PS1 and PS2 Producer Statements in New Zealand: Design Compliance Explained

In New Zealand's building consent system, producer statements cover both the design and construction phases of a project. While most building tradespeople are familiar with the PS3 construction producer statement, the PS1 and PS2 apply earlier in the process — at the design stage, before a single piece of timber is cut or a foundation poured.

For engineers, architects, fire engineers, and other design professionals involved in consented building projects, understanding the difference between PS1 and PS2 — and knowing exactly when each is required — is an important part of managing building consent applications efficiently.

What Is a PS1 Producer Statement?

A PS1 producer statement is a written declaration by the person who produced the design of a building or building system, confirming that their design complies with the relevant clauses of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC).

It is, in essence, a professional opinion from the designer: "I have produced this design, and in my professional judgement it meets the requirements of the Building Code." It does not guarantee that the work will be built correctly — that's what the PS3 is for — but it gives the building consent authority (BCA) the confidence to grant a consent without independently verifying every technical aspect of a complex engineered design.

PS1 statements are submitted as part of a building consent application, alongside the plans and specifications. They are most commonly required for:

• Structural engineering designs — foundations, retaining walls, beams, columns, structural steel
• Geotechnical designs — slope stability, ground conditions, liquefaction assessments
• Fire engineering designs — performance-based fire design for buildings not complying with Acceptable Solutions
• Mechanical engineering designs — HVAC, ventilation systems, pressurisation
• Specialist weathertightness or facade designs
• Swimming pool barrier designs (in some jurisdictions)
• Acoustic design for multi-unit residential buildings

Who Can Sign a PS1 in New Zealand?

A PS1 must be signed by a professional who is suitably qualified to make the design declarations it contains. Unlike the PS3 — which is typically signed by an LBP or licensed tradesperson — a PS1 is usually signed by:

• Chartered Professional Engineers (CPEng) — for structural, geotechnical, fire, and mechanical designs
• Registered architects (Arch) — for architectural design aspects where the architect is certifying compliance
• Licensed Building Practitioners in the Design licence class — for design work within their competency (typically residential design)
• Other qualified specialists — acoustic consultants, facade engineers, or others with recognised expertise in the relevant design area

The BCA receiving the PS1 will consider whether the signatory is suitably qualified to make the specific declarations in the statement. A structural PS1 signed by someone without structural engineering credentials will be queried or rejected.

What Does a PS1 Need to Include?

A complete PS1 producer statement typically includes:

• The property address and building consent application reference
• A description of the specific design being certified (e.g. "structural design of timber-framed dwelling including foundation system")
• The relevant NZBC clauses being addressed
• A declaration that the design has been prepared in accordance with the NZBC
• The designer's full name, professional qualifications, and registration number (e.g. CPEng number)
• Contact details
• Signature and date

What Is a PS2 Producer Statement?

A PS2 producer statement is a written declaration by a suitably qualified professional who has independently reviewed another person's design and confirms that, in their professional judgement, the design complies with the NZBC.

In simple terms: the PS1 is from the designer, the PS2 is from a peer reviewer of that design. It is the design-phase equivalent of quality assurance — an independent check that the design meets the Building Code before construction begins.

PS2 statements are less common than PS1s. A BCA typically requests a PS2 when:

• The design is complex, novel, or high-risk and the BCA wants additional assurance
• The original designer's credentials are not well established
• The building is large, multi-storey, or contains complex engineering systems
• The project uses a performance-based or alternative solution approach to NZBC compliance
• Previous experience with the designer has raised concerns

Who Can Sign a PS2?

Like a PS1, a PS2 must be signed by a suitably qualified professional — typically a CPEng or equivalent. The key additional requirement is independence: the PS2 reviewer must be independent of the original designer and must not have been involved in producing the design they are reviewing.

This independence requirement is what distinguishes the PS2 from internal quality assurance processes. The BCA needs confidence that the reviewer has no conflict of interest in signing off the design.

PS1 vs PS2: Key Differences

• PS1 — from the designer themselves; declares their own design complies with the NZBC
• PS2 — from an independent reviewer; declares that someone else's design complies with the NZBC
• Both are submitted at the building consent application stage
• Both relate to design compliance, not construction compliance
• A project may have a PS1 only, or both a PS1 and a PS2 (if peer review is required)

PS1 and PS2 NZBC Clauses

The NZBC clauses cited in a PS1 or PS2 depend on what the design covers. Common clauses include:

• B1 — Structure (almost always required for engineering design)
• B2 — Durability
• C1–C6 — Protection from fire (for fire engineering designs)
• E1 — Surface water (for earthworks and drainage design)
• E2 — External moisture (for weathertightness design)
• F1 — Hazardous agents on-site (for geotechnical design on contaminated land)
• G4 — Ventilation (for mechanical ventilation design)
• H1 — Energy efficiency (for building envelope design)

How PS1 and PS2 Fit Into the Building Consent Process

The typical flow for a project requiring a PS1 works like this:

1. The engineer or designer prepares the design and signs a PS1
2. The PS1 is submitted with the building consent application
3. The BCA reviews the consent application, relying on the PS1 as evidence that the design meets the NZBC
4. The BCA grants consent (with or without requesting a PS2 peer review)
5. Construction proceeds in accordance with the approved design
6. The builder completes a PS3 (and possibly the engineer a PS4) on completion
7. The CCC is granted

PS1 and PS2 in Residential Projects

For standard residential construction (single-level or two-storey timber-framed housing), BCAs may not require a PS1 if the design follows standard Acceptable Solutions under the NZBC. However, a PS1 is commonly required for:

• Any engineered foundation or retaining wall
• Sloped or difficult sites requiring geotechnical assessment
• Structural steel, concrete, or engineered timber systems
• Multi-storey or large-footprint residential buildings
• Complex roof structures
• Buildings in high wind zones requiring specific structural engineering

If you're a builder or project manager coordinating a consent application, it's worth confirming early whether the BCA will require a PS1 — and for which design elements — to avoid delays later.

Managing Design Producer Statements with PS Express

PS Express supports PS1 and PS2 producer statements alongside the PS3 and PS4 forms used in construction. Engineers and design professionals can complete and submit PS1 statements directly from their phone or device, with their professional details pre-filled and NZBC clauses guided by the form type selected.

Statements are stored by building consent number, making it straightforward to supply them when applying for consent or when a BCA requests copies during the process.

Try PS Express free for 28 days — no credit card required. Built for all NZ building professionals, from LBPs and tradespeople to engineers and designers.