Alleged improper sign-off on one Gisborne building

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Owners of an undisclosed Gisborne building have been left “stressed”, after it was confirmed as one of more than 1000 others nationwide thought to have been signed off by someone without the proper credentials.

Engineering New Zealand last week revealed concerns about building consents having been improperly signed off affecting over 40 councils, with chief executive Dr Richard Templer saying supporting councils was “a clear priority”.

It followed recent allegations that one of its members, engineering technologist Jonathan (Jon) Beau Hall, director of Taupo-based Kodiak Consulting Limited, allegedly completed and signed documents using others’ identities and credentials without their permission.

The documents allegedly include producer statements, which provide assurance to councils that a design meets building code and consenting requirements when signed by a chartered professional engineer.

“This is a tough time for councils and their communities, and I feel for the many owners who are anxious to know if their properties are impacted,“ Mr Templer said.

“I understand over 1000 properties may be impacted by the alleged misappropriations.”

Gisborne District Council chief of strategy and science Joanna Noble confirmed one property here was affected.

“This corresponds to the information that has been conveyed to us on behalf of Jon Hall (the engineering technologist identified by Engineering New Zealand).

“We have also identified other buildings with engineering design by the engineer who it is alleged had their identity and qualifications used without their permission. We have been able to confirm directly with that engineer that these are genuine engineering designs.”

The building in question would not be revealed at present.

“There is no indication yet whether there is any actual fault in the identified building and to make the address public before the Gisborne District Council and Engineering New Zealand have finished their quality assurance checks would unduly impact the building owners who are understandably already overly stressed.

“This is a nationwide issue, and we are currently working out a way forward with Engineering New Zealand, MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) and other councils to develop a process to reduce the risk of this type of alleged misuse in the future.

“This process is in its very early stages, so it is far too early to be able to give any definite answers.”

Mr Templer said owners with concerns about their properties should contact their local council.

“Councils are a first port of call for communities and ultimately accountable for their processes, but this is a significant task and complex situation. Our goal is to help councils provide certainty for owners as soon as we can, although it will likely take some time to work things through.

“‘Chartered Professional Engineer’ is a protected title and quality mark for engineers who have undergone a competency assessment, and one that councils should be able to trust” says Templer.

“As such, we take the matter of alleged misrepresentation very seriously, and are passing on any relevant information to the Police and relevant authorities.”

So far, no charges have been laid.

Police confirmed the investigation is ongoing.