The wonder of wood

from Build & Renovate Issue #34

by Academy Group

Home on the range

By Megan Dunn

The construction industry is one of the largest in New Zealand, and one of the most lucrative.

It contributes greatly to our economy and is an essential sector for growth and prosperity in our nation.

Statista New Zealand reported that the GDP contribution of the construction industry reached over 16.6 billion New Zealand dollars in the year ended March 2020. In the first quarter of 2021, over 170 thousand people were employed in this industry; a significant increase from just a decade prior. According to The World Health Organisation, climate change is the biggest health threat facing humanity today and without serious intervention on a global and community level the effects — which we are already seeing some of today — will soon become unavoidable as they have the potential to collapse our very security on earth. Everyone has to play their part in reducing their personal environmental footprint however, when industry heavyweights commit to combatting climate change, this sets the precedence for a sustainable future and reflects back positively on the community and nation as a whole.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has set a timeframe, saying that we need to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030, if we are to steer clear of a range of climate change impacts. Information collected by the New Zealand Green Building Council states that Emissions from the construction industry have increased by 66 percent in the decade from 2007 - 2017.

Furthermore, New Zealand’s built environment is responsible for 20 percent of the country›s carbon footprint.

If reduction to the emissions associated with the building and construction sector is successful, this has the ability to not only contribute largely in meeting the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, but also significantly improve the health and wellbeing of Kiwis all over the country. Timber is the most sustainable building material that is currently available in the industry. Majority of residential homes in New Zealand are constructed with timber, which is fantastic, however in larger commercial buildings, steel and concrete are still dominantly the materials of choice.

The Ministry of Primary Industries published a summary of some of the benefits of using wood in construction, incorporating industry feedback: • Wood is sustainable, renewable, and generally less energy-intensive to process compared to other construction materials, including concrete and steel.

Wood is an available resource that is biodegradable and easy to dispose of

• Through its ability to store carbon, wood is essential in transitioning New Zealand to a carbon-neutral economy • The long-term locking away of carbon dioxide in the form of buildings is recognised in international climate agreements for carbon accounting. This means the more trees New Zealand can convert into buildings, the greater our contribution to climate change targets will be.

With resources, knowledge and industry backing becoming more prevalent around the positive use of timber in the industry, it is hoped this will facilitate the greater use of the material in jobs outside of the residential sector.

Rangiora Scaffolding

Rangiora Scaffolding Limited is a local scaffolding business based in Rangiora, the largest town of the Waimakariri District in the Canterbury region.

Rangiora Scaffolding specialises in new builds, but also accommodates all kinds of scaffolding wants and needs, from working platforms to edge protection. Services also include but are not limited to: residential and commercial buildings with new and existing builds, building maintenance, exterior painting, construction, inspections, development, installations, repairs, maintenance, and rebuilding. The team is full of experienced, knowledgeable, and supportive people ready to help anyone with their scaffolding desires. The team also offers quality workmanship, uses prime materials, always works hard on the job, and communicates fast and efficiently with their customers. They are always there to get the job done and can help customers with their scaffolding construction needs whenever they need help. process is very simple. Anyone who tries to get in contact with Rangiora Scaffolding Limited will come to realisation that they are in the right hands! So, why not enquire with Rangiora Scaffolding Limited today.

Interested in getting in touch with Jason and his team?

Head to the Rangiora Scaffolding Limited Facebook page here for more information:

www.facebook.com/ rangiorascaffolding

On the Rangiora Scaffolding Facebook page, people will be able to find a little description of the company,the community, various photos of previous projects done in the region, and Jason’s contact details.

To get in touch, call Jason on 027 436 6901 or email at

jas.rangiorascaffolding@xtra.co.nz.

The team looks forward to meeting new customers, seeing their regulars again, and helping customers with their scaffolding needs. Be sure to contact Jason first to talk about any enquiries.

Customers have always had good things to say about the company, so people can feel at ease knowing this company, which has been running since 2015, is a trusted and well-recognised business in Rangiora. The business is run by a very hardworking and experienced director Jason McDonald whom locals may already know. The team can ensure customers will receive help and advice on what needs to be done right away, as the team is always super-efficient when it comes to letting their customers know what is going to happen and what to do next. The team is great at outlining a plan and ensuring their customers are okay with everything before they go ahead with the project. They are passionate about their jobs and provide their customers with the best solutions and outcome.

Whether a project is big or small, customers can rest assured the team is reliable and competent. Health and safety requirements are always taken into consideration. The team ensures all systems, procedures, and team members are suitable for the job and follow all the regulations.

To highlight more about what Rangiora Scaffolding Limited has to offer, the company’s prices are super affordable, any materials that are used are of a high-standard, advice given by team members is exceptional and easy to understand, and the

Customers have always had good things to say about the company, so people can feel at ease knowing this company, which has been running since 2015, is a trusted and wellrecognised business in Rangiora.