Articles tagged with Construction
New Zealand Invests in Advanced Biosecurity Lab to Protect Primary Industries
6 days ago | 100 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing in a new Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) at Mt Albert to enhance biosecurity, protect primary industries, and support economic growth. This modern facility will replace the aging MPI lab, strengthen defenses against biosecurity threats, and help maintain export market access critical to the $60.4 billion food and fibre sector. Construction, managed by Crown Infrastructure Delivery and led by Southbase Construction, began with completion expected in 2028 and operation starting in 2029.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Chris Bishop Biosecurity Minister Infrastructure Minister Ministry for Primary Industries Crown Infrastructure Delivery Southbase Construction Plant Health and Environment Laboratory Mt Albert Research Centre New Zealand GovernmentStrong Q3 Economic Growth Boosts Confidence Ahead of Christmas, Says Finance Minister
1 week ago | 100 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed the strong 1.1% economic growth in the third quarter, driven by 14 of 16 sectors, signaling a positive turnaround after challenging years. Key job-rich sectors like manufacturing, construction, and business services showed significant growth, alongside increases in exports and investment, indicating promising future job prospects and higher incomes. With GDP per capita rising 0.9% and forecasts predicting accelerated growth and lower unemployment next year, the government’s strategy to strengthen the economy appears effective.
Tags: economy growth Nicola Willis Finance Minister Stats NZ Treasury Reserve Bank manufacturing sector construction business services GDP per capitaNew Earthquake-Prone Building Law Brings $8.2B Relief for NZ Owners
1 week ago | 144 viewsNew legislation refocuses New Zealand's earthquake-prone building system to target only the highest-risk buildings, easing financial burdens on many owners by removing low-risk areas and smaller buildings from mandatory remediation. This approach is expected to save over $8.2 billion nationwide, preserve heritage buildings, and revitalize communities by allowing longer remediation deadlines and reducing unnecessary costs. The Bill, now with the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee, aims to balance safety with affordability while addressing regional seismic risks more appropriately.
Tags: Chris Penk New Zealand Building and Construction Minister seismic risk unreinforced masonry Auckland Northland Chatham Islands Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee$5M Upgrade Enhances Resilience of SH6 Gates of Haast Bridge in South Island
3 weeks ago | 101 viewsThe Government is investing $5 million in critical resilience improvements to State Highway 6 around the Gates of Haast, including installing a micro pile wall and upgrading existing protections to guard against river erosion and landslides. The project, led by Moore Construction, aims to secure a vital tourism and transport link between Haast and Wanaka and is expected to be completed in five months. This initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to enhancing the reliability of state highways to support local communities, tourism, and freight operations on the West Coast.
Tags: James Meager South Island State Highway 6 Gates of Haast Haast River Moore Construction West Coast SH6 Epitaph Slip tourism government investmentGovernment Introduces New Building Consent Reforms to Protect Owners and Boost Productivity
1 month ago | 155 viewsThe Government is reforming the building consent system by replacing joint and several liability with proportionate liability, ensuring each party is only responsible for their own work to speed up consents and protect ratepayers. New safeguards include mandatory professional indemnity insurance for designers, compulsory home warranties for most new residential builds and significant renovations, and strengthened disciplinary penalties for Licensed Building Practitioners. These measures aim to enhance accountability, protect building owners, and make the building process faster, easier, and more affordable, with legislative changes expected by 2026.
Tags: Chris Penk Licensed Building Practitioners Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Building Amendment Bill New Zealand Government Building and Construction Minister Building Act Home warranty Professional indemnity insurance Building consent systemDunedin Hospital Project Hits Milestone with Pile Capping Completion
1 month ago | 137 viewsThe New Dunedin Hospital project has completed pile capping for the inpatient building, marking a major construction milestone and enabling progress to substructure work. Construction is advancing with the formation of basement and ground-floor slabs, preparation for steel framework installation, and coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The project supports local employment and businesses, with over 900 jobs expected at peak construction and significant economic benefits for the Otago and Southland region.
Tags: New Dunedin Hospital pile capping inpatient building Health Minister Simeon Brown Otago Southland CPB Contractors construction milestone local employment structural steel frameworkNew Legislation Allows Skilled Plumbers to Self-Certify Work, Boosting Efficiency
1 month ago | 171 viewsNew legislation has passed its first reading in Parliament allowing skilled plumbers and drainlayers to self-certify their straightforward work, aiming to reduce delays and ease pressure on Building Consent Authorities. Alongside this, a second Bill enhances accountability and disciplinary measures for building professionals by strengthening licensing regimes and improving complaint processes. Together, these Bills seek to support competent tradespeople, streamline the building consent system, and ensure consumer confidence through clear standards and oversight.
Tags: Chris Penk Master Plumbers Licensed Building Practitioners Registrar Building and Construction Minister plumbers drainlayers Licensed Building Practitioners gasfitters electricians Building Consent AuthoritiesNew Zealand's Infrastructure Pipeline Hits $275 Billion with 12,000 Projects
1 month ago | 161 viewsThe New Zealand Infrastructure Commission's latest update reveals nearly 12,000 infrastructure projects worth $275 billion, showing significant growth from $237 billion in June, with $181 billion now having full or partial funding. The Pipeline, covering projects across government and private sectors in areas like transport, water, and education, provides a comprehensive view to support better planning, economic growth, and workforce confidence. This update will guide the National Infrastructure Plan by highlighting funded and unfunded initiatives, improving decision-making and system performance nationwide.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Infrastructure Commission National Infrastructure Pipeline infrastructure projects infrastructure planning construction sector government agencies National Infrastructure Plan infrastructure investment infrastructure fundingNew Zealand Strengthens Forestry Trade with India in Successful Mission 2025
1 month ago | 159 viewsNew Zealand’s forestry and wood-processing sector led a successful trade mission to India, aiming to expand growth opportunities and strengthen market ties. The mission produced tangible results under the Forestry Cooperation agreement, enhanced understanding of India’s forestry policies, and highlighted New Zealand’s premium timber products suited for India’s urbanization and sustainable construction. A return Indian forestry delegation will visit New Zealand in February 2026 to further develop the bilateral partnership and deepen strategic relations.
Tags: Todd McClay New Zealand India forestry trade mission Piyush Goyal timber products sustainable construction bilateral partnershipState Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway Construction Begins: Enhancing Region's Connectivity for Future Growth
1 month ago | 246 viewsConstruction has commenced on the State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway, a significant infrastructure project aimed at enhancing resilience and productivity in the region and creating job opportunities. The project includes various upgrades such as four-laning sections, new overpasses, and a bridge, with completion expected by December 2029. The Expressway serves as a vital link connecting Napier and Hastings, facilitating the movement of people and freight, and is crucial for accommodating the region's anticipated growth.
Tags: Construction State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway Transport Minister Chris Bishop Roads of National Significance Waikare Gorge Hawke’s Bay region Napier Port Meeanee Road Kennedy RoadCostco's Expansion Plans Bring Economic Boost to New Zealand Shoppers
1 month ago | 211 viewsUS supermarket giant Costco is planning to open a second store in South Auckland, welcomed by Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis. The Government is facilitating quick approvals for new supermarkets through legislation and working closely with Costco for efficient consenting processes. Kiwi Property has agreed to sell land for the new Costco store, expected to boost the economy, create jobs, and enhance competition for shoppers.
Tags: Nicola Willis Costco New Zealand South Auckland Kiwi shoppers Economic Growth Minister Kiwi Property Drury Auckland’s economy construction jobsNew Regulations Ease Building Restrictions for Garden Sheds and Garages
2 months ago | 268 viewsHomeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages now face less red tape and delays as the setback distance requirements have been revised. The minimum distance between single-storey buildings under 10 square meters and property boundaries or other buildings has been removed, while the setback distance for buildings between 10 and 30 square meters has been reduced to one meter. These changes aim to make it easier for property owners to construct practical structures without the need for building consent, aligning with efforts to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and improve building affordability and accessibility.
Tags: Changes homeowners garden sheds sleepouts garages red tape Regulation Minister David Seymour Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk setback distance building consentConstruction Industry Embraces Health and Safety Reforms: Survey Shows Overwhelming Support
2 months ago | 210 viewsThe construction industry overwhelmingly supports key Health and Safety reforms, with a focus on guidance and critical risks, according to a Site Safe survey welcomed by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. The survey results indicate strong backing for clearer guidance, increased use of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs), and a stronger emphasis on critical risks. Van Velden aims to improve guidance provision, clarify compliance with ACOPs, and involve industry stakeholders in developing ACOPs to enhance practicality and effectiveness in managing health and safety risks in the construction sector.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Health and Safety reforms Workplace Relations Safety Minister Site Safe survey construction industry health and safety WorkSafe Approved Codes of PracticeNew Zealand Government Expands Solar Panel Exemptions for Sustainable Construction
2 months ago | 264 viewsThe New Zealand Government is implementing reforms to promote sustainable construction, including a new building consent exemption for rooftop solar panels to create healthier homes and reduce energy bills. The exemption, effective immediately, simplifies the process and is expected to save homeowners around $1,200 per consent. Additionally, the Government plans to introduce a fast-track consent process for sustainable buildings with performance criteria such as energy efficiency and climate resiliency, aiming to provide more choice and affordability for Kiwis while promoting renewable energy adoption.
Tags: Government reforms sustainable construction New Zealand rooftop solar panels Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Building Act solar panel consents KiwisRegional Infrastructure Fund Boosts Job Creation and Resilience in New Zealand
2 months ago | 242 viewsThe Regional Infrastructure Fund, supported by Ministers Shane Jones and Louise Upston, is funding projects in regional New Zealand to create resilient communities and local employment opportunities. Since its opening in mid last year, the RIF has committed over $862 million to projects, with $355.6 million already approved and announced. These projects are expected to provide employment for over 1750 full-time workers during construction, prioritizing local workforce planning and creating job opportunities in construction, agriculture, horticulture, and processing.
Tags: Regional Infrastructure Fund resilient communities local employment opportunities Regional Development Minister Shane Jones Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston infrastructure employment construction New Zealanders projects