By Rick Osborne, CEO Metals NZ Forging a stronger future: New Zealand steel sector maintains an optimistic outlook for 2026. As we farewell 2025, New Zealand’s steel sector reflects on a challenging year as a result of rising input costs and weak construction demand. Despite these headwinds, the sector remains optimistic for a better 2026. […]

By Sarah Toase, Cranes NZ CEO The past year has tested our industry more than any in recent memory. For many of our members, it has been a daily exercise in grit, resilience, and determination simply to keep the doors open. Yet, despite the economic headwinds and unprecedented challenges, not a single Crane Association of […]

Homeowners can now build granny flats up to 70 square metres in their backyard without a building consent. The legislation, which will come into effect early in 2026, was a key commitment of the coalition government. The Building Act changes were passed through their third and final readings with unanimous support from MPs. Homeowners will […]

By Helina Stil, NZDAA President 2025 has been a transformational year for the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association (NZDAA). It marks a renewed focus on lifting industry standards, strengthening training, and fostering a more connected, forward-looking demolition community. A key milestone has been the completion and release of the updated Demolition Guidelines — cornerstone […]

By Claire Falck, BRANZ CEO It’s been a year of challenge and change for building and construction.  We’ve felt the impacts of an economic downturn and navigated a fast-changing environment.  Whether it’s the pressure on housing affordability, tight margins or keeping up with new regulations, we’re being challenged on multiple fronts.  But as 2025 draws […]

The Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay region had the highest incidence rate of workplace injury claims in 2024, per Stats NZ data. There were 120 claims per 1,000 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Yet the national incidence rate for work-related injury claims was 80 claims per 1,000 FTEs, the lowest rate since 2002. Trades workers had the […]