Asbestos cement siding was a popular choice in New Zealand homes and commercial buildings from the 1940s through to the late 1980s. Valued for its durability, fire resistance, and low maintenance, it was commonly used in weatherboards, eaves linings, and exterior cladding. Today, however, asbestos is recognised as a serious health hazard, and anyone working with […]

A new report from the thinktank Committee for Auckland is urging immediate and decisive action on Auckland’s transport system. It warns that delays in reform are compounding costs and constraining growth across the city’s development pipeline.   The report argues Auckland is at a “critical juncture”, with population growth continuing to outpace transport investment, a […]

As fuel prices continue to climb at unprecedented levels, the transport sector is facing mounting financial pressure, with many operators experiencing tightening margins and heightened uncertainty.   David Boyce, CEO of the New Zealand Trucking Association (NZTA) stresses that in volatile conditions like these, access to accurate and timely information is critical.   “There are […]

Two-thirds of builders said suppliers have already increased their pricing or introduced surcharges related to fuel uncertainty. Yet over 60% of builders are still absorbing the price increases.   A nationwide survey by Combined Building Supplies Co-operative (CBS) showed the nation’s builders are feeling the pressure of the fuel crisis.   84% of CBS respondents […]

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 […]