Backroom workers of the RMBF

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The Commercial & Contracts Committee is an extremely hard working — and longest standing — committee of the Registered Master Builders Federation. It is made up of RMBF individual members, employees of member companies or past members still willing to pass on their expertise and to advise us on issues such as health and safety, standards, best practice, government policies and contracts. 

This group includes highly experienced lawyers, quantity surveyors and builders who, collectively, cover a broad range of experience and expertise. They are a well respected group and represent a combination of the diverse range of fields within the construction industry. 

They willingly donate hundreds of hours of their time every year to ensure RMBF members’ interests are looked after. They also ensure that any documentation or advice made available is not only user-friendly but is technically and legally sound. 

The committee meets four times a year at the RMBF national office in Wellington. As well, committee member sub-groups are sometimes involved in lengthy — sometimes over a two-year period — contract documentation negotiations with the likes of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and Standards New Zealand. 

The group is renowned for promptly responding to copious e-mails circulated on a whole range of issues which are raised between meetings. The sharing of information is remarkable. For example, RMBF in-house Counsel Neil Shaw was asked by a member if he had anything on file regarding a carpenter job description. 

A quick e-mail asking C&C members for help resulted in two major companies forwarding comprehensive details within 30 minutes of the e-mail being sent. Where else would or could this happen? Only in Registered Master Builders Federation I say. 

Members of the committee include Brian Nightingale (chairman), David Beard, Frank Allen, Peter Fehl, Gavin Clyne, Robert Finley, David Baker, Bob Hall, Brian McGuinness, Ross Walker, Jim Hagarty, Kathy Gatfi eld, Mary Haggie, Neil Shaw and Ashley Hartley.

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