Co-Lab Building Services (CBS)

Co-Lab Building Services (CBS) delivers a shared-service model developed by councils to support councils.

CBS helps councils deliver consistent, compliant building consent processing without the cost volatility, staffing risk, or capability gaps associated with traditional resourcing models.

By providing shared processing capacity, CBS helps stabilise workforce demands and complements existing teams. It also improves the customer experience while maintaining a strong focus on statutory compliance and public value.

Why Councils Choose CBS

1. Predictable Costs and Sustainable Staffing

CBS provides transparent, value-driven pricing and a stable team of employed professionals. By pooling resources across councils, we deliver consistent capacity and expertise, helping councils plan budgets confidently and manage workforce demands efficiently.

2. Compliance-Focused and Quality-Assured

Consistently compliant consent processing is at the core of CBS. We target 100% of applications processed within statutory timeframes, supported by clear processes, experienced practitioners, and robust quality assurance. Councils gain confidence in regulatory outcomes and reduced rework.

3. Building Enduring Capability

Through technical leadership, mentoring, and shared expertise, CBS strengthens council teams and supports long-term capability across the sector. Councils access specialist knowledge without the full cost of maintaining these roles in-house.

4. Governed by Councils

As a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO), CBS aligns decisions with council priorities, public value, and long-term sector outcomes. This governance model ensures services are delivered transparently, ethically, and in the community’s best interest.

Our governing councils are:

• Hamilton City Council
• Hauraki District Council
• Matamata-Piako District Council
• Thames-Coromandel District Council
• Western Bay of Plenty Council
• Waikato District Council
• Waitomo District Council

Who We Support

CBS works with councils across a range of operating environments, including:

• High-growth BCAs facing capacity constraints
• Smaller or rural BCAs with limited technical specialisation
• Councils experiencing seasonal or event-driven demand peaks
• BCAs undergoing reform, transition, or service redesign

We recognise that each council operates within its own context and constraints. We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with councils where additional capacity or specialist expertise is required.

Our Value to Councils 

CBS delivers measurable benefits that help councils work smarter and more efficiently, including:

• Optimised resourcing – improve council capacity and workflow efficiency
• Enhanced team expertise – access shared knowledge and guidance
• Flexible delivery – scale support to meet changing demand
• Operational confidence – maintain consistent performance and statutory compliance

How CBS Compares

Here’s how CBS stands apart from traditional resourcing approaches:

• Budget with confidence – predictable pricing for smarter planning
• Stable, collaborative support – shared services backed by transparent governance
• Expert oversight built-in – auditing and technical leadership included
• Compliance you can trust – consistently meeting statutory timeframes

Key Outcomes for Councils

Councils experience clear, tangible results from partnering with CBS, including:

• Predictable and efficient resourcing – smoother workflow and manageable costs
• Reliable compliance outcomes – reduced rework and on-time approvals
• Strengthened in-house capability – teams benefit fron shared expertise
• Flexible capacity – able to respond to demand peaks or unexpected changes
• Confidence and accountability – transparent governance supporting public trust

Our CBS Team