While the NZBC-H1/AS1 Energy Balance assessment of Energy Efficiency demonstrates compliance for the purposes of obtaining a Building Consent, a dynamic multi-volume hourly passive thermal simulation of a dwelling’s passive thermal performance in its specific location and orientation is a much more relevant and useful starting-point towards providing a comfortable interior environment for the occupants over time. 

The closure of the Straits of Hormuz due to the current Iran war is causing an oil price response that could be worse than the two oil crisis of the 1970s. That is saying something. The 70s oil shocks caused seismic economic changes that echoed around the world.

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.