01
Design for the actual exposure
Record the site's terrain, shelter and proposed orientation so wind and structural requirements can be assessed for the project rather than inferred from a town name.
POLE SHED DESIGN · WELLINGTON & PORIRUA
Pole shed plans & engineering for Wellington region builders.
Pole shed plans, engineering and trusses/rafters for LBP builders across Wellington City, Porirua and the rural hill country around Mākara, Ōhāriu and Pāuatahanui.
Free to join. You only pay when you order. Preliminary pack from $99 + GST. Detailed plans with PS1 from $999 + GST. Turnaround 2–4 days. Consent-level plans, IL2 and customisation cost extra. We'll confirm the price before you commit.
CoverageWellington City · Porirua · Mākara · Ōhāriu · PāuatahanuiLocal contextWellington City and Porirua CitySite focusExposed, coastal and sloping sites
01 DESIGN GROUNDED IN THE SITE
WELLINGTON REGION PROJECTS
Start with the details that change the design.
Wellington and Porirua pole sheds are rarely on flat, sheltered ground. Rural blocks around Mākara, Ōhāriu and Pāuatahanui combine steep access, exposed ridgelines and coastal air, so a useful design brief needs to describe the actual site and shed use rather than rely on a generic regional assumption, especially where exposure, slope, access, drainage or natural-hazard information could affect design decisions.
02
Coordinate site information
Sloping, coastal and constrained sites may need clear levels, earthworks, access or specialist information. Capture known constraints before the building form is locked in.
03
Prepare a coherent package
Councils expect clear plans, specifications and supporting information. Keeping project decisions connected reduces ambiguity between the brief and detailed design.
02 FROM BRIEF TO DOCUMENTS
ONE CONNECTED WORKFLOW
Resolve the project before the paperwork multiplies.
ShedSpecs keeps the decisions that shape the shed connected, from the builder brief through to plans, engineering and trusses/rafters.
- 01
Capture the project
Record the site, intended use, building dimensions and constraints that matter to the job.
- 02
Shape the shed
Develop the roof, bays, openings, cladding and internal arrangement in a guided visual workflow.
- 03
Check the pathway
Confirm the local authority, planning context and whether the work needs consent or may qualify for an exemption.
- 04
Move into detail
Submit a resolved brief for detailed plans and, where selected, professional engineering, a PS1, and the trusses or rafters.
03 LOCAL CONSENT CONTEXT
CHECK THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS
One region does not mean one consent pathway.
Wellington City Council prefers online building consent applications and publishes a list of supporting documents it may require. Porirua City Council takes applications through its MyPorirua portal and asks for documents to be grouped into application documents, plans, specifications and supporting information. Projects in the Hutt Valley or on the Kāpiti Coast go to their own councils; see those pages for local detail.
Council and MBIE links are provided as starting points only. Requirements can change, and every project should be checked against its current site, use and authority.
WHAT THE WORKFLOW CONNECTS
A better-resolved brief. A clearer path to detail.
- Guided visual project setup
- Building layout and use decisions
- Secure project and document access
- Detailed drawing pathway
- Structural engineering option
- PS1 service option
- Trusses and rafters
04 COMMON QUESTIONS
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Useful answers for Wellington region shed projects.
Does every pole shed need a building consent?
No. Some single-storey pole sheds and hay barns in rural zones may qualify for a Schedule 1 exemption when all statutory conditions are met. The site, size, use, span, height, setbacks and wind conditions matter, so the builder and owner should confirm the position for the specific project before work begins.
Who can use the ShedSpecs Pole Portal, and what does it cost?
The Pole Portal is free for Licensed Building Practitioners to join. You only pay when you order. A preliminary pack — preliminary plans and a full material list — is from $99 + GST, and you can skip it and go straight to detailed plans. Detailed plans with a PS1 are from $999 + GST, paid as a deposit and balance. Turnaround is 2–4 days. Consent-level plans, IL2 (Importance Level 2) plans, and customisation of a design cost extra. We'll confirm the price before you commit. You will need your LBP number to create your account.
Do you supply trusses and rafters?
Yes. Along with the plans and engineering, ShedSpecs supplies the trusses and rafters for the shed.
Can ShedSpecs help with structural engineering and a PS1?
ShedSpecs manages the design workflow and document delivery. Structural engineering and Producer Statement PS1 services are provided by Infinity Consulting Engineers Limited as a separate professional service.
Do you use one standard wind assumption for Wellington?
No. Wind and exposure must be assessed for the specific site and design. The regional page identifies the issue; the project information and professional design process resolve it.
Is Pāuatahanui in Porirua or Wellington?
Pāuatahanui and much of the rural land around the Pāuatahanui Inlet is in Porirua City, while Mākara and Ōhāriu are part of Wellington City. Confirm the council from the property address before preparing the application.
Can ShedSpecs support projects outside the Wellington region?
Yes. We work most often with councils across Wairarapa, Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti, Manawatū, Horowhenua, Rangitīkei and Tararua, but our documentation is prepared around the New Zealand Building Code and relevant New Zealand Standards, so we can support LBP builders nationwide. Site conditions, district-plan rules and council information requirements vary, so projects outside the areas we work in most often may need additional investigation, documentation or professional input.
FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
Property owner? Ask your builder to use ShedSpecs.
Planning a pole shed on your property in Wellington? You're welcome here. The Pole Portal is used by Licensed Building Practitioners, so the project itself is set up through your builder. Share ShedSpecs with them and they can take it from there.
Have a question first? Our enquiry form is open to anyone, property owners included.
Send us an enquiryFOR LICENSED BUILDING PRACTITIONERS
Bring the site. Bring the brief.
We'll help connect the detail.
Free to join and design. Preliminary pack from $99 + GST, or detailed plans with PS1 from $999 + GST. You can skip the preliminary pack. Turnaround is 2–4 days. Consent-level plans, IL2 and customisation cost extra. We'll confirm the price before you commit. Have your LBP number handy.