The Federation’s annual House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards programme, held in association with PlaceMakers, is a world class event – the “Oscars for the New Zealand construction industry”.
The national finals were held in Auckland on October 28, and the night was a stunning showcase of what the industry has to offer New Zealand.
For those not able to be there, the following is my introductory address to the Awards on the night:
The Registered Master Builders House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards honour the work of individual builders and building companies around the country and right across the industry.
It’s exciting – and challenging – times for the New Zealand building industry. The introduction of builder licensing and review of the building code, for example, are but just two critical projects that will set the building scene for the next two decades.
These developments will set benchmarks for national building standards going forward – standards well met if not surpassed by those entered in these Award programmes.
Registered Master Builders are well prepared for these changes. Our bronze, silver and gold quality marks have been setting a benchmark for members since 2004.
This year, we celebrated 16 years of promoting Registered Master Builders and their excellent work through the House of the Year Awards – as well as, more recently, our Commercial Projects Awards.
We have also not wanted to stand still in how the Awards are run. There have been a number of enhancements to the competition in 2006.
This year we introduced a new system of national judging which involved a major new investment by Registered Master Builders in the quality of this programme and ensuring the consistency of our judging standards.
This year, we introduced a new system of national judging. This saw seven national panels travelling the country, judging all homes in their allocated categories.
This involved a major new investment by Registered Master Builders to invest in the quality of this programme and ensuring the consistency of our judging standards.
There have also been changes in the Commercial Project Awards, with enhanced categories, new judging criteria and a focus on the project team.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend our warmest thanks to our judging panels (and, of course, their families) who gave more than 30 days of their time, with minimal recompense, to judge all of our entries.
We will be providing all entrants with a feedback graph of their results at the end of the national competition – a first in the history of the Awards.
This year we saw record numbers of entries – more than 700 – which reflect our members’ commitment to quality services for their customers. It’s no surprise, therefore, that 80% of consumers say they would prefer to build with a Registered Master Builder.
Our members continue to lead the country with quality building and construction – building the largest share and the highest quality.
We will continue to lead the way as we work with the Government and the industry to ensure the upholding of quality building standards and the highest level of technical excellence and business practice by our members, all of which are evidenced in this celebration of excellence tonight.
The Awards are also not possible without the support of a great sponsorship family. We are indebted to the following:
Principal sponsor PlaceMakers; and supporting sponsors James Hardie, GIB Living Solutions, Pink Batts Ultra, Mico Bathrooms, Housing New Zealand Corporation, Nulook, Future-Proof Building, QBE Insurance, Seismic and the Department of Building and Housing.
Finally I would also like to thank the clients – whether home owners or owners of businesses – that worked with our members to produce the stunning homes and buildings that will be showcased this evening.
Congratulations to all those involved in the HOY and Commercial Project Awards programme for 2006.
The Awards programme continues to grow from strength to strength, and we are already thinking through how to lift the game for next year. See you all again in 2007!
