Producer Statements

There are four main types:

• PS1 (Design Statement): A Chartered Professional Engineer confirms that their design complies with the Building Code.
• PS2 (Design Review Statement): A second engineer reviews and confirms the design’s compliance.
• PS3 (Construction Statement): A contractor states that the construction work complies with the approved design.
• PS4 (Construction Review Statement): An engineer confirms that the construction meets the approved design and the Building Code.

A Producer Statement must include the following details, applicable to the type of statement:

1. Author Information

• Name and contact details of the engineer providing the producer statement
• Qualifications and professional registration details

2. Project Details

• Project address and description
• Building consent number (if applicable)
• Description of the specific design work covered

3. Scope of Design Work

• Clear identification of the design elements included
• Reference to relevant drawings, specifications, and calculations
• Confirmation that the design complies with the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) and the compliance pathway used to establish this.

4. Supporting Documentation

• Engineering calculations
• Design drawings (preferably signed or stamped)
• Design assumptions and limitations

5. Compliance Statement

• Statement confirming that the design meets specific clauses of the NZBC
• Any required design reviews or additional compliance measures

6. Limitations and Conditions

• Any dependencies on other reports, inspections, or monitoring requirements
• Identification of required construction monitoring (if applicable)

7. Signature and Date

• Signed and dated by the author
• Confirmation that the author takes responsibility for the design statement

While this guidance focuses on producer statements provided by Chartered Professional Engineers for structural stability, Grey District Council also receives and evaluates producer statements for a range of other specialised building work. These include, but are not limited to, geotechnical engineering, fire safety systems, wastewater disposal, and mechanical ventilation systems. The same principles of verification, risk assessment, and reliance on qualified professionals apply to all such producer statements.

Only professionals with appropriate qualifications and experience can issue producer statements. Grey District Council reviews the credibility of the author and may request further verification if necessary.

Producer statements are typically used for specialist work, such as engineering, or where there is a proprietary product which is installed by appointed contractors. Aspects of this work will be outside the council’s in-house expertise and a producer statement can assist the council when we are determining whether the building work complies with the Building Code. Council will use judgement and internal processes when considering producer statements and how much weight to give them.

Grey District Council evaluates producer statements based on:

• The author’s qualifications and experience
• The complexity and risk level of the work
• Supporting calculations and documentation
• Previous performance of the statement provider

A producer statement is not a guarantee. Grey District Council may still conduct inspections or require independent reviews, especially for high-risk projects.

The reliance placed on producer statements depends on risk:

• Low-risk work: Grey District Council may accept a PS1 alone. Examples include simple residential structures that comply with NZS 3604, single-story buildings with straightforward foundations, and minor internal alterations that do not significantly affect structural integrity.
• Medium-risk work: A PS2 (Design Review) may also be required. This category may include multi-story residential buildings, commercial structures with standard load-bearing elements, and moderate geotechnical considerations such as retaining walls under a specified height.
• High-risk work: Additional peer reviews or independent assessments may be necessary. High-risk construction often involves complex structural engineering, high-rise buildings, major infrastructure projects, and sites with significant geotechnical challenges such as steep slopes or poor soil conditions.

A Design Review (PS2) is an independent assessment of a design conducted by a qualified professional to verify that it meets the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code and other relevant standards. This review acts as a second level of assurance to ensure that design work is sound and free from significant errors or omissions.

Grey District Council will either engage a suitably qualified Consultant and claim costs from the building consent applicant, or when required, the applicant will engage a second CP Engineer to carry out a design review at their own expense.

Construction monitoring ensures that building work is carried out according to approved plans and complies with the New Zealand Building Code. The designing engineer will nominate which construction monitoring inspections are required. The engineer conducts the required inspections at the nominated stages of construction to verify compliance.

The author of a PS1 (Design Statement) will often specify construction monitoring requirements to support the issuance of a PS4 (Construction Review Statement). This ensures that critical site observations and verifications are completed before final compliance sign-off.

Grey District Council may further require construction monitoring for:

• Large or complex projects
• High-risk construction work
• Projects where compliance assurance is critical

Different levels of construction monitoring exist, ranging from occasional site visits to full-time oversight. The appropriate level depends on factors such as project size, complexity, and the experience of the construction team. Increased monitoring reduces the risk of non-compliance and ensures quality workmanship.

Note: Construction Monitoring records may be identified on the Building Consent document (Form 5) as a required document. Please check the Form 5 for your project to confirm any construction monitoring and record requirements.

2.1 Lodging a Producer Statement with Grey District Council

When submitting a producer statement, ensure:

• The document is properly completed and signed
• All supporting evidence is included
• The author’s qualifications are clearly stated

2.2 Review and Approval Process

Grey District Council reviews each statement and may:

• Accept it as evidence of compliance
• Request further information
• Require additional inspections or peer reviews

3.1 Responsibilities of Statement Providers

Professionals issuing producer statements must:

• Be competent and qualified in the relevant field
• Ensure their statements are accurate and supported by evidence
• Be available to clarify or provide additional information if needed

3.2 Council’s Role in Compliance

Grey District Council ensures that producer statements are used appropriately. The council may:

• Reject producer statements if they lack credibility or there is insufficient supporting evidence
• Conduct spot audits and inspections
• Take enforcement action if false or misleading statements are provided