7 November 2023
Media: Newshub
Topic: Alleged fraudulent sign-offs on building documents
Enquiry
A few months ago I did a story with Engineering NZ about a Taupo engineering technologist who signed off on homes around NZ using the signatures of engineers.
At the time each council was only estimating the number of homeowners in their region affected.
Now that his court case is about to start, I wonder please if you can give me a better idea of the number of homes in Rotorua that were signed off by him post 2016 just so we can accurately reflect the scale of the issue in each region.
I understand it's not many in Rotorua?
Also what plan does the Council have to help residents whose homes may not be structurally unsafe or may need to be reexamined?
Just to refresh your memory this was our first story...
Response
We provided the following information:
The following update was provided in a report for Council’s Community and District Development Committee meeting in October, which is the latest information:
Rotorua Lakes Council identified 21 projects where Kodiak Consulting provided technical input.
These structural designs relate to residential builds and typically to part of the structure, retaining walls or geotechnical reports.
Council has communicated with all affected owners and added notations for LIM purposes as is the case with these types of complaints. Owners of affected properties have the option of providing additional engineering input for consideration.
Status of the 21 cases identified by RLC:
2: Additional engineering completed by agent prior to construction – genuine design certification submitted and accepted.
3: Building consents not issued – on hold for further information that will result in genuine engineering certification being supplied.
6: Building projects in various stages of construction – requested independent engineering review prior to CCC (code compliance certificate) assessment.
10: CCCs issued – two are being reviewed on behalf of the respective owners.
Council will continue to liaise with owners as necessary.