Ref. No. DOIA 2021-2049
11 June 2021
Ed Grove
[FYI request #15173 email]
Dear Ed Grove
Thank you for your email of 14 April 2021 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the fol owing information:
“…copies of al research documentation, analysis, internal reports and internal and external
communications dating from 2013 onwards regarding the presence and potential ramifications of
elevated (80% - 100%) relative humidity levels (with or without any associated condensation)
within the wal structures of new (post 2005) timber framed cavity-constructed residences
including in particular:
(a) Any analysis as to the impact of such elevated relative humidity levels (with or without any
associated condensation) on timber framing moisture levels and decay and mould risks;
(b) Any research/analysis or correspondence as to the impact of the elevated (80 - 100%) relative
humidity levels upon the rate of loss by diffusion of boron from timber framing, the impact of the
elevated relative humidity levels upon the ultimate residual (equilibrium) levels of boron in the
timber framing, and consequent impact on the efficacy of the boron treatment for control of
decay fungi and mould. More general y, any research/analysis or correspondence as to whether
or not boron treatment wil be sufficient to prevent mould and/or decay fungi growth on timber
framing in elevated (80% - 100%) relative humidity levels;
(c) Any field observations of (or correspondence/notes regarding) mould and decay-fungi growth
in the internal wal structures of new (post 2005) timber framed and cavity constructed buildings
where no material external liquid moisture entry (i.e. leaks) has been detected;
(d) Any research/analysis, notes or correspondence regarding whether or not current (post 2005)
timber framed cavity construction is achieving, or is likely to achieve, or can/should be modified to
achieve, compliance with the Building Code in light of the potential impacts of elevated interstitial
relative humidity levels and/or any associated condensation.”
On 22 April 2021, MBIE informed you that, unless you were able to narrow the scope of your request,
MBIE would likely refuse your request under section 18(f) of the Act, as the information requested cannot
be made available without substantial col ation or research. MBIE also provided you contextual
information and two reports that, though not technical y in scope of your request, we thought you might
be interested in.
On 29 April 2021, you responded to MBIE, explaining your concerns about mould and decay fungi growth
in timber-framed and cavity-constructed homes. Your email has been forwarded to the relevant teams at
MBIE for their consideration.
With regards to our response to your request, MBIE notified you of a 20 day extension, made under
15A(1)(b) of the Act, on 13 May 2021.
The Document Schedule below lists the documents that fal within scope of your request. Some
information from within these documents has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect
individuals’ privacy. I am satisfied that, in the circumstances, the withholding of this information is not
outweighed by other considerations that render it desirable to make it available in the public interest.
Document Schedule
No.
Doc Type
Name/ Subject Matter
Date
1
Email
Re: Vapour Control in NZ Wal s – Draft BRANZ study report
4 March 2016
for comment
2
Email
FW: My feedback on Vapour Control in NZ Wal s (BRANZ
4 March 2016
Report SR 344)
3
Email
Re: American construction trainer presents weathertighness 9 March 2016
seminars in NZ
4
Draft Word Doc New Zealand Dwel ing – Hygro-Thermal Model ing Project –
3 May 2017
DRAFT
5
Email
Progress on H-1 Report
22 May 2017
5a
- Attachment
Introduction to H1 Report AFD 16 May 2017.docx
5b
- Attachment
Levy Out of Schedule Application Stage 3 – H1 Scoping
6
Email
FW: Progress on H1 Report
23 May 2017
6a
- Attachment
Levy Out of Schedule Application Stage 3 – H1 Scoping_NB
Comments22Mar17.docx
6b
- Attachment
Exec summary Typologies stage 2 second cut.docx
7
Email
FW: H1 Draft Report
8 June 2017
7a
- Attachment
New Zealand Dwel ing Hygro-Thermal Model ing Project
(2017_H1 Study Report_3 May_MBIE Review_2)
8
Email
FW: 2017_H1 Study Report_3 May_MBIE
16 June 2017
Review_2_NB_Feedback
8a
- Attachment
2017_H1 Study Report_3 May_MBIE
Review_2_NB_Feedback.docx
9
Email
RE: H1 Presentation
29 June 2017
10
Email
BRANZ MBIE H1
21 August
Presentation_Intro_Background_post_AFB.pptx
2017
10a - Attachment
BRANZ MBIE H1
Presentation_Intro_Background_post_AFB.pptx
11
Meeting Invite
Internal Environment Performance of New Zealand
22 August
Dwel ings
2017
12
Meeting Invite
Model Buildings and Internal Environment (aka prepping for 9 October
H1/typologies) Stage 3
2017
13
Email
Energy efficiency background work
3 July 2018
13a - Attachment
A Review of the Internal Environment of New Homes and its
Implications for the New Zealand Building Code and
Supporting Documents
13b - Attachment
New Zealand Dwel ing – Hygro-thermal Model ing Project
(H1 Study Report_8 June MBIE Review_2 – Draft)
13c - Attachment
Preparing for the next version of H1 (BRANZ MBIE H1
Presentation 22 Aug 17_final.pptx)
13d - Attachment
The selection and hygrothermal model ing of new New
Zealand dwel ing (pilot)
13e - Attachment
Project Proposal Template (Model buildings bid document
14
Meeting Invite
Five-year plan Interrelationships for H1, G4, and E3
1 March 2019
14a - Attachment
Research Project Brief (BSP Research Project Brief H1…)
14b - Attachment
NOT RELEASED as same as doc 13d above
14c - Attachment
NOT RELEASED as same as doc 13a above
You may also be interested in a BRANZ report titled, Levy in Action 2018, as it contains a brief section on
page 59, on a project cal ed, “Model buildings – Next generation of the Building Code”. It is available at:
https://d39d3mj7qio96p.cloudfront.net/media/documents/Levy_in_Action_2018_2019.pdf.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of my response to your
request. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Anna Cook
Acting Manager, Building Performance and Engineering
Building Resources and Markets
