Championing change in New Zealand’s trades, the 2026 Bunnings Trade Women in Apprenticeships Awards are now open for nominations, offering a powerful platform for women at the start of their trade careers to step forward and be recognised.  Six female apprentices will each receive a support pack valued at over $11,000, designed to help them […]

Master Plumbers is marking 125 years of keeping New Zealanders healthy by doing what it does best: fixing problems, lifting industry standards and pushing for regulation that protects public health. Chief Executive Greg Wallace says the organisation’s work has quietly kept communities functioning and, most importantly, healthy. “Nowhere is that more obvious at the moment […]

Te Pūtahi Centre for Architecture and City-Making has unveiled the programme for Open Christchurch 2026, a three-day Festival of Architectural Excellence celebrating Ōtautahi’s standout buildings and the role good design plays in shaping a vibrant, liveable city.  Running from 1–3 May, this year’s festival is the largest yet, inviting residents and visitors to connect with […]

As Kiwis face the cost-of-living squeeze, their approach to acting sustainably is growing complex.   The latest Better Futures 2026 report from the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Kantar shows that while everyday financial pressures dominate attention, sustainability remains a key factor in consumer choices and trust.   The report highlights New Zealanders’ top social […]

A suite of proposed updates to New Zealand’s road user rules is being welcomed by the freight industry as a practical step toward safer, more efficient transport.   Industry body Transporting NZ endorsed several of the changes put forward in the NZTA’s latest consultation, calling them “common sense” measures that largely reflect how roads are […]

While demand remains strong, construction costs are starting to feel upward pressure, primarily from rising diesel prices.   QV says that although overall cost escalation remains modest, fuel-intensive trades such as excavation, piling, and demolition are experiencing sharper increases. Excavation costs, for example, rose 7.8% in a month due to the diesel spike.   QV […]