Is the construction boom over? Building costs stabilising House prices to rise 5%
April - May 2024
Creating a healthy workplace starts with a solid foundation for wellbeing – the overall physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social health of people. A positive culture, increased productivity, higher staff retention, and better health and safety outcomes are just some of the benefits that come from making wellbeing a key focus of an organisation.
Leading health and safety organisation Site Safe New Zealand is on a journey to work with the construction industry to shift the approach to wellbeing in the workplace and set people up for success with the tools and resources they need to support wellbeing.
Since the release of a 2019 research report conducted by Site Safe into suicide in New Zealand’s construction industry, there has been acknowledgement from industry that mentally healthy and well workplaces have benefits for both health and safety and business success.
“We know how important it is to destigmatise the idea of looking after ourselves, especially in our industries who have typically had more of a ‘toughen up’ attitude when it comes to our wellbeing,” says Brett Murray, Site Safe New Zealand Chief Executive.
“We already work with key partners like MATES in Construction and Hato Hone St John to provide resources and training courses focusing on mental health in the industry, but we knew there was more we could do to support our industry and members, and in particular
Setting up for success with a solid foundation for wellbeing
small organisations who don’t have the financial resources to invest in this area.”
This year, Site Safe has partnered with Ignite Aotearoa to give Site Safe members free access to their
are evidence-based, easy to access, flexible and affordable, with a focus on partnering with workplaces to enhance employee wellbeing.
Site Safe are also investing in the wellbeing of the industry by sponsoring a
online platform and a large range of mental health and wellbeing resources, information, and workshops.
Ignite Aotearoa is a social wellbeing enterprise backed by Emerge Aotearoa – one of New Zealand’s largest independent mental health and social service organisations. Ignite Aotearoa’s mental health and wellbeing offerings
number of one-on-one support sessions so members can try out one of the services offered by the platform. Ignite Aotearoa hosts over 100 different providers, including financial advisors, human resource consultants, occupational therapists, dietitians, social workers, counsellors, psychologists, and more.
“80% of our members are
small businesses who may not have ready access to tools and resources that support workplace wellbeing,” explains Murray. “We want to support our members to create a solid foundation for wellbeing by giving them access to a wide range of information and support that suits their needs.”
“Both our organisations have strongly aligned values,” says Murray. “Like us, Ignite Aotearoa believe New Zealanders should be able to access mental health and wellbeing support whenever they need it.”
By being proactive and getting support, employers can set a positive example for workers. Being open, honest, and free of judgement is a sure way to ensure people feel comfortable speaking up and ask for help when they need it.
To learn more, visit https://www.sitesafe.org. nz/news--events/news/ new-member-benefit-igniteaotearoa/
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Previous CostBuilder construction cost updates in the Covid-19 era showed the cost of building a standard three-bedroom home increased by an average of 20.9% in the year ending June 2022, and by an average of 9.5% in the year ending June 2023.
“Since the onset of Covid-19, we’ve seen some very rapid building cost inflation. I’m pleased to say this is now firmly on the downward trend, reflecting a somewhat improved economic outlook internationally and the easing in many of the global supply chain difficulties that arose throughout the pandemic,” said CostBuilder spokesperson and quantity surveyor Martin Bisset.
“However, there is still an abundance of economic and political uncertainty that could still impact construction costs in the future – including the Israel-Hamas conflict and the ongoing disorder on the Red Sea.”
More than 10,700 rates were updated in CostBuilder’s February update, producing roughly 25,000 changes to the data across six centres, with trade rates falling by 0.1%. This included a decrease of 28% for T&G plywood flooring panels and a 4% fall in diesel prices.
Elemental rates increased by 0.2% on average since CostBuilder’s last update in December. The cost of ceiling finishes increased by 0.7%, structural walls increased by 0.6%, and exterior walls/exterior finish also went up 0.5%.
“There are no significant reasons for these increases, but some are related to a small increase in the labour rate. Fuel costs have come down, inflation is in decline,
Home building costs rising but at slower rate
A The average cost of building a home in New Zealand’s main centres has increased by 0.3% this quarter and 5.2% since February 2023, a much smaller percentage to recent years.
and increased migration is helping to fill labour shortages, which is helping to keep most costs in check,” Mr Bisset said.
“It’s important to remember these figures are averages and the cost of building will always be dependent on the level of finishes, internal layout, and all manner of other elements, including whether or not a home has a single or double garage.”
CostBuilder is an online subscription-based building cost platform, powered by state-owned enterprise Quotable Value (QV), with a database of more than 60,000 rates across Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
It covers everything from the building costs per square metre for warehouses, schools, and office buildings, to the approxi-
mate retail supply cost of GIB and more than 8,000 other items, plus labour rates, labour constants, and more.
In a change to previous years, CostBuilder will now have four major updates a year – February, May, August and November – with monthly updates in-between.
Graphic Designer Rachel Loo rachel@infrastructurebuild.com
The average property value across NZ now stands at $930,495, up 2.8% from September’s trough, but still 10.8% below the recent peak.
Most of the main centres were relatively subdued in February, with Hamilton, Tauranga, and Christchurch seeing marginal 0.1% rises, while Dunedin and Auckland ticked up by 0.2%. Wellington saw a stronger 0.6% rise in February, but that was after a below-average result in January.
CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson, says given that mortgage rates remain high and property sales volumes through January remained at near record lows, buyers and sellers are still taking their time and this is flowing through to more subdued value growth.
“For new entrants to the housing market, there are still significant challenges in terms of saving the deposit and satisfying loan serviceability criteria. Investors are also facing challenges from high mortgage rates too, while even existing owner-occupiers looking to move up the ladder still need to assess their finances closely.
“While the official cash rate remains on hold for now, the risk of a further rise in the short term hasn’t dissipated altogether, and the likelihood of official cash rate cuts aren’t on the table for the foreseeable future either. This will mean shorter-term fixed mortgage rates, such as the one and two year loans, could remain elevated for a while yet.
“As a result, we could continue to see mixed results across the housing market, with localised factors affecting each region and stretched affordability con-
CoreLogic predicts 5% rise in house prices this year
Property values have risen for five consecutive months, however the pace of gains slowed to 0.3% in February –has the housing market at last stabilised into a period of slow and steady growth?
tinuing to restrict growth in property demand and therefore price growth too,” he said.
CoreLogic House Price Index
National and Main Centres
Auckland In February
Auckland’s sub-markets were relatively bunched, with the
exception of North Shore (-0.8%) and Auckland City (0.7%). Over the past three months, each market has seen property values rise, with Manukau up at a 3.5% gain, while Franklin has just edged back into positive territory on a 12-month comparison (0.1%).
“Auckland’s market has clearly picked up from the lulls seen over 2022 and for much of last year as well, but even though popula-
tion growth is strong, the challenges from stretched housing affordability and high mortgage rates remain firmly in place. It’ll be another fascinating year for our largest housing market,” Mr Davidson said.
Wellington
After a softer month in January, there might have been a bit of ‘catch up’ growth around Wellington in February. Each of the
sub-markets saw values rise at least 0.5%, with Lower Hutt and Kapiti Coast rising by 0.8%. In Porirua and Lower Hutt, values are
lower than February 2023.
“Wellington’s data over January and February is a good illustration of wider market trends at present
across most of the country in 2024,” Mr Davidson said.
Regional House Price Index results
now about 2% higher than a year ago, although other parts of Wellington are still
– one month softer, one month stronger. This could well be a dominant pattern
Outside the main centres, many of the key urban areas also saw muted value
change over the month, ranging from a -0.4% dip in Rotorua and Hastings, to a 0.5% rise in Whanganui.
Mr Davidson noted that the clear exception continued to be Queenstown, which recorded a 0.9% rise in February, taking its quarterly gain to 3.8%, and the annual rise to 7.8%.
“At present there’s just no stopping the Queenstown property market. Wealth must be playing a key role, with housing much less affordable or accessible for anybody without that accumulated equity and instead relying on their local income,” he said.
Property market outlook
“Housing market sentiment has improved a little in recent months, and we’re anticipating growth in national sales volumes of about 10% this year, with prices potentially rising by around 5%. But that’s coming from a low base, and the averages could also mask quite a bit of regional variance, with the main centres boosted by stronger population growth, yet some other areas perhaps held back by affordability concerns,” Mr Davidson said.
“It will also be worth keeping an eye on each of the various buyer groups. First home buyers are still enjoying market conditions for now, using KiwiSaver for at least part of the deposit, and making full use of the low deposit lending allowances at the banks. By contrast, mortgaged investors remain a bit quieter. However, they’re a group to watch closely in the coming months, as tax and lending regulations shift.”
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House prices back on the rise
The housing market’s slow but steady recovery continues, with all bar one of New Zealand’s main centres recording an increase in average house prices this last quarter, QV’s latest figures find
The latest QV House Price Index for January 2024 shows the average home increased in value nationally by 2% this last quarter to $925,461, representing a faster rate of growth than in the three months to the end of December, but still slightly slower than in October and November. The national average value is now just 1% less than at the same time last year.
Only Invercargill (-0.6%) posted a small average
home value reduction this quarter, following six consecutive months of growth. Otherwise 10 of the 16 main urban areas we monitor recorded more growth in this index than in the last one, with Queenstown (4.4%), Christchurch (3.4%), and Dunedin (3.1%) experiencing the largest gains on average this quarter.
QV operations manager James Wilson says the housing data continued to be volatile in some areas of the country where a rela-
tively low number of sales had still been occurring.
“It doesn’t take much change in activity to increase or decrease the value performance of some of our less populous regions, but the overall trend is the housing market is slowly but surely strengthening.”
“Over the last few months there’s been a pretty major shift in mindset. Many prospective buyers are now thinking that things can only get a bit better this year when interest
rates eventually reduce and interest deductibility is reintroduced for investors, so they’ve been cautiously returning to the market in slowly increasing numbers, trying to get ahead of any further price rises,” Wilson says.
He said widespread predictions of a possible drop in shorter term mortgage rates later in the year and only a small recent rise in unemployment would likely reinforce this perception.
“You can’t underestimate
how powerful a shift in the prevailing mindset can be. Confidence is rising, even as financial and economic pressures are continuing as they have been for some time.”
“After a brief stalling in home value growth over the holiday period, it looks increasingly likely that residential property values in New Zealand will broadly continue to follow the same trend they left off in October and November last year, with slow but steady growth overall, as well as a likely uptick in activity throughout February and into March.”
“Outside of our largest cities, I expect that we’ll still see some fluctuations from month to month, with patchy, often variable growth – especially where continued high immigration is less of a factor and activity is low – but once again the overall picture is of a slowly strengthening housing market,” Wilson says.
Northland
Home value growth has remained relatively steady across the wider Northland region.
The latest QV House Price Index shows the region’s average home value increased by 2.7% to $741,535 in the three months to the end of January 2024. It’s a small increase in our rolling three-month average from 2.3% at the end of December.
At the district level, the average home value in the Far North increased by 4% to $706,200. Whangarei experienced half as much growth at 2% for the quarter – the average home value is now $738,671 – and Kaipara wasn’t far behind with the average home increasing by 2.2% to
$851,686.
Auckland
Auckland’s residential property market continues to slowly strengthen.
The average home value has increased by 1.1% to $1,291,387 throughout the January quarter – down on
slowed this quarter.
The city’s average home value increased by 2.2% to $1,028,042 in the January quarter, down from the 3.3% growth reported for the December quarter. The average value is still 2.5% less than the same time last year.
Local QV registered valuer
the 1.9% quarterly growth recorded back in December. The largest gains have occurred on the North Shore (2.7%) and in Manukau (2.1%).
The Super City’s average home value is still 2.2% lower than the same time last year.
Local QV registered valuer Hugh Robson commented: “Sales volumes and home value growth is somewhat down on the November and pre-Christmas period, as is typically the case at this time of year, but the market remains buoyant and its slow-but-steady recovery is ongoing.
“We should see a steady increase in activity throughout February and March. In the meantime, well located and tidy homes are continuing to attract strong interest.”
Tauranga
Tauranga’s average rate of home value growth has
of living pressures, high-interest rates, low consumer sentiment, and affordability constraints, homes are still selling.”
“Housing demand has been increased by high migration. The tight rental market has likely incentivised renters to transition towards homeownership if they can afford it,” he added.
Meanwhile, the regional market has also continued to strengthen on average this quarter – most notably in Waikato District (3.2%) and in South Waikato (2.8%).
Taranaki
Home values have risen across the Taranaki region this quarter.
Meghan Crowe commented: “The start of the year has started off slower than expected. However, it’s still being predicted that we’ll see an uptick in sales volume and values over the next 6-12 months, if interest rates lower.”
Waikato
Home values continue to slowly build back up in Hamilton.
The city’s average residential property value increased by 1.8% to $789,770 – a slight increase from the 1.1% quarterly growth reported in our previous QV House Price Index – but remains 2.2% less than at the same time last year.
Local QV property consultant Marshall Wu commented: “The housing market has started the year with a similar trend to where it left off in 2023, with values generally trending higher and recovering from the downturn. Despite ongoing cost
The largest quarterly increase was in New Plymouth, where the average home value increased by 2.6% to $715,862. But South Taranaki and Stratford weren’t far behind, with values also increasing by averages of 2.1% and 1.4% respectively since the end of October.
Hawke’s Bay
Both Napier and Hastings have kicked off 2024 with a small amount of home value growth.
Napier’s average home value increased by 0.9% in January and 1.9% this quarter to reach $760,471. That figure is 2.1% less than the same time last year.
Hasting’s average home value also increased by 0.5% in January and 2.5% this quarter to reach $796,561. That figure is 0.6% higher than the same time last year.
Palmerston North
Home values continue to
gently rise in Palmerston North.
Residential property values have risen across the city by an average of 1.5% this quarter – down on the 2.4% quarterly growth reported in our previous QV House Price Index – with the average home value now sitting at precisely $645,273.
Local QV registered valuer Olivia Betts commented: “The overall statistics have continued to show a steady upward movement pattern since mid-2023. This has come after a significant drop in house prices. Over the past 12 months we are also now seeing a slight increase.”
“Interest rates have been more stable over the last three to six months, which provides a level of assurance to purchasers. Affordability is still a significant concern though,” she added.
Wellington
The Wellington region continues to experience relatively steady home value growth, with one exception this quarter.
The average home value increased across the wider region by 2.8% throughout the three months to the end of January 2024, with all local districts bar Porirua (-0.2%) recording upward growth. Hutt City and Kapiti Coast recorded the largest quarterly home value gains on average at 3.8% and 3.5% respectively.
Local QV registered valuer Blake Ngarimu said the average home value across the region was now just 0.2% lower than at the same time last year.
“The market is still currently dominated by firsthome buyers trying to get into the market before values increase any further, which means they are having to take on higher interest rates in the meantime. Listings have also signifi-
cantly increased across the region, which is also likely to put a damper on major value growth, with prospective buyers having more options to choose from.”
“Though interest rates appear to have peaked, we’re unlikely to see any major home value increase until interest rates start to ease, which is speculated to be towards the end of 2024,” Mr Ngarimu added.
Nelson
Nelson recorded a modest increase in average home value this quarter.
The city’s average home value increased by 0.4% in the January quarter – down from the 1.5% quarterly home value growth recorded in the previous QV House Price Index – with the average value now sitting at $774,435. That figure is now 3.4% lower than at the same time last year.
QV Nelson/Marlborough manager Craig Russell
commented: “We are seeing a continuation from the trend that emerged near the end of last year, with the market stabilising and increasing market optimism. Open homes continue to attract good numbers –particularly for properties under the $800,000 mark – but interest rates continue to be a major barrier for many purchasers.”
West Coast
Home values continue to strengthen at a relatively rapid rate on the West Coast.
There continues to be heightened volatility in the local QV House Price Index data due to relatively low sales volumes, with the average value of a home in Grey District increasing by 7.4% throughout the January quarter to $410,715.
In nearby Buller ($353,584) and Westland ($433,305), the quarterly rate of home value growth
has been slower at 4.3% and 3.3% respectively, but this is still well above the national average of 2% growth for the quarter.
Canterbury
Value levels have increased across much of the Canterbury region.
The QV House Price Index shows residential property values have increased across the overall Canterbury region by 1.9% for the 12 months ending January 2024. This is an increase from the 0.2% growth shown for the 12-month period ending December 2023.
January’s quarterly figures show the region’s average home value increased by 2.9%. This is a small increase on the 2.3% growth recorded in the previous index, with all districts experiencing positive growth, except Mackenzie.
In Christchurch, the average home value increase was 3.4% this quarter, which is a sizeable increase on the 2.5% quarterly growth reported in the previous QV index. The average home value is now $765,104, which is 2.1% higher than the same time last year.
The wider Christchurch region also experienced positive growth this quarter, with the average value in the Waimakariri and Selwyn districts increasing by 1.6% to $711,750 and 2% to $838,606 respectively.
Local QV registered valuer Rod Thornton commented:
“With regards to Christchurch and surrounding districts the latest quarterly index figures are positive and reflect the latter months of 2023, when we saw a general trend of increased buyer interest and value increases following
a slowdown of the market and easing of values around late 2022 and early 2023.”
“What the next few
the same time last year. Home value levels have also increased across the wider Otago region by an
months will bring is unknown. However, the market since Christmas still appears to be in a positive mode despite higher interest rates and cost of living concerns still being present.”
average of 3.9% for the January quarter – a small increase on the 3.3% quarterly growth reported back in December. Just Dunedin is showing negative growth on an annual basis, with Waitaki (1.8%), Central
Otago
Dunedin’s average home value has increased for the fifth straight month.
The latest QV House Price Index shows the value of the average home in the city increased by 3.1% to $633,474 this quarter, including by 1% in January. The average home value is now just 0.9% lower than at
modation due to seasonal work and fixed term rental agreements.”
“Demand has continued to be strong in the Catlins Coastal areas and smaller coastal settlements east of Milton,” she added.
Queenstown
Residential property values are up once more in Queenstown.
The average home value increased by 4.4% to $1,807,282 throughout the January quarter – an increase on the 3% quarterly increase reported at the end of December 2023.
Queenstown’s average annual rate of home value growth is currently 7%.
Invercargill
Invercargill recorded a small reduction this quarter. The city’s average home value reduced by 0.6% to $466,898 throughout the three months to the end of January 2024.
“This quarterly decrease follows six monthly increases in a row and may be an anomaly due to the Christmas holiday break,” said QV registered valuer Andrew Ronald.
Otago (4.2%), and Clutha (1.5%) all in the black.
Local QV registered valuer Rebecca Johnston commented: “Local real estate agents have noted that people are looking to relocate to areas such as Taieri Mouth due to its desirability and coastal appeal. The smaller provincial towns have seen less interest –although there is a current shortage of rental accom-
“There is still much less demand now compared to early in 2022, especially for properties within the $600,000 to $1,000,000 range. While there is still healthy demand from first-home buyers, only a limited number of investors are currently active in the market – although this is expected to change with the restoration of interest tax deductibility rules.”
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Real estate listings up but sales down
REINZ’s January statistics show that while there are significantly more properties on the market, buyer activity has slowed
January is usually a slower month for the completion of sales in New Zealand and this year is no exception with 2,995 properties being sold, Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) Chief Executive Jen Baird says.
While this is 4.9% more than January 2023, the increase in listings is a stronger indicator that the market continues to pick up. Listings increased by 10.4% nationally and 5.4% for New Zealand, excluding Auckland, year-on-year.
The biggest increases in listings compared with the previous month were seen in Wellington at 148%, followed by Gisborne at 84%, Canterbury at 81%, and Auckland at 76.8%,” says Baird.
The total number of
properties sold increased in January, rising by 16.0% year-on-year for New Zealand, excluding Auckland. Ten regions, including the bigger markets of Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Northland, had higher sales counts
this January compared to January 2023.
The national median sale price has slightly decreased from December 2023, down 2.5% from $779,830 to $760,000. Yearon-year, there is a slight decrease in the national median price by 0.7% from $765,000 to $760,000, while New Zealand, excluding Auckland, is down by 2.1% month-on-month (from $700,000 to $685,000) and up year-on-year by 0.8% (from $680,000 to $685,000).
The data shows regional variation in median sale prices, with Northland topping the scale with a 21% increase month-onmonth from $630,000 to $762,000, and a 10.8% increase year-on-year from $687,500 to $762,000. Meanwhile, Auckland’s median sale price has fallen under the $1 million mark again this month, for the fifth time in a year, to $975,000 – however this is still 3.4% more than a year ago.
“Despite the wave of listings favouring buyers, the challenges of last year, including the cost of living, inflation, interest rate changes, and government reforms, mean some buyers remain cautious. However, most regions are reporting more buyer activity across the board, with some seeing a particular surge in first-home buyer interest. Vendors are also being confident but realistic with prices as activity increases over the summer months. This is likely to resolve in inventory moving over the coming more active months in the year, “adds Baird.
“With changes to the debt-to-income ratios coming, REINZ data will be helpful indicators for buyers to see when to buy in a
developing market.”
One area of significant change that has widespread support across the property sector is the Residential Property Managers Bill. This regulation provides much-needed structure to a sector that collects rent from 670,000 tenants and manages billions of dollars in assets for everyday New Zealanders. As disincentives are removed, this is important regulation to monitor as it may change market activity, inviting investors back or to refresh their portfolios, making more housing available for those who are not in the market,” comments Baird.”
“2024 is shaping up to deliver a series of changes and shifts in dynamics for the market. The property sector is expecting the new government to make good on its promises to reduce the bright line back to two years and reintroduce interest deductibility on investment properties, changing the dynamics of the property market again.”
The HPI for New Zealand,
which stood at 3,660 in January 2024, showed a 0.4% increase compared to the previous month and a 2.2% increase for the same period last year. The average annual growth in the New Zealand HPI over the past five years has been 6.0% per annum, and it is currently 14.4% below the peak of the market in 2021.
National highlights for January 2024
• The national median sale price shifted slightly month-onmonth, down 2.5% from $779,830 to $760,000. Year-onyear, there is a slight decrease in the national median price of 0.7% from $765,000 to $760,000.
• The total number of properties sold across New Zealand in January 2024 increased 4.9% yearon-year to 2,995 and decreased 44.1% month-on-month from 5,357.
• The number of listings increased both nationally (+10.5%) and for New Zealand excluding Auckland (+5.4%) year-on-year. Month-on-month listings increased by 52.2% nationally.
• The total number of properties for sale has increased this month to 27,261, up from 24,867 in December 2023, a 9.6% increase. Year-on-year saw a 1.7% decrease.
• Median Days to Sell increased by 14 days month-on-month and decreased by 4 days year-on-year.
• The REINZ House Price Index (HPI) for New Zealand showed an annual increase of 2.2% in the value of residential property nationwide.
Regional highlights
• Auckland’s median sales price has dropped below the $1 million mark, shifting
for the 5th time over the last year.
• Northland’s median sale price increased 21% month-onmonth from $630,000 to $762,000, and increased by 10.8% year-on-year from $687,500 to $762,000.
• The biggest increases in listings were seen in Wellington at 148%, followed by Gisborne at 84%, Canterbury at 81%, and Auckland at 76.8% compared to December 2023.
Median Prices
• Over half (10 of 16) regions had year-onyear price increases with Bay of Plenty leading the way with a 45.3% increase. This is the highest number of regions with a yearon-year increase since August 2022.
• With Auckland, four of seven territorial authorities had positive year-onyear median price movements, with Rodney District the strongest at +17.1%,
followed by Papakura City at +10.2%.
• With Wellington, four of eight territorial authorities had positive year-onyear median price movements, with South Wairarapa District leading the way with +21.2%, followed by Masterton District at +20.6%.
• Manawatu-Whanganui has recorded 20 consecutive months of year-on-year median price decreases for the first time since records began.
• Bay of Plenty has recorded its first yearon-year increase since August 2022.
• Hawke’s Bay has recorded its first yearon-year increase since August 2022.
Sales counts
• January 2024 saw the lowest sales count in
• Auckland, * Gisborne, * Hawke’s Bay,* Nelson* since records began.
• Tasman* since September 1999
• West Coast* since January 2016 *since the COVID lockdown affected April 2020. Aside from that month
Median Days to Sell
• Nelson had its highest median Days to Sell since July 2000
• NZ, Auckland, and Canterbury had their highest median Days to Sell since February 2023
• In terms of January, January 2024 had the highest median Days to Sell in
• Nelson since 1996
• Auckland since 2009
• Northland since 2011
• Taranaki since 2018
House Price Index (HPI)
• No regional HPI records this month.
• Eight regions had year-on-year HPI increases this month with Otago now only sitting 1.9% below its peak achieved in December 2021.
• Otago is the top-
ranked HPI year-onyear movement this month. Wellington is second and Southland is third.
Inventory
• Ten of 15 regions have had a decrease in inventory in January 2024 compared to one year prior.
• Northland has had 22 consecutive months where its inventory has been at least 15% higher than the same month the year before.
• Conversely, Gisborne has had 10 consecutive months where its inventory has been at least 20% lower than the same month the year before.
Listings
• Eight of the 15 regions had a year-on-year increase in listings.
• Marlborough has had 7 months in a row of year-on-year increases in listings.
• Gisborne has had 13 months in a row of year-on-year decreases in listings
Auctions
• Nationally, 6.0% (181) of properties were sold at auction in January 2024, compared to 13.7% (734) in December 2023 and 3.6% (104) compared to January 2023.
• Auckland Region saw 14.7% of properties (117) sold by auction for January 2024, a 72% increase compared to January 2023 and a 70% decrease from December 2023
This sector stands as a cornerstone in Oman's developmental journey, spearheading infrastructure projects ranging from expansive road networks to modern airports, ports, and railways.
The nation's burgeoning population has sparked a surge in residential construction, while its strategic geographic location has transformed it into a bustling commercial hub. Consequently, Oman boasts a flourishing commercial real estate sector, catering to the needs of both local enterprises and international businesses with state-of-the-art facilities.
Underscoring its commitment to economic diversification, the Omani government has made substantial investments in the construction sector, bolstered by initiatives such as Tanfeedh and Vision 2040. Embracing sustainability as a guiding principle, Oman has adopted green building practices aligned with global standards, thus ensuring responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
Moreover, Oman's construction landscape is witnessing a technological renaissance, with innovations like Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolutionizing traditional methodologies. These advancements not only enhance operational efficiency but also drive down costs, making projects more economically viable.
With an estimated construction market size of $6.82 billion in 2024,
Project Oman Exhibition 2024: Paving the Path for Construction Innovation
Situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has emerged as a beacon of economic growth, propelled largely by its vibrant construction industry.
Oman's construction sector stands as a beacon of opportunity and growth. Against this backdrop of optimism and progress, Project Oman, the 3rd International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition, is set to return from October 21 to 23, 2024, at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC Muscat). This premier event serves as a platform to spotlight investment opportunities in Oman's construction sector while fostering international trade relations with prominent local market entities. Bringing together
key stakeholders including project owners, specifiers, manufacturers, and industry experts, Project Oman will showcase cuttingedge building materials, products, and equipment essential for major projects across Oman.
Building upon the success of its previous edition, Project Oman 2023 welcomed over 120 exhibitors and attracted 7,450 visitors from 23 countries. This year's event promises to surpass expectations, offering unparalleled networking opportunities, insightful discussions, and access
to the latest innovations in construction technology and materials.
As Oman charts a course towards sustainable development and economic resilience, Project Oman 2024 stands as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and growth in the nation's construction sector. Join us in shaping the future of Oman's built environment and unlocking new avenues for progress and prosperity.
For more information about Project Oman, visit www.project-oman.com
Construction activity to fall after reaching peak
A government report shows that construction activity hit its peak following an increase in demand after Covid-19, but is now forecast to drop back to prepandemic levels
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has published the National Construction Pipeline Report 2023 providing a projection of national building and construction activity for the six years from December 2022 to December 2028.
MBIE commissions the National Construction Pipeline Report, which is jointly prepared each year by the Building Research Association of New Zealand
(BRANZ) and Pacifecon (NZ) Ltd (Pacifecon), this is the 11th annual edition of this report.
There are four key findings in the report this year:
1. Construction activity returns to 2020 levels: Overall activity in the sector is forecast to experience a short-term decrease, returning to levels similar to 2020, and remain steady at that level before increasing from 2028.
2. New dwelling
consents returning to more sustainable levels: The number of building consents issued in the last year suggest we have passed the unprecedented post-covid demand and are realigning with more usual levels of fluctuations.
3. Strong pipeline of work: The forecast value of non-residential building work remains steady over the reporting period, this is supported by recent increases and a projected
value peak in 2023.
4. Strong infrastructure pipeline: Recovery from the extreme weather events in early 2023 and works to increase resilience throughout the country are key drivers in a projected increase in infrastructure works. The value of infrastructure work is expected to reach a new high in 2026 and remain steady from that point onward.
Key points by activity type
Residential
• The report forecasts a reduction in residential building activity to a more sustainable level of demand that aligns with the sectors capacity to deliver buildings ready for occupation.
• Over 200,000 homes are forecast to be consented over the next six years, almost half of which are expected to be multiunit dwellings.
Non-residential
• The report forecasts the value of nonresidential building activity to reach a modest high in 2024 and remain steady and consistent throughout the remainder of the forecast period.
• Commercial, education and health building activities make up three quarters of nonresidential projects expected to start in the next year.
Infrastructure
• The report forecasts the value of infrastructure building activity to steadily increase to a new high in 2026 and remain steady at that new level, largely driven by the extreme weather rebuild and increasing resilience throughout the country.
• Nearly all of the infrastructure projects expected to start in the next year are transport, water and subdivision activities.
Key points by location
Auckland
• Almost half of the building consents in the forecast period are expected to be in Auckland. The region is forecast to experience a decrease in activity over the forecast period, however, it will remain the largest market for building and construction in the country.
Waikato/Bay of Plenty
• Overall building activity in Waikato and Bay of Plenty is expected to have small fluctuations. Non-residential activity is forecast to remain stable and the decrease forecast in residential activity is expected to be offset overall by the increase in infrastructure activity.
Wellington
Infrastructure building activity in Wellington is expected to see good growth over the forecast period. The increased value of infrastructure building work is forecast to support the decreased value in other areas and allow the region to start and finish the forecast period with similar overall construction values.
Canterbury
• Residential and nonresidential building activity have seen significant growth over the last few years in Canterbury. Expectations over this forecast period see the region decrease overall to levels similar to before this growth. Infrastructure
and non-residential activity is expected to remain steady with modest increases in infrastructure activity towards the end of the forecast period.
Otago
• Building activity in Otago has been strong and consistent since it was separated from the Rest of New Zealand reporting category in 2020. In the short-term forecasts show a continued increase in non-residential and infrastructure building activity, all areas are expected to decrease before moving back into growth towards the end of the forecast period.
Rest of New Zealand
• The ten remaining regions in New Zealand are reported combined under the ‘Rest of New Zealand’ reporting category. Infrastructure building activity, largely related to the extreme weather events recovery and building resilience to future events, is expected to increase and support the regions overall given an expected reduction in residential building activity.
Analysis
The aim of the report is to provide awareness of the expected pipeline of work to support the sector’s strategic planning, investment in skills and equipment and coordination of construction procurement to meet the sector’s future needs.
“Having foresight into
these areas could help mitigate uncertainty and allow for better preparedness across the sector,” says Michael Warren, Manager System Strategy and Performance.
“Several indicators show that the unprecedented post-covid demand for residential building, which saw record numbers of building consents issued, is alleviating and significantly reducing the demand on the sector.
“The overall activity forecast is positive, shortterm reductions across various measures in the report suggest activity fluctuations in the sector are being less affected by COVID-19 and returning to a more usual pattern.
“Residential building activity is forecast to return to levels that align with the sector’s capacity to deliver buildings ready for occupation, settling the sector into a more sustainable level where supply and demand is much closer than it has been in recent years.
“Recovery from the extreme weather events in early 2023 and works to increase New Zealand’s resilience to future weather events, have resulted in a forecast for strong growth in the infrastructure pipeline over the next few years and strong activity in the regions where we expect to see this building activity commence.
“There are strong non-residential and infrastructure pipelines of work including works supporting education, health, fresh water, transport, and subdivisions creating space for future residential and nonresidential building activity.”
WorkSafe has published a prohibition for the sale (including an offer to sell), and use (including installation) of the Serene Classic S2068 wall mounted bathroom heaters, pursuant to Regulation 87 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010.
Serene S2068 heaters manufactured in March 2021 have a manufacturing defect. There have been several fires and overheating events associated with these heaters.
There is a significant risk of people being seriously harmed and property being damaged from electricity going through these heaters.
The prohibited S2068 heater is described as:
• Wall mounted fan heater with step-down thermostat with pullcord on-off switch, for fixed-wired installation in bathrooms and similar locations
• Mirror polished stainless steel metal shell with die cast grille
• Dimensions: 300 mm wide, 210 mm high and 110 mm deep.
The prohibited S2068 heaters have a serial number in the following ranges:
• VH145173 – VH147003
• VK154294 – VK160567
• WF167045 –WF168874
We are actively engaging with known suppliers and known locations that have the heaters available or installed to stop selling or using the heaters.
We also want to inform consumers who may have this appliance in their home, and potential suppliers such as stores and tradespeople, of what they need to do.
Other Serene bathroom heaters
WorkSafe bans wall-mounted heater
WorkSafe has prohibited the sale and use of Serene Classic S2068 wall mounted bathroom heaters, which it describes as being unsafe
We are also aware of two other Serene bathroom heater models, the S2069 and S207T, that we recently had tested, and did not comply with required safety standards. We are actively considering what further action needs to be taken in respect of these products.
If you have a bathroom heater on your property
• Check if your heater is a Serene model S2068 with a serial number in the range listed above. You will find this information on the top side of the unit when mounted on the wall.
• If you have this heater, do not use it.
• If it is installed in your property, get an electrical worker to make it safe by isolating it from the electrical
supply, or contact your landlord to arrange this, and they can dispose of it safely.
Simon Gallagher, National Manager, Consumer Services at MBIE:
The Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) guarantees that products must be of acceptable quality, including safe to use. Where a product is unsafe — or doesn’t meet mandatory product safety requirements — you have the right to a refund, repair, or replacement. MBIE suggests consumers who have this heater return it to the supplier they purchased it from to discuss the most appropriate remedy under the CGA.
More information on consumer rights on unsafe products | consumerprotection.govt.nz
If you are a supplier of heaters
The Serene model S2068 with a serial number in the range listed above cannot legally be sold.
We are working with MBIE to reach out to known suppliers.
Simon Gallagher, National Manager, Consumer Services at MBIE:
MBIE are aware of the issues found by WorkSafe with the Serene S2068 appliance and are working with WorkSafe and the retailers of the product to discuss what they can do to ensure the safety of their customers. As part of this work, MBIE are encouraging these retailers to undertake a voluntary recall.
Read the Gazette Notice
Gazette notice correction of the serial numbers
CONCRETE
SLABX200 is EXPOL’s new generation high performance Expanded Polystyrene Board specifically designed to deliver high compressive strength and improve insulation under concrete slabs.
It delivers an uncompromised compressive strength of 200kPa @ 10% deformation and exceptional Insulation Values.
Specifically engineered for residential and commercial projects, its high performance gives engineers and specifiers peace of mind while increasing the thermal performance of a building.
SLABX200’s durable nature means it will not degrade over time, keeping its integrity for the life of the structure.
SLABX200 waste is actively recycled into other EXPOL products
SLABX200 - the product of choice for specifiers and the construction industry.
Learn more about SLABX200 visit www.expol.co.nz Call or email our Technical Manager; T: 0800 86 33 73 or E: tech@expol.co.nz
Hard work gets results
The success of Rapid Facility Services is driven by a team that combines experience, commitment and a professional skillset that covers every aspect of facilities management with personal service
The team was forged by three friends working in the industry who realised that the key thing stressed building managers, business owners and landlords needed was to make a single call and get a reliable and qualified support team that would cover any aspect of facilities management.
The Rapid trio set down a business philosophy that “we will do what others can’t or won’t do “ and set about assembling a highly trained, efficient and safety-conscious team of professionals who get the job done right, the first time.
Today that service stretches from food manufacturers’ audit cleaning, all aspects of industrial cleaning, painting, building and floor safety management to anti-microbial and moss
Having worked in the industry for many years, three friends, Paul
and Andrew Chan realised that by combining their skills, they could create a company unlike any other
and mould treatments to prevent surface damage to roofs, ceilings, walls, floors and specialised equipment.
Schoch, Robyn Schoch
Team members Darren, Brandon and Akeli
BEX Asia 2024: Powering Innovation and Partnership in Asia's Built Environment
Join us for 3 days of Unlimited Learning, Business Networking & Sourcing at Southeast Asia’s Leading Built Environment Expo
SINGAPORE, 22 July
2024 – The Built Environment Expo Asia (BEX) 2024 is gearing up for a landmark return from 4 - 6 September at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. As the leading Built Environment Expo, it promises to be a dynamic hub that brings together industry professionals, thought leaders, and innovative companies shaping the future of
Asia's built environment. BEX Asia 2024 caters to the specific needs of the region’s markets, while also boasting a strong international presence. The event features dedicated pavilions like Ontario, Canada; China, and Singapore, alongside exhibitors from countries/ region including Japan, Korea, Denmark, Australia, France, Canada, Malaysia and Oman. “BEX Asia 2024 is a timely and crucial
platform for industry professionals in the region.
This year's exhibition positions itself as the leading market intelligence platform for the built environment industry that presents the transformative trends that are reshaping the region. We look forward to witnessing advancements in robotics and prefabrication technologies, alongside the continued evolution of digital design solutions,”
said Yeow Hui Leng, Group Director, RX Singapore.
“BEX Asia will also foster a dynamic environment where participants can forge strategic partnerships and network with the vibrant startup community — ensuring they are positioned at the forefront of building a more sustainable and resilient future for our cities.”
A Hub of Innovation
BEX Asia 2024 serves as a central platform within IBEW for industry professionals from across the region to discover a wealth of cutting-edge and market-ready solutions for all aspects of the built environment ecosystem. This year's event will feature:
• New Innovations in Action: Uncover the cutting-edge solutions that are shaping the future of the built environment. Companies such as ebm-papst, for instance, are showcasing an IoTbased solution to regulate indoor air quality and energy efficiency in real time based on occupancy, outdoor conditions and other factors. Camfil will be highlighting the importance of proper restaurant ventilation, emphasising its benefits for health, business, and air quality management. Yitac will be launching a state-of-the-art system for ensuring optimal performance, heightened energy savings, and sustainability in air conditioning. Additionally, PestBusters will be showcasing their scientifically proven solution for eradicating termite colonies.
• Experience the Future of Building with Industry Leaders: Immerse yourself in a diverse array of groundbreaking solutions from leading companies through onsite product
demonstrations and successful projects implementations. This includes the latest advancements that have set a new benchmark for innovative sustainability solutions, zeroemission construction equipment, fully integrated facility services, and a variety of other fields integral to the built environment sector. Explore the exhibition floor through curated delegation tours led by experts or at your own pace.
smarter and more efficient solutions. Digitalisation and modern technologies such as AI emerge as powerful catalysts for change, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in both environmental responsibility and operational effectiveness. Daikin is passionate about leveraging these advancements by developing cuttingedge solutions for our industry partners. Events like BEX Asia 2024 provide a valuable platform
• Knowledge-sharing Opportunities: Gain insights from thought leaders and experts through informative masterclasses on the latest trends and technologies, such as “Revolutionising Building Management with Abound: The Future of Smart Solutions”, presented by Carrier and “AI in Construction: What's Possible?” delivered by Bimage Consulting.
• Startup Pavilions: Discover innovative construction workflow solutions from startups like Millipede. Additionally, explore the latest advancements from rising stars in robotics and automation, smart construction solutions, green energy, as well as machine learning-based predictive analytics platforms that are supported by HKSTP, ConTech Exchange, and IESINCA. “The built environment is evolving rapidly, demanding
to showcase these advancements and collaborate with industry leaders. We're excited to share our vision for the future of intelligent and sustainable climate control solutions, which includes iPlant Manager and the new MARUTTO — an integrated platform that gives unprecedented control over HVAC systems, no matter where they're at,” said Swen Tan, Senior Manager, Sustainability Lead, Daikin. Other Key Highlights
• SGBC Seminar: Explore firsthand the innovative advancements and practical solutions shaping sustainable building practices. Attendees will also earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points while learning from industry experts at the Singapore Green Building Council's dedicated seminar programme.
Register Today Registration for BEX Asia 2024, a cornerstone of the prestigious International Built Environment Week (IBEW) 2024, is now open. Visit www.bex-asia.com for more information and to register.
Number of women in construction doubles since 2013
There has been a significant increase in the number of women joining the construction industry, however, they are still significantly underrepresented, making up just 15% of the trades and construction industry
When Rebecca Gornall, Health and Safety Manager at Mansons TCLM Limited, first started her role in commercial construction six years ago she was one of the only females on site.
“Now there are a number of full-time female workers across all the sites I visit. This grows each year which will help with industry
culture because it still has its traditional stereotypical construction tag. It’s a tough industry and there’s no political correctness involved.”
Gornall, whose father, brother and partner are in construction, is encouraging more females to join what she says is an exciting and dynamic industry.
“Every day you go to a site
it’s different and constantly changing. It’s an incredibly dynamic and exciting environment – and that’s what I love about it, no day is the same.”
At the moment, the industry is made up of about 250,000 men and 40,000 women. Though the number of women is almost double what it was in 2013, for on-the-tools work, women are further
underrepresented at just 4% of the workforce.
Lynne Hill, Safety Adviser at Site Safe New Zealand, is looking forward to the day when construction is not seen solely as a man’s job. Before working in construction, Hill served in the Air Force for 40 years.
“It never really entered my mind that construction was a male-dominated industry after the time I spent in the
Air Force because there were women in combat, women pilots, and women doing a whole range of work,” she says.
However in construction, Hill says there is the occasional perception that if there are females on site, a male is going to have to carry their load.
“I beg to differ. I have seen some males that can’t carry as much as I can. Women are going into construction with their eyes wide open. They’re not blind to what construction is like and at the end of the day, I think you’ll find most women just get in there and do a great job.”
Hill says women simply being in the industry is helping change the culture.
“It is changing from the harden up and don’t cry culture to helping people. It’s all about being approachable. I just wish there were more women in construction. The more
we get, then the better the culture will be. There will be less back chat, and it will become a normal environment for women to be, somewhere they can be themselves.”
Melissa Campbell, Health and Safety Manager from construction company LT McGuinness, has worked in construction for 14 years.
“For a long time, the biggest challenge for me was getting people to take me seriously as a young female in a management position. But the old school mentality around women being in construction is changing dramatically.”
She says companies are now looking to women for unique skills that brings something different to the industry.
“A mix of cultures and ages are important and together with gender diversity, it brings the chance to challenge each other, to be competitive,
and to innovate and bring new ideas into the fold.”
Gornall says while a number of business industry leaders and managers are looking to employ more women, she is still a true believer in employing the right person for the job.
“It’s not about employing more females to catch up to the male dominated industry. It’s very much who is right for that role and the right fit for the team. I have worked alongside a number of women in construction, we definitely have unique skills, a real passion and a different way of thinking that has huge benefits for the industry.”
Construction safety and site management platform, HammerTech, takes the same approach. Chief Executive Ben Leach says HammerTech hires staff based on who it believes brings the right skills, experience, and perspective
to a role.
“We don’t hire women because we need to hit a specific quota. However, it just so happens that about half of those hires are women.”
This year, to highlight how important women are to the industry, HammerTech is sponsoring the Women In Construction scholarship at the Site Safe 2024 Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Awards.
“In construction, women bring diversity not just through gender, but through critical thinking and leadership style. Employment opportunities are on the rise, career pathways are increasing, and the value of diversity is becoming more recognised in what has traditionally been a male dominated industry,” says Leach.
Chemical safety relies on meaningful cooperation
Expanding government-industry partnerships to help business operators should be a no brainer. Inviting enquirers to read the regulations falls well short of educational expectations
Barry Dyer Chief Executive
Responsible Care NZ
Today, chemical suppliers and their customers continue to adjust to the Covid operational environment.
They struggle with supply chain delays, the loss of experienced staff, frustration with unanswered queries to risk-averse authorities, inflexible and prescriptive regulations, rising compliance costs, diminishing resources and increasing public chemical safety expectations.
While 130,000 businesses are reportedly captured by the Hazardous Substances and Major Hazard Facilities regulations, the official mantra of “600-900 persons seriously harmed each year by unwanted exposure to chemicals in their workplace” presumably applies to all of the country’s 530,000 workplaces.
Increasing community concerns about vulnerability to unwanted chemical exposure and damage to our fragile environment places additional pressure on both suppliers and users of the chemicals.
We all need to sustain and improve our quality of life and these products must be safely managed throughout their life cycle.
Downgrading the flawed but effective HSNO Certified Handler requirement has inadvertently undermined an invaluable capability.
The action deprived businesses, particularly SMEs, of an immediate and recognisable source of workplace chemical safety and compliance advice -- a safe chemical handling capability and emergency response knowledge – critical when a chemical incident occurs.
PCBUs and SMEs must now devise their own solutions to ensure employees are competent to safely handle the chemicals with which they work.
Chemical industry leaders are moving away from relying on lagging indicators of safety performance in favour of identifying safer work practices and work-
places, by responding to workers’ suggestions about improvements.
Conscientious business operators can add value by sourcing accurate, cost-effective workplace chemical safety advice and compliance tools from their suppliers, industry partners and Responsible Care NZ.
A proven strategy is government agencies collaborating with proactive industry associations to best achieve workplace safety aspirations. The problem is that SMEs rarely join associations.
However, they all obtain their chemical requirements from suppliers and can benefit from product stewardship advice and cost-effective industry compliance initiatives.
Responsible Care NZ extols less regulation in favour of enabling business operators to be increasingly self-sufficient, using cost-effective products and services such as site compliance assessments and specialist training.
The focus is keeping people safe around the chemicals we encounter every day by adding value to businesses.
Responsible Care is a global voluntary chemical industry initiative developed autonomously by the chemical industry for the chemical industry.
Chemical suppliers continue to help customers achieve workplace chemical safety aspirations through product stewardship initiatives.
To help solve the in-house chemical compliance dilemma in New Zealand, Responsible Care NZ delivers specialist and cost-effective Certified Handler standard training, complete with a certificate.
Responsible Care NZ site compliance assessments are non-threatening, effectively capturing and assessing chemical safety performance in a variety of workplaces.
SLABX200 is specifically designed to deliver high compressive strength and improve insulation under concrete slabs.
Developed by trusted Kiwi insulation experts EXPOL, this exciting new innovation has quickly become the product of choice for specifiers and others in the construction industry.
Why do I need to insulate the concrete slab?
Slab insulation is important not only to save on energy bills for future owners and tenants, but also to improve comfort.
Insulation will reduce heat loss and make the slab easier to heat. It offers a layer of projection against moisture and will provide a thermal mass to regulate temperatures.
If embedded floor heating is incorporated in a concrete slab-on-ground, the slab must be insulated so that heat from the slab is delivered up into the space above and not lost to the exterior and ground below.
Wayne Watson Technical Manager EXPOL doing a visual check of SLABX200 to ensure it meets EXPOL’s high technical specifications.
Kiwi innovation leading the way in concrete slab insulation
A new generation of Expanded Polystyrene Board insulation has arrived
What makes SLABX200
different?
We chatted to Wayne Watson a Structural EPS and GeoFoam Consultant at EXPOL to see what makes SLABX200 different.
Wayne told us that due to its compressive strength rating of 200Kpa there is no comparable product on the market. He states “SLABX200 is specifically designed for insulating concrete slabs.
It has a rating of 200kpa at 10 percent compression or 20 ton per square meter.
Its high performance specs are designed to give Engineer’s peace of mind so that they can recommend this product with 100 percent confidence”.
The team at EXPOL recognised that there was nothing on the market that offered a cost-effective yet high performance solution to concrete insulation.
So they set about to develop a product with New Zealand residential and commercial projects in mind.
The durable nature of SLABX200 means that it won’t degrade over time, keeping its integrity for the life of the structure.
Due to the lightweight nature of Expanded Polystyrene the product is also easy to handle and install making quick work of slab insulation on site.
How does this product compare to Healthy Homes standards?
The Healthy Homes insulation standards across New Zealand states than underfloor insulation should have an R-Value of 1.3 or
greater.
With several thicknesses available SLABX200 ranges from an R-Value of R 1.5 at 50mm thickness through to an impressive R6.0 at 200mm thickness.
Therefore, all thicknesses offer R-Values over and above the standards to ensure healthy and efficient homes.
How does this product work in my sustainable building project?
The team at EXPOL are committed to the environment. In a true closed loop process 100 percent of manufacturing waste is recycled in their seven recycling plants nationwide.
Expanded Polystyrene offers great eco credentials and at the end of a products life it can be turned into other EXPOL products.
The high performance of the SLABX product also ensures that your building project is sustainable to heat and cool and therefore leading to less energy consumption over the life of the building.
If you’d like to learn more about the SLABX200 product, the team at EXPOL are happy to have a chat. Visit their website on www.expol.co.nz or give the Technical Manager at call on 0800 86 33 73.
A growing success in the Christchurch hotel market
Quest Apartment Hotels has opened its fourth Christchurch property as it continues to grow its portfolio in New Zealand and Fiji
Located at 93 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, Quest on Kilmore is opposite the Christchurch Town Hall. A quick walk to the restaurant strip of Oxford Terrace, Quest on Kilmore offers its guest’s a central location. As well as the 42 rooms, Quest on Kilmore has a meeting room that can easily cater to 20 people.
With Quest on Kilmore being its 43rd property in its New Zealand and Fiji portfolio, Quest Apartment Hotels (NZ) continues to defy economic challenges, Chief Operating Officer Adrian Turner says. This growth has been
planned for a while and there will be more to come, he says.
“The opening of Quest on Kilmore in Christchurch is the last of the four properties we have planned for Christchurch. It will support Quest Cathedral Junction, Quest on Manchester and Quest on Cambridge and provide much needed inventory for the Christchurch market especially since the opening of Te Pae, Christchurch’s new convention centre.
“We are already seeing many advance bookings from both our existing corporate clients as well
as our new clients to experience the Quest boutique apartment hotels.”
Operated by Aaron and Lucie Carpenter, Aaron was the Commercial Manager at Quest Corporate Office who had been with Quest for nearly 11 years and the couple are really looking forward to opening this new property.
“I have been with Quest since 2013. I was the Commercial Manager at Quest Corporate Office and when an opportunity came up of the possibility to take on a brand-new property, we knew we wanted to do that, and the rest is history,” says Aaron.
“I am trying to get my head around being on the other side of the business now and we have lots to learn but we are very excited for what is to come. We look forward to strengthening the Quest network in Christchurch and nationwide and working closely with the other Quest properties in Christchurch.
“We are currently in the process of getting set up and plan to provide a great stay with exceptional customer service to guests. We will be ready to welcome you very soon” says Aaron Carpenter.
New Zealand, we’ve got some exciting news
STAY IN THE HEART OF CHRISTCHURCH
Our brand-new Quest on Cambridge is opening this November. Enjoy introductory rates from $135 per night for stays from 15th November 2023 to 14th January 2024*.
SUSTAINABILITY IS HERE TO STAY
We’ve replaced almost all single-use plastic shampoo, conditioner and bodywash bottles with dispensers - removing 3.68 tonnes of plastic out of circulation. We’re also recycling old soap bars into new ones together with Soap Aid.
