Guide to designing accessible public buildings released

“Access to public buildings is a basic human right and New Zealand building legislation supports this. The Buildings for Everyone guide encourages building owners and designers to consider the needs of all users of public buildings right from the start,” says Jenny...

KiwiBuild releases updated figures

Number of homes contracted and committed: 10,160 with thousands more planned in our Large Scale Projects. Number of homes completed: 47 with 236 more homes under construction Number of homes contracted and committed for completion by 30 June 2019: 293 (Some contracts...

KiwiBuild a ‘massive political distraction’

“The government could lower unit construction costs in many ways, as it is well aware,” former Business Roundtable economist Bryce Wilkinson says in a new research note today. It could ease up on red tape, improve the supply of urban land by removing...

Twyford: It’s going to be tough to meet Kiwibuild target

This week a report found New Zealand is one of the most unaffordable countries in the world to buy a house, with the average price more than six times the median household income. More than six months into KiwiBuild, only 33 homes have been built – well short of...

Subfloor insulation in rentals a costly mistake

Insulation features in “healthy homes” regulations that Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford is expected to impose next month. Under existing law, New Zealand’s 262,000 owners of rental property are required to install both ceiling and underfloor...

KiwiBuild head Stephen Barclay officially resigns

Stephen Barclay, head of the KiwiBuild unit Photo: RNZ / Patrick O’Meara In a statement issued on his behalf, it was announced that he would step down from today. Housing Minister Phil Twyford’s office said he would not be commenting on Mr Barclay’s...