22 Oct 2026
1 hour ago
34 views
Papakura’s new courthouse remains on time and on budget, with construction complete and preparations underway to open a safer, higher-capacity court in January 2027, say Courts Minister Nicole McKee and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith who are in Papakura today to mark the completion of construction and handover of the building to the Ministry of Justice. “Taxpayers deserve public infrastructure that is delivered when promised, within budget, and does the job it is needed for. This project is on track to meet those expectations,” says Mrs McKee.
06 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
375 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour and Building and Construction Minister Simon Watts have announced a Regulatory Review focused on simplifying building consent rules to reduce unnecessary red tape for low-risk home improvements. The review aims to address inconsistencies and confusion in the current exemption framework, making it easier for homeowners and builders to undertake minor building work without costly delays or consent requirements. Stakeholders are being consulted, with recommendations expected by early 2027 to support clearer, more logical, and affordable building regulations.
01 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
386 views
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced changes to Wellington’s district plan to remove heritage listings from the Karori Tunnel, Kelburn Viaduct, and Miramar oil tank, while modifying height limits in the Courtenay Place Heritage Area to enable increased development. These changes aim to support investment, housing, and job creation, potentially allowing 550 additional apartments, generating $200 million, and creating around 1,400 jobs through construction and commercial activities. The former General Headquarters Building’s heritage listing will remain, and the reforms follow extensive investigation, consultation, and consideration of economic and heritage impacts.
11 Sep 2026
1 month ago
441 views
Work has begun on the Whangārei Hospital redevelopment, featuring a new acute services building and a 158-bed ward tower to expand capacity and modernize healthcare facilities. The project aims to improve emergency care, increase bed availability, and support government health targets, while also laying the foundation for future expansion. Additionally, the redevelopment is a major economic boost for Northland, expected to contribute $233 million to the regional GDP and create over 2,700 jobs.
11 Sep 2026
1 month ago
312 views
Whangārei Hospital officially opened a $35 million Child Health Centre, providing modern outpatient and community services tailored for children and young people in Northland. Alongside this, an $18.5 million Car Park 14 extension was completed, adding 573 parking spaces to support the growing hospital campus. These projects are key milestones in the wider hospital redevelopment, enabling the construction of a new acute services building while maintaining effective hospital operations.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
520 views
Construction has begun on Nelson Hospital’s new 128-bed inpatient building to address bed shortages and support a growing, ageing population. The redevelopment, funded through Budget 2025, will add at least 41 adult medical and surgical beds and include various patient and support facilities, with completion expected to start rising on site by late 2027. Meanwhile, a 28-bed rapid-build inpatient ward made from off-site manufactured modules is being installed to quickly increase capacity with minimal disruption.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
542 views
Construction has begun on Nelson Hospital's new 128-bed inpatient building to address growing demand and bed shortages, with initial site preparation expected to take around 12 months. The new facility will add at least 41 adult medical and surgical beds and include various patient and support services, marking stage two of the hospital redevelopment funded through Budget 2025. Additionally, a 28-bed rapid-build inpatient ward made of off-site manufactured modules is arriving on campus to quickly increase capacity with minimal disruption.
03 Aug 2026
2 months ago
575 views
More than 40,000 new home consents were granted in the year to June, marking a 19% increase and signaling a positive turnaround for the building sector after recent declines. The government is implementing reforms such as reducing red tape, allowing trusted overseas building products, and introducing mandatory inspection targets to boost construction activity and job growth. Significant legislative changes include replacing joint liability with proportionate liability, enhancing homeowner protections, consolidating Building Consent Authorities, and fast-tracking consents for sustainable homes.
20 Jul 2026
3 months ago
762 views
The New Zealand Government has agreed to provide up to $60 million to Golden Bay Cement (GBC) to maintain domestic cement manufacturing at its Whangarei plant and support at least $150 million in investments through 2040, ensuring economic resilience against global supply disruptions. This decision follows concerns that rising costs and emissions expenses threatened the closure of the country's only fully integrated cement facility, which is vital for essential infrastructure construction. The support is conditional, includes strict oversight, and aims to preserve strategic domestic capability without undermining the Emissions Trading Scheme or setting a broad precedent for taxpayer funding.
02 Jul 2026
3 months ago
945 views
The Building Amendment Bill introduces the most significant building system reforms in 20 years to make construction easier, faster, and more affordable while enhancing homeowner protections through a fairer liability system and mandatory safeguards like professional indemnity insurance and home warranties. It aims to modernize the sector by improving consistency among Building Consent Authorities, reducing processing times, enabling fast-track consents for sustainable buildings, and expanding exemptions for offsite-constructed dwellings. These reforms, developed with extensive sector engagement, seek to unlock innovation, increase accountability, and support New Zealand’s housing and construction needs sustainably and efficiently.
17 Jun 2026
4 months ago
923 views
The New Zealand Government is reducing the processing time for Project Information Memorandums (PIMs) from 20 to 10 working days to speed up building projects and reduce costs. This change aims to improve productivity, enhance competition in the building consent market, and support key sectors like housing, agriculture, and infrastructure. Ministers emphasize that efficient council processes are essential for timely development, benefiting homeowners, businesses, and rural communities.
27 May 2026
4 months ago
972 views
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced Dallas Welch’s elevation to Chair of the Remuneration Authority, the reappointment of Vern Walsh for another three-year term, and the appointment of Wynand du Plessis as a new member. The Authority, an independent statutory body with three members, sets pay rates for key public office holders, and the new appointees bring extensive experience in public service leadership, remuneration, governance, and financial expertise. These appointments aim to strengthen the Authority’s role in remuneration setting, with Welch bringing nearly 40 years of public sector experience, Walsh offering deep local government and financial knowledge, and du Plessis contributing over a decade of corporate and consulting remuneration leadership.
01 May 2026
5 months ago
918 views
New rules effective from May 2 mandate that all plumbing products in new buildings or renovations must be lead-free and resistant to dezincification to protect drinking water quality. The regulation aims to reduce health risks associated with lead exposure and has been supported by the plumbing industry, with minimal expected cost increases. Existing plumbing does not require replacement, but residents are advised to flush taps regularly to ensure water safety.
28 Apr 2026
5 months ago
1066 views
The Coalition Government is expanding the granny flat building consent exemption to enable faster construction, more homeowner choices, and inclusion of off-site building methods, while maintaining safety and quality standards. Key changes include allowing off-site construction of consent-exempt granny flats before a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) is issued and expanding exemptions to include Structural Insulated Panels with CodeMark certification. These reforms, supported by multiple ministers, aim to cut red tape, reduce costs, and boost productivity in the housing sector, with new rules expected by Q3 2026.
23 Apr 2026
6 months ago
961 views
The New Zealand government is expanding a self-certification scheme allowing licensed plumbers and drainlayers to sign off their own work, covering most residential plumbing and some commercial jobs to reduce inspection delays and boost productivity. The scheme, overseen by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board, ensures qualified practitioners maintain standards while protecting public health and safety, with Building Consent Authorities reviewing higher-risk work. Expected to be implemented before the General Election, the voluntary program aims to simplify the building consent system, support rural communities, and enable faster, more efficient completion of essential plumbing tasks.