Construction
Kaikōura businesses hit by staff shortages
Staff shortages are starting to bite in Kaikōura - as the country's biggest ever roading project trucks on.
Auckland rest home missing compliance certificate
The owner of a retirement village forced to evacuate residents over substandard apartments says it appears the buildings weren't signed off by the council. Audio
Construction staff shortage could last several more years
A large construction training provider expects the skills shortage plaguing the industry to continue into the 2020s.
NZ multistoreys' fire protection 'faulted for years'
Fire protection specialists and an Auckland builder have seen many examples of substandard fire protection in New Zealand buildings, they say.
Expert warns of NZ's 'wild west' fire design
It would be foolish to assume buildings here are safe as so little is known about how high-rises react to severe fire, a top engineer is warning.
New quake-prone building law takes effect
The government considers helping strengthen buildings as a new law requiring earthquake-prone buildings to be identified and upgraded comes into effect.
Architects worried MBIE restructure shows 'lack of understanding'
Architects are worried they've lost a prized top position in the ministry at a time when all construction groups are struggling to cope with the building boom. Audio
Residents urged to check apartment cladding for fire risk
An Auckland litigation lawyer is recommending clients take a sample of any aluminium composite cladding on their apartments to test whether it is combustible. Audio
Concerns raised over NZ fire regulations
Plans for what will be the country's tallest apartment tower are stuck in a dispute over whether a single stairwell for its top 11 floors is good enough in an evacuation.
Calls to electronically track building products
Fixing and replacing non-conforming building products could be costing more than $200 million a year, according to new research.
Fears building regulator overhaul will leave it out of touch
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is overhauling its building arm, raising fears this will distance it from companies and councils. 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
Commerce Commission asked to investigate steel bar
The building regulator has asked the Commerce Commission to investigate seismic steel reinforcing bar sold by a major supplier.
$1.2bn Auckland housing development given the green light
A $1.2 billion housing development in Auckland is finally going ahead, after years of opposition.
Enormous Chinese bank says time is right for NZ project
China Construction Bank has a billion dollars of lending in this country, three times more than it had a year ago. Its deputy chief executive here, Lloyd Cartwright, told our reporter Phil Pennington… 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
Reliable steel supply key in construction boom
Analysis - Demand for a steel supply system New Zealanders can rely on matters more in the middle of a construction boom, writes Phil Pennington.
Higher floors needed for Dunedin flood risk
New homes in South Dunedin will have to be built up to a metre higher above the ground because of the area's 2015 flood.
High costs and worker shortage hit construction
An acute shortage of construction workers is pushing property developers and building companies to the wall. 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
