New Zealand’s building and construction sector has broadly welcomed the Government’s overhaul of the building consent system, calling it a long-overdue step toward reducing costs, improving efficiency, and addressing persistent frustrations that have hindered growth for decades. The reforms, announced last week, replace the existing joint and several liability framework with proportionate liability and allow […]

Kia has officially entered the pickup truck segment — and not quietly. The all-new Kia Tasman, the brand’s first-ever ute, makes a powerful debut with rugged off-road credentials, impressive towing and payload capabilities, and a level of refinement not typically found in this class. This isn’t just another dual-cab with a badge swap — the […]

Signs of recovery emerging Tentative signs that the construction industry is recovering, such as residential consents levelling off, government infrastructure projects restarting, and falling interest rates, are to be celebrated, says the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA). But the main focus of the report was the workforce, with demographics changing and the growing […]

Continuing its crackdown on road cones, the Government is soon to force local councils to adopt a risk-based approach to minimise spending on orange witch hats. “New Zealanders have become increasingly irritated by the too-frequently over-the-top use of road cones and costly temporary traffic management around roadworks,” Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “This approach causes […]

Many New Zealand households face problems with condensation, drafts, and mould. But is a drier home necessarily a healthier home? A new study has shed light on how we understand indoor humidity and its link to ‘drier’ homes. It urges green building rating tools to clarify how humidity and dampness are measured and understood. Researchers […]

The consent rules for small single-storey structures, such as garden sheds, sleepouts, garages, and the like, are being changed by the government. Regulation Minister David Seymour and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced that the minimum required distance between single-storey buildings under 10 square metres and a property boundary will be removed. The setback […]