Agencies skip leaky building congress

Nick Smith

Key government agencies are late starters for an Auckland symposium to air new research into leaky buildings.

National Party building spokesman Nick Smith yesterday accused the Government and the agencies of boycotting the University of Auckland symposium.

Dr Smith said they should be getting to the bottom of the leaky homes problem by attending and listening to overseas experts.

The scandal was reignited last week with fears of a second wave of rotting homes through the use of T1.2 treated wood, which is surface-sprayed rather than soaked.

Dr Smith was called on to open this morning's symposium after its organisers were told that Building Issues Minister Chris Carter was too busy.

The Building Research Association of New Zealand (Branz), the Department of Building and Housing and the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service also snubbed their invitations, said Dr Smith.

Branz' excuse seemed to be about protecting itself from liability, he said, and the department was concerned about commercial products being launched at the symposium.

But symposium convenor Professor Geoff Duffy said two internationally known experts on building moisture from Canada, Dr John Straube and Dr Joe Lstiburek, would offer their latest research findings and experience.

"Our aim is to lay a public platform of technical truth," said Professor Duffy, who is the university's associate dean of research.

More than 70 people had registered for the two-day symposium, including people who worked for councils, insurance companies, builders, architects and wood research scientists.

Last night a spokesman for the minister said Mr Carter had a Cabinet meeting today and an engagement in Nelson tomorrow but "if he can he will pop in for a meet 'n' greet".

Branz chief executive Peter Robertson said a research representative would attend and, in any case, the organisation was in touch with the overseas experts.

A spokesman for the department said a general manager would be there as an observer and two other staff in the leaky building field.