[1] The Fifth Labour Government reviewed the housing sector in 2003 as part of its response to the leaky homes crisis.

The new Department of Building and Housing was established, replacing the Ministry of Housing and picking up functions from the Ministry of Economic Development and the MSD (retirement village legislation) and the Department of Internal Affairs (swimming pool fencing regulation).

[2] The Building Industry Authority, which had been the sector's regulator, was also merged into this new department.

[3] The agency commenced operations in November 2004, following the passage of the Building Act 2004 that August.

[4] The new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) began operating on 1 July 2012.