As featured in the March issue of Inside Strata SCA Magazine:

Click here to read the PDF Article or read on below:

Author: Joanne Barreto, SCA(NZ) President

I have just returned from Sydney and continue to learn and develop with the backing of a fantastic international team.

In February we celebrated our first anniversary with the launch of the NZ100 and education pathway, our ‘Introducing Strata’ eBook, and our committee and chair workshops.

The first International chapter of SCA has gone from strength to strength, and we now have over 50 members and five platinum sponsors throughout NZ.

After recovering from a fantastic inaugural SCA(NZ) Christmas party (see event photos), the summer holidays were a chance to reflect on both our amazing sporting teams and what we have achieved in our first year. Our executive board and subcommittees have been instrumental in the success of the chapter, and we are excited about the year ahead.

I am very proud of the ‘Introducing Strata’ eBook the team have created, which can be viewed at: www.stratacommunity.co.nz. This is the first in a series of educational tools for those who are looking to be involved in the sector either as buyers, owners or professionals. A big thank you to Tim Jones, Scott Cracknell and Gillian Blakely for all their efforts to put the relevant act and regulations into a user friendly page turner – yet another step towards our mandate of increasing awareness and information sharing.

A big part of this is the timely review of the legislation surrounding the industry. I was delighted to attend a cocktail function with Ministers Smith and Kaye in December 2016, along with six colleagues who have been involved in the select committee review. The UTA is being reviewed to ensure that the law regulating unit titles is functioning well and fit for a growing market. I am delighted to report they have taken on many of the suggestions from our working group report and have included the promotion and government support of SCA(NZ).

The consultation process is targeted at proposed reforms that relate to:

  • improving the disclosure regime,
  • strengthening body corporate governance provisions,
  • promoting professionalism in body corporate management,
  • ensuring adequate long term maintenance plans and funding, and accessibility of dispute resolution processes.

There is also discussion on a proposal to introduce unit title complex size thresholds, which would trigger different levels of legislative requirements. You can read the full discussion document on proposed changes to the UTA on MBIE’s website.

The resources and opportunities SCA(NZ) are providing are the first of it’s kind in NZ, and we continue to work with industry leaders to tailor these to our sector. A year in, I can’t thank those who have been involved enough, for all their continued support and advice. We continue to work with the media and government to ensure our voice is heard. This year we are looking to hold a symposium and further educational events, as well as social and networking functions to bring a historically fragmented industry together for the greater good.