Building
Builders lose licences over substandard work
Two builders, in Christchurch and Auckland, have been fined and had their building licences cancelled for substandard work.
Building industry worried by hurried fire rules
New fire rules kick in this week catching the building industry on the hop. New rules will apply to hospitals, care homes, high-rises over 20 storeys tall, stadiums, big transport terminals, buildings… Audio
Builders worried best timber sent overseas
The quality of available timber is declining and builders are worried about its structural integrity, they say.
Builders forced to use 'second-rate' timber
Builders say the quality of available timber is declining and that they are worried about its structural integrity. They say booming log exports mean New Zealand builders are having to make do with… Audio
Horowhenua Council boss defiant over protester's water
A district council chief executive is refusing to turn the water back on at a building occupied by a Maori land protester despite health officials having told him it's illegal. David Clapperton is… Audio
Quake-deficient fixture should be banned - building watchdog
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment wants to ban a construction technique that proved catastrophic during last November's Kaikoura earthquake. Audio
Building regulator Australia for inspiration
New Zealand's construction industry needs help tackling the job of clamping down on poor construction and building regulator MBIE is looking overseas for that help. Audio
'In need' regulator restructures in face of building boom
The country's building regulator admits it needs a major overhaul after years scrambling just to react to leaky homes and the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes.
Eyesore flats can't be demolished
An abandoned Wellington building that's been dubbed an eyesore by locals is going to cost up to $40 million to refurbish after the Environment Court ruled it can't be demolished. Video, Audio
A headset to measure earthquake damage
Building inspectors can assess earthquake-affected buildings quickly and safely thanks to a new augmented reality headset. Audio
Eastcliffe Retirement Village didn't get sign-off
Auckland's upmarket Eastcliffe Retirement Village, has now discovered that along with serious problems with substandard buildings, it also never got the final sign-off by the council. John Gray, the… Audio
Grenfell Tower death toll won't be known for months
UK police say the final death toll in the Grenfell Tower disaster is unlikely to be clear before the end of the year. Our UK correspondent Natalie Powell says residents have been making their own… Audio
Doubt over Govt assurances on building cladding
Councils in Wellington and Christchurch say they weren't asked to check how many buildings are clad in combustible material similar to the Grenfell Tower in London until this week. But official… Audio
Building industry warns of weakness in quality control standards
Tradespeople are warning of widespread weaknesses in quality control standards in New Zealand in the wake of London's Grenfell Tower fire. Audio
Building Ministry asks councils to check cladding in NZ
The Minister for Building and Construction said he'd asked his officials to contact councils and check whether any high-rise buildings in New Zealand have been built using these materials. The… Audio
Call to suspend cladding certification following London fire
In the wake of the fatal tower fire in London an Auckland building consultant is demanding the Government suspend certification of a type of cladding used in this country. Audio
Global sand shortage?
David Owen explores the global business of sand in a rather worryingly titled New Yorker article 'The World is Running Out of Sand'. Audio
Developers, builders crumbling under rising building costs
The building industry is blaming an acute shortage of skilled workers on the sharp recent rise in building costs. Anusha Bradley reports. Audio
Ply in the sky: wooden buildings on the rise
High rise wooden buildings are economic to build, environmentally friendly and much more earthquake resilient than traditional building systems based on concrete and steel, an industry player says. Audio, Gallery
Govt wants new urban authorities to fast track building projects
The Government's proposing to create powerful urban authorities to fast track house construction around the country. It says they've been hugely successful overseas. Audio
