The New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors wants changes to speed up building consent delays

It says about 64 percent of applications are paused because councils request extra information.

President David Clifton says bringing in surveyors at the beginning of projects could mean they don't get held up as much down the line.

He says it would also be good to see changes to architecture education.

Clifton says there should be a greater focus on compliance and the building code.