Government in gun over leaky building crisis

Developers have attacked the Government for not moving fast enough to solve the billion-dollar leaky building crisis, accusing it of running a secretive resolution process making it impossible to ascribe blame.

Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove has hit back hard, saying developers and some lawyers should stop blaming others and take constructive steps to solve the crisis.

The 20-member New Zealand Property Group criticised the Government and "cowboy builders", which it said were escaping "being named and shamed" in the crisis because of the secrecy surrounding the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) processes.

The group has produced a detailed report, called From Boom to Blunder to Backing Off, accusing the Government of throwing a cloak of silence over the crisis, which it said was allowing faulty houses to be sold after superficial repairs.

The group issued data last February estimating claims would take until 2025 to resolve. That report also pleaded for swifter action from the Government.

The group's members include Redwood Group chief Tony Gapes, who developed a Mt Eden apartment project which had weathertightness issues. Tim Manning, who developed Sacramento at Botany Downs and other projects alleged to be leaky, is a former member. Other members include Metropolis developer Andrew Krukziener, David Henderson of Kitchener Group and lawyer Kerry Knight, who represents developers.

Group spokesman and apartment developer John Parker blamed WHRS under-resourcing and said the Government had spent $6 million to shield its Building Industry Authority from litigation, yet just $7 million to beef up the service.

The Government's 10-year time limit on claiming state help for a leaky home was also wrong, the group said.

But Leaky Homes Action Group spokesman John Gray attacked the developers, asking what they were doing to solve the crisis, estimated to cost the country up to $5 billion.

Mr Cosgrove said he was yet to read the report but that the group should be taking more positive steps to help solve the crisis.

"What are their solutions? All I hear is criticism."

He defended the Government's role and said builder licensing, product certification, Building Code changes and rule changes concerning the WHRS were all positive steps.