Auckland's mayor is calling for radical and urgent changes to the Building Act and Building Code

Phil Goff says Aucklanders deserve greater assurance that their new homes or renovations will be done to a high standard.

He says weather tightness issues have cost ratepayers 600-million dollars -- and those responsible for the shoddy work are nowhere to be seen.

The mayor's calling for an insurance and warranty scheme, a mandatory building product register, and a Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme.

Goff also wants the building code brought up to international standards for energy efficiency.