sir Hugh, a retired high court judge, was an outstanding candidate who will bring value to the Board.

“Sir Hugh retains a strong desire to contribute his legal skills to the public and has a long standing interest in architecture. He also has an excellent understanding of the Board’s role and relationship with the New Zealand Institute of Architects,” Mr Williamson says.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced the appointment of Jane Nees to the Chartered Professional Engineers Council.

Ms Nees takes up her appointment today for a three year term as the new consumer representative.

Current chairman Graham Shaw has also been reappointed for a five year term and the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) nomination, Roly Frost, has been reappointed for two years.

Ms Nees is a Bay of Plenty Regional councillor and is on the Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee.

Recommendations in the interim report from the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission of Inquiry will support and assist the rebuild of Christchurch, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says.

Mr Williamson welcomed the report, which was released today.

Recommendations in the report cover such matters as soil analysis and appropriate foundation design, changes to some structural design standards and construction practices, and use of new building technologies.

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson has turned down a recommendation to assign the name Te Kōhua Peak to an unnamed peak located between The Remarkables and Hector Mountains in Central Otago.



The recommendation was made by the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa following a proposal by a member of the public and after an extended public consultation process.

The Government has asked the Law Commission to review how joint and several liability for defective building work is currently managed, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said today.

‘Joint and several’ means that liability is jointly shared between multiple parties, and the payment of damages must be shared by the parties.

Mr Williamson said the Building Act Review includes a review of how liability for defective building work is currently managed, and the Government has now asked the Law Commission to consider this in a wider context.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson is urging people to have their say on a joint discussion document seeking views on limited variations to the Retirement Villages Code of Practice.

The document, Potential variations to the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2008, was released today by the Department of Building and Housing and the Retirement Commission.

Consultation will be open from Monday, 10 October until Monday, 21 November.

Restricted Building Work (RBW) will be introduced from next year, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said today.

From 1 March 2012 design and construction work relating to primary structure such as foundations, floor, load-bearing walls and columns, roof work and weathertightness such as exterior cladding and joinery will only be able to be carried out or supervised by licensed building practitioners.

Commerce Minister Simon Power and Customs Minister Maurice Williamson today welcomed new powers to help crack down on people who import and sell counterfeit goods.

The Trade Marks Amendment Act and the Copyright Amendment Act, which come into force today, gives new powers to the Ministry of Economic Development and the Customs Service to investigate and prosecute people involved in the manufacture, importation, and sale of illegal goods.

More than 200 owners of leaky homes have qualified for $23 million in assistance under the Leaky Homes Financial Assistance Package, of which $18 million is from the Government and $5 million from local councils, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said today.

The scheme - where homeowners may be eligible to have up to 50% of their repair costs paid by Government and the local council - became available on 29 July 2011.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson has welcomed today's release of a Department of Building and Housing technical investigation into the performance of three buildings in Christchurch.

The report released today covers the Pyne Gould Corporation, Forsyth Barr and Hotel Grand Chancellor buildings. However, the technical investigation into the fourth and final building - the Canterbury Television (CTV) building is far more complex and will be part of a second report, which will not be completed until the end of this year or early 2012.

Amendments to the Dam Safety Scheme have been included in Building Amendment Bill (No 4), which was introduced in Parliament today.

“We have amended plans for the Scheme, because it was overly costly and complex,” Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says.

A Bill that proposes consumer protection measures to the Building Act 2004 was introduced to Parliament today.

Building Amendment Bill (No 4) provides for a range of measures designed to help consumers hold building practitioners to account.

The Bill is the companion to the Building Amendment Bill (No 3) which was introduced to Parliament in November 2010.

“These Bills form a package of changes to lift the performance and productivity of the building industry,” Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says.

Prime Minister John Key officially opened the Customs’ Integrated Targeting and Operations Centre (ITOC) in Auckland today with Customs Minister Maurice Williamson.

Based in the Auckland Customhouse, the ITOC will enhance the government’s ability to protect the safety and security of New Zealanders through more effective border control 24-hours a day. 

“Everything needed to determine risks presented by people, goods, or craft, are now brought together at the ITOC,” Mr Williamson says.

Changes to the Rules of Origin under the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (CER), will reduce costs for exporters Customs Minister Maurice Williamson and Trade Minister Tim Groser say.

The Rules of Origin determine which products are “New Zealand" or "Australian" goods and are able to be exported between the countries free of duty.

The changes were agreed to by the New Zealand and Australian Trade Ministers in June 2010 and take effect today.

Small Business Minister Maurice Williamson has congratulated business.govt.nz for winning their category at the 2011 NetGuide Web Awards.

Business.govt.nz was judged the Best Site for Small Businesses against competition from four other websites including ird.govt.nz and xero.com.

The NetGuide Web Awards acknowledge New Zealand’s best websites and this year attracted over 270,000 votes.

“I am delighted that the team at business.govt.nz have been recognised for their work in supporting small businesses,” Mr Williamson said.

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson today announced the appointment of Matanuku Mahuika to the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa – New Zealand’s place naming authority.



Mr Mahuika was nominated for appointment to the Board by the Minister of Māori Affairs. His professional background, skills and experience will strongly support the roles and responsibilities of the Board, Mr Williamson said.

The passing of a Bill in Parliament last night allows the next census to be held in March 2013, Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says.

The Duties of Statutory Officers (Census and Other Remedial Provisions) Bill amends the Statistics Act 1975 and the Statutes, Drafting and Compilation Act 1920.

The census is the official count of how many people and dwellings there are in New Zealand and gives a unique snapshot of our communities.

“Businesses, community groups and local government need this critical information,” Mr Williamson says.

The South Ridge of Aoraki / Mount Cook will soon be named Hillary Ridge, Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson said today.



The Minister’s decision confirms a recommendation by the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa to alter the name South Ridge to Hillary Ridge.



“Sir Edmund made an enormous contribution to our country and abroad and it is befitting and appropriate that his contribution is acknowledged in this way,” Mr Williamson said.

Retirement village registration fees will change on 11 August, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said today. 

‘”The annual return fees for all retirement village operators will go down,’ Mr Williamson said. 

“It’s about making sure fees continue to reflect actual administration costs, so the system is fair and efficient.”

Mr Williamson said the changes are likely to mean lower overall costs for most retirement villages.

The next Census is on track to be held in March 2013 after the introduction of a Bill in Parliament today, Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says.

The Duties of Statutory Officers (Census and Other Remedial Provisions) Bill amends the Statistics Act to allow the census to be deferred to 2013.

The Bill also amends the Statutes, Drafting and Compilation Act 1920.

The census is the official count of how many people and dwellings there are in New Zealand and gives a unique snapshot of our communities.

New Zealand Minister for Customs Maurice Williamson and Australian Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor today welcomed the launch of the SmartGate trans-Tasman trial.

The trial will involve the integration of New Zealand’s and Australia’s SmartGate systems and will give some travellers the opportunity to complete part of the Australian arrivals process in New Zealand.