Two and a half years after NZS 3910:2023 replaced the 2013 standard, Simpson Grierson surveyed local authorities across New Zealand to understand where the sector stands and what is shaping the pace of change.

What we found

The picture that emerges is one of a sector proceeding carefully. NZS 3910:2013 remains the standard construction contract for most councils, with the 2023 version adopted selectively rather than universally. Adoption is strongly correlated with organisational scale: larger councils procuring higher contract volumes are significantly more likely to have already transitioned, or to have an active plan in place.

Key findings at a glance

• Just over 50% of respondents continue to use NZS 3910:2013 as their default standard form contract.
• Around 35% have adopted NZS 3910:2023, either fully or on selected projects.
• More than 80% of councils procuring more than 60 construction contracts per year have already adopted the new standard, or have a clear plan in place.
• More than half of respondents who have not yet transitioned do not currently have a formal target date or plan in place.

Why the caution?

The barriers reported are largely practical rather than principled objections to the new standard. Respondents consistently pointed to three factors:

Transition cost and resourcing. Updating templates, revising special conditions and training staff to operate new processes all require time and budget that many councils are not currently in a position to commit.

Uncertainty around the Contract Administrator and Independent Certifier roles. The formalised separation of these roles from the familiar Engineer role under the 2013 standard is a source of practical concern, particularly for councils that expect to perform both roles in-house.

The 2013 standard continues to operate effectively. For many councils, the changes introduced in 2023 are viewed as incremental. In the absence of a compelling case for immediate change, the default is to stay with a known and well-understood contract framework.

Momentum is building

The survey also shows that adoption is not stalled: most local authorities that have not yet transitioned expect to do so over time, typically through a staged or pilot-based approach. Growing confidence across the sector, the publication of the companion NZS 3916:2025 and NZS 3917:2025 standards, and peer evidence from councils that have already transitioned are all factors expected to support this momentum.

What respondents are asking for, above all, is practical guidance: worked examples of how the Contract Administrator and Independent Certifier roles function on real projects, accessible training, and standard templates.

Thinking about your organisation's approach?

Simpson Grierson's construction team advises councils, contractors and consultants across the full life cycle of construction contracts. Whether you are developing a transition plan, working through how the new roles function in practice, or assessing NZS 3910:2023 for a specific project, we are well placed to help.

Click the button below to read the full survey results or get in touch with our team to discuss your organisation's approach.

Methodology note

This survey was conducted by Simpson Grierson between March and April 2026. Responses were received from 19 local authority participants spanning regional councils, city councils, district councils and council-controlled organisations, ranging from organisations procuring fewer than ten construction contracts per year to those procuring more than sixty. Given the sample size, findings are indicative rather than statistically representative of the local government sector as a whole.