Back In Time

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20 years ago — August 1999:

Members of six more local Registered Master Builders Associations were to have their subscriptions cut by 50% to 60% as their associations were due to centralise day-to-day administrative activities in Wellington.

Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Nelson and Blenheim joined Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury, South Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, Gore and Southland in centralising their admin functions, with Regional Services Officers (RSOs) meeting the needs of members in those areas.

RSOs were being sought for each region, with RMBF chief executive Trevor Allsebrook amazed at the number and calibre of applications being received.

15 years ago — August 2004:

The South Island’s first Mitre 10 MEGA store was opened in Hornby, Christchurch, employing 80 staff and creating up to another 30 jobs in the region. The store offered up to 40,000 home improvement products, and included a drive-through timber yard, garden centre and children’s play area.

Mitre 10 communications head Peter Stewart said the store was opened in response to consumer demand, and would offer specialised knowledge of the local market and a unique range of products.

Mitre 10 was rolling out 20 MEGA stores nationwide over the following three years after opening its first two stores in Henderson, Auckland, and Hastings.

10 years ago — August 2009:

Legislation to speed up the building consent process and reduce costs for builders was passed by Parliament.

The Building Amendment Act 2009, which came into force on August 1, was a practical first step in the Government’s plan to cut red tape.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says the Act signalled a move to more efficient and practical approaches to building, and could lead to better value for money for consumers.

Changes included new national multiple-use approvals, a streamlined process for making changes to building consents, and removal of the mandatory requirement to apply for a Project Information Memorandum (PIM).

5 years ago — August 2014:

Housing New Zealand’s innovative new billion dollar agreement with the contractors who maintain its 69,000 properties took effect.

Housing New Zealand contractors engaged more than 4500 tradespeople who spent two million hours annually performing some 390,000 maintenance jobs on Housing New Zealand homes.

Over the next five years Housing New Zealand was to invest
$200 million a year via its new Next Generation Performance Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC).

Housing New Zealand Property Services general manager Marcus Bosch said the contract pushed customer service and performance to the forefront.

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