Reflections from the ABC Conference NZ: Where Compliance Meets Collaboration – By Rob Tierney

Last week’s ABC Conference NZ was more than just a technical summit — it was a convergence of key voices across the compliance, fire safety, and regulatory sectors. As a participant, I had the privilege not only to absorb rich technical insights, but also to actively engage in valuable conversations that continue to shape the future of building safety in Aotearoa. 

Tuning into the Pulse of the Industry 

Throughout the event, I made a point of connecting with thought leaders, Independent Qualified Person (IQP)s, council representatives, fire engineers, and consultants. These conversations — often sparked in breakouts, corridors, and over coffee — gave rich context to the formal presentations. 

Key industry discussions I engaged in included: 

• How different councils are approaching risk-based BWOF auditing. 

• Practical frustrations around legacy Compliance Schedules. 

• Varying interpretations of passive fire inspection scopes and documentation. 

• The real-world impacts of interpreting MBIE guidance on existing buildings. 

This kind of candid, ground-level feedback is invaluable. It reinforces how critical it is for consultants like us at Farsight NZ to remain tightly aligned with the people on the ground — not just the policy. 

Auckland Council’s BWOF Audit Program: A Compliance Reset 

The conference contained a significant update from Auckland Council: the rollout/overview of a robust BWOF Audit Program, supported by a dedicated team of 40 staff. The scale and seriousness of this effort indicates a city-wide shift toward a proactive, accountability-focused compliance culture. 

Discussions with council representatives confirmed that this program is not just about enforcement — it’s about enabling better performance, identifying systemic issues, and building constructive relationships with building owners and compliance professionals. 

Charles Loughnan: Evolving Compliance Schedule Thinking 

Charles Loughnan, IQP and South Island compliance specialist, delivered one of the more technically grounded presentations — addressing the often-contentious topic of locking devices on final exits. His practical review of legacy system history, paired with fresh alternative solutions for updating Compliance Schedule (CS) documentation, provided a pathway for IQPs navigating these grey areas. 

Several peers and I discussed afterward how Charles’ approach could pave the way for more consistent national treatment of these systems — especially in buildings where security exit hardware is both a safety and operational concern. 

MBIE’s Compliance Schedule (CS) Handbook: Clarity on the Horizon 

Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment(MBIE) previewed proposed updates to the Compliance Schedule Handbook, which aim to clarify some of the long-standing misunderstandings — particularly around whether legacy specified systems must be upgraded to meet current code. The consensus across conversations was clear: this guidance will hopefully reduce friction and ambiguity across council boundaries. 

Networking conversations revealed broad support — but also a shared desire to ensure that these updates are paired with robust education for both IQPs and council officers to ensure consistent interpretation. 

Rob Holland, Fire Engineer – Passive Fire Inspection Code of Practice:

Rob presented a great workshop on the draft ABC Working Group’s Passive Fire Inspection Code of Practice (CoP), developed collaboratively and endorsed by Auckland Council. This document proposes the alignment of passive fire inspections for compliance (specific to Compliance Schedule item SS15) with a structured risk model like MBIE’s Building Act Sect 112 ANARP assessment tool. 

The importance of a standardised approach to this problem can’t be overstated. This CoP provides IQPs with a defensible and repeatable framework for inspection, while aligning expectations between owners, engineers, and councils. My conversations with several fire engineers and IQPs confirmed a shared optimism that this CoP will bring much-needed structure and confidence to a complex and high-risk area.  

Whilst 100% supportive of the intent, my recommendation was that MBIE should consider an advocacy model like the EQP upgrade regime, as for many large commercial buildings the expectations of this CoP could be extensive.  

Looking Ahead: Collaboration as a Compliance Strategy 

As I left the conference, one clear theme stood out: the future of compliance is collaborative. From MBIE to council officers, IQPs to consultants, everyone is navigating a changing landscape. It’s clear that solutions will come not from top-down mandates alone, but from listening to one another — especially those on the front lines. 

Attending the ABC Conference NZ was not only a technical update but a powerful reminder of the role we all play as knowledge-sharers, solution-finders, and community builders in this industry. 

At Farsight NZ, we’re committed to staying in these conversations, listening actively, and bringing back insights that support smarter, risk-based, and sustainable compliance outcomes for our clients. 

By Rob Tierney