Whether you need to fix it, fasten it, hammer or saw it, our branches stock a selection of well-known trade brands offering quality products so you can focus on getting the job done.
Let’s Partner Together.
Published bi-monthly in print and online, InHouse is the official magazine for New Zealand Certified Builders Association (NZCB). InHouse aims to educate and inform our members and their staff of the latest news from the Association and the Building and Construction Industry.
New Zealand Certified Builders PO Box 13405, Tauranga Central, Tauranga 3141 10 Marsh Street, Tauranga 3110 07 927 7720 0800 237 843 www.nzcb.nz
Editor
Linda Moody
07 557 9214
linda@nzcb.nz
NZCB Partnerships and Services
Karla Farrar
021 906 234 karla@nzcb.nz
Advertising and Content
Linda Moody
07 557 9214
linda@nzcb.nz
Designers
Wave Agency
www.waveagency.co.nz
Print and Distribution
Kale Print Limited
www.kaleprint.co.nz
Mailing List
Hello and welcome to the October/November issue of the New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) InHouse magazine.
How have you been? I hope this issue finds you well and enjoying some warmer weather with the longer nights (bring on BBQ dinners!).
Wow! Have you seen the latest issue of Revere magazine? The high level of expertise and craftsmanship displayed by our members in these beautiful and unique builds and renovations is outstanding. Like the previous six issues, Volume 7 is just as impressive and celebrates the great work our members are producing. Exclusive to NZCB members, this unique sales tool allows members to advertise their business by showcasing one of their projects. Check out page 12 on how you can be a part of something special with Revere Volume 8.
As I ponder how to sum up the many articles this issue holds, I would like to take a moment to recognise the exceptionally talented and insightful partners and associates who continually put time aside to write for us. They share their wisdom and knowledge with you, our members and stakeholders, to help educate, upskill, and inform. Thank you! We are super grateful for your contributions and the commitment you show despite your busy schedules.
This InHouse is packed with information to help members tackle business basics as well as how to approach more challenging aspects of working in the building industry. From staying focused, managing and navigating risk, quoting, insurance, looking after your employees, software, buyer behaviour, marketing, communications, and gut health – gear up for a great read!
We celebrate and recognise the achievements of our members and keep you up-to-date on industry news, happenings within the Association, and NZCB and industry events. You’ll also hear from our expert Partners who share technical tips, product insights, and company changes. A full list of NZCB Partners can be found on pages 76 and 77.
Thank you NZCB Presidents! From charity golf days, factory tours, family days, and breakfast and evening training sessions, these events would not be possible without our 22 dedicated NZCB Regional Presidents and their committees. Our voluntary Regional Presidents do an amazing job providing our members with both educational and fun events. They put a massive amount of time and energy into the Association and our members, while also being the go-to person and advocate for their individual regions. You’ll meet all of our NZCB Presidents on pages 38 and 39.
Whether you’re flipping through these pages in the comfort of your pyjamas or during a well deserved smoko break, I hope you gain valuable knowledge to apply to your business and life. And remember, InHouse can also help members earn LBP points; 1 hour of learning equals 1 LBP Elective point. Until next time, take care, and stay safe.
NZCB InHouse Editor
If you have received a copy of InHouse and wish to opt out, you would prefer to receive it via email, or would like to update your details please email linda@nzcb.nz. InHouse magazine, including the wrap, is 100% recyclable. InHouse is printed on PEFC-certified paper, supporting the growth of responsible forest management worldwide. The press used to print InHouse has a UV light drying system (LED), meaning there is no solvent to evaporate, and no environmental pollutants are formed. It also uses less power than traditional print technology, which helps reduce overall C02 emissions.
Find NZCB on
Print ISSN 2463-3305
Online ISSN 2703-2418
The contents of InHouse may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without written permission of the Editor. All material received will be assumed to be intended for publication unless clearly labelled ‘Not for Publication’ and will be published at the discretion of the Editor. Views expressed in articles in InHouse are not necessarily those of New Zealand Certified Builders Association. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication, the designers, publishers, and editor take no responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences of reliance on this information. Articles are not intended to be relied upon as legal advice.
The last 12 months have been busy for New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) in many areas. In this reflection, I will touch on some important wins.
NZCB Board Member Director voting this year saw six NZCB members throw their hats into the ring for the two positions made available by Mike Craig and Mike Hayward stepping down/ their terms ending. This level of engagement by members is outstanding and demonstrates their willingness to lead in the “for the members by the members” Board capacity. There has only been one other election in our history where more than six candidates stood. This was during a time when our then much larger Board was reducing in size. This year’s voting also saw a really healthy number of members voting for their preferred candidate. I would like to thank all six of our members who put their names forward and congratulate Niamh Short and Ian Chamberlain on their successful campaigns.
I want to mention the hiring of some key roles within the NZCB National Support Office (NSO) with a new Chief Financial Officer, Sandra Kennerley (based in the Wellington office), Operations Manager, Helen Thornton-Gussy (now Business Administration & Support Manager, based in the Tauranga office), and two Territory Managers (TM) Nick Mooney (TM South Island, based in the Christchurch Office) and Brad Mitchell (TM Central and Lower North Island, based in the Tauranga office). We are also in the process of hiring a new Education & Events Manager.
We secured some shared office space in Wellington, which has enabled us to extend our engagement with Government agencies such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on H1 and critical material taskforce. We are also invited, engaged, and visible in areas such as Waihanga Ara Rau, Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), and Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ), with two of our Wellington members who sit on the Seismic Residual Working Group.
It has been exciting to see so many of our Regional Presidents and members put their hands up to be on Advisory Boards and various working groups to help our Chief Executive, Malcolm Fleming write submissions. Our knowledge and experiences are earning great recognition and leading to further opportunities.
The Halo Guarantees Limited (HGL) balance sheet restructure, as discussed at this year’s Annual General Meeting, has enabled the NZCB Board to ratify the investment in a new NZCB CRM (customer relationship management software), which will help all members and NSO.
It is great to see the buy-in and support of the new 2023–2025 Strategic Plan by the NZCB Board, Executive Leadership Team, and our members. A lot of work went into creating such a great strategic plan and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to its development.
It was an honour and privilege to acknowledge the Association’s inaugural members at a special anniversary dinner held at Parliament. The dinner was attended by past and current NZCB Board chairpersons and members, past and present chief executives, and NSO management. The dinner was a great opportunity to reflect on just how far we have come.
It is part of my role to encourage our current NZCB Board to continue in their ongoing professional development. I have completed the Institute of Directors’ Chairing the Board course and all new Board Members have completed a Board Members course this past year.
Finally, a big thank you to all our Regional Presidents, committees and volunteers around the country for your involvement and ongoing contributions. Without you and your passion for the industry and our Association, we are nothing. The way you support each other, grow our membership base, promote our brand, mentor others, support and raise money for your local charity of choice, arrange and run Golf Days, Factory Tours, Bowls, LBP days, and many more events – is what makes our Association truly unique and genuine.
Huge shout out to all the NSO staff who work to help and support our members. If anyone is passing through Tauranga, I would encourage you to stop by and meet the people on the other end of the phone or email. I am sure that not only would Malcolm make you a cup of tea, but the team would welcome the chat and sharing of ideas.
I am really enjoying my role as NZCB Board Chairperson and the great working relationship between the NZCB Board and our Chief Executive, Malcolm. To the Board and Malcolm, thank you for your encouragement, passion, and honesty, and I look forward to building the way forward together with you for the benefit of NZCB and our members.
Nick Farrelly NZCB Board Chairperson
To enable us to deliver on the New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, the National Support Office (NSO) has completed an exercise to realign its organisational structure. Upon completion of the process undertaken with the full NSO team, two existing management team roles have been streamlined so the significant work package that the new Business 101 and Carpentry Role training initiatives represents can be effectively resourced by a newly created Education & Events team.
As part of the realignment, a new NZCB Executive Leadership Team has been established, which includes the Chief Executive and six direct reports:
• Business Administration & Support Manager, Helen Thornton-Gussy
• Chief Financial Officer, Sandra Kennerley
• Education & Events Manager, to be appointed
• Industry Pathways & Apprenticeship Manager, Nick Matthews
• Marketing & Services Manager, Karla Farrar
• Membership & Technical Manager, Shane Ririnui
As well as framing up and delivering NZCB’s new training workshops, the incoming Education & Events Manager (and a new Events Management Coordinator who will report to them) will take responsibility for the annual NZCB AGM, Conference & Expo. This new team will also work with the NZCB Regions on their local events. The Education & Events Manager is scheduled to start in November 2023 and the Event Management Coordinator is set to start in January 2024. In the interim, the Marketing & Services team has the capacity to support the Regions with their events. This new structure is now operative and allows for greater levels of focus to be applied to the critical Marketing and Membership functions, as will be required under the new Strategic Plan.
Underpinning the Strategic Plan is a Business Plan, which represents the work programme required to deliver the Strategic Plan. Work on the development of the Business Plan is well underway.
As reported in the last edition of InHouse, NZCB’s 25th Anniversary Dinner hosted by the Minister of Building and Construction, Hon Dr Megan Woods, at Parliament on 19 June proved to be a very memorable event. Attendees heard how it is the role of the current NZCB Board and Executive Leadership Team to ensure NZCB remains infused with the passion and energy of the previous governance and management teams, and represent those who came before us and those who come after us.
This thinking is central to our approach as we move forward and build a high profile NZCB brand and compelling membership proposition. NZCB Members are also critical contributors to the work programme as we populate Working Groups with dedicated builders who can help the Executive Leadership Team understand what members need and want. Work in this area is underway; the very engaged Certified Plans Advisory Group is an excellent example of how this will work across multiple workstreams.
Making submissions to the Government on their proposals to the building industry is advocacy work that forms part of the Association’s strategic objectives. NZCB derives considerable benefit from member participation in the submission writing process. It serves as an example of what NZCB can achieve when the membership works collaboratively with management.
Five submissions to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Building System Performance branch have been produced since May 2022. The most recent one is the 73-page, 52 question 2023 Review of the Building Consent System. An acknowledgement to the following members who worked with me on the submission:
• Ian Chamberlain
• Mike Craig
• Sacha Gray
• Dave Gunter
• Jason McClintock
A copy of this and the other four NZCB submissions can be found at www.nzcb.nz/media/
Malcolm Fleming NZCB Chief Executive
You’ve come a long way to become a great builder, picking up new skills on each project. To ensure we continue to lead the industry with quality standards the next generation needs your kind of experience. The NZCB Apprentice Network is a programme designed to support you, your business and your apprentice to an unrivaled level.
nzcb.nz/apprenticeships
Providing a voice to represent New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) is a collective effort. The NZCB Board, Members, and Executive Leadership Team sit on several national boards and industry groups and attend various industry functions. Below you will find some of their recent advocacy work.
Production of a submission to the Government on their proposals to the building industry is advocacy work that forms part of the Association’s strategic objectives, with NZCB deriving considerable benefit from member participation in the submission writing process.
On the right are submissions to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Building System Performance branch that have been made since May 2022.
The second meeting of the 2023–2026 Building Advisory Panel (BAP) was held in Wellington in mid-July. This was the final ‘orientation session’ with Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) teams providing an overview of their work programmes. Managers from the following areas made presentations: Standards, Determinations, Building System Assurance, Building Resolutions, Occupational Regulations, and Accessibility. The July meeting included the panel visiting the Beehive to meet with the Minister of Building and Construction, Hon Dr Megan Woods.
NZCB representative: Chief Executive, Malcolm Fleming
• 2023 Review of the Building Consent System, August 2023
• Building Levy Proposals, May 2023
• Occupational Regulation Reform in the Building and Construction Sector, April 2023
• 2022 Review of the Building Consent System, September 2022
• Building Code update 2022 – transition period for H1, May 2022
All five submissions can be viewed at www.nzcb.nz/media
The third meeting of the Onsite Strategic Reference Group (SRG), was held in Wellington on 20 July. The agenda included issues facing the workforce and from this SRG will advise the Tertiary Education Commission on focus areas including careers advice, effect and regard, policies, and industry issues. Identifying next step initiatives were discussed and we received an update from Waihanga Ara Rau’s Strategy & Insights and Qualifications Teams that included workforce development plans and a sector roadmap. Our next meeting is planned for November and will be held online.
NZCB representative: Industry Pathways and Apprenticeships Manager, Nick Matthews
Waihanga Ara Rau, alongside the Construction Sector Accord, held their first construction and infrastructure workforce leadership development summit at the Museum of New Zealand
Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington on 6 September.
Thought-leaders and changemakers from across the industry, including iwi/Māori and Pasifika business leaders, shared examples of best practice, development of tools, lessons,
With building product supply chain issues now the exception rather than the norm (as it was mid- 2022), the meeting regulatory of this group has moved from fortnightly to bi-monthly. A review on whether the group needs to be kept in place is likely.
NZCB representative: Chief Executive, Malcolm Fleming
The 36-member New Zealand Construction Industry Council (NZCIC) is the peak body for the construction industry, with NZCB in the position of NZCIC Chair since July 2022.
2023 represents the closure of two long-running NZCIC programmes:
• The update to NZS 3910 (Conditions of contract for building and civil engineering construction), a substantive undertaking that was superseded by NZCIC commissioning Standards
insights and tips on; attracting and retaining the right talent, advancing teams through leadership development, building a skilled workforce for the future and harnessing the power of diversity, well-being, and culture to drive productivity.
NZCB representative: Industry Pathways and Apprenticeships Manager, Nick Matthews
NZCB continues to be represented on the NZS 3604 review with the last meeting held on Thursday 10 August (online). The final draft of the revised NZS 3604 is due to be released to the industry for feedback late 2023/early 2024.
NZCB representative: NZCB Board Member Director, Ian Chamberlain
New Zealand to complete a scoping project for the contracts review in 2020.
• Production of a 2023 version of the NZCIC Design Guidelines (the last version was 2016) in a new digital format, which will be hosted on the Masterspec platform. Funding provided by Construction Sector Accord.
NZCB representative: Chief Executive, Malcolm Fleming
Here is an update on what the teams at the NZCB National Support Office have been working on. Should you require any further information about what has been keeping us busy, please contact the respective Team Manager using the contact details below.
Finance Team Manager Sandra Kennerley | 021 566 224 | sandra@nzcb.nz
• Accounts administration as per normal.
• Chasing of debtors.
• Processing of receipts.
• Preparation of monthly accounts for NSO and all Regions.
• Starting work on budgets for next year.
Membership and Education Team Manager Shane Ririnui | 021 906 489 | shane@nzcb.nz
• Customer Liaison
Ongoing homeowner enquiry with very little elevating to a formal complaint.
– The nature of the enquiries are contract implementation or client management.
A couple of old complaints resurfacing.
• New Membership Coordinator
– A high level of new member applications have been received.
Assisting with the re-scope and rebuild of a new database. – Company changes ongoing and steady.
• Territory Managers (TM)
TMs attended a presenting workshop with well-known presenting coach John Maybury.
– Consistent number of new member enquiry as well as member resignations.
Supporting Nick Matthews on his Apprentice Support Network roadshow.
Apprenticeship Support Team Manager Nick Matthews | 021 906 483 | nick@nzcb.nz
• Attended the Waihanga Ara Rau – Strategic Reference Group (Construction) in Wellington.
• Reviewing the Apprenticeship Scholarship Trust Deed, modernising the Trust to reflect Industry Training Association Building (ITAB) withdrawal and the introduction of the NZCB Apprentice Network.
• Meeting with Industry Partners:
– NZCB Apprentice Challenge – sponsorship and review.
Great Apprentice Race – sponsorship and review.
– Apprentice Network – promotion and media engagement.
• Regional visits to promote the Apprentice Network with NZCB Territory Managers.
• Development of Train the Trainer (pilot) Course in conjunction with Vertical Horizons New Zealand.
Marketing and Membership Services Team Manager Karla Farrar | 021 906 234 | karla@nzcb.nz
• NZCB AGM, Conference & Expo 2024 planning.
• NZCB advertising; new campaigns, including homeowner and member recruitment.
• InHouse Magazine; content sourced, collated, and collected for this issue.
• NZCB News, Education, and Deals and Benefits; monthly email newsletter preparation, planning and delivery.
• Regional Events have ramped up; assistance with development and communications, including Build Nelson, Family Zoo and Movie Days/Nights, members meetings and Training Evenings.
• New NZCB membership renewal packs to be designed for 2023.
• Revere Volume 7; completed and distributed.
• Revere Volume 8; submissions open with articles and photographs being compiled.
• Certified Plans; market research is underway to improve the product.
• Strategic Partnership; renewals and growth plan development.
• NZCB Toolshed improvements; new online membership applications, planning, assistance, and execution.
• Assisting with the re-scope and rebuild of a new database.
• Annual review of Affinity Partnerships and Free Helplines, including a new Affinity Partner signed up.
• National Partnerships; renewals and retention.
• Member engagement material; developed and ready.
• 26th Members’ Only AGM preparation and planning.
• Waikato, Auckland, Bay of Islands/Far North, Nelson Bays Golf Day; assistance with development and communications.
• Support of Territory Managers for new NZCB Presidents.
• NZCB public facing website; research has been completed, new wire framing has begun and new SEO is about to be implemented. Next stage – new design, then the build!
• NZCB Building Contracts; updated on the Toolshed, tested and launched with additional communications of the new changes.
• NZCB Employment Contracts are currently being reviewed.
Below you will find an update on the performance of the New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Advertising Levy budget. This digital report highlights our Google Adverts, Facebook, Instagram, and Programmatic Spending for July 2023 .
18,799 NZCB website visitors/users
1m 25sec average time spent on website vs. 1m 18sec in June
2,514,463 total page impressions delivered to homeowners
MOM
6,830
‘Find a Builder’ search conversions vs. 5,151 in June GA4 vs. 2,521 in June GA3 +33% MOM (GA4)
285 emails sent to Members from website vs. 371 in June GA4 vs. 263 in June GA3
–25% MOM (GA4)
3,589 homeowner requests for builder’s phone number vs. 1,396 in June GA4 vs. 1,006 in June GA3 +57% MOM (GA4)
331k social media reach –2% MOM
111 NZCB Membership enquiries vs. 104 in June GA4 vs. 96 in June GA3
+7% MOM (GA4)
85.5k NZCB video thru-plays on social –1% MOM
1,365 social engagements across all campaigns (likes, comments, shares, post saves)
11.34% Google advertising homeowner clicks
15,529 overall digital advertising link clicks –4% MOM
MOM = Month on Month. The comparison of data from one month to the previous month.
July marked an upswing across key metrics, signifying substantial progress across the board.
• Google Analytics: We switched from Google Analytics 3 (GA3) to the new version, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), on July 1, which measures some metrics differently. The new version allows us more accurate reporting.
• Google Ads: Google Ads performed particularly well in July, with an overall conversion rate of 11.33%, a 27% increase MOM.
• Conversions: We saw the most significant uplift in conversions for the following:
Builder Search conversion +33% MOM
– New Membership Enquiries +7% MOM
– Website Average Session Duration +10% MOM
These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising strategies using many different layers to our campaign. We will continue to monitor the data and make adjustments as needed to ensure that we are optimising for conversions.
Karla Farrar NZCB Marketing & Services Manager
New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) have extended the closing date for submissions for REVERE Volume Eight until the end of October.
Designed and published by NZCB, Revere magazine celebrates and displays some of New Zealand’s most inspiring homes built by NZCB members.
Revere is a magazine to be proud of as well as a great sales tool. Those members that successfully contribute to Revere will each receive 20 complimentary copies per submission along with a digital file of all professional photographs taken, an electronic copy of their article(s) and, also become eligible to use the ‘Revere Accredited’ logo.
To add to the value and excitement of Revere, all members that contribute to this magazine will have access to the ‘Revere Accredited’ logo. This gold standard logo is available to current and past contributors of Revere further promoting recognition of our members involvement in this magazine, in honour of their craftsmanship work ethic and quality as some of the industry’s best in the business. The Revere logo can be included on all company collateral including your vehicles to further promote the members business.
“We find Revere magazine a great tool to hand out to people at our Home shows, as not only does it showcase our work it is also a great conversation starter.”
Tony Hodson, Director EBUILD LimitedI’ll make it easy for you! All you need to do is complete an application form and submit it to myself at the National Support Office. I will organise a professional copywriter to write an article about your project and a professional photographer to come to site to complete the photography.
“Julie communicated and scheduled efficiently every step of the way, and the photographer and copywriter were very engaging and easy to talk to. We are pleased with the end product and wouldn’t hesitate to present another renovation project.”
Niamh Short & Alex Cartmell-Gollan, Directors Windy City Builders Limited
Your investment
Such a publication is a large financial undertaking and does require some financial support from those NZCB members submitting successful material along with a limited number of merchants/national partners that may also contribute to the magazine.
A two-page submission is $1500+gst and four pages $2750+gst.
Distribution of Revere is far and wide to our target audience, the homeowner. Over 10,000 printed copies are circulated nationwide to our members, partners, Air New Zealand Koru lounges, architects, lawyers, various media outlets and offices of influence as well as with various other magazines. It is also electronically posted onto the well-known websites, Houzz and Issuu, reaching over 200,000 people.
Submissions close 31 October 2023. For more information or an application form please contact Julie on: julie@nzcb.nz or 0800 237 843 ext 7227.
Julie Thomas NZCB Revere Magazine Editor and Project Coordinator
This year, we proudly commemorate the 25th anniversary of New Zealand Certified Builders, a pivotal moment in our ongoing quest to raise the bar in the building industry.
In May, I embarked on a remarkable journey with Bevan and Greg from Mount Barker Entertainment to capture this extraordinary story. Coordinating the participation of our talent, including our esteemed founder Craig Wilkinson, who now resides in London, presented formidable logistical challenges. Several months of dedicated filming saw our exceptional members traverse New Zealand to share their unique stories.
I would like to extend a big thank you to the following members who played an integral role in telling the story:
Craig Wilkinson –NZCB Founder – London
Mike Way – Tauranga
Niamh Short – Nelson
Zane Raphael – Auckland
Ben Fearnley – Leeston
Nick Farrelly – Auckland
Barbara MacGregor – Auckland
Lucile Richardson – Waikato
Gavin Barr – Auckland
In 1998, a visionary group of skilled builders united to establish the New Zealand Certified Builders Association (NZCB), laying the foundation for an inspiring journey that continues to redefine industry standards. The birth of NZCB stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to combat subpar workmanship and champion quality – a legacy that endures within every NZCB member.
Over the past quarter-century, NZCB has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks in no small part to the continued growth of our dedicated members. Together, we have collectively realised our mission of elevating industry standards.
Working with the Wave Agency team, we embarked on an extraordinary storytelling endeavour to mark this milestone. Our chosen approach was a documentary-style film that shines a spotlight on the heart and soul of NZCB – the passionate individuals who have been part of our journey, both past and present. This storyboard encompasses seven core principles that encapsulate the essence of NZCB’s success:
1. MADE BY CHANGE
2. MADE BY REPUTATION
3. MADE BY PROBLEM-SOLVING
4. MADE BY DETAILS
5. MADE BY HARD TIMES
6. MADE BY THE NEXT GENERATION
7. MADE BY MEMBERS
Andy McRae – Arrowtown
Troy Davy – Tauranga
Chad Niwa – Taranaki
To view this captivating story and celebrate our 25-year journey, please visit the homepage of the NZCB website at www.nzcb.nz.
Karla Farrar NZCB Marketing & Services Manager
New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) is proud to partner with a wide range of companies with multiple branches nationwide. These companies have aligned with the Association to provide significant support to our members and have the option to engage with them across a wide range of opportunities. Known to the Association as “National Partners” we are delighted to tell you a little bit more about two of them.
James Hardie is the world’s number one producer of high-performance fibre cement building solutions.
As the trusted innovator and industry leader in the markets where we operate, James Hardie empowers homeowners and building professionals alike to achieve their dream home with premium quality solutions that enable endless design possibilities, while also delivering long-lasting durability.
We offer a wide range of exterior looks through market leading brands such as RAB™ Board, Axon™ Panel, EasyLap™ Panel, Linea™ Weatherboard, Stria™ Cladding and Oblique™ Weatherboard.
For more information on James Hardie and our range of products please visit www.jameshardie.co.nz
PlaceMakers is New Zealand’s leading supplier of trade building materials, proudly serving over 300,000 customers yearly. With 62 branches from Kaitaia to Invercargill and over 100,000 product lines, we’re here to support the tradies – as Together we build New Zealand. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. From the largest Group Home Builders to the smallest of subtrades, we provide valuable services to support our customers business growth, forming a genuine partnership.
• PlaceMakers E-TOOLs – Using one login, our Trade Portal and App are here to simplify and streamline product sourcing.
• PlaceMakers Plus – A rewards programme exclusively for trade account customers with some truly beaut rewards, from incredible travel opportunities to fantastic lifestyle products.
• PlaceMakers Estimating – Our National Estimating Unit (NEU) offers a free estimate service via your local branch. Simply drop off your plans and requirements, and your account manager will sort the rest. That’s why more tradies choose PlaceMakers.
For more information, please visit www.placemakers.co.nz/trade
A full list of NZCB National Partners can be found on page 77 of this issue of InHouse or on the members’ only Toolshed under Our Partners www.nzcb.nz/about-nzcb/#nzcb-partners.
Having a well-stocked First Aid Kit on-site can be a game-changer during emergencies. At New Zealand Certified Builders, we’ve got a range of high-quality kits tailored for your needs. Check out our online store for everything from compact kits to those made for up to 25 people.
Keen to know what’s inside or ready to buy?
Jump over to our members’ only Toolshed Shop at www.nzcb.nz/members/shop/. And if you’ve got any questions, just drop me (Kirsty) an email at kirsty@nzcb.nz. Let’s keep our sites safe!
All New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Individual and Business members are entitled to ‘one’ free diary per year. Diaries are available in two sizes: A4 (297mm x 210mm) and A5 (148mm x 210mm).
To receive a diary you must place an order, through the NZCB members’ only Toolshed.
Simply log on to Toolshed, scroll to the bottom of the menu on the left-hand side and select ‘ORDER 2024 DIARY’ www.nzcb.nz/members/diary/. Double check all your details are correct, select the size you require and press the ‘Submit’ button.
If your postal address is different to what appears on the form, please contact the NZCB National Support Office: 0800 237 843 or info@nzcb.nz, so it can be updated to ensure your diary is sent to the correct address.
New requirements to protect subcontractors who have retention money withheld from them commence on 5 October 2023.
The Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act 2023 (the Amendment Act) was passed by the Government in April 2023. The Amendment Act strengthens the retention money regime by making it easier for subcontractors to access retention money without a court order, in the event of a head contractor’s insolvency.
The changes in the Amendment Act build on retention money provisions already in the Construction Contracts Act 2002. These provisions were put in place to protect retention money owed to subcontractors in the event of a business failure and to ensure retention money withheld under construction contracts is responsibly managed.
The Amendment Act will commence on 5 October 2023 and will become part of the Construction Contracts Act 2002.
Many head contractors are already doing the right thing and are holding retention money aside appropriately. For these people, the Amendment Act will result in very little change.
The new requirements for withholding retention money include:
• clarifying that retention money is automatically held on trust by the head contractor once the contract allows it to be withheld from the subcontractor
• removing the ability to mix retention money with other cashflow and assets
• requiring that retention money held as cash must also be held separately in a bank account with prescribed ledger accounts.
The Amendment Act introduces strict liability offences for failing to hold retention money properly, with penalties of up to $50,000 for a director and up to $200,000 for a company. Offences include:
• failure to comply with accounting, recording and reporting requirements
• use of retention money for a purpose other than remedying defects in the subcontractor’s performance
• failure to provide regular information to the subcontractor on retention money.
Head contractors looking to hold retention money have until 5 October 2023 to ensure processes are established and standard contracts are renewed.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employments (MBIE’s) Building Performance team has developed a detailed guidance document to support property owners, developers, contractors and subcontractors, along with legal, accounting and insolvency professionals, with understanding their rights, duties and obligations under the Amendment Act. Further resources will be added later.
The new Retention money guidance for the Construction Contracts Act 2002 can be found at: www.building.govt.nz/assets/ Uploads/projects-and-consents/retention-money-guidance-forconstruction-contracts-act-2002.pdf
Additional information about the Amendment Act is available on the Building Performance website: www.building.govt.nz/retention-money Also available on the website, is a recording of a webinar that was held on 25 August 2023 for main contractors, sub-contractors, clients, and payment certifiers (QSs and Engineers to Contract).
The webinar helps to explain what the changes in the Amendment Act mean for these groups and includes a question-and-answer session. This can also be viewed on You Tube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVmwDLgc3a4
Aotearoa New Zealand’s concrete industry has launched its roadmap to net zero carbon by 2050. Concrete New Zealand (NZ) Chief Executive Rob Gaimster says the publication of the roadmap is a pivotal moment for the concrete industry and the country’s built environment.
“We must provide adaptive solutions that address and help ease the impacts of climate change in a country that is also at risk of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes.
“As well as contributing to our nation’s resilience, the concrete industry is committed to being part of efforts to mitigate climate change.
“This roadmap represents a collective effort, combining the expertise, ingenuity, and commitment of the concrete industry and wider construction sector, to meeting our environmental responsibilities. It builds on global cement and concrete industry progress to achieve net zero carbon emissions which had been recognised by the United Nations.”
Barbara Nebel, Chief Executive of thinkstep-anz, leading sustainability consultants responsible for developing the roadmap, applauds the concrete industry for its efforts.
“We have run a rigorous rule over the proposed strategies, so we could develop the roadmap as a realistic and achievable pathway forward.
“In fact, the industry has already started its decarbonisation journey, with an 11 percent reduction in CO2 emissions achieved between 2005 and 2018, even though ready mixed concrete use increased significantly during that time.
“Based on this roadmap, the New Zealand’s concrete industry can achieve a 44 percent decrease from 2020 levels by 2030, and ultimately net zero carbon by 2050.”
The roadmap was funded by Concrete NZ, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employments (MBIE’s) Building Innovation Partnership (administered through the University of Canterbury) and the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) through the Building Research Levy.
Strategies to help the industry reach its 2050 net zero carbon target include:
• Increasing the use of waste as alternative fuels and raw materials to make cement clinker.
• Partial replacement of cement with low carbon recycled or natural materials.
• Efficiencies in concrete production.
• Further decarbonising New Zealand’s electricity grid and supply chains.
• Design and construction optimisation.
• Carbon uptake, which sees exposed concrete absorb CO2
• Capturing remaining CO2
Progress is clear, with low carbon cement and concrete options available on the market for use across a range of residential, commercial and civil construction projects.
Fletcher Concrete Chief Executive, Nick Traber, believes the roadmap reflects the genuine direction of companies such as his.
“We are playing a key role in reducing emissions right from using alternative fuels and raw materials in cement manufacturing, to our low carbon supply chain and low carbon binder technology developed at Fletcher Building’s new research lab focused on sustainable concrete solutions.”
Chief Executive Officer of Holcim Australia & New Zealand, George Agriogiannis, feels that industry is walking the talk outlined in the roadmap after having invested significantly in researching and producing new lower-carbon products.
“We have also constructed a new low-carbon cement replacement facility at the Ports of Auckland. At peak operation the site is expected to enable replacement of just under 100,000 tonnes of Ordinary Portland Cement, which will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Annually, this is the equivalent of removing approximately 78,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.”
Leader of the Building Innovation Partnership, Professor Larry Bellamy, whose team is working on strategies for reducing carbon emissions from buildings and communities, believes construction needs new approaches to enhance the resilience and sustainability of building materials and structures.
“The roadmap is important because it identifies the research needed to help transform concrete for the benefit of New Zealand,” says Larry.
For more information on the roadmap visit, www.concretenz.org.nz/page/2050_roadmap
Concrete New Zealand. Concrete NZ supports industry to position concrete as the material of choice for a modern and resilient New Zealand. This is achieved through a consolidated voice that brings confidence, knowledge and leadership to members, industry and regulators. For more information visit, www.concretenz.org.nzSite Safe New Zealand is excited to announce the launch of its first virtual reality (VR) health and safety training courses to New Zealand’s construction industry.
Since 15 August 2023, the VR formats of the Foundation Passport Building Construction and Civil courses have been available for learners in Auckland to book. Courses will be available in Wellington and Christchurch in late 2023. These VR courses have been designed to provide health and safety training through a virtual on-site experience, that accurately simulates hazards and risks present in a real construction environment.
Developed with industry, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and SkillsVR, the Foundation Passport Building Construction and Civil courses set the standard for health and safety training and knowledge in New Zealand’s construction industry.
“As the industry’s leading safety organisation, we are committed to working alongside industry to make sure our training is the gold standard in giving our kaimahi the knowledge they need to stay safe on-site. It’s fantastic that we are able to add VR to our classroom and online delivery options so that our people have the best possible learning experience.” says Brett Murray, Site Safe’s Chief Executive.
VR health and safety training allows for people to be fully immersed in and engaged with their learning. Using VR headsets and controllers, learners complete interactive tasks, such as hazard and risk identification, PPE selection, and identifying how to keep themselves and others healthy and safe in a construction environment.
Job seeker Jacob Hedley was the first person to complete the VR Foundation Passport training course, and in one-and-a-half hours, he gained his digital Site Safety Card and important skills that would help him in his search for a job.
“I was actually blown away, I told my missus, I told my brother-in law, father-in-law, and a friend over in Australia,” said Jacob.
As a key sector currently facing a skilled labour shortage, the development of VR health and safety training is an innovative way of getting people ready for work in the construction industry.
Foundation Passport health and safety training is suitable for people who are existing and new to the construction industry, particularly those who are unfamiliar with construction in New Zealand. Learners who complete the one-and-a-half-hour VR course receive a digital Site Safety Card (valid for two years). The digital card includes a green ‘Foundation’ indicator, showing they have completed the foundational training that allows them to work safely on a New Zealand construction site.
Virtual reality (VR) training is an innovative, future focused learning format that allows for real life scenarios to be digitally simulated for training purposes and eliminates the risk of making mistakes. Learners will gain the tools and knowledge to keep themselves and others safe in areas such as working at heights, working in trenches, delivering materials, and laying foundations through an interactive, technology driven virtual experience.
VR training is also more time efficient, cost effective, and accommodating to people with different learning styles. VR delivers consistent training content and results in high learning outcomes.
Site Safe Chief Executive Brett Murray says many parts of the construction industry are “crying out for more workers, especially ones who are well trained and committed to a career in construction.”
“By utilising technology such as VR, Site Safe continues to lead in providing innovative and effective ways of delivering workplace health and safety training,” says Brett. “It is important that we are doing all we can to ensure that construction is seen as a safe and attractive sector to work in. Training plays a big part in building the competence and confidence of our workforce to produce good work outcomes.”
To register head to the Training section of our website, www.sitesafe.org.nz/training/our-training-courses/ and select Foundation Passport – Building Construction (Virtual Reality).
VR courses will be available in Wellington and Christchurch in late 2023.
Site Safe New Zealand. Site Safe is a not-for-profit membership organisation established by industry for industry and is New Zealand’s leading health and safety solutions provider. www.sitesafe.org.nzAs a key sector currently facing a skilled labour shortage, the development of VR health and safety training is an innovative way of getting people ready for work in the construction industry.
Introducing SunFold® Louvre Roof, the latest addition to the HomePlus Outdoor Living range.
The SunFold® is a retracting and folding Louvre Roof. Able to be fully closed, partially open, partially open & pivoted, or fully retracted and stacked to one side. Available in integrated, wall-mounted, or freestanding configurations and expertly combining the traditional New Zealand veranda or gazebo concept with a modern louvred roof for a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor space.
Supported by the nationwide HomePlus network of installers, the New Zealand designed and manufactured SunFold, utilises unique end pivot (EP) design technology to provide a more weather resistant roof when closed.
A clean, seamless, architectural look is achieved through an integrated gutter and solid aluminium gutter box and cover plates, along with hidden drainpipes running through the support posts. The Louvres can pivot up to 90 degrees, and the roof can retract to 75% of the total roof area. With the ability to
The newest addition to Abodo’s family of sustainable timber products is Vulcan Shingles; introduced to meet demand for a technologically advanced timber shingle less prone to warping and cupping.
Why choose Vulcan Shingles:
1. Circular economy – Vulcan Shingles are crafted from thermally modified timber recovered from production off cuts of Vulcan timber cladding. Through the thoughtful use of defected and re-worked material, Abodo is minimising waste; exemplifying the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle at the heart of the circular economy.
2. Sustainably sourced and New Zealand made –Abodo’s Vulcan timber is made from rapidly renewable FSC® certified Radiata Pine, with proven carbon storing
benefits. Abodo timbers are grown and manufactured right here in New Zealand.
3. Innovative system – Vulcan Shingles are designed with an innovative cavity installation system for efficient ventilation, enabling roofs and walls to breathe, effectively reducing condensation and moisture ingress. This brings enhanced durability and longevity, making Vulcan Shingles a reliable choice for your build. Vulcan Shingles are available now.
partially tilt and retract to control light and airflow or tightly close for weather protection SunFold manages an Outdoor Living area like never before.
Please contact HomePlus for more information at specify@homeplus.co.nz
New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) electronic membership ID cards are available from the NZCB members’ only Toolshed website.
Your membership ID card displays your legal business name (business members only), individual name, individual membership number (NOT your business membership number), the date your business joined and the current month and year.
The data on the card is live, which means the month and year at the bottom of the card will update each month as proof you are a current member of the Association.
To show your membership ID card to a homeowner/client or a NZCB partner, log on to the NZCB members’ only Toolshed website and click MEMBERSHIP CARD –the very last option, on the navigation menu. This will display your ID card on your phone immediately.
You can also download the card as a .JPG image to your photos folder. Note: If you choose to download the card, you must download it each month so that the current month is showing on the card.
Need help? Contact the NZCB National Support Office on 0800 237 843 or info@nzcb.nz.
Need to top up your LBP Elective points? We can help with that!
Soudal have recently launched our Silicone training module. In this module we explain the different types of silicones and best practice techniques for removing, preparing, replacing, and finishing silicone. Once complete, you will receive a certificate that
Tradies are top of mind in everything CARTERS do, and they have some cool news to share.
For builders, CARTERS know keeping up with your Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) learning on top of the latest trade news can be a struggle. To make life easier they’re excited to announce that the CARTERS Trade Leader is now online.
Build your knowledge and stay up to date with the latest news and code changes. Whether you’ve been rained off, are taking five or the numbers don’t add up right, CARTERS Trade Leader is there to support you and is now just a click away.
To take a look or subscribe today visit www.tradeleader.carters.co.nz
will enable you to register your activity to earn a LBP Elective point. We will be launching more training modules this year – they will cover expanding foam and different types of adhesives.
Simply scan the QR Code, to create an account and get started.
It’s even easier being green with Resene’s growing range of plant-based paints.
Renewable plant-based paints are the next breakthrough in eco paints.
The new range of Resene plant-based hybrid waterborne alkyd paints are made with plant oils (alkyd polymers), such as linseed and castor oil, combined with other polymers to give 60-95% per cent renewable content.
Resene’s new range of plant-based hybrid waterborne alkyds includes Environmental Choice approved Resene Room Velvet low sheen for interior walls, Resene Waterborne Lusta-Glo semigloss for trims and Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain (www.resene. co.nz/archspec/datasheets/D57DWoodsman-Decking-Oil-Stain.pdf)
for decking, with two more ranges to be launched this year.
The purpose of paint is to protect surfaces and, in doing so, extend the longevity of homes and other projects. Doing this well is the best environmental impact products can have. Always choose a product that is designed for your project to get the best performance out of the product and the least maintenance. It’s better to paint once with a quality product than repaint many times with a low-quality one.
For more information, visit www.resene.co.nz/plantbased.
Lockwood introduces two new finishes – matt black and satin pearl – across the Malta and Urbo handle styles in their Velocity small rose range. The 55mm rose Velocity handles have swiftly garnered the preference of architects due to their sleek and modern design. This design element seamlessly matches exterior door and window handles, complementing contemporary architectural aesthetics, and offering both functionality and style in one package. With a streamlined twist-and-tighten fixing method and pre-assembled lever sets, installation is faster and simpler than ever. Mark Waller of Waller Projects attests, “It’s easy to install, saves time, and we’ve never had to go back.”
Find out more at www.assaabloy.com/nz
After more than a year of crafting, JSC reveals their new look and branding, JSC – Premium Architectural & Building Solutions. Formerly known as JSC Timber, this transformation embodies JSC’s expanded focus and forward-looking aspirations.
JSC takes pride in crafting top-tier timber products, materials, and finishes for the New Zealand market. Renowned for its leadership in timber cladding, hardwood decking, interior panelling, and more, JSC remains
dedicated to delivering innovation that shapes the construction landscape of tomorrow.
With a dedicated and experienced team, JSC ensures quality and excellence at every step. Boasting a diverse range of technical expertise and capabilities, their collaborative national team guarantees the finest outcome for every project.
Join JSC on this exciting journey of growth by exploring our new website at www.jsc.co.nz or give us a call on 0800 57 26 88 to connect with a JSC team member.
Why the buzz about ‘Always-On’?
It offers three key advantages: consistent brand visibility, ongoing engagement with your audience, and the establishment of a lasting and reliable online presence.
At Wave, we develop ‘Always-On’ strategies that drive continuous growth with captivating content, utilising Google Ads and SEO mastery, authentic social media, impactful emails, influencer partnerships, and precise programmatic strategies.
Executed well, an ‘Always-On’ digital strategy will deliver you:
• Lasting impressions: Be the first choice even when customers aren’t actively buying.
• Boundless outreach: Seamlessly omnipresent across digital platforms, broadening your audience.
• Trust building: Consistent value addition fosters trust and credibility for your business.
• Insights for success: Our insightful reporting fine-tunes strategies, ensuring your message resonates.
Our expert team at Wave Agency can bring you the power of consistent engagement, turning potential customers into loyal advocates.
Talk with us today on 07 927 4444 hello@waveagency.co.nz www.waveagency.co.nz
Pictured above from left: Isabel Vickers, Ryan Belz and Jessica Blake from the Digital Team at Wave Agency.
Introducing the PASLODE Purlin Nail - BRANZ appraised. The Purlin Nail is a single-tool solution to fix purlins fast and with precision – freeing up time, labour and tools.
The new Paslode Purlin system uses three 80mm-long bright purlin nails placed in a diagonal pattern streamlining the job of fixing purlins and roofing battens. Paslode’s
Purlin Nail is a 3.15mm nail with annular grooves and a full round head. Placed corner-to-corner, the nailing system meets the 2.4kN clamp down capacity required for type T fixing as per NZS 3604. Diagonal nail placement is key. The configuration works with hips and valleys and builders can simply use a timber blocking mechanism for joins. When the job’s complete, builders and building inspectors can have confidence in the BRANZ
appraised system, BRANZ appraisal No. 1249 [2023].
For optimum performance, use Paslode’s Purlin Nail with the latest FrameMaster models (B20580/ B20543P)
For more information on the Paslode Purlin Nail system and other Paslode Fastening Systems featuring best-inclass lightweight cordless technology and patented fastener technology see www.paslode.co.nz.
Discover the pinnacle of style, utility, and durability with Franklin’s latest vanity collection. Crafted from melamine and thermoformed panels, these vanities blend design and endurance. Resistant to scratches, moisture, and stains, the melamine material is ideal for bathrooms. Textured thermoformed panels add a touch of contemporary elegance.
Select from a range of robust engineered stone, cast Dolomitic marble, and ceramic vanity tops to curate a piece that mirrors the customers style while harmonising with the bathroom’s ambiance.
Beyond their refined appearance, these vanities offer ample storage space. Our local design and manufacturing process ensures a product finely tuned to New Zealanders’ preferences.
With over 1400+ possible combinations, personalisation is paramount. Customers are sure to find a vanity that fits their bathroom preferences and unique style.
To explore some of the new vanity collection in person visit our Silverdale Design Studio, located at 8/30A Foundry Road. To learn more, visit our socials @franklins_nz or www.franklins.co.nz.
Building a Homestar rated home helps to ensure a healthier, warmer, drier, and more
comfortable home that uses less power and water than a similar home built to the minimum standard of the New Zealand Building Code.
Among the additional requirements, Homestar focuses on continuous mechanical ventilation, ensuring homeowners have a good supply of fresh air. The Building Code assumes a reliance on opening windows, which has been shown to be ineffective or inadequate.
Ventilation of buildings is essential to ensure comfort and to prevent building damage due to excessive humidity and condensation. Removing pollutants, odours, moisture, and heat accumulating inside our buildings is essential.
Simx is pleased to have products listed with the Homestar NZGBC ECCHO design tool. The flyer with more information on the listed products can be found under Resources on the Simx website or by scanning the QR Code.
In an exclusive interview, Brian Dillon, the National Ako Network Director for Construction and Infrastructure at Te Pūkenga, shared insights into his background, aspirations, and vision for vocational education in the construction and infrastructure industry. The strong partnership between Waihanga Ara Rau and Te Pūkenga means the future of vocational education in New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure sector looks brighter than ever.
Brian Dillon’s extensive industry experience in construction, combined with his passion for vocational education, positions him as a pivotal figure in the quest for better outcomes for learners and employers. Having served in various roles within the vocational education sector, Dillon’s appointment as the National Ako Network Director allows him to influence conversations across multiple stakeholders and environments.
Reflecting on his motivation to join Te Pūkenga two months ago, Dillon says, “The time felt right to work closely with industry, iwi, and community to support better outcomes for learners and employers.”
With the establishment of the Civil Infrastructure Academy, a prime example of collaborative efforts between Te Pūkenga and local schools, chambers of commerce, and civil construction companies, Dillon aims to expand on this model and foster more partnerships in the future. By engaging industry, iwi, and community stakeholders, he intends to encourage innovative thinking and bring forth new ideas to enhance vocational training.
Dillon’s expertise and connections in the sector, combined with the Te Pūkenga commitment to working collaboratively, ensure that education remains closely aligned with real-world industry requirements. The ongoing communication and feedback loop between Waihanga Ara Rau and Te Pūkenga plays a critical role in ensuring education programmes are responsive to industry needs and trends.
Speaking about the partnership with Waihanga Ara Rau, Dillon emphasised the need for a united front between the two entities. “We need to be aware of each other’s mahi, align work plans, and share our insights to respond timelier to industry needs,” he explained. “This strategic collaboration will lead to greater confidence from industry stakeholders in both organisations’ ability to understand and address their needs.
“While our organisations have their own specific mandates, we are both working with the same companies, associations and industries. My vision is that industry recognises that while there are some differences in what we do, they see us as strongly connected. Ultimately, this is about industry having confidence that we properly understand their needs and that we can and will respond to them. This could be a qualification review, creating a micro-credential or delivering the training in new or different ways. Having industry alongside us and involved in discussions and decisions will be key. In turn, it should lead to better outcomes for ākonga (learners), employers and the wider industry.”
Chief Executive, Waihanga Ara Rau, Philip Aldridge, says, “We strive to work together with Te Pūkenga to achieve great things for industry and learners alike. By bridging the gap between industry and education, we can effectively bring the voice of industry to the table, ensuring that learning programmes equip people with the relevant skills needed to excel in the ever-evolving workforce.” When asked what the key challenges are in the sector that need to be addressed through vocational education, Dillon shared, “There are opportunities to re-imagine how, when and where training and assessment can (and maybe should) occur, and we want to work with industry to support that. Current issues include workforce retention, more and better support for employers who train, and anticipating what skills will be needed for our future workforce. Bringing people and groups together to identify and then address issues collectively will be key.”
With Brian Dillon’s forward-thinking leadership and the unwavering support of both Waihanga Ara Rau and Te Pūkenga, the future of vocational education in New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure sector will benefit immensely, creating exciting possibilities and opportunities for learners and employers alike.
Brian Dillon has been a member of New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) since 1998. He is the current Chairman of the Apprenticeship Scholarship Trust (AST Trust) and was Chairman of the Industry Training Association Building (ITAB) Board before it was disestablished earlier this year. Brian continues his support for the Association and apprentices with his involvement in the new NZCB Apprentice Network.
Waihanga Ara Rau is responsible for developing and maintaining qualifications, unit standards, and micro-credentials for the construction and infrastructure industries, ensuring professionals are equipped to excel. By continuously refining and updating qualification content in partnership with industry and providers, our goal is a highly competent and agile workforce. www.waihangaararau.nz
Driven to create surfaces that make a living environment durable, feel and look good to live in, we believe the tactile nature of plaster cladding is unrivaled.
The construction process contains many facets which when combined, and applied accurately make for a shining, and durable example of the construction process - from the clients needs, the Architecture, through to the selection of products, and the professional trades people that apply their skills.
At Resene Construction Systems we only promote tested & trusted products, all applied by LBP registered Plastering Professionals for each and every project.
Visit our website to discover more about our exciting range of facade systems, bespoke interior finishes, and construction products.
NZ Certified Builder Chad Niwa Building, New Plymouth Cladding INTEGRA lightweight concrete Plastering Professional Textured Plaster Ltd, Jamie Tepara INTEGRA lightweight concrete plaster claddingEach year, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) holds their NAWIC Excellence Awards to celebrate the outstanding women in the industry.
As a small business owner-operator with her husband Kris, in their company MyHome Renovations Limited, Barbara has a wealth of knowledge in contract administration and in supporting construction staff. Barbara enjoys sharing this knowledge with peers, aiding their success in the industry.
MyHome Renovations Limited has been a member of NZCB since 2017, however, Barbara and Kris have been members since 2010, with previous companies.
The first woman to become a NZCB President, Barbara has been the NZCB Auckland President since 2021 and has said she is not afraid to use her platform as president to seek improvements for all workers in the industry.
Barbara is passionate about women in building and trade businesses and wants to see these women step forward from ‘behind the scenes’ and be acknowledged for the hard work they do.
This year’s event, marking its 9th year of running the awards, was held at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on Friday, 21 July. With a record number of entries and attendees at the celebration, the support for the finalists was palpable.
“With so many large construction companies dominating the room, I was thrilled to accept the award from NAWIC. It really did feel like I was representing ‘small business’ and all those women who work hard behind the scenes supporting their partners with the all-important administration tasks for their building businesses. I’m also very grateful to NZCB Chief Executive, Malcolm Fleming for making me aware of NAWIC and its awards – perhaps we can get a bunch of NZCB wives and partners involved in future events,” says Barbara.
Founded in Texas in 1952 by a group of 16 women, NAWIC has grown to an international organisation and is going strong in the USA, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and most recently Qatar.
We are proud to announce that New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) President, Auckland, and NZCB member, and OwnerOperator of MyHome Renovations, Barbara MacGregor, won the Highly Commended award in the ‘Excellence in Construction Administration – Office Based’ category. This category honours the contributions of women in an administrative, sales/marketing, or operational role in the office within the construction industry.
NAWIC is a voluntary, non-profit association of women who work either in the construction industry or for business organisations who provide services to the construction industry. They encourage women to pursue, establish, and sustain successful careers in the construction industry and hold regular in-person and online events. These events focus on both technical and professional development, to inform and up-skill women in construction and to promote networking and information sharing for the betterment of the construction industry as a whole.
For more information on this year’s NAWIC awards, visit www.nawic.org.nz.
Left to right: Waihanga Ara Rau Chief Executive, Philip Aldridge, NZCB President Auckland and NZCB member MyHome Renovations, Barbara MacGregor, and NAWIC Awards Director, Stacey Mendonca.Barbara is passionate about women in building and trade businesses and wants to see these women step forward from ‘behind the scenes’ and be acknowledged for the hard work they do.
A residential building project is probably the most expensive, drawn-out and stressful undertaking that most homeowners will encounter in their lives. Therefore, unless they are seasoned investors or developers, they will be more emotionally involved than commercial property owners typically are. They will also have relatively little experience in managing such a project, and almost always they will be doing it without an engineer to the contract or some other form of project manager. Furthermore, they will be operating on a very tight budget with very little ability to cope with price escalations or complex dispute-resolution processes.
But on the flip side, compared to commercial property owners, they have an abundance of rights and remedies they can use to hold the residential builder accountable; ranging from the law of contract, the tort of negligence, the implied service guarantees in the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, the implied warranties in the Building Act 2004, and the 12-month defects remedy in the Building Act. In addition to that, because most residential building work is required to be carried out or supervised by a variety of Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs), an aggrieved homeowner can file a complaint about the LBPs involved in the project, with the Building Practitioners Board (the BPB). However, the ironic thing is that because most residential builders supply materials and perform building work in advance, and then hope to get paid for them afterwards, homeowners have a far more powerful self-help remedy available, which does not even require them to establish that they are in the right and that is to not pay the builder’s latest invoice. That is frequently regarded
by the homeowners as a perfectly satisfactory outcome to the dispute, and it forces the builder (who may have already paid up to 80% of the invoiced amount to the building materials suppliers and subcontractors) to initiate expensive and timeconsuming dispute-resolution procedures.
Because of that, any examination of risk management in residential building projects needs to focus as much on the residential builder’s risk as it does on the homeowner’s risk. Leaving aside the residential building divisions of the large
Any examination of risk management in residential building projects needs to focus as much on the residential builder’s risk as it does on the homeowner’s risk.
construction companies, residential builders are typically small firms who don’t have specialist personnel on the payroll to thoroughly document payment claims, variation claims and extension of time claims, and to comply with the strict formalities and deadlines that are characteristic of the commercial construction contracts. Those contracts are simply unrealistic in a residential setting, unless the contract price is in the seven figures and the building company is better resourced than most.
The building contracts issued by New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) attempt to strike a balance between the competing interests of homeowners and residential builders by incorporating a comprehensive range of warranties in favour of the homeowners, some cost-effective and rapid methods for resolving disputes, and some protections for the builder against the self-help remedy referred to above. In addition, business members of NZCB are able to offer their customers a third party guarantee which lasts for 10 years after practical completion; Halo 10-Year Residential Guarantee (Halo Guarantee).
Having said that, there are some rogue residential building companies out there just as there are some rogue homeowners. So, homeowners need protection against their three most common exposures; defective work or materials, excessive delays, and unjustified overcharging.
The first risk is covered by a combination of the five different laws mentioned above, the BPB complaint process, the Halo Guarantee, and ideally by an experienced project manager if the homeowners can afford it. Delays are best dealt with by obliging the residential builder to work diligently and conscientiously until completion, because builders cannot accurately predict every obstacle that is going to be encountered, nor can they afford to pay penalties for failure to achieve an arbitrary completion date.
The unjustified overcharging risk is the hardest one to manage. On a cost-reimbursement project a rogue builder might charge for more hours than were actually expended, or might do unnecessary work or add an excessive mark-up to the subcontractor or building materials costs. On a fixed price project, a rogue builder might attempt to claim for variations that were in fact part of the original scope of work. Unless the homeowners have particular expertise in this area, there is no substitute for a qualified quantity surveyor and/or an experienced project manager who can detect this sort of thing.
Which type of contract is better? Cost-reimbursement contracts seem to me to be fairer, because then the homeowners are paying the true cost of the project, no more and no less, and they can reduce the scope of it if the cost gets out of hand.
With a fixed price contract, the builder is much more at risk and can only manage that risk in one of two ways. First, by adding into the price a substantial contingency in the hope that it will cover any unforeseen difficulties and cost escalations the builder can’t avoid. That approach involves both parties gambling that the homeowner won’t end up paying too much or too little. The second way is to allow for the fixed price to be adjusted by provisional sums and cost increases, which converts the contract into a hybrid fixed price/cost reimbursement model.
The Banks don’t like anything but a true fixed price contract, but in that respect I think they are being quite naïve. For a start, variations always result in a price adjustment, and every homeowner should have the right to ask for variations to be undertaken, within reason. Secondly, if the builder is counting on earning a certain amount of profit out of the project, it makes no sense to erode that profit by requiring the builder to absorb unforeseen cost increases that the builder can’t avoid. Leaving aside the fairness of it, a financially distressed or disenchanted builder is no recipe for a successful building project.
It is in neither party’s interests to construct a win-lose residential construction contract, because that is just going to sour the relationship from Day 1. Therefore, I always urge the homeowner’s lawyers, when they are reviewing a building contract prepared by a builder, to make changes sparingly and with the spirit and intent of the relevant clauses in mind. Most builder remedies are triggered only when the homeowner is in the wrong. The secret to a harmonious residential building project is continuous disclosure and total transparency, so both parties should record their expectations at the outset and monitor their fulfilment.
The secret to a harmonious residential building project is continuous disclosure and total transparency, so both parties should record their expectations at the outset and monitor their fulfilment.
What is your quote strike rate? 1 in 5 is common, 1 in 10 is not unheard of, 1 in 3 is good, but any lost job represents wasted time and money. So how can you improve your strike rate?
It might be counter-intuitive, but doing fewer quotes is key to improving your strike rate. An ideal strike rate is better than 50%; prequalifying who you quote is the main step to achieving this. If you are one of three or more builders quoting, your chances are already low. If the client can’t afford the build, it doesn’t matter how good you are. Do they have a preferred builder, and are just price checking?
Getting them to “put their hands in their pockets” for the quote is a great way of eliminating the tyre kickers and price checkers.
It is the single most important strategy. Knocking out those quotes you were never going to win boosts your strike rate. Develop assessment criteria for each inquiry. Things to consider are:
• How did they find out about you? Referrals from past clients are good.
• What is their budget, and do they have the funds? If they won’t say, that is a warning sign.
• Are they shopping around?
• Will they pay for the QS? Being willing to pay is a great sign for you.
To help with this, we’ve developed a quick assessment spreadsheet tool to determine whether an inquiry is worth quoting. Go to Should I Quote – YourQS at www.yourqs.co.nz/home/blog/should-i-quote/ to download it.
Rather than quoting the job, say that you will quantity survey and price it for them. This conveys that you are providing more value than just a quote.
Using an external QS for this does help with being able to charge. Clients seem to accept that if you are paying money, then there is a real cost, so it is fair that they contribute. If it is “just” your time, they expect you to “chuck it in with the deal”.
Now you are providing a service for their benefit, paying something towards this is entirely fair. We recently surveyed our customers and found that 63% charge something.
If you want to get your washing machine repaired, the service company will charge you $100 to look at it and yet clients expect builders to spend 20, 30, 40 hours or more at no cost for something that may never happen.
Not charging is saying that your time has no value, but that is not right. Just by working through their design and scope, you are adding your knowledge and experience, and that is worth a lot; even if they find that they can’t afford to proceed.
A building project is a major commitment, and worrying about getting a fair deal is human nature. Using an independent QS saves them the hassle of going to multiple builders to check (and getting three quotes doesn’t give an independent view!).
You can always offer to credit the cost if they go ahead with you. If they don’t proceed, then they have a robust document that they can use with others.
We have developed an overview of our process that can help you explain the process to your client. Go to Quick Start Guide – YourQS at www.yourqs.co.nz/home/quick-start-guide/ to download this.
October sees us halfway through the financial year. Sorry if you find that a bit scary, but someone must remind you.
How are you tracking against your targets? If you are ahead on the scoreboard, that’s great. How will you lock in that situation and finish strong? If you are behind and struggling, what will you change to make the year’s second half better than the first and fight to the full-time whistle?
Mentally at this time of the year, many builders start thinking about Christmas and how they can push through until they pack up for a summer break. The game is a foregone conclusion, and there is not a lot they can do to change the result. I think that wastes a good opportunity to make real change in your business and potentially turn performance around, should things not be tracking so well.
How many times have you seen the All Blacks pull a game out of the fire in that last 20 minutes, or even the last 5? They don’t assume the score at the 60- or 75-minute mark will be the final result and just switch off. They look to make changes, force a turnover and dig into their fitness reserves to change the final outcome. Now I realise that playing a game of rugby is different to running a building company, but several of the principles of high-level sport translate across into the business world.
It may be a good time to go into the changing sheds for a financial year half-time review and re-set for the second half. Everyone understands the concept in a team sports situation, so why not apply the idea to your business, regardless of whether you are ahead or behind on the scoreboard.
Review how the first six months have gone. How is profit tracking, cash flow, production schedules, marketing pipeline, conversion rate and team development? You should have some hard data on this to give you an objective picture of how well you have achieved your goals. Speaking of goals, how well have you stuck to the game plan, assuming you have one? You might even consider doing this off-site somewhere for half a day away from distractions. Who said your “changing sheds” need to be draughty and smelly!
Have an agenda and work through the key issues. Think about the various “departments” in your business, what is good and bad in each and what you need to do to make each area perform better in the second half. Ask the hard questions and confront the brutal truth. Try to be outcome focused and look at ways to improve quickly rather than getting stuck looking backwards.
Depending on how many senior team members you have involved, you might need to have a breakout session for subgroups to focus on specific issues most relevant to their area of the business. This may also be where the specialist coaches come in, like your accountant or business coach (just saying), to contribute their specialist knowledge on certain tactics, much like your specialist scrum or backs coach might do in rugby.
The final phase is for you, as the owner/coach, to sum up, and reaffirm the Vision for the business and what needs to happen in the second half to make it better than the first. It’s important that people (including you) are clear on their responsibilities and what they need to do to contribute to the overall company goals. What changes to The Plan are needed, and what the next actions are to make those changes come to pass.
Like sports coaches, every business owner is different, so try variations of the above process and see what works best for you. The important thing is for you to act and put some sort of half-time review in place and adjust for the final six months of this financial year. Every sports team can do better in the second half than the first, and the same applies to your business.
If you want help to make the second half better for your business than the first, email me andy@tradescoach.co.nz, and we can talk.
Andy Burrows Director of The Trades Coach and NZCB National Partner. I encourage you to take advantage of a free business strategy review session to see how we can improve your business performance. Call Andy today on 027 688 6721 or email andy@tradescoach.co.nz.
We all love a recommendation! Whether it’s a cleaning product, a power tool, or an app, it stands to reason that what works for your friend, family member, or acquaintance will work just as well for you, right?
To get you started on the path to picking the right software, here are some points to ponder:
• Which trade? A lot of job management software platforms are marketed to trades in general, but some have been tried and tested as a great success for one specific occupation. There are also quite a few construction-specific options that are likely a better fit for builders than something like Fergus which is great for plumbers and electricians.
• What’s the focus? Are you seeking software that will cover almost all aspects of operations, or targeting an area that needs to be whipped into shape, i.e. your takeoff or financial management?
• Are you planning to grow? If so, you’ll want software that will easily grow with you. Tiered pricing means you can pay for the level of functionality you need but will easily be able to access more when the time comes.
If the need is exactly the same, then it probably will. But when it comes to something like job management software (that will streamline, organise, and automate many crucial processes of your trade business), there is no one ultimate option that will suit your company as much as anyone else’s.
Think of it like this: the drill your colleague swears by for building decks might not offer the strength you need for more substantial projects. The paintbrush an interior painter loves for cutting in probably won’t suit the broad strokes of an exterior painter. The job management software that is a great fit for an HVAC installer is likely not going to work as well for a construction business.
It would be remiss not to point out that choosing a job management software for your business is quite an important decision. That’s not intended to scare anyone, but to ensure that the choice is given the consideration it deserves. Taking time to pick the best JMS now will eliminate issues down the road – for example, having to undertake a switch when it becomes apparent that the one, you’re using is not the best option.
• What current software tools are you using? Does the JMS in question integrate with Xero or MYOB? Buildxact has recently announced an integration with HazardCo –would that be helpful to you?
• What’s your budget? The range of pricing for these apps might surprise you. What you can afford is an important consideration and a practical restraint when it comes to choosing the best job management software.
The array of job management platforms available to tradespeople in New Zealand can create some overwhelm when it comes to decision time! Thankfully, there is plenty of help available to you.
FreeUp is a New Zealand-owned company with all the expertise and experience necessary to guide trade businesses in their tech decisions. We can also manage the set-up and optimisation of the software to help you get the most value out of it!
The comprehensive Systems Review is a great place to start; a questionnaire and Zoom meeting during which we gather information and create personalised recommendations.
If you’re going it alone, take advantage of the free trials offered by most software platforms. While you can read all about the features and capabilities of each one on their websites and read reviews till the cows come home, you won’t know how you and your team will take to a particular system until you try it. Taking software for a test run can involve a significant commitment of time and effort, but the payoff is well worth it.
Yes, we did just tell you to take recommendations with a grain of salt—but these ones are coming from job management specialists! They also still come with a disclaimer that your business will have specific needs, and it’s best to discuss, trial, and research before making a decision.
That said, here are some of our top picks for construction professionals:
• Buildxact: this comprehensive software is simple to use and fairly powerful, a great all-rounder which can take you “from takeoff to invoice”. It currently offers a 14-day free trial and has prices starting from $199/month.
• Builda Price: This finance-focused software is ideal for companies seeking better financial management of their projects, with great cost-tracking features and automations to make accurate estimating easy.
• Buildertrend: This globally used construction management platform is great for sales management with strong CRM capabilities. It also has all of the necessary project management features for small to mid-sized building companies.
• NextMinute: This comprehensive project management software is especially helpful when it comes to accurate time tracking. It covers everything from quoting and costing to invoicing and has a flexible per-user pricing plan.
• Xero Projects: Although not aimed specifically at construction companies, this is a great platform for tracking time, costs, progress, and more. It makes it easy to generate financial reports and, of course, integrates seamlessly with Xero bookkeeping.
We wish you the very best in your tech endeavours; may your processes be smooth and your estimates accurate!
If you need help choosing or implementing a job management software for your business, get in touch with the FreeUp team: hello@freeup.co.nz or 021 149 8785.
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10 key questions that can help you improve your marketing spend
A well executed marketing campaign can make or break the success of assisting you in bringing on new clients. To maximise your chances of a successful launch, it’s essential your marketing efforts are well prepared and aligned with your goals. This checklist outlines key steps and considerations to help you assess your marketing readiness before unveiling your offering to the world.
1. What are your marketing goals?
Clearly define your marketing objectives, whether they’re to increase brand awareness, obtain new clients, or improve client retention. Aligning your spend with these goals will ensure your resources are used effectively.
2. Who is your target audience?
Understand your ideal clients’ demographics, preferences, behaviours, and pain points. This knowledge helps you focus your spending on reaching the people who are most likely to convert.
3. Do you have a database of your clients (and not just your accounts receivable list)?
This will enable you to market easily and quickly to existing and future clients, by email, phone call or post. It is recommended you use a database programme to assist with your marketing.
4. Which marketing channels are most effective?
Investigate the performance of different marketing channels you’re using (e.g., social media, email, paid Google ads or local newspaper adverts). Identify which ones provide the highest return on investment (ROI) and allocate more budget accordingly.
5. Are you tracking and measuring results?
Implement robust analytics tools to track key performance indicators (KPIs). Regularly review metrics such as conversion rates, click-through rates, client acquisition cost, and revenue generated to gauge the effectiveness of your spend.
6. What is your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)?
Calculate how much it costs to acquire a new client through your marketing efforts. Compare this cost to the lifetime value of a client to ensure you’re acquiring profitable customers.
7. Are you testing your campaigns?
Experiment with different elements of your campaigns (e.g., ad copy, visuals, landing page layout) through A/B testing. This helps you identify what resonates best with your audience and optimise your spend.
8. Is your content relevant and valuable?
Ensure your content provides real value to your target audience. High-quality, relevant content not only engages clients but also improves your brand’s credibility and encourages sharing.
9. Are you utilising retargeting strategies?
Implement retargeting campaigns to reach users who have already shown interest in your products or services. These campaigns often have higher conversion rates and can make your marketing spend more efficient.
10. Are you monitoring industry trends?
Stay informed about changes in your industry and your competitors’ strategies. This awareness helps you adapt your marketing approach and stay ahead of the curve.
Addressing these questions will help ensure your marketing efforts are well prepared and you are measuring your marketing spend effectively.
Karla Farrar NZCB Marketing & Services Manager
01. Always use GIB Aqualine ® on walls and ceilings to help protect against moisture and steam damage.
02. Use waterproof membranes in the right areas - such as to the edge of showers, baths and vanities to be tiled.
04. Fix GIB Aqualine ® horizontally where possible to reduce joints and improve the finish.
05. Use 13mm GIB Aqualine ® on ceilings to protect against moisture and steam.
06. When tiling*, fasteners are required at 150mm centres to the perimeter of the sheet and to all intermediate studs.
*10mm GIB Aqualine® is for tile weights up to 26kg/m2 and 13mm GIB Aqualine® up to 40kg/m2. Most wall tiles weigh under 25kg/m2
Fixing bracing elements
Screws as specified 150mm centres.
GIB Aqualine ®
03. To provide stability use a GIB® Rondo® NZ18 or GIBFix® metal angle attached to the internal corner of timber framed shower walls.
corner GIB ® Rondo ® NZ18 32 x 32 x 0.55mm or GIBFix ® 45 x 45 x 0.55mm galvanised steel angle to a minimum height of 1800mm.
07. Bracing systems must not be located behind showers or baths because of durability requirements, renovation likelihood and other practical issues relating to fixing bracing elements.
The GIB Aqualine® Wet Area Systems literature contains all the information you’ll need to correctly install GIB® Wet Area Systems.
The New Zealand Certified Builders Association (NZCB) is divided into 22 regions throughout New Zealand. Each region is led by a President and supported by a local committee.
The regional Presidents role is voluntary and includes being a go-to person/voice on behalf of their region to communicate any industry concerns or business issues they may have. Presidents are available to speak on the regions’ behalf to NZCB management and the NZCB Board.
Matt Hatchard
Member since 2018 | President since 2021 021 0270 0365 | matt@hatchardbuilders.co.nz
Barbara MacGregor
Member since 2010 | President since 2021 027 544 3921 | auckland.president@nzcb.nz
Mike Way
Member since 2000 | President since 2022 021 381 931 | mike@waybuilders.co.nz
Erin Pope
Member since 2004 | President since 2017 027 498 2101 | erin@popehomes.co.nz
Mark Roil
Member since 2015 | President since 2021 027 935 6369 | mark@hbhomes.nz
As you may or may not be aware who your President is, below is a list of our 22 Presidents and their contact details should you need to get in touch with them.
Greg Silvester
Regional Partner since 2012
President since 2023 021 122 6546 | greg@naturalinsulation.co.nz
WAIKATO
To be confirmed
In the interim NZCB Territory Manager Central & Lower North Island Brad Mitchell 021 701 262 | brad.mitchell@nzcb.nz
WHAKATĀNE
Hamish Galloway
Member since 2001 | President since 2015 027 203 9731 | office@gallowaybuilders.co.nz
TAUPŌ
Lachie Monteith
Member since 2008 | President since 2022 021 845 992 | lachie@monteithltd.co.nz
GISBORNE
Brendan Fry
Member since 2008 | President since 2022 027 244 5585 | brendan@brendanfrybuilder.com
Chad Niwa
Member since 2017 | President since 2022 027 488 9475 | chad@cnbuilding.nz
Paul Bashford
Member since 2013 | President since 2015 027 270 5664 | bashfords@xtra.co.nz
Dave Gunter
Member since 2000 | President since 2018 021 529 418 | davidheather@xtra.co.nz
Richard Poff
Member since 2008 | President since 2022
021 486 666 | rtpbuildersltd@gmail.com
MID & SOUTH CANTERBURY
Jonny Rive
Member since 2017 | President since 2022
027 678 4222 | info@jriveconstruction.co.nz
Mark Duffy
Member since 2009 | President since 2022 021 766 851 | markduffy@xtra.co.nz
MANAWATŪ
Craig Whitton
Member since 2010 | President since 2019 027 222 4886 | craigsbuilding@gmail.com
WELLINGTON
Andy Press
Member since 2020 | President since 2023 021 109 8183 | wellington.president@nzcb.nz
BLENHEIM/MARLBOROUGH
Nick Hill
Member since 2013 | President since 2020 027 248 0552 | hillco_@hotmail.com
Tony Lindley
Member since 2014 | President since 2022 027 231 4744 | tony@vertexconstruction.co.nz
CANTERBURY OTAGO
Sacha Gray
Member since 2005 | President since 2016 021 126 4268 | justbuilditltd@gmail.com
SOUTHLAND
Will Kennedy
Member since 2009 | President since 2022 027 275 4683 | will@kennedybuilding.nz
Managing a building company during a recession can be quite challenging, but with the right strategies and approaches, you can navigate through these tough times and position your company for success. Here’s how:
• Assess your financial health: Start by evaluating your company’s financial position. Understand your cash flow, debt levels, and current projects. Identify areas of potential financial strain and determine how much cushioning you must have to weather the recession.
• Trim unnecessary costs: Review your operating expenses and identify areas where you can cut costs without compromising the quality of your work. This might involve renegotiating contracts, reducing discretionary spending, and optimising your supply chain.
• Negotiate with suppliers: Engage with your suppliers and negotiate better terms, discounts, or extended payment schedules. Strong supplier relationships can help you secure materials at better prices.
• Prioritise projects: Focus on projects that are most likely to generate steady revenue and have a higher chance of completion. Consider postponing or cancelling projects that are difficult, challenging, or less profitable during the recession.
• Invest in marketing: Don’t cut back on marketing efforts. While you may need to adjust your strategies, maintaining a visible presence in the market can help attract new clients and opportunities. Explore using multiple avenues to maximise your brand exposure.
• Enhance operational efficiency: Streamline your operations to improve efficiency. Look for ways to reduce waste, improve project management processes, and optimise resource allocation.
• Employee management: Your employees are valuable assets. Instead of laying off workers, consider implementing flexible work arrangements, such as reduced hours to manage the periods where you are experiencing shortages until the businesses workloads become more consistent. This approach can help you retain skilled labour and maintain morale among your employees.
• Diversify your services: If your company primarily focuses on a specific type of construction, consider diversifying your services. For example, if you specialise in big, new residential builds, consider smaller builds or renovation work.
• Strengthen client relationships: Prioritise your existing clients. Strong relationships can lead to repeat business and referrals. Communicate openly with your clients about the challenges you’re facing and how you’re adapting to the economic climate i.e., alert them to the constant price increases that may impact the project and contract.
• Government contract opportunities: During recessions, governments often invest in infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy. Look into bidding for government contracts that align with your company’s expertise. Kāinga Ora projects fit into this category.
• Explore financing options: Research potential financing options, such as lines of credit, loans, or grants that are available to businesses during a recession. Having access to additional capital can provide a safety net.
• Stay informed: Continuously monitor economic trends, industry developments, and government policies that could impact your business. Staying informed will allow you to adapt quickly to changes.
Remember, recessions are temporary and businesses that can adapt and make strategic decisions can emerge stronger on the other side. Keep a long-term perspective, focus on your core strengths, and be prepared to adjust your strategies when needed. Ngā mihi.
Shane Ririnui NZCB Membership & Technical Manager
Your employees are valuable assets. Instead of laying off workers, consider implementing flexible work arrangements... until the businesses workloads become more consistent.
Sheet sizes
2400x1200mm and 3000x1200mm
Profile thickness & back finish
12mm with White Low Pressure Melamine back for all except Classic VJ 100 which is 9mm with a raw back.
Business surveys have consistently placed shortages of skilled workers in the top two or three issues facing employers for at least a decade. Successive governments have invested billions of dollars into training programmes, training and employment subsidies, career campaigns and other initiatives, with varying levels of success.
New Zealand has an aging population and competes on an international market for skilled workers. This means we have comparatively fewer young people coming into employment than we did historically, and while we are trying to recruit skilled people from overseas, other countries are successfully recruiting from New Zealand – especially Australia, our closest neighbour, which has virtually no barriers to entry for talented young Kiwis.
A competitive labour market invariably leads to a “churn”, with many employees moving from job to job for better money or conditions, or often because they want to broaden their experience and skill. Compounding these issues in the building industry is the seeming unstoppable urge of individuals in the workforce “wanting to work for myself” with the result that around 65% of businesses in the sector have no employees and 36% of businesses in the sector in 2022 had a turnover of less than $100k. When considering the annual income of a person working 40 hours per week for minimum wage is around $50k, a turnover of $100k is hardly living the dream!
There are numerous government and industry programmes underway to boost the numbers of skilled people in the building industry. Apprenticeship Boost has provided a huge boost to the number of apprentices in training, and there is some great work being done by New Zealand Certified Builders, Waihanga Ara Rau and others to attract more people into the sector. But how will this help your business?
stories from businesses around the country and insights from some great keynote speakers. The Accord has also recently published an outstanding Beacon case study (visit, www.constructionaccord.nz/good-practice/beacon-projects/ case-study-scafit/) about a business that has taken a peoplecentred approach with huge rewards for the business and its staff.
Many reading this may think these examples are all centred around larger businesses, but every business can see a positive return from positive investment in its people. No one is promising overnight success, but making an ongoing investment in continual improvement in your people will produce positive results and huge satisfaction.
I hear a lot about the problems of employing and training people from business owners, but I have also heard some very good results from businesses who invest in their workforce. There is a common saying that ‘people are our biggest asset’, and the most successful businesses I see are those that invest in their people – valuing them as an asset.
There are some great examples of businesses with successful training and employment practices. Waihanga
Ara Rau and the Accord hosted Thriving People-Thriving Industry (visit, www.waihangaararau.nz/thriving/), a one-day summit in Wellington, on 6 September to share success
• Taking an interest in your people is a great place to start, and while this may seem obvious, this part of the process is often overlooked. People like (need) to feel valued, and the best place to start is by getting to know each other. This takes zero financial investment but does take time!
• If you want a successful business, you must be prepared to invest your time speaking with your people. This might be in the van on the way to work, over smoko, a beer or coffee at the end of the day, or whatever works in your business, but there are times you will need to put your personal issues to the side to focus on your team. Building rapport is the starting point of any healthy relationship, and be sure
Making an ongoing investment in continual improvement in your people will produce positive results and huge satisfaction.
to celebrate success, even small wins, every day! When we share our success, we can also share our failures and be jointly accountable for good and bad outcomes, which encourages learning and builds respect.
• Be prepared to regularly take time out of your day to check in with individual team members. You should have a formal process to review performance, training and professional development, and general wellbeing. Being a formal process does not mean it should be arduous, and the more regular these check ins are, the more use they will be for you and your employees.
• Regular check ins can be used to develop personal training plans and goals. If you have a small business, it can be difficult to have clear career pathways and other benefits like those available in larger businesses. Regular reviews will help you meet the needs of your employees and might provide an indication that succession planning is needed if a member of the team needs to move on to progress their career.
• Try to provide your staff with challenges as a team and as individuals. People like to rise to a challenge, and most will agree that overcoming challenging situations are the highlights of working life. Creating challenge does not mean
giving a person or a team a job they do not have the capability to perform. Be prepared to spend time to explain what is needed and don’t forget to explain “the why” behind the way we do things. Try and provide the opportunity to fail safely, in other words, without harm or major expense. Our biggest learnings come from failure, especially when we can correct the failure ourselves, being accountable but without blaming. These are a few examples of practices needed to build a productive business which must also include the myriad of HR, health and safety and quality management processes required for a good business. The building industry is changing all the time and becoming ever more complex. One thing you can be sure of is that you will need people to succeed, and if your people are successful, you will be too. Taking a people-centred approach to your business will help your bottom line now and into the future, and it will help build the industry we are proud to be part of.
When it comes to your tools, it is so much easier to put them all together in one place. It is more efficient; you can find what you need and know what is missing.
Your insurance policies are no different. If you have your policies with different providers, it can be time-consuming, and if you need to make a claim, it can take you ages to track down the right person to get things sorted.
Having all your policies in one place, therefore, just makes common sense. Even better, using an insurance broker comes with even more benefits.
Brokers live and breathe insurance. Rather than you having to go direct to an insurer, or a range of insurers, to get a quote(s), they will do all the legwork for you.
Your broker will make sure they understand your business now and your future plans. They will assess what you need and then look at the best insurer(s) for the policies you require. For example, Insurer A may be the best option for your vehicle and tools, Insurer B may suit more for your contract works insurance, and Insurer C may be a better option for your health insurance. Sometimes, to get the most comprehensive cover, this may even include placing your insurance with overseas insurers.
This not only gives you the best cover at the best price, you only have to deal with one person. In addition, the broker will look at all your business and personal risks and can advise where you may currently have gaps in your cover and/or where you may be under or over insured. For example, there may be areas of cover that you may not have considered, but that could potentially expose your business to risk.
As the insurance market is constantly changing, brokers will keep you updated with anything affecting your policy. They conduct annual reviews to ensure that your cover is at the right levels by factoring in any key changes to your business or your personal circumstances.
Best of all, they know all the technicalities and jargon in the policy documents and have a true understanding of what you are actually covered for.
If you do need to make a claim and you are with an insurance broker, you can call your broker and talk to a claim’s specialist straight away. Why spend hours on the phone on hold with a call centre, especially when there is a significant event such as a weather bomb with hundreds of other people trying to get through?
Your insurance broker is also an advocate for you when it comes to claims. They deal with claims constantly, and their only role is to ensure you get what you are entitled to as soon as possible.
Insurance brokers enable you to focus on what you do best – building. So why not save yourself time, stress, and even cost by getting a trusted advisor to manage your insurance programme and claims. With the right broker as your partner, you can be confident that the insurance you have will protect you and your business in the event of a claim.
ICIB Brokerweb is the trusted and preferred insurance broker for New Zealand Certified Builders. If you would like a no-obligation review of your insurances, call us on 0800 644 444.
With New Zealand officially being in a recession, budgets are tightening. But it’s more important to be visible in your marketing now than ever: the companies who excel at marketing during a recession often tend to come out the other side gaining market share on competitors. (That was certainly my experience when working with one of New Zealand’s largest home builders during and after the last recession.)
But which aspects of marketing should you focus on? The choices are vast, and you want to focus on the areas where you’ll make the most impact rather than go through an expensive exercise on spinning your wheels and not actually getting anywhere.
Focusing on the customer sales journey (ACT) and experience has a number of important benefits: it improves sales conversion rates and also increases the amount of positive testimonials and referrals that bring new customers to your door.
Awareness
Purpose: Introduction of your brand/ products/services. To be attractive to your
‘Ideal Client Profile’.
ADesired buyer behaviour: Prospective buyer engages with content related to our brand/products/services.
Targeted business outcome: Engage with your brand/ products/services. Engage in awareness content, e.g. visit your website, download content, read a blog, watch a video. Move to consideration stage.
Consideration
• To prefer your brand over others.
• Understand our differentiators.
• Identify that we solve their problems or meet their needs.
C• Your differentiators have created a preference to your brand over others.
• Help to quality/disqualify.
• Engage with consideration content, e.g. case studies and testimonials.
• The prospective buyer has reached out to our sales team, e.g. live chat, email form, phone, or added product to ‘cart’.
Transaction
T• To purchase from you rather than your competitors.
• To engage with your sales people or go to checkout.
• Purchase/sale.
So, let’s look at what customers value as part of the sales experience and what turns them off. With this information, you can then evaluate your own processes to identify what you should be doing more of and what to avoid doing.
• Personalisation
Tailoring the experience to the specific needs and preferences of the buyer significantly enhances their experience and builds trust.
Pro tip: To tailor the experience, you need to ask the best questions that allow you to understand what they want and why they want it.
• Expertise
Demonstrating expertise and providing valuable insights during the consultative sales process helps buyers make informed decisions and establishes your business as a reliable partner.
Pro tip: Your team must be at the top of its game, which requires learning consistently about new products every week and practising their consultative sales process.
• Efficient communication
Quick and clear communication is essential to meet buyer expectations, especially during the enquiry and purchase phases.
• Post-sales support
Providing excellent post-sales support, including assistance with installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, adds value and helps build long-term relationships with customers and encourages referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations.
What turns customers off?
• Lack of transparency
Buyers dislike hidden costs or ambiguous terms. Transparency in pricing and information is crucial to build trust.
• Pushy sales tactics
Aggressive sales tactics can push buyers away. Instead, use a consultative approach that focuses on understanding buyers’ needs.
Pro tip: Prepare your questions and practice them.
• Inadequate product information
If buyers can’t find sufficient information about a product or service (for example, on your website or social media accounts), they may lose interest and look elsewhere.
Jason
Slow response times, unhelpful staff, or ineffective customer service can negatively impact the buyer’s experience.
Pro tip: This could be from anyone in your team who is customer facing.
Given the growing interest in sustainable construction, buyers may be discouraged from engaging with companies that don’t offer eco-friendly options.
By putting yourself in your customers’ shoes and creating a positive buying experience, it can boost your sales conversion rates as well as increasing referrals and recommendations.
Need help? Contact us on jason@excc.co.nz or 021 526 456 for a free consultation to see how we can help enhance your customers’ sales experience.
Dinan, Executive Coaching & Consulting. With 29 years of leadership experience working in 27 countries, Jason specialises in growing organisations through developing high-performance leaders, teams and strategy. He was the project head for a leading homebuilder in New Zealand, Australia and North America, helping grow annual sales from 47% to 311%.
One of the trends I have seen on my recent visits to Australia is a shift in thinking around what the builder should, and should not, be doing when it comes to takeoff and pricing functions.
Australian builders haven’t experienced the benefit that New Zealand builders have where in a lot of cases the merchant does the takeoff for them. In Australia, builders either do their own takeoff or get an estimator to price the job. However, more Australian builders are choosing to get the takeoff done for them to save time, money, and ensure accuracy.
So, what takeoff and job pricing options are available to New Zealand builders?
There are four ways builders can carry out takeoffs in New Zealand:
1) Drop your plans to your local merchant and they’ll do a priced takeoff. All national merchants such as PlaceMakers, Carters, ITM, Mitre 10, Bunnings, and Buildlink offer a takeoff service.
2) Use your own in-house software, such as BuildMaster and PlanSwift, to do your takeoff.
3) Outsource to specialist providers such as YourQS, or Builda Price who offer a takeoff service through sister company, Quantifier.
4) Use a pen and ruler to do your own takeoff.
There are four ways this currently gets done by builders:
1) Builders receive the takeoff from their merchant and price the job using their own developed spreadsheets.
2) Builders take their output from their merchant and feed that into their software to complete the pricing of their job. This is a key strength of the Builda Price pricing software, which can read the merchant’s takeoff and efficiently complete pricing.
3) Have your output from your takeoff software complete your pricing within that software, or feed through to other software such as Builda Price.
4) Have your specialist provider, such as YourQS, price the job for you.
Take your customer-approved priced job and feed it into your job management and reporting software to enable you to run the project. There are several ways this can be done:
1) Your software, such as Builda Price, converts the priced job straight into a project for job management and reporting.
2) Your priced job is imported into your project management and reporting software. In Builda Price we have just released our new importer component, which enables priced jobs to come in direct from YourQS, Cubit, and other pricing and takeoff software and outsourced providers. These priced jobs can be managed throughout the project within the Builda Price platform.
3) You can build a project within your project management and reporting software and manually load your opening budgets up for the job. This is a common feature and well handled by Builda Price.
How many hours do you spend on takeoffs and pricing? Is this the best use of your time, and is your approach accurate?
If you get this part of the process wrong, you’ll spend the balance of the job trying to recover your position. We often hear of builders spending 20-25 hours pricing a job during evenings and weekends – using up valuable family time.
Pricing a job should take no more than five hours, and outsourcing will take even less. Do you want to be spending 20-25 hours on takeoffs and pricing? If you work out the cost of this at your average hourly rate – it’s a lot of income. Even using an in-house expert is an expensive way to do it – their time could be better spent helping in other areas of the business.
Australia builders are asking themselves this question as they increasingly value their time. It is resulting in a shift to outsourcing to specialists. I believe this question needs to be asked by New Zealand builders as they look at where their time is being used.
I recently saw this relevant summary from V2 Estimating in Australia: In a nutshell:
• In-house estimation gives you the greatest control, but also the greatest costs.
• Software saves expense, but the output is only as strong as the team using it.
• Outsourcing is your least expensive option, but you may lose some control.
I recommend testing the option you are using now and make sure it is the best one for you.
ATS – Architectural Thermal Spacer® reduces the transfer of hot and cold temperatures
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Solux-E® and Solux Ultra™ are Low-E coatings that reduce heat loss in winter and over-heating in summer
Precision made, locally finished, high performance glazing technology designed to deliver the ultimate in thermal efficiency for New Zealand’s conditions. The AGP System® is backed with an extended 12-year warranty - two years longer than the industry standard or legislative requirements.
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New Zealand is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, which means we have various cultures and languages across the workforce. This can sometimes create a challenging environment when communicating key information to all workers equally.
As a business, you are responsible for making your workplace safe. As part of this, you are responsible for providing workers with the information they need to do their job safely, including information in other languages where appropriate. This means that you need to be aware of any language and cultural barriers that may impact communication in your business and take reasonable steps to address them.
It’s important for businesses to be aware of their workforce’s language preferences so they can ensure that health and safety is discussed in a way that everyone understands. Workers will be trying to cope with a lot of information, the task at hand, the quality expectations, health and safety etc., so when communicating with workers where English isn’t their first language, it is a great time to remember to keep safety simple.
Starting with proper consideration and consultation can save you time and money by helping identify the range of languages spoken in the workplace and workers’ preferred forms of communication.
Worker engagement, participation, and representation is a key part of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) in New Zealand.
The HSWA requires engagement in certain circumstances, such as when identifying hazards and assessing risks to work health and safety arising from work carried out by the PCBU.
As the main contractor who has engaged workers with English as a second language, you need to consider the following as your responsibility:
This is how a PCBU involves workers in health and safety matters and decisions in the workplace. A PCBU that has good engagement with workers will:
• share information and decisions in a timely way
• give workers reasonable opportunities to share their views, raise work health or safety issues, and contribute to decision-making processes
• consider the views of workers.
This is one way for workers to raise health and safety concerns, suggest ways to improve health and safety, and make decisions that affect work health and safety. A PCBU that has good worker participation will:
• give people opportunities to raise issues or suggestions in a timely way
• have workers who know how to participate and use opportunities to do so
• have decision makers who consider and respond to workers’ issues or suggestions.
Worker representation
This involves workers electing one or more person/s as their Health and Safety Representative (HSR) to represent them on health and safety matters. The HSR is entitled to specialist training and becomes the workers’ advocate at that workplace. The HSR does not have to be a member of a union.
Know your workforce
When you engage workers, whether they are employees or contractors, make sure you know their language needs.
Key things to consider:
• How are you going to consult
• Set out a budget and communication procedures e.g. having a full-time supervisor on-site or translate documents etc
• Communicate for understanding
• Use appropriate forms of communication
• Use plain language
• Get translations
• Use standard picture safety signs
• Check workers understand your instructions
• Provide language support, e.g. bilingual staff and/or interpreter services
• Provide training specific to your work, e.g. induction, common workplace terms, procedures for high-risk works, e.g. Task Analysis, and any specific expectations.
Think about what is the most important information you need to get across. If someone only understood a small amount of what you are trying to say. What are the key things?
Tips for communicating across languages
• Communicate non-verbally by physically showing what needs to be in place, for example, how to put on a mask:
– Google some pictures or show a short YouTube video
– Point and use your body language
Do the task yourself once with the correct controls in place.
– Make simple Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) with pictures for workers to review.
• Talk to supervisors who can communicate with non-English speaking workers and supervise the work to ensure it is being done how you expect.
• Try translation apps like Google Translate; they are not always perfect but can allow two-way basic communication when needed.
• Consider having key information translated by a professional into the language of your workers.
• Keep toolbox talks practical with pictures, drawings, and pointing. Remember not to use acronyms or slang. Keep spoken English as simple as possible.
• Check that the information provided has been fully understood. This can be done by asking the employee to repeat a demonstration, identify the equipment used, or explain the meaning of safety signs.
• Be respectful.
• Set expectations but get feedback and try to find easier ways for workers to speak up and have a say in safety.
• It can be incredibly rewarding and respectful to try and learn their language to communicate. Especially if you choose to work together.
• Workers from other countries may need to be informed of their legal health and safety requirements in New Zealand. It’s best to use face-to-face discussion and demonstration where possible, as this is the most effective way to communicate across different languages and allows any misunderstandings to be identified and addressed immediately. Written material should be used to back up more direct communication, and should be in clear and simple language, with diagrams and examples to aid understanding.
Tailoring communication to the language needs and abilities of workers, and ensuring all workers understand the hazards and risks in their workplace, are important steps toward protecting their health and safety.
Reach out to HazardCo and speak to one of our Health and Safety experts if you have any questions or need more support on ways to communicate across different languages on-site. HazardCo members get 24/7 incident support and Health and Safety advice from our Advisory team. You can contact us on 0800 555 339 or email info@hazardco.com.
It only takes a small accident to cause irreparable damage to your eyes. Since 2015 in Construction, ACC has received an average of 2,600 eye related claims per year. Many of those injured are left with long-term impaired vision, and some are blinded.
Maintenance and use:
Ensure eye protection provided fits comfortably and is suitable for the job.
Look after any eye protection provided - keep it clean and store it in a soft case.
Report and replace any lost, damaged, or unserviceable eye protection.
Make sure the eye protection fully covers the eyes. If needed, invest in prescription eye protection.
What should you do if you do receive an eye injury?
Seek medical assistance should you get something in your eye or receive any sort of eye injury. Avoid rubbing the eye, as this can make it worse. Minor irritations can be treated by flushing the eye with sterile water (from a first aid kit).
Record injury in the accident register.
Ensure your supervisor is aware of the injury.
Workplace eye injuries cost New Zealand more than $3 million every year – a figure which does not take into account lost productivity.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, employers are required to provide appropriate personal protective equipment, such as eye protection, where there is a risk of eye injury. They must also ensure workers are trained in when and how to use their eye protection, as well as how to maintain it. Workers must wear eye protection if required to by their employer and the request is reasonable.
When to wear eye protection:
Always assess the risk of work to determine if eye protection is necessary – can the risk be eliminated using other controls? What is the severity of the risk and the potential eye damage? Even if you are not carrying out a task with an obvious eye hazard, you may be at risk from others nearby. Always have your eye protection with you, and if in doubt – wear it.
Remember to protect others from your welding work and never watch any welding processes unless wearing suitable eye protection.
Always wear eye protection when compressed air, hazardous substances, cartridge-fired tools, power tools, power washers, and hand tools such as chisels are in use.
Think about whether the work requires high-impact protection. Some work will require full face shield protection.
Hazard Examples Protection
Thrown particles Grinding, blasting, flying objects
Thrown objects Chipping operations, demolition; flying nuts, bolts and springs
Splashes Molten metals, hot or very cold liquids, corrosive liquids, chemicals or detergents
Dusts Powdered materials, abrasives, dry organic material, chemicals and some corrosives
Fumes
Potentially corrosive or irritant –may be produced by hot materials, chemical reagents or automotive exhaust fumes
Radiation Welding glare, furnace work or laser radiation
Goggles or glasses with side shield and face shield
High-impact face shields and goggles
Goggles and masks
Light goggles
Goggles and masks
Googles, visors, hand-held shields, specific wavelength filter lenses, face shields
Each PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) has a duty to ensure the safety, so far as is reasonably practicable, of not only their workers, which includes both employees and contractors, but of anyone else on-site who may be affected by any potential risks that each PCBU creates by its work.
Per the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (Act) and following guidance from WorkSafe, a lead contractor usually has the most influence and control over the workplace and is to predominantly act as the site manager.
In two recent cases, WorkSafe has successfully prosecuted PCBUs on multi-PCBU worksites for failing to meet duties to contractors and subcontractors, including where contractor workers were not treated the same in terms of health and safety protection as employees.
The background facts, in summary, were that:
• Fulton Hogan (FHL) was contracted to remove existing road surface and lay new asphalt on a 350-metre section of State Highway One in the Ngauranga Gorge.
• FHL subcontracted with Wellington Contracting Limited (WCL) to provide trucking and cartage services. WCL had agreed not to subcontract its obligations further without FHL’s prior approval but in fact then subcontracted part of its trucking work to Shuttle Express Limited (SEL).
• SEL had earlier begun but not completed FHL’s Health and Safety Assessment Capability process.
• An employee of FHL was killed while working on resealing by a runaway heavy truck, which an employee of SEL had been operating, with a known defective handbrake that failed. Fulton Hogan had already made the decision to replace all of these handbrakes on its fleet but was not checking that subcontractors had done this too.
• FHL pleaded guilty under s 34 of the Act for failing to adequately consult, co-operate and co-ordinate activities on the site, specifically in relation to two other contractors who were also working on-site that night.
• FHL’s failures contributed to but were not the sole cause of the death.
• FHL had extensive safety and work systems documentation which included ‘high level pictorial guidance’ for its operations. Not all of these were available to sub-contractors. FHL relied on “tailgate meetings” where relevant health and safety and other information would be passed on.
The Court here held
• While FHL may have less control over the conduct and attitudes of the employees of sub-contractors than they do their own employees, FHL had a responsibility to inform those employees of subcontractors of the safety expectations and precautions on the worksite.
• FHL was fined $13,500, paid $10,000 in emotional harm, and $8,075.06 consequential losses and costs.
The background facts, in summary, were that:
• Dans Renovations Limited (DRL) is a small residential renovations company that would occasionally do maintenance work on commercial buildings.
• DRL contracted J & J Decorators (JJD), for painting work as required.
• DRL subcontracted JJD to undertake some work on a site including water blasting and painting.
• An employee of JJD completing this work fell 4.5 metres to his death.
• DRL was charged under s 36(1)(a) of the Act for breaches of duty.
The Court here held:
• No Site Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) had been completed for the site, no edge protection had been installed on the roof of the site, and while DRL had a health and safety policy which addressed appropriate planning, hazard identification, implementation of controls, SSSP, contractor management, “toolbox talks” and monitoring of health and safety matters, this policy was not adequately followed for the site.
• Being a PCBU, DRL had a duty to ensure so far as reasonably practicable the health and safety of workers who work for it, and as lead contractors DRL owed all workers on-site a duty of care and must control the risks for everyone’s safety.
• Reparations of $261,695 and a fine of $37,500 were ordered.
Essentially, a company, its subcontractors, and employees should approach health and safety collaboratively.
These cases reinforce the duties owed to contractors and subcontractors of a PCBU as being the same as for employees, including in terms of necessary safe systems of work and health and safety expectations, and overlapping duties between PCBUs.
This does not mean that each PCBU needs to duplicate hazard identification and risk management steps – however, a collaborative approach involving consultation, co-operation and co-ordination with each other is required, to ensure the duties collectively are being met.
Please contact us on 0800 354 821, if you would like any further help.
Disclaimer: We remind you that while this article provides commentary on employment law, health and safety and immigration topics, it should not be used as a substitute for legal or professional advice for specific situations. Please seek legal advice from your lawyer for any questions specific to your workplace.
WorkSafe has successfully prosecuted PCBUs for failing to meet duties to contractors and subcontractors, including where contractor workers were not treated the same in terms of health and safety protection as employees.
In 2022, the Gut Foundation was provided with the results of a population research study they funded. This study looked at the journey to diagnosis for those with various gut diseases. We found that the journey for most people was long and arduous and that much of that was due to the lack of knowledge that people in our community had about gut disease symptoms and a lack of ability to talk about it with their GP.
We want to ensure that people can access this information on symptoms, diagnostic techniques readily and in a format that is simple to understand. In conjunction with clinicians, we have developed a “Review your Poo” campaign that, with the right funding, will enable us to provide New Zealanders with the tools and confidence to get the appropriate help for an early diagnosis of gut disease and this will enable better health outcomes for our communities.
The hero of our campaign is our fantastic arty porta loo done for us by Jacob Yikes, and we get this to as many places as possible. Already it has crossed Cook Strait eight times thanks to support from Blue Bridge Inter Island ferry service.
So, what do you need to know? If you have had one of our talks, you will know that there is one important thing you need to know and watch for in bowel movements, and that’s change. To understand change, you need to know your normal. (Change over a period of two to three weeks.)
There are three things to look for; change in frequency, texture, or colour.
Frequency. Do you poo every day, every second day, twice a day? Record your daily poos for a month to establish your normal. You can use the calendar on the next page.
Consistency. Is the shape and consistency of your poo like a sausage, separate hard lumps, soft blobs, lumpy and sausage like? Check out the images taken from the Bristol Poo Chart, on the next page.
Colour. If it’s brown coming down, there is no need to frown. If you notice changes in colour such as red (blood in the poo) or black or grey, make time to visit your doctor. Take your chart showing your normal and explain the change you are having. It could save your life.
Your gut is as unique as your fingerprint and so normal is not the same for everyone. Knowing your normal can save 1000’s of lives each year.
For more information on Gut Health, go to www.thegut.org.nz.
Crusaders and incoming All Blacks Coach and proud ambassador for the Gut Foundation, Scott Robertson in Arty Portaloo.
It’s a question that’s been asked for generations, and the answer can be as unique as each person asking it. We all have our own perceptions and opinions about the world around us, many of which are shaped by our upbringing and past experiences. What means the world to one person is meaningless to another, so the concept of a good life can vary significantly from person to person. However, there are some fundamental elements that consistently contribute to a life well-lived.
The first contributing factor, I believe, is our attitude. It’s how we look at the world around us and decide whether life is on our side or not. It’s our decision to focus on the positive things in our lives or be dragged down by the negative. There is plenty of both around us for sure, and while it’s great to be informed and up to date, the decision to deliberately focus on the good things, or dwell on the negative, lies within each of us and affects how we feel, how we treat others, the decisions we make and how we overcome the challenges that inevitably pop up along the way.
make, from energy-efficient materials to innovative waste reduction strategies, reflects their commitment to a more environmentally conscious world. This purpose drives them to stay updated with the latest advancements in green technology and collaborate with like-minded professionals, which is both exciting and rewarding.
Or think about the Builders who specialise in affordable housing projects. Their purpose is to provide safe and comfortable homes for families who are struggling financially. Beyond the physical shelter, their work contributes to stability, dignity, and a better future for those who might not otherwise have had access to it.
Builders with a purpose are not just constructing physical structures; they’re shaping the world around them with intention and meaning. Their work touches lives and becomes an integral part of memories made within a family.
Following your attitude, the next contribution to a good life is having a sense of purpose. It’s looking beyond the day-to-day tasks and seeing the bigger picture of what you are creating. Imagine a builder who dedicates their life to not just constructing physical structures but to creating a legacy of beautifying and improving their community. Their purpose goes beyond the plans and budgets; it’s about shaping neighbourhoods and leaving a lasting positive impact. It’s about the memories made within the structures they build – a child’s first steps, laughter shared with friends, a memorable celebration. It’s about the feelings a new home or a fresh renovation brings and its lasting impact on a family.
Or consider a Builder who is focused on sustainability. Their purpose isn’t just about creating aesthetically pleasing structures, it’s about contributing to a greener future. Every design choice they
Equally important to living with purpose is having great relationships. These are the connections with family, friends, partners, and even our communities that bring us happiness, fun and bring a sense of belonging. Think about the friend or family member who always makes you laugh or who’s there to offer a shoulder to lean on during tough times. These relationships enrich our lives, providing support, love, and great experiences which fill our memory bank and give us that ‘good life’ feeling.
Allowing ourselves time and energy to do more of what we love and create memorable experiences is a huge contributor to a good life. Whether it’s playing a sport or a musical instrument, getting into the great outdoors, travelling overseas or playing poker with your mates, doing more of what you love brings an incredible sense of fulfilment and happiness, as well as an endless number of good stories to tell and memories to reminisce over with a beer or two.
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.”
– Robert Brault
Contribution is another key factor in a life well-lived. The sense of accomplishment that comes from making a positive mark on the world can’t be understated. Think about those who take the time to help others less fortunate or who take part in a meaningful community project. Their efforts go far beyond personal gain; they’re driven by the desire to create positive change, and they leave a lasting positive impact on the community they live in. If you’ve ever received help from someone when you really needed it, you’ll fully understand the lasting impact their actions bring. Helping others fosters a sense of pride and community among everyone involved and memories that are treasured for a lifetime.
An absolutely essential element to a good life is finding time to look after your health. Ensuring you get enough rest, eat nourishing food, and engage in regular exercise is crucial to having the energy and wellbeing necessary to live a good life.
And finally, a life well-lived involves ongoing learning and personal growth. Or as Tony Robbins puts it – CANI – constant and never-ending improvement. This doesn’t necessarily mean achieving huge milestones; it can be reading a newsletter
on building innovations, watching a documentary, chatting with a friend about what is going on in their industry, or pushing yourself to achieve a goal.
A good life is a blend of how you look at the world and whether you choose to focus on the good or the bad in it. It’s laughter shared and great memories made. It’s realising that what you do every day is more than just work – you are enriching lives and creating memories for others to treasure for a lifetime. It’s allowing yourself time to look after your own health and learning and to connect with those closest to you.
Perhaps by taking a moment to pause and reflect on the factors above, you’ll come to realise that having a Good Life is within everyone’s reach.
Rachelle Hawes is the Director of Your Happy Place Limited She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in improving Mindset, Happiness and Success to their flagship Mindset Programme, the Positive Mindset Challenge. She is also a Social Entrepreneur dedicated to Sharing Kindness, Touching Hearts and Changing Lives. www.positivemindsetchallenge.com
Over the last three editions, we looked at some of the key elements of daily functioning, sleep, breathing and physical care. So, what else is there? What brings all this together and gives it purpose? Connection. It forms the threads that bind us to our surroundings, emotions, and the people we encounter.
Strong social connections have been linked to better physical health outcomes. Studies have shown that individuals with a robust social network tend to have lower stress levels, improved immune function, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Engaging in social activities also stimulates the brain, promoting cognitive function and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Conversations, shared activities, and emotional interactions keep the brain active and engaged, and research also suggests having a supportive network can lead to lower blood pressure and even a longer lifespan!
From the moment we wake up to when we rest our heads on the pillow, the importance of connection in our daily functioning is immeasurable. Whether it’s the relationships we nurture, the interactions we engage in, or the sense of belonging we seek, connection is a fundamental element that shapes our lives in profound ways.
Now more than ever, human connection is something that technological advancements and virtual interactions can easily shadow. However, our lives are deeply enriched, and the quality and depth of our connections with others greatly influences our daily functioning.
Human connection goes beyond mere physical proximity. It’s the emotional bond that forms when individuals share experiences, thoughts, and feelings. These connections can manifest in various ways, including family relationships, friendships, romantic partnerships, and professional interactions.
Connection is the bridge that spans the gaps between individuals, fostering relationships, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging. At its core, connection is about understanding, empathy, and recognising our shared humanity.
Here are some ways in which connection can positively impact our lives.
The impact of human connection on mental health cannot be overstated. Engaging in meaningful conversations, receiving support during challenging times, and having a network of people to share experiences with contribute to reduced feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, connections act as buffers against the stressors of life. Interactions with friends, family, and even pets release oxytocin, a hormone that reduces stress and promotes feelings of trust and relaxation, often referred to as the “bonding hormone”.
Feeling understood and validated by others is a fundamental human need. Connecting with empathetic individuals who listen, offer advice, and share similar experiences helps individuals navigate emotional struggles with greater ease. Humans are also inherently social creatures, seeking a sense of belonging and acceptance. Meaningful connections provide a space where we are seen, heard, and valued, fulfilling our innate need for belonging.
Human connections expose us to diverse perspectives, expanding our horizons and enabling continuous learning. Interacting with people from different backgrounds encourages personal growth, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the world. It also helps us recognise each person has struggles, promoting compassion and kindness in our interactions.
Constructive feedback from trusted connections contributes to self-awareness and personal development. Friends and colleagues often highlight blind spots, encouraging individuals to evolve and refine their skills. Positive connections contribute to healthy self-esteem. When we are surrounded by people who appreciate us, our self-perception improves, leading to a stronger sense of identity and self-worth.
In a world characterised by constant change and innovation, the significance of human connection remains constant. It weaves through the fabric of our lives, influencing our emotional well-being, personal growth, and professional success.
Human connection is undeniably vital to our daily functioning because it fulfils innate psychological, emotional, and physiological needs. Human connections remain crucial for our overall well-being.
Customers can be demanding at times. Move a mountain, create something out of nothing and do it precisely the day before yesterday.
The time and money you will save with Cabjaks means that you can spend more time making yourself look good.
Or focussed on whatever other caper you’re into…
As a member of NZCB you get a super special deal as well.
Scan here to register, select NZ Certified Builder or go to www.cabjaks.co.nz/accounts/register and we will send you an email with your exclusive discount code.
Construction adhesives play a crucial role in the building industry, providing a strong and durable bond between various materials.
Traditionally, solvent-based construction adhesives have been widely used for their exceptional adhesive properties. However, concerns about their high solvent content and associated health hazards have prompted manufacturers to develop innovative solutions. One such breakthrough is the Gorilla Grab solventbased adhesive, which has a reduced solvent base while maintaining its excellent adhesive capabilities.
In this article, we will explore the purpose of solvent-based construction adhesives and delve into the advantages of the new Gorilla Grab formulation, which prioritises safety without compromising performance.
Solvent-based construction adhesives have been favoured for their exceptional bonding strength and versatility. They are typically used in various applications such as subfloor installations, tile setting, woodworking, and general construction projects.
These adhesives are formulated to provide a durable bond between different materials, including wood, metal, concrete, ceramics, and plastics.
Solvent-based adhesives excel in challenging environments, including high humidity and extreme temperatures, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor projects.
While traditional solvent-based adhesives have proven effective, they have been associated with some drawbacks, primarily due to their high solvent content.
Solvents like toluene, xylene, and acetone are used to dissolve the adhesive components and aid in the bonding process. However, these solvents can be hazardous to human health and the environment.
Prolonged exposure to high solvent levels may lead to respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health concerns for installers and occupants.
Adhesive manufacturers have been actively researching and developing safer alternatives to address these concerns.
Soudal, a renowned adhesive brand, has introduced a new formulation called Gorilla Grab that significantly reduces the solvent content, making it safer for both installers and occupants.
Gorilla Grab has taken a significant step towards creating a healthier working environment by minimising the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their adhesive.
adhesives:
1. Lower solvent emission: Solvent-based adhesives emit strong odours due to the evaporation of volatile compounds. During this process, the adhesive experiences some shrinkage due to the solvent loss. Gorilla Grab’s lower solvent base results in reduced shrinkage, leaving more product to do the work.
2. Safe to use on delicate substrates: Gorilla Grab’s lower solvent base has been tested as safe to use on polystyrene, where higher solvent-based products eat away at the substrate.
3. Enhanced safety: With its lower solvent content, Gorilla Grab reduces the risk of harmful solvent exposure during installation. This makes it a safer option for construction professionals, ensuring their long-term well-being.
4. Environmentally friendly: Gorilla Grab contributes to environmental preservation by lowering VOC emissions. This reduction in harmful emissions helps reduce the adhesive’s impact on indoor and outdoor air quality.
5. Maintained performance: While prioritising safety, Gorilla Grab does not compromise on adhesive strength and performance. It retains its ability to bond various materials securely, ensuring the longevity and durability of constructed elements.
Solvent-based vs. solvent-free
Solvent-free products obviously do not contain solvents and are generally either acrylic (water-based compounds) or polymer-based.
The beauty of these adhesives is that as they cure, they do not have compounds that leave them and become absorbed into the surrounding building materials, thus improving both building health and the environment for those working in the space.
Once full cure has taken place, you will have a far higher number of solids remaining to do the work, acrylics up to 94% solids, polymers 100% solids.
There are some cases when you might opt for a solvent-based adhesive over a solvent-free alternative. For example, you may choose to use our Gorilla Grab (solvent-based) over our Gorilla Grip (solvent-free PU) because you don’t want to contend with the expansion that occurs during the curing process of Gorilla Grip. Or the fact that Gorilla Grip requires two porous surfaces to create a full bond.
In the case of Gorilla Wallboard, another one of our solvent-free adhesives, it has a slower curing rate in colder conditions, meaning if you require a faster bond, Gorilla Grab may be more suitable.
Solvent-free adhesives have both advantages and disadvantages and are susceptible to environmental conditions meaning it can take longer to get to full strength. However, they provide a healthier environment and work on a far greater range of materials that are used in construction today.
With the introduction of Gorilla Grab solvent-based adhesive containing lower solvent content marks an important milestone in the construction industry. It has created more choice in the adhesive category, between a traditional solvent-based, lower solvent-based or solvent-free adhesives.
Soudal has addressed the health and environmental concerns associated with traditional solvent-based adhesives, with Grab offering a safer alternative that maintains its exceptional adhesive properties. With this innovative product, installers can work with peace of mind, and building occupants can enjoy a safer and healthier environment.
As adhesive manufacturers continue to prioritise safety and sustainability, we can anticipate further advancements that benefit both the construction industry and the world we live in.
Finding the best adhesive to bond different materials can be tricky. Soudal’s Product Selector Tool has a section called “STICKING STUFF” – It’s easy to use!
You select the substrates you are working with, whether it be timber, metal, plasterboard, concrete, rubber etc., then hit NEXT to return a list of products that are best suited for the job.
At Soudal, it’s our job to make your choice of sealants, foams and adhesives easy. Scan the QR code to get started or call us on 0800 701 080 if you require further technical support.
‘Chalking’ refers to the formation of a white, chalky powder on the surface of the paint film, which often occurs as the paint weathers and the binder is slowly degraded by sunshine and moisture, releasing the binder’s hold on the pigment. Over time nearly all paints will show some chalking when they are subject to outdoor exposure. Old paint is likely to be chalky.
Paints are essentially a combination of pigments – colour particles held together by the paint resin; as the paint dries, a thin layer of clear resin is left on the surface, and the colour pigments are locked in below this layer. After years of sun and moisture degradation, this thin resin layer simply wears or erodes away –exposing the pigments below. As they are no longer bound into the paint film by the resin, they are easily wiped off, which is referred to as chalking. This slow erosion is much more preferable than cracking or flaking, and, provided the surface is sound and cleaned; it is ideal for painting over once the chalk is removed.
Taking a shortcut, such as skipping a primer or topcoat of paint to save time or money, can cause premature chalking. Over a porous surface, the paint resin may be absorbed into the surface, reducing the amount of protection on top of the surface.
Excessive chalking is detrimental because chalk can run down onto the underlying structure (e.g. brickwork) and deface the appearance of the surface, it can lighten the colour of the paint and/or it can erode the paint film resulting in a loss of protection to the substrate. Chalk needs to be removed before repainting and can be considered in the same category as dust and dirt. Use Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to clean off the chalk. If the surface is badly chalked, it may be time to consider a clean and repaint.
Soudal. Soudal are National Partners of NZCB and a key supplier of sealants, foams and adhesives to tradies under our iconic Gorilla brand. For over 30 years Gorilla Grip, Foam, Glues and Silicones have proven their quality, reliability and technical performance in kiwi conditions. www.soudal.co.nz
It’s no secret that New Zealand’s housing is notoriously cold, damp, and unhealthy. According to last year’s NZ Housing Survey carried out by AMI Insurance and Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, more than 300,000 Kiwi families go to bed earlier to stay warm during winter, while 145,000 households heat only one room to reduce costs.
Poor (or, in some cases, no) insulation causes cold and damp homes that can result in health issues like asthma and pneumonia. The survey found 42% of households were worried about dampness in their homes, while almost one in 10 households were worried about significant mould.
The cost of heating a home is much higher when there’s poor or no insulation. A third of survey respondents (approximately 635,000 households) said their winter power bills were excessive, with 37% of respondents saying they used as little heating as possible to keep their power bills down.
As temperatures plummet all over Aotearoa, industry experts are reminding homeowners and landlords about the impact good insulation and heating can have.
Director of PinkFit® Auckland – Central & South, Chris Lowrey says good insulation is a must-have for all Kiwi homes. But while retrofitting older homes is possible, it’s not always easy.
“Retrofitting insulation in older homes can improve the performance of a home, however, in many cases it’s very difficult. Installing insulation in the ceilings and under the floors is good, but it’s a bit like putting a single sheet on a queen bed: you can’t cover it all. Installing thorough insulation right throughout a home, including in all the walls, is the ideal, but it’s often not practical or affordable for many people to rip out their walls and start over.” Mr Lowrey says.
An energy-efficient home retains heat in winter and keeps a home cool in summer by reducing the amount of thermal transfer between inside and out. The higher the insulation rating, the higher performing it is, and therefore the warmer and drier the home will be.
“High-quality insulation that has been installed correctly needs to be paired with heating sources and good ventilation to get the most out of a home,” he says. “Minimising the size of windows, installing double glazing, ensuring all timber framing is airtight, using lined curtains, installing good ventilation, having reliable and cost-effective heat sources in all rooms – all of these combined create a warm, comfortable, cost-effective, and healthy home.”
Thanks to building code updates in recent years, all new builds are required to meet stringent insulation standards. Installing insulation can be a very labour-intensive job though. PinkFit® is an insulation installer network that installs Pink® Batts® in new builds, renovations and retrofit projects throughout New Zealand.
“In recent years, building has become more modular with specific trades carrying out specific parts of the building process,” says Lowrey. “Insulation is increasingly becoming one of those jobs that can be outsourced to save time and money on a building site. PinkFit® makes installing insulation easy and significantly faster. Previously, it might have taken a couple of apprentices a day or two to insulate a new build, or a DIYer a week of late nights. Our teams can insulate a standard-sized three-bedroom home in half a day, saving a building team a significant amount of time.”
“Previously, anyone thought they could install insulation,” says Lowrey. “Now there’s more training required and more emphasis on getting it right. All PinkFit® installers are accredited which reinforces our industry reputation. We’re tied to the Pink® Batts® brand too, which is one of the country’s most renowned insulation products, adding to our reputation.”
“We back our work so much that we guarantee it,” says Lowrey. “PinkFit’s Pre-Line Promise guarantees builders that they’ll pass their pre-line inspections first time around. If they don’t, we’ll reinstall the product and cover the cost of any reinspection.”
“PinkFit® is all about saving time, hassle and waste on the building site,” says Lowrey. “Before we install anything our team will detail a property, so we get an accurate measure of how much product we need to bring onto site. The fact that we bring it all with us on installation day makes life easier for builders – no more trying to find a dry, out of the way place to store large bags.”
PinkFit® is the only accredited installer of Pink® Batts® insulation in New Zealand. With 22 licensees throughout the country, PinkFit® installers ensure Pink® Batts® is installed correctly and performs as expected over the life of the building, saving builders, renovators and DIYers time, hassle and money in the process.
For more information about PinkFit® and to book a no-obligation assessment and quote, visit www.pinkfit.co.nz
As temperatures plummet all over Aotearoa, industry experts are reminding homeowners and landlords about the impact good insulation and heating can have.
A large proportion of ceiling defects such as peaking or cracked joints and popped fasteners, can be attributed to movement in the substrate.
Timber ceiling substrates are significantly more prone to temperature or atmospheric induced movement and shrinkage. These issues tend to impact on the surface of the plasterboard and can result in call-backs. Here are some common queries answered.
Q: What distance can the GIB® Rondo® battens span?
A: We have recently simplified our spans when using GIB® Rondo® metal battens in residential situations. To make it easier for contractors, the 310 and 308 battens can now span up to 1200mm over multi spans or 900mm for single spans and garages.
Q: What drop can I achieve by using the clips?
A: We have two clip sizes available, one with a 35mm drop from the bottom of the framing timber to the back of the GIB® Rondo® metal batten. Also, a long clip which allows a drop of up to 135mm. It’s important to order the right clip with the batten you have selected.
Q: Why should I use steel battens over timber?
A: Timber will expand and contract with atmospheric changes. Metal battens provide a more stable substrate to fix your plasterboard ceiling to.
Q: Is GIB® Rondo® suitable for a skillion roof (sloping ceiling)?
A: Skillion roofs attract a lot more heat build-up and consequently, movement as well. By using a GIB® Rondo® metal batten and clip, it allows the framing structure to move without putting stress into the ceiling grid.
Q: Do I need back blocking with GIB® Rondo® metal ceiling battens?
A: Yes, but only if your ceiling has six or more tapered edge joints. Whereas timber ceiling battens require back blocking every three or more tapered edge joints. (That’s four sheets or 4.8m.)
Q: How can I minimise sagging of plasterboard on ceilings?
A: Winstone Wallboards recommends ceiling framing support centres no greater than 450mm for 10mm gypsum plasterboard and no greater than 600mm centres for other gypsum plasterboard thicknesses.
Need more help? The GIB® Helpline team are available on 0800 100 442 or visit www.gib.co.nz.
Double Cab Auto with total peace of mind, knowing you have an Isuzu Assured Future Value locked in for your vehicle. Not only will you have the certainty of low fixed repayments, you’ll also have the option to renew, retain or return your vehicle at the end of your agreed term.
With Isuzu No Worries, you can drive away in a D-Max LS
In my last article, I advised that the Industry Training Association Building (ITAB) programme had ended and ceased to exist as a legal entity. Training, however, for apprentices and employers who prefer the Industry Training
Regardless of your pathway preference, the New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Apprentice Network is now up and running! Exclusive to NZCB Business members, the programme was officially launched at NZCB’s Annual AGM, Conference & Expo earlier this year in Christchurch.
To follow on from the launch, and at the time of writing this article, I am hitting the road to undertake a round of regional visits to North Island members, promoting the advantages and benefits of aligning with the Apprentice Network.
• Zeke Ingram – Character Building Limited
• Joshua Boyd – Falcon Developments
• Theo Bostrovas – Westridge Construction Limited
• Jeremy Dellabarca – Westridge Construction Limited
• Elijah McQueen – RHJ Builders Limited
• Alex Erickson – Chatterton Builders Limited
• Louis O’Leary – O’Leary Homes Limited
• William Walter – Wilson Builders
• Angus Hewett – Wilson Builders
The Apprentice Network supports NZCB Business members and apprentices enrolled in the programme. It gives them access to many benefits such as deals and discounts from merchant supply partners, negotiated discounts on tools, employment agreements, apprentice insurance packages, free entry into the NZCB Apprentice Challenge and much more.
With the Apprentice Network in full swing, I would like to welcome and congratulate our inaugural members:
• Rebecca Chamberlain – Chamberlain Carpentry & Joinery
• Patrick Adams – Chamberlain Carpentry & Joinery
• Parinya Phimsena – Lifebuilt Construction Limited
• Liam Fitzgibbon – Lifebuilt Construction Limited
• Jasmine Butler – Lifebuilt Construction Limited
• Ben Baker – Lifebuilt Construction Limited
• Zayden McGuire – Genx Builders Limited
• Daniel Stiu-Pereses – JVL Contractors
NZCB is committed to supporting our members who employ and train apprentices and will continue to evolve and grow the programme and its benefits. We have a couple of new relationships in the pipeline and I look forward to updating you on these in the coming months.
Want to know more? Visit www.nzcb.nz/apprenticeships.
Nick Matthews Industry Pathways and Apprenticeship ManagerRegardless of your pathway preference, the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice Network is now up and running!
Applications for the 2024 NZCB Apprentice Challenge are now open!
Competitors will be tasked to complete a challenging project for a specific end user within the allotted 8.0 hours. Thanks to ITM’s sponsorship, every competitor will receive a prize pack for participating as well as major prizes up for grabs for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters!
The Challenge is open to apprentices employed by NZCB builders. *conditions apply
How much does it cost to enter?
NZCB Apprentice Network Trainee Member = FREE
Apprentices not enrolled as NZCB Trainee Members = $50.00
Have you got what it takes to go all the way?
For terms and conditions or to apply check out, www.apprenticechallenge.nz
REGIONAL CHALLENGES SAT 6 APRIL 2024
WHERE: ITM STORES NATIONWIDE + selected venues NATIONAL FINAL 21 – 22 JUNE 2024
WELLINGTON
#nzcbapprenticechallenge
Not sure if there are any events happening in your region? Check out the
CONZTRUCT is for builders, electricians, architects, designers, developers, and other specialist trades people to further their breadth of knowledge, education and gain a greater understanding of new product technologies. There’s LBP and CPD points available, lots of giveaways, complimentary food and beverages, and it’s FREE to attend!
Christchurch
Greymouth
9 Oct
Nelson Wed 11 Oct 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Centre
Blenheim Thu 12 Oct 4:00pm – 7:00pm Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000
Auckland North Thu 9 Nov 3:30pm – 7:00pm Eventfinda Stadium
Tauranga Tue 14 Nov 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Taupō Wed 15 Nov 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Napier Thu 16 Nov 4:00pm – 7:00pm
For more information visit www.conztruct.co.nz.
Mercury Baypark
Taupō Events Centre
Napier War Memorial Centre
A FREE lunchtime webinar series discussing how to make and keep your homes or projects moisture-free, condensation-free, healthy and energy-efficient. Webinars are focussing on designing and building for airtightness and weathertightness.
Areas: roofs, walls, ceilings, window joinery, innovative building materials and more. LBP and CPD points apply.
For more information and to register visit www.proclima.co.nz/events.
The Asian Construction Expo brings together leading industry suppliers, peak industry bodies, local government, builders, architects, designers, developers and other industry participants to share information that’s vital to the success of the industry.
For more information and to register visit www.asianconstructionexpo.co.nz.
Events Calendar on the NZCB members’ only
On 26 July, New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Auckland Committee hosted their first Factory Tour Education Day. A day where our Auckland members could visit local manufacturing facilities and get a behindthe-scenes experience of how the products they use daily are actually made. It was an action-packed day, busing from factory to factory, and ending, all together, to chew the fat over a beer.
The Auckland Committee wanted to continue the momentum from the most recent Education Day held at Due Drop Events Centre in March this year. While still providing topical education (and LBP points), the committee settled on a different format –a bus tour Education Day, taking our members right to our supplier’s doorsteps!
Almost 100 of us, spread over three buses, visited Winstone Wallboards, seeing GIB® being made in Penrose before manufacturing moves to their state-of-the-art Tauranga site. The Comfortech® team had us climbing three storeys to witness molten glass being transformed into Pink® Batts® insulation before our eyes. Door + Window Systems demonstrated efficient and seamless CAM joinery fabrication while introducing us to the new APL thermal system. The day concluded at the Epic Taproom for a beer and nibbles and an explanation of how Epic turn grain and hops into their award-winning beers.
“It was interesting to discover how materials we use every day on-site are made. I found it quite entertaining and informative and I felt in my element surrounded by builders sharing the same curiosity. Finishing the tour with beers and networking was on point. Looking forward to the next one!” Clement Richer, Auckland Committee.
The Auckland Committee would like to thank Winstone Wallboards, Comfortech®, and Door + Window Systems for their hospitality. We look forward to offering more of these opportunities to our members.
Paul YoungAUTHOR: Carmen Hall SECTION: GENERAL NEWS ARTICLE TYPE: NEWS ITEM AUDIENCE : 30,000
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01 JUL, 2023
The boss of one of New Zealand’s largest residential building companies has likened the recession gripping the country to the Global Financial Crisis and believes there will be more business closures.
Associations in the industry told NZME it was holding workshops for its members to navigate the headwinds and while the sector was used to the boom/bust cycle, construction faced more volatility than other industries.
Businesses such as Auckland based builders Scarbro Construction, founded 27 years ago, and Construct Civil had been put into liquidation and made headlines while other companies had laid off staff, pivoted, and put managers back on the tools to ride out tough times.
Classic Group director Peter Cooney said this recession was up there with the 2007/08 downturn and would have a huge impact on the building industry.
“Without question, there will be more closures. It is a highly frustrating situation when the country desperately needs housing but the economy is preventing progress.
“The construction industry needs reasonable stability to enable a steady flow of housing supply to market. The current situation is causing carnage, reducing supply further and driving up rents. We still have a housing crisis to address and this lull in progress is going to set us back even further unless the Government can fast-track infrastructure investment and bring land to the market faster.”
Classic Builders recently laid off 12 staff and predicted it would build about 400 homes in the next 12 months compared to 800 last year.
“Operating in a cyclic industry with highs and lows, we have been here a few times now. It takes an emotional toll on everyone when we have to reduce our team to match the reduced levels of work coming in.
“We have learned to be extremely resourceful, quickly pivoting our focus to where there is an opportunity, whether that lies in diversifying our services, creating new partnerships, or even moving project managers back on to the tools while we ride the low wave.
“We have to be extremely flexible and nimble, moving at speed to adjust multiple facets of our business to cope with the ups and downs of the market.”
In Cooney’s view, interest rates had risen too high too quickly and had possibly been too low in the first place while construction costs had accelerated at an unrealistic level.
“That needs to be addressed to make any kind of vertical construction a commercially viable solution.”
TK Homes director Tom Gerrard said it had pivoted due to the slowdown and was doing labour-only contracting to bigger companies in Tauranga and was currently building homes at a retirement village.
He had secured work until the end of the year for himself and two staff and said construction seemed to be “the first one to get hit”.
Gerrard was hopeful the situation would improve before his current contracts run out.
Build Rotorua owner Chris Reid believed longstanding businesses would be able “to endure the downturn a little better than the new kids on the block”.
“Obviously people are tightening up because they don’t want to spend copious amounts of money if the interest rates are too high. The market can’t keep growing and growing, it naturally has to come to a stop at some point and there are going to be staff layoffs and things like that.”
CARMEN HALLMK Build owner Mike King said his workload had picked up but he only had a small team and they mainly specialised in kitchen and bathroom renovations and decks.
“We don’t restrict the work we do and we also do insurance work and that is through the roof at the moment.”
However, he wondered: “If the big guys are getting pushed out of the stuff they are doing are they going to come and start looking for our work?”
King, who had been in business for two years, said luckily he had built up a loyal customer base.
Shaw Builders owner Dave Shaw said everyone was struggling a little bit and next year would be telling.
“We are okay till Christmas but next year is when everyone will find out whether it’s going to be good or bad.”
Shaw said it had one job fall over because the finance was too high but he did not believe it was all doom and gloom.
He had been in the industry for decades and believed Tauranga would fare better than other cities and high-end housing driven by cashed-up retirees had held its own.
Venture Developments director Mark FraserJones said with record immigration into the country it won’t be long before demand begins to pick up again although he acknowledged the past few years had been challenging.
■ Continuedfromp1 particularlyforrenovations,while commercialconstructionremains robust.
“We have seen a levelling off in interest rates, building material supply is back to normal and builders can offer fixed price contracts again with no need to worry about cost escalation.
Kellysaidifconsumerswerein apositiontodoso,itwasagood timetobuildorcarryout renovationsasmorebuilderswere likelytobeavailable.
“We are already starting to get inquiry out of Auckland which we haven’t seen for the last couple of years.”
Kelly said if consumers were in a position to do so, it was a good time to build or carry out renovations as more builders were likely to be available.
New Zealand Certified Builders chief executive Malcolm Fleming said members had reported a distinct reduction in new inquiry generally, with the drop off most pronounced for new homes.
ofbusinessfailurewithintheresidentialbuildermarket,which reducesrisktothehomeowner,as wellastothesupplychainthat providesthebuilderwithgoods andservicesoncredit.”
It was also building resilience amongst its 2300 businesses with the development of a Business 101 suite of workshops.
moresustainablelevels,theRBNZ said.
HousingMinisterMeganWoods saidtherewasnodoubttherewere headwindsfacingtheconstruction sectorasaresultofglobaleconomicconditions.
“This will reduce the incidence of business failure within the residential builder market, which reduces risk to the homeowner, as well as to the supply chain that provides the builder with goods and services on credit.”
NewZealandCertifiedBuilders chiefexecutiveMalcolmFleming saidmembershadreportedadistinctreductioninnewinquiry generally,withthedropoffmost pronouncedfornewhomes.
Buildingmerchantswerenow activeinprovidingbuilderswith quotesforsingleresidentialbuildingprojects,whichtheyhadmoved awayfromdoingandwouldmean flowonsavingstothehomeowner.
Master Builders chief executive David Kelly said the sector was used to the boom/bust cycle and “have faced it for the past five decades”.
TheOfficialCashRate increasedby25basispointsfrom 5.25percentto5.5percentinMay.
TheGovernmenthadbeen preparingforthatbyrampingup supportfortheconstructionsector thatbuildsonthemassiveprogrammeofinfrastructurefunding, landdevelopmentandpublichousingbuilding.
However, there were differences that included a gradual softening, which has given people time to prepare and the prediction this recession would not be as long.
Itwasalsobuildingresilience amongstits2300businesseswith thedevelopmentofaBusiness101 suiteofworkshops. “Thiswillreducetheincidence
The sector was the third largest contributor to GDP and sustained more than 540,000 jobs, he said.
“The peaks and troughs of this cycle are much more extreme for construction than the volatility faced by other sectors.”
During the GFC, it took seven years for the workforce to recover but in Australia, where state and federal government policies offered greater counter-cyclical incentives, their housing slump was shallow and only lasted two years, he said.
TheReserveBankofNewZealandsaidatthetimeinflationwas easingfromitspeak.
Building merchants were now active in providing builders with quotes for single residential building projects, which they had moved away from doing and would mean flow on savings to the homeowner.
“Consumerspendinggrowth hadeasedandresidentialconstructionactivityhaddeclined.”
The Official Cash Rate increased by 25 basis points from 5.25 per cent to 5.5 per cent in May.
Developerscouldalsoapplyfor projectunderwritesthroughits BuildReadyDevelopmentspathway,whichtargetsprojectsthat includeaffordablehousing,she said.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand said at the time inflation was easing from its peak.
NewZealandBankingAssocia-
Housepriceshadreturnedto
“Consumer spending growth had eased and residential construction activity had declined.”
House prices had returned to more sustainable levels, the RBNZ said.
PMCA licensed copy. You may not further copy, reproduce, record, retransmit, sell, publish, distribute, share or store this information without the prior written consent of the Print Media Copyright Agency. Phone +64-09-306 1657 or email info@pmca.co.nz for further information.
“In the absence of a predictable and stable pipeline of work, the sector is unable to invest in innovation and/or workforce planning.
This results in a sector dominated by small businesses, which are unable to develop the scale required to deliver once the recovery is under way.”
Its members were aware of the challenges and Master Builders was supporting them with learning and development to prepare for the changing cycle that had included providing guidance on good financial and governance practices.
“We stress to everyone in the sector to do the same.”
Some members had experienced a decline in sales but the residential order books were varied with others still showing a strong or steady pipeline of work, particularly for renovations, while commercial
Housing Minister Megan Woods said there was no doubt there were headwinds facing the construction sector as a result of global economic conditions.
The Government had been preparing for that by ramping up support for the construction sector that builds on the massive programme of infrastructure funding, land development and public housing building.
Developers could also apply for project underwrites through its Build Ready Developments pathway, which targets projects that include affordable housing, she said.
New Zealand Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said retail interest rates reflected the wholesale cost of funding and the bank’s margin on top of that.
Stats NZ said that in May, 9719 new homes were consented in the three months to the end of March, compared with 12,333 at the same time last year. Consents from councils for new residential buildings plunged 21 per cent in the March 2023 quarter.
Bay of Plenty Times, Tauranga Bay of Plenty 01 July 2023'Without question, there will be more closures'
A Wellington homeowner got so involved in their house renovation that their building contractor encouraged them to don tools and take up an apprenticeship.
This may not be so unusual, but for the fact the client was a 30-something stay-athome mum who would never have normally considered a career in the building industry.
women access to mentoring.
The initiative includes a “train the trainer” aspect to help employers know how best to teach and support apprentices, including how best to support women trainees.
for any gender-stereotyped profession.
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A few short years later, Niamh Barraud now co-owns her own building firm and is on the board of New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB).
ITEM ID: 1910773197
NZCB said it was also “walking-the-talk at the highest levels of the organisation” with 50/50 gender representation on its six-strong board. Barraud said programme could really help overcome some traditional barriers in getting women interested in the building trade.
“If you show images that normalise the presence of women on building sites in a tool belt going about her business, that’s the kind of image to help women know this is a place they’re allowed to join, and they can join.”
16 AUG,
Barraud is a rarity in the construction trade with women making up fewer than one-in-20 carpenters.
NZCB is launching its Apprentice Network, designed to provide wrap-around support for its members’ trainees and their employers.
Barraud admits she was “a bit of a late starter with a bit of weird entrance point”.
“I’d always done everything that I could with my hands. I always build stuff for the kids, or made their clothes so I had that 2D to 3D visualisation.”
She said their builder supported her interest in the renovation project and invited her help.
“He included me and had me doing stuff that he could have had a labourer doing.
“I was part of the team, but I think some of the boys on the team were a bit confused.”
Although women make up 14% of the industry, Barraud estimated the percentage of “women on the tools” was less than 5%.
Increasing the visibility of women in the industry was also important, she said.
“When attracting women to sports it shows that ‘if you can see it, you can be it’, and I think it’s very much the same for building, or
At the end of the three month renovation, her builder suggested she take up an apprenticeship and after mulling it over Barraud took the leap.
“By the time the job ended the boss had said to me, ‘I’m short a guy, if you want a job you can start Monday’.”
The NZCB Apprentice Network includes educational support, which complemented Te Pūkenga carpentry training modules, mental health and wellbeing support, and ongoing professional development and networking opportunities. The programme also gives
In 2015 fewer than 1% of apprentices in building and construction were women, which has now increased to almost 7%, with carpentry, painting and decorating, and timber joinery being the most attractive trades for women trainees.
Te Pūkenga, BCITO acting director Greg Durkin said the sector goal for 2040 was to have women make up 30% of people in construction trades.
If you’re looking for exceptional and affordable builders who are proud to be local, look no further than Adan Larsen Builders.
Ifyou’relookingforexceptionalandaffordablebuilders whoareproudtobelocal,looknofurtherthanAdan LarsenBuilders.
Locally owned and operated by Adan and his wife Kelly since 2004, Adan Larsen Builders was created after taking a leap of faith to operate their own carpentry business following Adan successfully completing his apprenticeship with Brad Gibbons to become a qualified contracting builder, and successfully building a new home for his inlaws – the ultimate test of skill... and patience!
After almost two decades delivering quality service and workmanship, they’re here to tell you why you should consider building or renovating with them.
and teaching them the art of being a well-rounded carpenter.
We’ve had our apprentices take part in many New Zealand Certified Builders challenges over the years, all of them doing very well and even representing Taranaki at national events. This year our current apprentice Michael Craig represented Taranaki at the Nationals in May, making this the sixth time our company has made it to the finals, which we are incredibly proud of.
LocallyownedandoperatedbyAdanandhiswifeKelly since2004,AdanLarsenBuilderswascreatedaftertaking aleapoffaithtooperatetheirowncarpentrybusiness followingAdansuccessfullycompletinghisapprenticeship withBradGibbonstobecomeaqualifiedcontracting builder,andsuccessfullybuildinganewhomeforhisinlaws–theultimatetestofskill...andpatience!
Afteralmosttwodecadesdeliveringqualityservice andworkmanship,they’reheretotellyouwhyyoushould considerbuildingorrenovatingwiththem.
Since starting our business, we have established an office/workshop on Juliet Street growing our team to six with three qualified builders, including Adan, two apprentices and Kelly as our administrator.
office/workshoponJulietStreetgrowingourteamto sixwiththreequalifiedbuilders,includingAdan,two apprenticesandKellyasouradministrator.
Firstly, we love working in Taranaki, especially around the Stratford area. We provide a wide range of building work from new homes, renovations and extensions, implementing sheds and farm buildings, roofing and small concrete and landscaping projects. This allows us to train apprentices in a wide range of skills which enables them to be good carpenters.
When we first started our business, we employed one trainee builder but as the amount of work grew it allowed us to take on an apprentice. This is one of the values we pride our business on – taking good young local people
Firstly,weloveworkinginTaranaki,especiallyaround theStratfordarea.Weprovideawiderangeofbuilding workfromnewhomes,renovationsandextensions, implementingshedsandfarmbuildings,roofingandsmall concreteandlandscapingprojects.Thisallowsustotrain apprenticesinawiderangeofskillswhichenablesthemto begoodcarpenters.
Adan is also an active member of New Zealand Certified Builders where he has held the role of Taranaki President for five years. As a business we really value this association who offer a support network and a guide to best business practice within New Zealand’s building industry.
Taranaki has really served us well over the years and we enjoy being part of the Stratford community. We live on a great property just five minutes from town where we are raising our three boys aged 16, 13 and 10 who go to school locally and are involved in many sports clubs.
Whenwefirststartedourbusiness,weemployedone traineebuilderbutastheamountofworkgrewitallowed ustotakeonanapprentice.Thisisoneofthevalueswe prideourbusinesson–takinggoodyounglocalpeople
andteachingthemtheartofbeingawell-rounded
One of our goals is to give back to the community where we can, and we run our business based on a model of supporting local. This means using local building supply merchants, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, painters and excavation companies on all our projects, including local solicitors and accountants. By supporting local we can help our community survive when times are tough and also thrive when times are good.
AdanisalsoanactivememberofNewZealandCertified BuilderswherehehasheldtheroleofTaranakiPresident forfiveyears.Asabusinesswereallyvaluethisassociation whoofferasupportnetworkandaguidetobestbusiness practicewithinNewZealand’sbuildingindustry.
We’d like to acknowledge the people that have enabled us to stay in business over the last 19 years and we say a huge thank you to our wonderful clients who have entrusted us to complete many fantastic projects for them during our time servicing the area.
Taranakihasreallyserveduswellovertheyearsandwe enjoybeingpartoftheStratfordcommunity.Weliveona greatpropertyjustfiveminutesfromtownwhereweare raisingourthreeboysaged16,13and10whogotoschool locallyandareinvolvedinmanysportsclubs.
Oneofourgoalsistogivebacktothecommunitywhere wecan,andwerunourbusinessbasedonamodelof supportinglocal.Thismeansusinglocalbuildingsupply
Stratford Press, Taranaki 16 August 2023 Builder Niamh Barraud started her own construction company and now she is a board member with New Zealand Certified Builders.Weekend Sun, Tauranga 01 September 2023
It was built in a day under the heat of competition, now it will provide years of fun for tiny tots in Pāpāmoa.
New Zealand Certified Builders held their annual apprentice challenge in April to find out the best apprentice carpenter in New Zealand.
This year’s Apprentice Challenge Build tasked competitors to create a playhouse in eight hours, putting their carpentry skills to the test.
KAREN PHELPSQueenstown company Cammell Projects has earned a reputation for its unwavering commitment to producing high-end quality builds and exceptional workmanship.
Now, with a shorter waiting period for starting new projects, it’s an opportune time for people to turn their dream home or renovation project into a reality, says company owner and Licensed Builder Practitioner Stefan Cammell.
Cammell Projects excels in offering clients a personal build experience. Stefan personally manages each project and brings a wealth of experience with over 20 years in the construction industry and qualifications in carpentry and site management.
He has a National Vocational Qualification in Senior Construction Management from the UK, where he spent several years managing large construction projects in Central London.
This commercial experience and the experience gained after 20 years in the residential construction sector, make him one of the most skilled and knowledgeable professional builders in the area.
The company’s other director, Stefan’s wife Andrea, plays a significant role in the day-to-day running of Cammell Projects.
She prides herself on her impeccable organisation and administration skills and utilises this in the procurement and management of all the interior fixtures and fittings. Andrea also holds a Bachelor of Design Degree and a Diploma in Interior Design and her creativity is often called upon and utilised in various projects.
One of the key aspects that set Cammell Projects apart is its specialisation in architecturally designed high-end residential builds. Cammell Projects is an approved member of the New Zealand Certified Builders Association and its portfolio showcases a diverse range of projects that exemplify its commitment to quality and innovation.
Whether it’s a luxury extension and renovation project or a new build from the ground up, Cammell Projects approaches each endeavour with meticulous attention to detail and a focus on exceeding client expectations, says Stefan.
Central to Cammell Projects’ ability to consistently deliver exceptional results is its
dedicated team of eight staff, all on wages, giving Cammell Projects superior control over quality and timing of each project.
Currently Cammell Projects is managing three extension and renovation projects, each with unique challenges and requirements. These projects include a comprehensive kitchen and living space renovation a sliffside transformation and a smaller extension. The diverse range of projects demonstrates Cammell Projects’ versatility and ability to tackle various architectural styles and complexities, thinks Stefan.
Four apprentices from Tauranga Districts competed, with Tauranga apprentice Jared Menzies placing second nationally. With winners crowned, three of the playhouses were sold with proceeds being donated to Kids Can Charity.
It was built in a day under the heat of competition, now it will provide years of fun for tiny tots in Pāpāmoa.
Pāpāmoa Playcentre was the lucky recipient of the fourth playhouse built locally. NZCB’s central North Island territory manager Brad Mitchell says NZCB’s Tauranga Districts wanted to give the playcentre one of the playhouses built as it is a community-run organisation.
“No matter what the project Cammell Projects places a strong emphasis on sustainability, something clients appreciate,” he says.
On-site recycling initiatives for soft plastics, cardboard, and metal reflect this commitment to responsible construction practices. The company also prioritises building highperforming homes that promote energy efficiency and incorporate environmentally conscious design principles.
New Zealand Certified Builders held their annual apprentice challenge in April to find out the best apprentice carpenter in New Zealand.
“Instead of giving it to a business that makes a profit, they wanted to give it to someone they thought was more deserving of a free playhouse.”
built as it is a community-run organisation. “Instead of giving it to a business that makes a profit, they wanted to give it to someone they thought was more deserving of a free playhouse.”
Made from timber donated by ITM, the playhouse will make a welcome addition to Pāpāmoa Playcentre’s play area.
This year’s Apprentice Challenge Build tasked competitors to create a playhouse in eight hours, putting their carpentry skills to the test.
“It’s very generous,” says Pāpāmoa Playcentre’s session support Sian Kelly.
“We’re a not-for-profit organisation so any little bit of help we can get is amazing. Anything like this is amazing for the kids. They’re here every morning playing so it’s another area for them to explore!”
From insulated foundations to efficient energy use, Cammell Projects ensures that structures not only meet the highest quality standards and offer on-going value to clients.
Four apprentices from Tauranga Districts competed, with Tauranga apprentice Jared Menzies placing second nationally. With winners crowned, three of the playhouses were sold with proceeds being donated to Kids Can Charity.
“Whether clients prefer to be hands-on, visiting the site and discussing details with the crew, or prefer a more hands-off approach, Cammell Projects accommodates individual preferences to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience,” says Stefan.
“If you’re seeking a trustworthy and dedicated team of builders for your next project then look no further than Cammell Projects.
“With our focus on high-end quality, efficient timing and a passion for delivering outstanding results, now is the ideal time to embark on your building journey to experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and expertise that has made us a trusted name in Queenstown’s construction industry.”
Pāpāmoa Playcentre was the lucky recipient of the fourth playhouse built locally. NZCB’s central North Island territory manager Brad Mitchell says NZCB’s Tauranga Districts wanted to give the playcentre one of the playhouses
Made from timber donated by ITM, the playhouse will make a welcome addition to Pāpāmoa Playcentre’s play area. “It’s very generous,” says Pāpāmoa Playcentre’s session support Sian Kelly. “We’re a not-for-profit organisation so any little bit of help we can get is amazing. Anything like this is amazing for the kids. They’re here every morning playing so it’s another area for them to explore!”
Georgia Minkhorst“Whether clients prefer to be hands-on, visiting the site and discussing details with the crew, or prefer a more hands-off approach, Cammell Projects accommodates individual preferences to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience.”Tauranga district president, Mike Way with some of the Papamoa Playcentre crew enjoying the new playhouse.
New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) would like to thank the following companies, our Strategic Partners (corporate sponsors), who play a vital part in assisting to cover costs for our members personal development/training through NZCB regional seminars, NZCB Annual Conference and monthly live Zoom webinars. Their support also assists to cover expenses with our marketing and communications.
NZCB is proud to partner with the following companies, who are aligned with the Association to bring our members discounted services and products.
information on these services and products can be found under the Member Benefits section, on the NZCB members’ only Toolshed website, www.nzcb.nz/members/member-benefits/ or by contacting Kirsty at the NZCB National Support Office on 0800 237 843 or kirsty@nzcb.nz.
New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) is proud to partner with the following companies who align with our Association and give NZCB members access to a wealth of expertise and support throughout New Zealand.
COMPANY
National Partners Premium
APL Window Solutions
Bunnings Ltd
Comfortech Building Performance Solutions
Gerard Roofs
PlaceMakers
Red Stag Timber
Resene Construction Systems
WEBSITE
COMPANY
Hilti (New Zealand) Ltd
HomePlus
WEBSITE
www.hilti.com
www.homeplus.co.nz
www.aplnz.co.nz
www.bunnings.co.nz
www.pinkbatts.co.nz
www.gerardroofs.co.nz
www.placemakers.co.nz
www.redstag.co.nz
www.reseneconstruction.co.nz
National Partners Professional
Milwaukee Tool New Zealand
Resene Paints Ltd
Sika (NZ) Ltd
National Partners Standard
Abodo Wood Ltd
Altus NZ Ltd
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions
New Zealand
Bahco
Bowers Brothers Concrete Ltd
Builda Price (2016) Ltd
Connected Spaces
CS For Doors Ltd
CSR Building Products (NZ) Ltd
ECKO Fastening Systems
FMI Building Innovation
Franklin Plumbing and Builders Supplies Ltd
FreeUp
Futurewood
GCH Aviation Ltd
GTEE.co.nz
Harvey Norman Commercial
www.milwaukeetools.co.nz
www.resene.co.nz
www.nzl.sika.com
www.abodo.co.nz
www.altus.co.nz
www.assaabloy.co.nz
www.bahco.co.nz
www.bowersbrothers.co.nz
www.buildaprice.co.nz
www.connectedspacesjoinery.co.nz
www.csfordoors.co.nz
www.csr.co.nz
www.ecko.co.nz
www.aslnz.co.nz
www.franklins.co.nz
www.freeup.co.nz
www.futurewood.nz
www.gchaviation.com
www.gtee.co.nz
www.harveynormancommercial.co.nz
Independent Building Supplies www.ibs.co.nz
INTAKS NZ Ltd
James Hardie New Zealand
JSC Premium Architectural & Building Solutions
Kingspan Thermakraft Ltd
KLC Ltd
Kopine
Laminex New Zealand
www.intaks.co.nz
www.jameshardie.co.nz
www.jsc.co.nz
www.thermakraft.co.nz
www.klc.co.nz
www.kopine.co.nz
www.laminexnewzealand.co.nz
Marley New Zealand Ltd www.marley.co.nz
Marshall Innovations Ltd www.mwnz.com
MiTek New Zealand Ltd www.miteknz.co.nz
My Smart Office Ltd
Open2view
mysmartoffice.co.nz
www.open2view.co.nz
Pacific Steel (NZ) Ltd www.pacificsteel.co.nz
Paslode New Zealand www.paslode.co.nz
Pro Clima New Zealand Ltd www.proclima.co.nz
Productspec Ltd
www.productspec.net
Proven Systems Ltd (DVS) www.dvs.co.nz
Red LBP Ltd www.redlbp.co.nz
Red QS Ltd www.redqs.nz
Rosenfeld Kidson & Co. Ltd rosenfeldkidson.co.nz
Schneider Electric
Simx Ltd
www.pdl.co.nz
www.simx.co.nz
Soudal Ltd www.soudal.co.nz
Superhome Movement www.superhome.co.nz
The Trades Coach
Tile Space
Viking Roofspec
www.tradescoach.co.nz
www.tiles.co.nz
www.vikingroofspec.co.nz
Warmup NZ Ltd www.warmup.co.nz
YourQS Ltd
www.yourqs.co.nz