Six children’s coloured sand products prompted widespread school closures across Australia and New Zealand in November 2025 after laboratory testing detected traces of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos. By mid‑November, dozens of schools in New Zealand and over 70 in Australia’s ACT had temporarily shut, while hundreds more sought guidance from regulators. The products, rainbow sand from Educational […]

A nationwide CBS Co-op survey has found that 82% of respondents rated their local BCA as either poor or fair in terms of efficiency. 73% stated that council decisions and requirements were highly inconsistent between inspectors or regions. “Our members are telling us that delays, inconsistency, and a lack of accountability within the consenting system […]

The Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to make honest and accurate claims for flood damage, amid growing concern from New Zealanders about the rising impact of natural hazards on insurance affordability and accessibility. Based on responses from more than 1,000 people, 67% of respondents believe natural hazards affect their […]

WorkSafe is considering replacing the existing approved asbestos code of practice with more flexible good practice guidelines. Experts warn that although guidelines offer adaptability, they lack the certainty and enforceability that codes provide. NZCTU president Sandra Grey says stronger protections are needed for workers. “Around 220 workers are killed from asbestos-related deaths every year,” the […]

Ankit Sharma, CEO If there’s one phrase that captures the mood across the construction sector in 2025, it’s cautious optimism. After several challenging years marked by economic uncertainty and shifting demand, the industry is beginning to find its footing again. Master Builders’ 2025 State of the Sector survey tells a clear story. Nearly two-thirds of […]

A new agreement between WorkSafe and Forest360 means forestry roads nationwide are set to become safer. In response to a death on one of its sites, Forest360 has agreed to fund a range of actions. 59-year-old Greg Stevens was killed when his logging truck and trailer rolled while negotiating a tight bend on a Coromandel […]