Waste

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 […]

The construction industry is a vital part of New Zealand’s economy, but it also brings environmental challenges. Nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions are tied to this sector, so it’s crucial we consider its impact. In New Zealand, construction accounts for roughly 50% of landfill waste, with packaging materials comprising 5% of that total. As […]

Construction and demolition waste accounts for 40 to 50 percent of New Zealand’s total waste going to landfills. Most of this dumping of construction waste is unnecessary. Research shows that at least half of waste could be diverted from landfills if it was sorted. The new Climate Action Campus Ōtautahi has teamed up with local […]