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.

As we deal with a wide range of builders across NZ, I’m often asked “What are you seeing?”. The general feel that I’m getting is that the industry is more positive but that businesses aren’t yet seeing it in their books. But it was much the same at the end 2024 and into 2025. Will 2026 be any different?

During the summer holiday, while I was driving about the North Island, I was aware of the continuing popularity of Black as the colour for exterior walls and roofs of recently built dwellings and terrace housing.

The challenge with H1 is that the underlying concept of thermal performance is quite complex. Surprisingly small things can tip a design over from passing to failing. Or costing a lot more.

Meeting the requirements of E2 ch 7.4 will ensure that your design offers a compliant level threshold solution, negating the need for any specific design. Avoiding alternative solution designs will assist in a smoother consenting process and reduce RFI responses.