There's changes happening in the construction sector. 

Construction Minister Chris Penk is launching the country's first fully independent residential building consent authority - with approval subject to certain conditions being met.

The privately-owned company, supported by the government, promises to issue building consents within 10 working days for eligible residential projects. 

Penk told Mike Hosking it's another option alongside local councils. 

He says initially it will be too small to take on all the work council does, but it might be able to scale up depending on what the appetite is. 

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