Waste

Auckland’s north-western Whenuapai and Red Hills suburbs are set to benefit from a $300 million wastewater infrastructure programme designed to support future growth. Watercare capital delivery general manager Suzanne Lucas says the programme aligns closely with Auckland Council’s Future Development Strategy, which anticipates significant residential and commercial growth in the area throughout the 2030s. “Our […]

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 […]

Since the devastating Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and the 2016 Kaikōura event, New Zealand’s approach to concrete building safety has changed dramatically. These disasters exposed weaknesses in many structures and inspired a wave of research, updated rules, and practical solutions designed to better protect lives and property. Evolving Building Codes and Assessment Standards New Zealand’s […]

Thousands of building products are to be more readily available to New Zealand trades as the Government releases its building product specifications document. From plasterboard and cladding to windows and external doors, building companies will be better able to buy overseas building materials in a move Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says will promote […]

New Zealand’s sand shortage grows, and demand is not slowing down. The crisis has been building over recent years, but by Christmas 2024, Auckland had run out of sand for construction. Sand is a critical resource in New Zealand’s construction industry, used not only in concrete but as bedding for roads and pipes and in […]

In May 2025, the Auckland War Memorial Museum was closed while specialists removed asbestos that had been discovered in the roofing of the original 1929 part of the building during renewal work. Auckland Museum Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive David Reeves said it had been a challenging few weeks, but the community looked forward to partially […]