The economist says the market's cyclical. The politician says they've got a plan for that. The builder just wants to know who's paying the invoice. Turns out all three were right: it is cyclical, there is a plan — and yes, someone's paying. Just not before 2027!

The New Zealand construction sector is currently navigating global volatility and domestic uncertainty. Insight from industry leaders suggests that the industry is at a critical inflection point, driven by a conflict in the Gulf, shifting consumer confidence, and the looming political realities of an election year.

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.

There's been a lot to keep up with in 2025 — from consent exemptions for granny flats and the removal of the schedule method, to recognition of overseas certification and mandating that 80% of building inspections be complete within 3 days. We've brought together the key changes in a single blog post so you can make sure you're up to date as we head into 2026. 

As 2025 draws to a close, the EBOSS Pulse Report offers a detailed snapshot of New Zealand’s construction landscape: where we’ve come from, what’s underway, and what lies ahead. By examining the data through four lenses — Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, and Future — the report paints a clear picture of a sector finding its footing again after the Covid curveball.

I’ve highlighted the major takeaways from each section and what they mean for the year ahead.

This year’s EBOSS architect sentiment report highlights that the industry continues to struggle but some businesses are starting to see improvements — and are even looking to hire new staff in the next 12 months. Could these positive signs mean we are at, or close to, the bottom of the cycle? 

The EBOSS 2025 Builder Sentiment Report, funded by the BRANZ Building Research Levy, brings together significant data from a June survey of 431 New Zealand builders. The data reveals that New Zealand’s construction sector remains under significant pressure, however, many builders are adapting to the realities of a weaker market, and a looming skills shortage is set to create new opportunities for apprentices as the industry recovers.

Looking at our 2024 Specifier Insights research from a survey of 1,499 architects, designers and builders, we can see that cost is a growing concern. 

Looking at our 2024 Specifier Insights research, we can see that the shape of architectural practices has changed over the past two years — there appear to be more architectural practices than ever before, with more architects now working solo, and more practices diversifying by taking on commercial projects.

The key challenge will be designing systems for both the recognition of overseas standards and product certification schemes where, for many products, the expectations of performance are universal, but there are some unique situations in NZ that may mean some products are not appropriate.