What’s going on in the building game.

Frustration over a lack of facilities has forced South Wairarapa District Council to install temporary loos in Featherston during an upgrade worth $308,000.

Oliver Wooles from the Auckland region has been named the 2026 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year. Lachy Hughes from the Taranaki & Whanganui region came second. Dokyun (DK) Kim from the Central & Upper South Island region came third. Nine regional champions reached…

David Mahon assesses the China-US relationship, and says China needs to refine relations with big and small powers as it strives to build economic expansion based on internal consumer demand

A tribunal dismissed a Wellington homeowner's claim against Viking Roofing, but she plans to file an appeal.

In part three of our series on small businesses, we look at how diversifying a business can help owners navigate an uncertain market.

Degree apprenticeships and access to student loans and allowances are among the changes proposed in a new Skills Group white paper. It calls for an overhaul of New Zealand’s apprenticeship system. The Future of Apprenticeships argues that after years of structural change to…

New survey data shows cocaine use spreading as the price falls. Researchers say New Zealand is still in the “honeymoon” phase, and most people who use it have jobs. Cocaine has long been the drug New Zealanders read about happening somewhere else. The latest data says that’s…

Oliver Wooles from the Auckland region has been named the 2026 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year. Second place went to Lachy Hughes from the Taranaki/Whanganui region, with Dokyun Kim from the Central and Upper South Island region taking out third. Wooles, employed…

Review: Here’s what you do when you live in a borer-riddled, ramshackle cottage two streets back from the beach and can’t afford a new build.

The cost of building a new house in New Zealand rose 1.7% in the September quarter, the fastest quarterly increase since late 2022. That’s the finding of Cotality’s Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI), released on 8 October. The quarterly rise picked up from increases of…

How to judge the right moment to wind up, and who actually gets paid when you do. Most owners know the number before they say it out loud. There’s a point where a business stops being a going concern and starts being a hope, and the person closest to it is usually the last one…

Hawkins New Business Manager – North, Olivia Pearson, says achieving sustainability wins at the very start of a project comes down to better planning, and involving builders and subcontractors early enough that their experience shapes the design, not just the delivery. Projects…

National Road Carriers has begun its 90th year representing New Zealand’s road freight industry, with a year of events and stories planned to mark the milestone. The anniversary programme started on 5 October 2026. From 29 owner-carriers to a national voice The association was…

The Employment Relations Authority found Christchurch firm Gregg Builders unjustifiably dismissed Dylan Allison after 12 years of service.

Household wealth fell in the June quarter as lower land and investment values outweighed gains in buildings, deposits and pensions.

More than nine in 10 New Zealand drivers whose vehicles have touchscreens say they have been distracted using them, according to a survey that raises questions about whether screen-heavy car interiors are competing with the road for drivers’ attention. A poll by fleet safety…

Construction costs have edged higher again, even though the price of GIB and some other commonly used materials has come down. QV CostBuilder’s latest update shows trade rates rose by an average of 0.2% in September, with a wide spread of individual product movements pulling…

Designed by prominent Wellington architect William Gray Young, the building was awarded the New Zealand Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 1932

Image: One of Dryden Construction’s two Euclid 16TDTs photographed at the building of Wellington Airport in the mid-1950s. These austere-looking beasts are the reason that I became captivated with earthmoving machinery. I can still hear the sound of their twin unmuffled GM 6-71…

Image: Mack trucks on display at the NZ Heavy Haulage Conference, courtesy of the Gerard Dauldry Collection. Associate Minister of Transport James Meager told delegates at the Heavy Haulage Association’s annual conference that recent permit changes don’t generate big headlines…

The new President of Civil Contractors New Zealand, who’s been in civil construction since he was 18, wants everyone to know just how good the industry is and is seeking to make it a sector where anyone can thrive, writes Natasha Jojoa Burling. Isaac Construction Chief Executive…

Image: The former editor of Contractor Alan Titchall, seen here after receiving a Service Award from Civil Contractors New Zealand in August. Alan Titchall was employed at Contrafed Publishing between May 2007 and May 2026 as an editor and, later, the Managing Editor. Alan looks…

This year, Contractor magazine celebrates 50 years of being a voice for the civil construction sector. During this time, many magazine labels have come and gone, but Contractor has endured. This is testament to its quality, relevance and to the sheer determination of a small but…

It is a great honour to present this issue to mark Contractor magazine’s golden anniversary. I wonder if the founders imagined this magazine would endure for 50 years. It’s certainly unusual for a publication to last for that long, especially in the hands of the same…

The recent Master Builders-led Constructive 2026 conference has chief executive Ankit Sharma describing it as the best Constructive yet. He explains why . . . Two days at Constructive have left me feeling optimistic about what this sector can do next. We brought industry…

Principals and contractors benefit when projects are delivered efficiently, commercial relationships are preserved, and resources are focused on project completion rather than disputes. Geoff White and Samantha Plows of law firm Greenwood Roche identify some of the common causes…

New Best in Build awards are designed to recognise excellence across the building products and supply sector, shining a spotlight on the businesses, teams and individuals helping to drive the building industry supply chain forward. The New Zealand building industry has always…

The council told Iqbal Hudda he needed a building consent for the work, but he didn’t get one.

Years spent gaming may be giving some young New Zealanders an unexpected head start in the modern trades, as automation, robotics and digital technology transform traditional workplaces. Industry training organisation Competenz has coined the term Joystick Trades after hearing…

Mele Terepo supplied false wage records for a construction labour hire firm, where only 15 of 163 PAYE returns filed were accurate.

Building Today is now available from the following 170+ outlets nationwide. Be sure to pick up your latest copy today or, alternatively, you can subscribe here: https://buildingtoday.co.nz/subscribe Northland Carters Kaitaia, 4 Dunn Street, Kaitaia PlaceMakers Kaitaia, 41…

From stadiums and hotels to university campuses, autonomous building technology is shaping how New Zealand’s places perform for the people who use them. On a buzzing night at Eden Park, most people are focused on the action in front of them. At Horizon by SkyCity, guests are…

Construction costs have edged higher once again, despite a small reduction in the price of gib and some other commonly used building materials. QV CostBuilder’s latest update shows trade rates increased by an average of 0.2% in September, with a wide range of individual product…

Master Builders company Livingstone Building has backed home-grown leadership to steer its next phase, appointing Ash Burkhart as chief executive officer of the $200 million-plus family-owned construction company. Burkhart moves into the role after 18 months as general manager…

Image: CCNZ Wellington Wairarapa Branch Chair David Philipson congratulating Vic Draper. The Wellington Wairarapa Branch of Civil Contractors New Zealand has recognised the outstanding career and contribution of Branch Life Member Vic Draper, who has recently retired from the…

Image: The Titan leadership team is excited to see the company grow. From left: General Manager Vaughan Clark, Chief Financial Officer Mark Ngan Kee, Business Development and IT manager Bruce Whiley, Operations Manager Owen Whiley and Managing Director Jan Coton. Titan Cranes…

Proving aggregate quality properly, before the surfacing goes on, protects the whole pavement and everyone’s margin in it, writes Arne Corrie-Johnston, Civil Contractors New Zealand Technical Strategy and Engagement Manager. The problem Here is a question that reaches CCNZ…

Image: The works included internal welding, jointing, seepage pipe connections, annulus grouting, flange construction and reinstatement, all completed while managing live water conditions and restricted access. A project demonstrating practical problem-solving, technical…

The Construction Growth Foundation (CGF) is a charitable trust dedicated to supporting the future of New Zealand’s construction industry. Through scholarships, grants and industry initiatives, CGF helps builders and construction professionals develop their skills, advance their…

Infrastructure developer and investor Plenary Group has expanded its Asia Pacific footprint, opening its first office in New Zealand. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Plenary CEO Paul Crowe, chief investment officer Patrick Lauren and other senior executives at an event…

Grammar Group expands multi-trade services across New Zealand Auckland’s Grammar Electrical has rebranded as Grammar Group, bringing electrical, plumbing, roofing and soon HVAC services together as the third-generation family business expands its multi-trade offering. Founded in…

Corrosion protection can play an important role in extending the life of HVAC and heat exchange equipment, but Blygold New Zealand owner Xavier Castelltort says it is still too often overlooked during specification and commissioning. “Across New Zealand, HVAC and heat exchange…

Custom Lifeguard systems tailored for individual worksites At Jackson Industries no two sites are the same, and the company says neither are its Lifeguard systems. “From configuration through to colour, cable printing and stand design, we give customers the ability to build a…

Timber manufacturer Northpine is now offering a new online service that gives designers, architects and builders free engineered details supplied with a PS1. Created in association with consultants Architectural Promotions and vastly experienced engineering firm Deane…

A Martinborough home set in an olive grove and a builder’s own home on a steep Roseneath site took the top awards in this year’s Master Builders House of the Year competition for Wellington and Wairarapa. Nine homes won Gold, from Wellington’s harbour hills to the Kāpiti Coast…

New GDP figures have been released, suggesting there is an uptick in building and construction work. Overall, the economy grew only 0.2% in the June quarter, however, the construction sector experienced the largest growth with and increase of 2.7%. Malcolm Fleming says the data…

We’re excited to announce that the Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ) Design Initiative is returning for the 2027 NZCB Apprentice Challenge. This unique collaboration connects student designers with apprentice builders, bringing together design creativity and hands-on…

The Government has passed the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026, which kicks in on 1st April 2027. Off the back of this, WorkSafe is also releasing an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP), a document that spells out the best way to manage risks in construction. Learn more…

As a member of NZ Certified Builders there are many ways of getting a great deal with One NZ, including: Business Mobile Plans tailored for how your team works – whether you’re on-site or on the go Business Fibre and Wireless Broadband to keep your office or home base reliably…

First Combilift C-Series still working after 28 years The story of the first-ever Combilift C-Series forklift demonstrates the lasting value of choosing the right tool for the job. Still in operation after 28 years at JG Kelly Supplies in Ireland, the original multi-directional…

Calder Stewart says it plans to invest more than $110 million in rooftop solar and battery storage across its industrial property portfolio over the next decade, creating what the company says could become one of New Zealand’s largest distributed energy networks. The programme…

Mt Albert reservoir connection boosts inner-west water security Watercare has completed a major new connection into the Mt Albert reservoir, boosting water security and network resilience for Mt Albert, Ōwairaka and Wesley while increasing capacity to support growth across…

A workforce systems upgrade at Citycare Property has connected HR, payroll and IT platforms through the Boomi Enterprise Platform, helping reduce onboarding times and improve data quality across the organisation. The New Zealand-owned social infrastructure company recently…

Changing the face of who keeps New Zealand connected Hands-on work experience is key to connecting young women with the wide variety of career opportunities that exist in traditionally male-dominated infrastructure trades, according to a local industry training provider. Girls…

If you’re building a new home or carrying out consented renovations, getting building consent is only part of the process. Once the work is complete, there’s another important step: obtaining a Code Compliance Certificate. A Code Compliance Certificate, commonly known as a CCC,…

Since 2011, we have provided laser safety certifications and consultancy tailored to the healthcare industry.