February 2008 Issue

Articles

Low building consents figure a bad omen for first-time home owners

The latest building consents statistics for December 2007 are another indication of New Zealand’s deepening housing affordability crisis, Registered Master Builders Federation chief executive Pieter […]

Minister says good air ventilation is just common sense

Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones says extractor fans are not compulsory, but it makes common sense to ensure good ventilation in new houses. Whangarei […]

Mobile unit brings H&S solutions to construction businesses

Smart Kiwi workplaces are keeping employees safe and saving valuable time in the process thanks to an innovative approach to helping health and safety compliance. […]

Building industry chief executive to resign

Building Research Association chief executive Dr Sunil Vather is to step down from his leadership role after two years. His resignation is effective March 31, […]

Mastering the practical implications of building and construction law

The 6th Annual Building & Construction Law, Disputes & Contract Management Conference — being run by Conferenz, New Zealand’s leading business conference experience — is […]

$13 million refurbishment project completed at Queenstown hotel

A $13 million refurbishment at Queenstown’s iconic Novotel Gardens Queenstown hotel has been completed on time and on budget. Queenstown registered master builders Rilean Construction […]

Land costs the major driver in reducing housing affordabillity

Increasing section prices have been the major factor in reducing housing affordability over the past decade, according to a recently released report from the BRANZ […]

Short on staff, short on skills, short on time!

The construction industry isn’t alone in issues such as staff and skills shortages. An issue faced by all businesses is trying to get more done […]

Voidable transaction provisions of Act allow payment ‘clawbacks!’

A recent High Court decision involved TRC Consultants Ltd, an audio-visual componentry company, which was asked to pay back $55,000 worth of payments received from […]

Yurt 4 U?

In Old Turkic, yurt is the homeland, the dwelling place. For the nomadic people living on the steppes of Central Asia, it described their portable, […]

Become a Future-Proof Builder

You should have heard a bit of talk by now about the concept of Future-Proof Building (FPB). The easiest way to sum it up is […]

Fire up your business for 2008

The BCITO Career Launcher is the newest online tool connecting apprenticeship seekers with employers. Register as an employer Employers must meet certain criteria to take […]

Strong scrap metal demand forces steel price jump

Pacific Steel Group has advised customers it will be increasing the price of all its steel reinforcing and wire products by 12%, effective from March […]

Informative steel housing link now up on SCNZ site

The Steel Construction New Zealand Steel in Housing web page allows members to view a quick selection of steel beams, posts and footings compatible with […]

CPD scheme introduced by steel company

In an effort to support the ongoing education of architects, Dimond has become involved with the New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Continuing Professional Development scheme. […]

NZ’s sustainability problems: a backgrounder

Who is Beacon Pathway Ltd? Beacon is the vehicle chosen by a number of like-minded organisations that are working to find affordable, attractive ways to […]

New insulation requirements mean smarter living

New insulation standards being required across New Zealand over the next year will mean warmer, healthier and cheaper-to-run homes. The new requirements are the most […]

Strong case for improving New Zealand’s unsustainable homes

New Zealand homes are cold, damp, unhealthy and inefficient. They contribute to poor health, increase environmental impacts and take money out of our pockets. However, […]

Sustainable building — more to it than meets the eye

It is universally agreed that focused sustainable living is now imperative to the survival of the human race. Population growth in the past 50 years […]

New ratings system makes energy efficiency visible in homes

The Home Energy Ratings now available to New Zealand home owners will, for the first time, make the energy efficiency of a home easily visible […]

Challenge and personal satisfaction a goal for young Registered Master Builder

Wellington carpentry apprentice Matt Sharp says the key to a successful career is to “love what you’re doing”. The 25-year-old from Whitby, who was named […]

Restful ambience a credit to Mainzeal

Mainzeal Construction South Island operations manager Graeme Earl says winning both the RMB 2007 Commercial Project of the Year and the Health Project Award for […]

Sustainability categories added to House of the Year competition

New Zealand’s largest building awards programme has just become bigger, and even more focused on the country’s drive to become a sustainable economy. The Registered […]

Call for judges for 2008

Would you like to be a judge in New Zealand’s premier building awards programme this year? The Registered Master Builders 2008 House of the Year […]

What price variations?

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year. I hope you are refreshed, and by now it will seem like any holiday was […]

Top 8 picks for 2008

I thought I would do something different for this first Building Today Chief’s Chat for 2008. I think this year will be different from past ones (in […]