Understanding your obligations under Part 4A of the Building Act 2004 — consumer rights and remedies in relation to residential building work.

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 relationship between architects and roofing contractors doesn't have to be adversarial — but too often, the conditions we create make it that way. At this month's RANZ Conference, architect Dave Strachan spoke candidly to a room of roofers about what good collaboration actually looks like. Reading back through his insights, there's as much in it for us as there is for them.

It is a common misconception to think that only the main contractor or company needs to meet compliance obligations when a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) is working as a subcontractor. This misunderstanding can result in significant legal and professional risks.

Since 25 October 2022, the Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP) code of ethics has established clear and consistent standards for professional conduct in the building industry.

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.

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. 

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.