President's Christmas Message 2025
On behalf of the National Executive, I would like to wish all BCCG members, whether Body Corporates, Associate members Life members or Sponsors, a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
2025 has been a busy and important year for the BCCG and for the wider body corporate sector. I hope that all members can enjoy a well-earned break over the holiday period and return refreshed and ready for what promises to be a very significant year in 2026.
This Christmas newsletter provides a brief wrap-up of several key matters from the past few months, along with guidance on issues that continue to affect many bodies corporate across New Zealand.
Survey Results
The National Executive would like to thank everybody who took part in the recent BCCG survey. There was a total of 194 respondents (including fifty-two non-members). These results provided a more accurate picture of what chairs, committees, and owners value in their membership of the BCCG. The findings show that the BCCG is highly trusted by those who know it, but overall awareness in the unit title sector remains low and is an issue that the National Executive will be tackling in 2026.
The survey identified that members’ top priorities were concerns about education, remediation guidance, and clarity around interpretations of the Unit Titles Act 2010. The National Executive has embedded many of these points in our new strategic direction. There is more on the strategic direction in the next paragraph.
Strategic Review Update
Over the past several months, the National Executive has completed a full strategic review to reset BCCG’s direction for 2026–2030. Guided by member feedback, independent research and a full-day strategy workshop, we have confirmed four strategic priorities:
Awareness | Education & Partnering | Advocacy | Funding & Resources
Together, these priorities form the foundation of our long-term ambition which is, that:
By 2030, anyone living, or considering living, in a multi-unit community in Aotearoa New Zealand knows of and benefits from the Body Corporate Chairs Group.
Over the coming months, the National Executive and supporting sub-groups will develop detailed plans and policies under each of the four priority areas. Members will be kept informed as this work progresses, and we look forward to strengthening both our membership base and the support we provide across the sector.
Insurance: Vacant or Unoccupied Units- Do you have one in your building?
Recent advice from insurance brokers has highlighted ongoing confusion around the difference between vacant and unoccupied units and the potential impact this can have on insurance excesses.
We have published guidance on the BCCG website outlining these distinctions. Committees are encouraged to review this information carefully and discuss their specific circumstances with their broker or insurer, particularly where units may be vacant or unoccupied for extended periods. Failure to do so can result in significantly higher excesses at claim time.
We encourage all members to review their insurance policy to check whether there is such a provision in the “small print” of the policy. Members need to draw this issue to the attention of owners, as that excess may be charged to the owner of that vacant or unoccupied unit.
Have you used our website recently?
Our website continues to be the central hub for all BCCG resources, news, guides, tools, and updates. Each meeting is recorded and is placed on the website for members to review. We encourage all members to log in to access the website. That means chairs, committee members and or unit owners. Access is not limited to simply the chairs and the committee, as membership of the BCCG is for the body corporate, which includes all unit owners, not just the governance group.
We will be refreshing the website as part of the 2026 strategic work, and it will be reorganised to make it more intuitive and easier to navigate for all members, chairs, committee members, and owners alike.
Is your building earthquake-prone – review the Auckland event?
Thank you to everyone who attended the recent Auckland session on the new Earthquake-Prone Building regime (EPB), presented by Professor Ken Elwood. A recording of the event and supporting presentation materials are now available on the website.
It is important to note that the proposed changes arising from the government’s seismic review have not yet been enacted into law. The current EPB regime and New Building Standards (NBS) thresholds continue to apply, and insurers and lenders may still require compliance under the existing NBS regime.
BCCG will continue working with MBIE, engineers and legal specialists to provide members with clear, practical guidance as the new framework develops.
Are You Following BCCG on LinkedIn?
Our LinkedIn presence has grown significantly over the past month, demonstrating a clear appetite for trusted, independent information about multi-unit living.
As part of our Awareness priority for 2026, we will continue strengthening our LinkedIn activity. Members who use LinkedIn are encouraged to follow the BCCG page and repost articles and updates to help extend our reach across the sector.
As we close out the year, I would like to thank all members of the National Executive and the three branch committees for all their work and support and encouragement throughout 2025. Further, I would like to pass a huge vote of thanks to all our very loyal and generous sponsors who have supported the BCCG financially this year and over many years. Without their input, we would not be able to function and provide our members with the services we do.
Finally, a big thanks to all members for their continued support and engagement. I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026.
Tim Jones
National President
16 December 2025
