Message from our Acting Chief Executive

My journey as Acting Chief Executive

It’s been a busy couple of months in the New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Acting Chief Executive role, and I’m hugely appreciative of the time and effort the National Support Office (NSO) team has put into getting me up to speed and making sure we maintained momentum.

While we have had to push out the Annual Conference and Expo to the 18th and 19th of November, we are on track for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to go ahead on the 16th of June. I look forward to meeting with the Presidents at the President Meeting scheduled around the AGM in Wellington.

Reconvening and reconnecting

The Halo 10-Year Residential Guarantee workshops, held nationwide in conjunction with regional AGMs, have been well received. A big thank you to NZCB’s Educational and Technical Manager Shane Ririnui, General Manager – Marketing and Service Karla Farrar, Industry Pathways and Apprentice Manager Nick Matthews, and Marketing Executive Jess Hood for the work that has gone into making these a success. This is the first time the NSO team has been able to get out and about and reconnect in person with members since the COVID lockdowns. While numbers have been down in some areas due to the pressure everyone is under, the meetings provided an opportunity for members to get together and discuss challenges, share experiences, and provide feedback to NSO about what communications and information are most helpful.

As a membership organisation it’s important we gain feedback from members so we can provide the best services and support to you across the country. It also gives NZCB a well-informed view of the issues confronting members at the coalface. This is invaluable to NZCB and the NSO in being able to advocate and influence government and policymakers on your behalf.

The Halo 10-Year Residential Guarantee workshops, held nationwide in conjunction with regional AGMs, have been well received.

Advocating in tough times

The building sector continues to face huge challenges brought on by COVID and other world events. Supply chain and labour constraints as well as escalating prices make for a very difficult operating environment. There is not much bandwidth out there to take on new challenges and regulatory changes, and we have told the Government this.

Recently, the Chairs and CEs of NZCB, Master Builders, OffsiteNZ, and BusinessNZ sent a joint letter to the ministers of Finance, Building and Construction, and Housing outlining the industry’s significant concerns about the timing of the implementation of the new H1/AS1 changes to the Building Code due to come into effect in November 2022.

We also met with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), together with other building industry representatives, to discuss these concerns. It is our strong view that the transition timing for these new energy efficiency requirements needs to be extended to allow an already stretched and pressured sector the time to implement them. We have made it clear we are largely supportive of the changes but the world has changed in a way unforeseen even six months ago.

The pressures currently being experienced across the building sector are severe. The unprecedented capacity and supply constraints, and the impact of COVID-19, are placing extreme pressure on builders and impacting negatively on their businesses and clients/customers. The sector is facing the sharp end of New Zealand’s housing crisis. A record housing demand combined with major supply chain delays and shortage of materials means many build projects are not able to progress to plan. This is leaving many builders stretched across multiple jobs and under financial pressure. A significant change in regulation at this time, together with a building and resource consenting system that is complex and costly, is likely to tip the balance. The extreme headwinds and challenges facing the building sector mean a longer transition period is required as well as detailed information and education on the changes, and what these mean in practice. It is evident from discussions that builders, designers, architects, manufacturers, and suppliers don’t all have the same understanding of the changes and the new requirements.

Katrina Bach Acting Chief Executive and NZCB Board Independent Director

The building sector continues to face huge challenges brought on by COVID and other world events. Supply chain and labour constraints as well as escalating prices make for a very difficult operating environment.

We have advised MBIE that NZCB is ready and willing to work with them and others to put together information and education to support the successful implementation of the H1 changes, but we want to see the timeframe for implementation extended.

My relationship with NZCB goes back some years now – to the days of Certified Builders Association of New Zealand (CBANZ). I recently made reference to CBANZ and a young staff member looked at me blankly. Another, who had a few more years of life experience explained the history only to be met with the response “Ah yes – when dinosaurs roamed the earth...” – what can I say!

It’s been a pleasure to be the NZCB Acting CE until Malcolm Fleming took over the reins in May. I have enjoyed reconnecting with many colleagues and acquaintances and making new ones. I’ve learned a lot and I’m sure this will enable me to contribute more in my role on the NZCB Board.

I appreciate the support from the Chairperson and Board Members during this time. There is a good team at the NSO committed to the success of NZCB and its members. I have enjoyed working with them, thank them for their support and generosity, and look forward to this next stage for NZCB.