Roughly 30% of business failures in the last year were in the construction sector. It is not the lack of trade specific skills, but the broader knowledge needed for a successful business.

I understand that one of the purposes of the recent review of clause H1 (Energy Efficiency) of the New Zealand Building Code was to address the growing problem of summer over-heating of medium-density housing developments. I am not sure that a significant change has been achieved.

Window & Glass Association's Technical Manager, Rob Campion, shares new guidance on the classification of windows and doors when tested to comparable international standards, looking at the most common classifications from Australia, Europe and America.

Tiled showers in second storey ensuites and multi-unit developments often create design challenges and durability risks to designers and homeowners alike. How can these areas be more durable and remove the risk of leaks or failures in the selected system?

Achieving early weathertightness without compromising compliance or quality remains a persistent challenge on construction sites. Programme pressure, labour constraints, cladding delays, and unpredictable weather patterns increasingly disrupt traditional programme sequencing. Designers are frequently asked to specify envelope systems that not only perform over the building’s service life but also support progress during construction while meeting budget constraints.

While the definition of Restricted Building Work (RBW) has not changed, the way RBW is delivered under the granny flats building consent exemption has.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has updated the settings for compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of clause H1 of the Building Code. These changes follow a review of the H1 settings in 2024, which identified opportunities to better balance upfront building costs and longer-term benefits. 

Detailing of the rainwater outlet penetration — from flange preparation to overflow provision — plays a central role in protecting the building envelope from moisture ingress.

The latest Issue of the EBOSS Pulse released last week offers an accessible framework for understanding where the construction sector sits today — and where it is heading. Structured across four stages (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow and Future), the report tracks completed work, current activity, pipeline intent, and macro drivers.

While the H1 changes have advanced thermal insulation standards, they have not explicitly addressed the criteria for solar control, particularly in New Zealand's warmer regions. This poses a potential risk of clients’ homes overheating, underscoring the need for architects and builders to consider a broader range of glass solutions to mitigate this emerging challenge.