According to the latest NZIER (New Zealand Institute of Economic Research) Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO), a net 35 percent of firms expect the general economic outlook to deteriorate over the coming months. The NZIER report points to a further decline in business confidence in the June quarter as higher interest rates continue to […]

The dream: a beautiful kitchen, a new extension, or a manicured garden. The reality? Incomplete projects, empty pockets, and a trail of unanswered calls. Lacking a combination of qualifications, skills, and integrity, cowboy builders target unsuspecting homeowners and promise the world but deliver disaster. What Are Cowboy Builders? Cowboy builders wave many red flags. If […]

Through on-the-job training and regular guidance, BCITO is developing tomorrow’s skilled workforce, creating futures for dedicated tradies alongside industry employers. Ben O’Connell spoke with BCITO director Greg Durkin about building the people who build New Zealand. With over 25 years of experience in vocational education, Greg strongly advocates for the positive outcomes education can deliver […]

While comfort and practicality are the most important considerations for tradies’ attire, a little attention to the way we dress can boost confidence and a sense of professionalism. Above all, industry professionals must prioritise function over fashion, but achieving both is certainly possible. Your clothes need to withstand tough working conditions. Speaking of, our nation’s […]

A report highlighting major and widespread productivity challenges facing the construction sector has underlined the importance of the Government’s plan to make it easier and more affordable to build. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says, “The New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association has released a report investigating the building and construction sector and outlining […]

Industry will be pleased to hear that the cost of building a home has largely stabilised. The latest QV CostBuilder quarterly update for August has found that the average building cost per square metre for residential buildings has increased by 0.3 percent this quarter. That is the same rate of increase that was reported in […]