Apply for a building consent

Apply for a consent using Objective Build

Stratford Council uses the Objective Build portal for building consent applications. Objective Build is used by councils across New Zealand, so if you work in more than one district, one login covers them all.

Through Objective Build you can:

• Submit your application and track its progress from lodgement to code compliance certificate
• Receive and respond to requests for further information (RFIs) in one place
• Book inspections and apply for a code compliance certificate (CCC), certificate of acceptance or an amendment
• Give your team access so they can see where an application is at and respond on your behalf
• Save templates so you are not re-entering the same information on every application

Getting started

• Register at build.objective.com. Registration is free and you only need to do it once.
• If you have lodged a consent with Council before, register using the same email address that is on your existing consents. If you use a different address, your consents will not appear in your account. If you need to use a different email address, contact Objective Build support on 0800 024 508.
• If you already have an Objective Build account with another council, use that account. You do not need a second one.
• Add anyone else who works on your applications to your account, so they can track progress and respond to requests for information.

Make sure your application is correct and complete

• The application form has a number of parts and it is important that all sections are completed.
• You will also be required to add the documentation relevant to your project.
• Applications will not be accepted if any of the information is missing.

What happens next

Once Council accepts your application, we have 20 working days to process it.

If we need more information, we will send you a request for further information (RFI) through Objective Build. Everyone on your account can see the RFI and respond to it. The 20 working day clock pauses while we wait for your response and restarts once you have replied.

You can check the status of your application at any time from your Objective Build dashboard.

Submitting your application by mail or over the counter

All parts of Form 2 (Building Consent application) are to be completed and submitted along with one (1) copy of all required plans and supporting documentation.

Making a payment

You will receive notification from Council, via the portal, with a pro-forma invoice for deposit fees and references numbers associated with your application. Once payment has been received by Council, your accepted application will begin processing.

Submitting your application via mail or over the counter

Council strongly encourages all applications to be made through Objective Build, but you are still able to submit your building consent application by mail or over the counter at the Council office.

If doing so, please note:

• Additional charges may apply.
• Payment of deposit fees must be made before the consent will be processed.
• If paying online, contact Council's Quality Assurance Officer for a reference code and bank account details. If lodging in person, deposit fees must be paid at the time of lodging.
• Post applications to: Stratford District Council, PO Box 320, Stratford 4352.

You will need the following forms:

• Form 2 Building Consent, which is also the application for a Project Information Memorandum (PIM), solid fuel burner, staged building consent, amendment to a building consent, or a building consent using a National Multiple-Use Approval (MultiProof)
• Form 2A Memorandum from Licensed Building Practitioner, Certificate of Design Work
• Form 2B Statutory Declaration of Owner Builder

Note:

All building work must be carried out in accordance with the NZ Building Code and the Stratford District Council's District Plan, whether or not it is exempt from a Building Consent.

Moving from Simpli to Objective Build

If you have a consent in progress

Anything lodged before 21 August 2026 carries on in Simpli. There is no need to re-lodge and you will not lose your place in the queue. Once your building consent is issued, the job transfers automatically to Objective Build. You will book inspections and apply for your code compliance certificate there, so you will need an Objective Build account registered to the same email address as your consent.

If you have consents already completed

Your consent records transfer to Objective Build, and you will see them once you register with the email address on those consents. The approved plans and documents attached to those consents may not be visible to you in Objective Build. If you want your own copies, download them from Simpli before 24 August 2026.

Certificate for Public Use

Applications for a Certificate for Public Use (CPU) will not be available in Objective Build until late 2026. If you need a CPU before then, contact Council on (06) 765 6099 or building@stratford.govt.nz.

Amendments to a building consent

A minor variation is a minor modification, addition, or variation to a building consent that does not deviate significantly from the plans and specifications the building consent relates to. In short, it is a change that clearly has little impact on compliance with the building code and may be approved by the Building Control Officer on site.

A major variation (amendment) is where the work is outside the scope of the original consent, such as additional footprint or an increase in floor area, a change in construction method, or significant changes to the layout. A formal amendment is required before the new work is undertaken, and revised plans and specifications must be submitted to Council for approval first.

All amendments must be approved and recorded by the Building Consent Authority (Council).

Amendments are lodged through Objective Build, from the consent they relate to.

MultiProof Building Consents ‐ Timeframes for processing

A MultiProof consent is a building consent for a standardised design that is intended to be replicated many times. MultiProof approvals are issued by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.

MultiProof is a statement by the Department that a specific set of building plans and specifications complies with the New Zealand Building Code. Under the Building Act 2004 (as amended in 2009), Building Consent Authorities must accept a MultiProof as evidence of Building Code compliance.

A building consent is still needed for a building with MultiProof approval.

The role of Building Consent Authorities is to:

• Approve site-specific details, including foundations and utilities
• Ensure that any MultiProof conditions have been met, and
• Undertake normal inspections during construction.

The Council has 10 working days to issue a MultiProof building consent. Based on information from Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment website.