News

New Zealand’s building sector focused on reducing delays, cutting costs and improving productivity in 2025, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk tells Builders and Contractors. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says 2025 was a year focused on making it faster, smarter and safer to build in New Zealand, with reforms aimed at cutting delays, […]

The Government continues to advance more overseas building products into the country, with the MBIE issuing 54 recognition notices that cover around 38,000 plumbing and drainage products already used widely in Australia.  Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says the second tranche of overseas building products certified under the reputable Australian WaterMark scheme can now […]

Data indicates that building a house will likely become more expensive in 2026. Cotality’s latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) shows residential building costs increased by 0.9% in Q4 2025. Though it’s the largest quarterly rise since Q3 2024 (1.1%), the figure remains below the long-term average of 1%, indicating stability. With a hopeful outlook, […]

Housing consents data reports have painted 2025 as a transition year. In recalibration mode after the post-COVID surge, annual figures show around 33,000 homes consented year-on-year. The sector sentiment is ‘proceed with caution’, but perhaps slow stability is welcome after the 2021 peak and 2023 freefall. National housing momentum is moving down south. Queenstown stood […]

New Zealand ranks near the bottom of developed countries for asset management, says Andy Hagan, the Infrastructure Commission’s general manager of investment. A new guidance framework aims to improve the nation’s performance. “Leaky hospitals, mouldy classrooms, and deteriorating public buildings are the visible signs of a system that has struggled to plan and invest for […]

Kiwis can now build granny flats in their backyards without a building or resource consent. RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop says the now-formalised, long-signalled reforms are a major step in the push for increased housing supply and greater flexibility for families. “It’s an exciting day for Kiwis across the country who have been […]