Journal
Articles.
Plain-English answers to the questions clients ask.
Building a home shouldn't require a glossary. Each article here covers something that matters to a homeowner thinking about a project — fees, consents, design choices, where the rules will trip you up. Written by Daniel Stowe.
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Granny flat rules in NZ — what's actually changed in 2026
From 15 January 2026, small standalone dwellings up to 70 m² can be built without a Building Consent under the Building and Construction (Small Stand-alone Dwellings) Amendment Act 2025. What the new exemption covers, what it doesn't, and what still has to be done properly.
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What does an architectural designer cost in NZ?
How design fees actually work in New Zealand — fixed fee, percentage of build, hourly — and how Stoak structures its fees through the calculator on /pricing.
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Do I need a building consent? Schedule 1 in plain English
When small building work in NZ doesn't need a Building Consent — what Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 actually allows, and the rules that still apply when consent isn't needed.
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Architect vs architectural designer vs draftsperson
Three job titles, overlapping work, very different fees. What an Architect (NZRAB), an Architectural Designer (LBP) and a Draftsperson can each legally design in New Zealand.
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Is a re-clad worth it?
When a re-clad is the right call, what's involved, and what to know before you spend the moisture-survey budget. References Stoak's Hamurana Road House lakeside re-clad as an example.
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Building in Rotorua — what's worth checking before you start
A general read on building in the Rotorua district — soils, lakes, geothermal context, and the District Plan rules that catch out-of-towners. Always check the live District Plan for your specific property.
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