PS4 Producer Statement NZ: The Construction Review Guide

Of the four producer statement types used in New Zealand building projects, the PS4 Construction Review is the one most building professionals encounter least often — but when a BCA requests one, knowing what's involved is important. Getting a PS4 wrong, or submitting it from the wrong person, can delay your project and your Code Compliance Certificate (CCC).

This guide explains what a PS4 is, when it's required, who can sign it, and how it fits into the overall building consent process under the Building Act 2004.

What Is a PS4 Producer Statement?

A PS4 producer statement is a written declaration by a suitably qualified professional who has independently reviewed construction work carried out by someone else, confirming that the work has been built in accordance with the approved design and complies with the relevant clauses of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC).

The key word is independent. A PS4 is not completed by the person who did the work — that's the PS3. A PS4 is completed by a separate qualified professional who has reviewed or monitored the work from the outside. It is, in effect, a quality assurance declaration: a second set of qualified eyes confirming the construction is up to standard.

In the producer statement framework:

• PS1 — design, by the designer
• PS2 — design review, by an independent reviewer
• PS3 — construction, by the person who did the work
• PS4 — construction review, by an independent reviewer of the work

When Is a PS4 Required?

Unlike the PS3 — which is required on most consented building projects — the PS4 is not a standard requirement on every build. Building consent authorities request PS4 statements in specific circumstances where they require additional assurance beyond what the builder's own PS3 can provide.

Common situations where a BCA may require a PS4 include:

• Engineered construction — where the approved design was prepared by an engineer (PS1) and the BCA requires the same or a different engineer to monitor and review the construction work to confirm it was built to the design intent
• Complex or high-risk projects — large multi-storey residential buildings, commercial structures, or projects with complex structural or fire engineering systems
• Engineer-to-site requirements — where the building consent conditions require an engineer to attend site at specific stages (e.g. concrete pours for engineered foundations) and report back to the BCA
• Performance-based designs — where an alternative solution to the NZBC was used and the BCA wants independent confirmation that construction matches the performance specifications
• Low-confidence situations — in rare cases, a BCA may require independent construction review if they have concerns about the quality or supervision of the work
• Multi-contractor projects — where the person who provided the PS1 design wants to confirm that their design intent was followed during construction

Who Can Sign a PS4 in New Zealand?

A PS4 must be signed by a suitably qualified professional who is:

• Independent of the person or company that carried out the construction work
• Qualified to assess the specific work being reviewed
• Competent in the relevant area of construction or engineering

In practice, PS4 statements are most commonly signed by:

• Chartered Professional Engineers (CPEng) registered with Engineering New Zealand — particularly for structural, geotechnical, or fire engineering construction reviews
• Experienced LBPs who are independent of the contractor and qualified in the relevant licence class — in limited circumstances where engineering oversight isn't the primary requirement
• The original designer (PS1 signatory) — an engineer who provided the design PS1 often also provides the PS4 construction review, confirming the build followed their design intent

The BCA will assess whether the PS4 signatory is appropriately qualified for the specific review being declared. An LBP cannot sign a PS4 for structural engineering work — that requires engineering credentials.

PS4 vs PS3: Key Differences

• Who completes it: PS3 — the person who did the work. PS4 — an independent reviewer of someone else's work.
• When it's used: PS3 — standard requirement on most consented builds. PS4 — required only when the BCA or consent conditions specifically request independent construction review.
• What it confirms: Both confirm that construction complies with the NZBC — but from different perspectives. The PS3 is a first-person declaration ("I built this and it complies"), while the PS4 is a third-party declaration ("I reviewed this and it complies").
• Who signs it: PS3 — the LBP or licensed tradesperson who did the work. PS4 — an independent qualified professional (often a CPEng).

What Does a PS4 Need to Include?

A complete PS4 producer statement must include:

• The property address and building consent number
• A description of the construction work reviewed
• The method of review (e.g. site visits, inspection of documentation, review of photos)
• The dates of site visits or review activities
• The relevant NZBC clauses being addressed
• The reviewer's full name, qualifications, and professional registration number
• A declaration that the construction reviewed complies with the approved design and NZBC
• Contact details, signature, and date

Because the PS4 involves reviewing someone else's work, it should also clearly state the basis for the reviewer's conclusions — what they actually inspected, visited, or reviewed — so the BCA can assess the adequacy of the review process itself.

Engineer Monitoring and PS4 Reports

For many engineering-related PS4 statements, the review process involves engineer-to-site visits at critical construction stages. A structural engineer, for example, might attend site at:

• Foundation excavation — to confirm ground conditions match the geotechnical assumptions in the design
• Before concrete pour — to confirm reinforcing matches the structural drawings
• Framing completion — to confirm structural connections and member sizes
• Completion of structural work — before linings are applied

Each site visit typically generates a monitoring report. The PS4 producer statement is then produced at completion, summarising all visits and declaring that the construction reviewed meets the approved design and NZBC.

PS4 and the CCC Application

Where a PS4 has been required by the building consent conditions, it must be submitted as part of the CCC application. A BCA will not issue a CCC if the consent conditions required a PS4 and it hasn't been provided.

If you're a project manager or principal contractor on a project with PS4 requirements, it's worth confirming early in the project who will be providing the PS4, what their review process will be, and building their site visit schedule into the construction programme — rather than trying to arrange it at the end of the job.

Completing PS4 Statements with PS Express

PS Express includes the PS4 Construction Review form alongside PS1, PS2, and PS3, with full NZBC clause selection and pre-filled professional details. Engineers and qualified reviewers can complete their PS4 directly from their phone or device on-site, with the signed PDF generated instantly and stored against the building consent number.

Try PS Express free for 28 days — available on Android and iOS. Covers all four producer statement types for NZ building professionals.