Seven councils have won an award at the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand annual conference for a programme that offers advice on eco-friendly design.

Hutt City Council launched the Eco Design Advice Service in 2011 to pass on tips about insulation, draught stopping, power saving, heating options and sustainable building.

It provides designers, architects, builders and home owners with advice on free energy, water and materials-related advice.

The other local authorities were Auckland, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, Palmerston North and Kapiti Coast district councils.

The advisors are employed by the councils, but the programme is an initiative of BRANZ, a research, testing, consulting and information company providing resources for the building industry.