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The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)'s Building Performance team has updated the settings for compliance with the energy-efficiency requirements of clause H1 of the Building Code.
Following a consultation from December 2024 to February 2025. MBIE have made a number of amendments relating to H1. These simple changes follow decisions already made to remove the Schedule Method from the H1 insulation ‘deemed to comply’ pathways, announced in July 2025. The changes include:
- more flexibility in insulation requirements
- clearer measurement rules
- a bathroom heating exemption
- improved modelling methods
- better thermal bridging consideration
- enhanced tools and tables
These amendments aim to provide designers more flexibility and help builders balance upfront costs with long-term energy savings, enabling additional options for compliance while improving clarity and consistency in the settings.
The overall level of energy efficiency and insulation required remains unchanged and will continue to help create warm, dry and energy efficient buildings across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The updated AS/VMs take effect immediately, with a 12-month transition period until 26 November 2026.
Read more about the increased flexibility of H1 Energy Efficiency on the Building Performance website.
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