NZGBC appoints new chairman

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The New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) has announced Robert Lang as the new chairman to its board of directors.

 

Taking over from Patrick Fontein, Mr Lang will work closely with NZGBC chief executive Jane Henley to continue to accelerate the development and adoption of market-based green building practices in New Zealand.

 

“As we mature as an organisation, the board continues to be integral to our success in ensuring we are providing value to the industry, and to continue to inspire organisations to demonstrate leadership in the emerging green building market,” Ms Henley says.

 

Mr Lang brings a wealth of property experience and knowledge from his ongoing primary role as chief executive of AMP NZ Office Trust (ANZO), she says.

 

As New Zealand’s largest listed investor in prime and A-grade commercial office property, ANZO has a portfolio of 15 properties in the Auckland and Wellington CBDs, with a total value of more than $1.6 billion.

 

Mr Lang says the NZGBC had already fulfilled a number of important objectives, notably the launch of a new building rating tool, with a rating tool for existing buildings currently being piloted and an industrial building rating tool under development.

 

As a result, New Zealand has its first four office buildings with 5 Green Star ratings, representing New Zealand leadership and providing a tangible commitment to the value and the potential of sustainable building principles.

 

“Over the next few years, we can look forward to many more developments across the different property types as rating tools are completed — industrial, education, health and residential, for example,” Mr Lang says.

 

“While we are conscious of the need to make these tools available to the market as soon as we can, we also need to ensure the integrity of what we provide.”

 


High number of projects 

Since its formation in 2006, the NZGBC has seen significant support for Green Building across the sector by the market. This is reflected in the current high numbers of registered Green Star Office projects equating to approximately 372,000 sq m of office space, or 12% of the total office stock within Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

 

The council has focused on meeting the huge demand for more rating tools within the Green Star suite. Some 80 members are currently participating in the development of five new rating tools.

 

Mr Lang says green building practices are readily accepted in New Zealand, and the NZGBC will continue to lead the way in reinforcing the business case — the measurable benefits — to government, councils, planners, developers, occupiers and investors.

 

Mr Lang added that the NZGBC’s membership base of more than 300 organisations represents a broad spectrum of interests, including central and local government, universities, architects, engineers, consultants and building owners.

 

“Our links with the Australian and World Green Building Councils are another important aspect which we will continue to develop.”

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