Partner Levels

Design partners can apply submit building consent applications that match their partner level. Each level allows you to apply for specific types of projects, as show in the table below.

^^Up to three SED items which include (waffle slab, truss, lintel design)

*^Not subdivision resource consent.

**PPP partners applying to build prior to s224 will need:

• land use consent approval to build, and

have a pre application meeting to discuss planning conditions, one of which will be the requirement that a BLC be provided.

Construction partners can request remote inspections certain stages (R1 to R3 complexity buildings only):

• Half high
• Shelf-angle/brick lintel
• Pre-plaster
• Internal membrane
• Drainage
• Wastepipe/underslab
• Site scrape
• Pre-pour
• Floor slab
• Pre-line plumbing

Important: Floor slab and site scrape can only be done remotely if ground bearing and siting are confirmed.

• Everyone starts at Bronze level.
• You must stay at each level for at least 1 year.
• You need to apply to move to the next level.
• You must show good, consistent performance.

We regularly check how you’re tracking by:

• Ongoing reviews of your work.
• An annual review of your overall performance.

You can apply to move up a level if you:

• Have been at your level for at least 1 year.
• Have:
  • 20 consents in Selwyn District (design partner), or
  • 20 remote inspections in Selwyn District (construction partner).
• Keep meeting all programme requirements and expectations.

To apply for a change in level, use our partner application form [DOCX, 144 KB].

If reviews show serious issues, depending on the extent of the issue(s):

• you may be moved down a level, or
• you may be suspended or removed.

If this happens (design partners):

• You’ll be checked more often (1 in 5 projects) to monitor progress.
• Once performance improves, checks may reduce again to 1 in 10 projects.

Design partners

• Review a sample of applications (about 1 in 10).
• At least one application reviewed every 6 months.
• A yearly review.

Construction partners

• Check remote inspection information and documents during the inspection review and yearly review.
• Visit sites if needed (eg where something being assessed remotely is unclear – this may incur additional cost).

You may be suspended for a while if you don’t meet the requirements.

At the end of the suspension period, we’ll review your performance:

• Good performance: suspension is removed.
• No improvement: you may be removed from the programme.
• You can apply again to become a parter when you’re confident you consistently meet the partner requirements.

What we consider as part of this process: