BIF Advisory Communication – Have your say: draft amendment of the Building Product Specifications
MBIE’s Building Performance team is consulting on proposed product standards for the new Building Product Specifications pathway. Learn what’s being proposed, how to share your feedback, and key dates for submissions closing 9 February 2026..

December 2025
Seasonal updates and important industry reminders as we head into summer, including compliance deadlines, upcoming changes impacting the building sector, and key resources to support members through the end of the year.

BIF Advisory Communication – Countdown to Lead-Free Plumbing
Lead-free plumbing standards begin 2 May 2026, reducing allowable lead content from 4.5% to 0.25%. Learn who’s affected, how to prepare, and what compliance means for plumbers, suppliers, manufacturers, and homeowners across New Zealand.

BIF Advisory Communication – Improving the flexibility of H1 Energy Efficiency
This BIF advisory outlines MBIE’s changes to H1 Energy Efficiency compliance, highlighting new flexibility around insulation requirements, clearer measurement rules, updated modelling approaches, and what the changes mean for designing and building warmer, more energy-efficient homes.

November 2025
This month’s BIF NZ update features industry news and advocacy activity, insights from major sector events, regulatory commentary, and our latest Building Leaders Forum interview with Marty Verry of Red Stag Timber.

October 2025
This month we’re releasing the newsletter slightly later to include CreditWorks market insights, align with Mental Health Awareness Week, and share our new Building Leaders Forum episode with CHASNZ CEO Chris Alderson. Explore tools, updates, and upcoming activity.

BIF Advisory Communication - Webinar on Approved Overseas Certified Building Products
Join BIF NZ and MBIE for a webinar on Wednesday 8 October at 11am covering the new recognition pathway for products certified overseas. Learn who it applies to, what BCAs must accept, and how the process works with questions answered live.

BIF Advisory Communication - Recognition of Approved Products Certified Overseas
In this month’s Advisory Communication, BIF NZ shares important updates on the recognition of overseas-certified building products. The change will help simplify approval pathways and encourage innovation, while keeping safety standards front and centre.

September 2025
Catch up on the latest industry updates: Chief Executive’s report from Julien Leys, media commentary on gas supply and sector reforms, new infrastructure legislation, skilled residence visa thresholds, GS1 and NZCIC updates, Concrete NZ apprentice nominations, climate-resilient housing guides, ESG insights, Stats NZ building consent data, Forsyth Barr news wrap, plus an AGM reminder.

BIF Advisory Communication - Product Labelling Review
This week, the Ministry for Regulation announced it will be conducting a review into product labelling. While the terms of reference are yet to be set, the review will explore New Zealand’s alignment with international product labelling standards and examine regulatory barriers to interoperability with... Submissions close 20 August 2025.

August 2025
This month’s edition features key updates from across the building industry, including media coverage on sector changes, a sit-down with Hon. Chris Penk, and news on BuildNZ 2025 and upcoming board events. Plus, a reminder to support mental health initiatives during the final stretch of winter.

July 2025
This month’s newsletter covers key developments across the building industry, including a potential government merger affecting housing and infrastructure, highlights from the Building Leaders Forum featuring Karin Cunningham, and a wrap-up of BuildNZ 2025. We also share insights from the recent Worksafe Board Event and explore the latest statistics showing a decline in annual home consents.

June 2025
In this edition: Get a quick overview of the latest industry news, Building Leaders Forum series: second episode out now, BuildLink Trade Show, Critical Infrastructure Bill: submissions open, Building Product Specifications: feedback, Shaping the Future of Health & Safety in Construction, StatsNZ: Home consents down in April 2025, plus, Regulatory Standards Bill: update from Russell McVeagh.

BIF Advisory Communication – June 2025
The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) is developing three new pathways in which overseas building products can be recognised in Aotearoa New Zealand following the passing of The Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Act 2025.

BIF Advisory Communication – May 2025
The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) is developing three new pathways to recognise overseas building products in New Zealand, following the passing of the 2025 Amendment Act.
MBIE will host a webinar on Monday 9 June at 11am, led by Principal Advisor Clare Botha, alongside sector specialists, to discuss these changes and answer your questions.

👉 Register for the webinar here

In this BIF NZ newsletter, we break down the 2025 Government Budget highlights and what they mean for the building, construction, and infrastructure sectors. From tax incentives for foreign investment to major funding for KiwiRail, plus insights across energy, agriculture, finance, and health. It’s all covered in a clear sector-by-sector summary.

In this edition: Get a quick overview of the latest industry news, explore BIF NZ’s newly launched YouTube series, see what Stats NZ reports about declining home consents, and take note of upcoming events including the FMTA and Concrete NZ conferences. Plus, learn about recent developments in silicosis research.

Get a quick roundup of key industry updates, including BIF in the news, commentary from Chris Bishop on the pace of change, insights from Russell McVeagh, and a discussion on whether removing excessive regulations can solve the housing affordability crisis. Plus, catch the latest from Build Magazine, StatsNZ building consents, and a call to have your say on MBIE’s recognition of high-quality overseas-certified products.

Building Performance: Have your say on recognising high quality overseas certified building products and standards

The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) is seeking industry input on the content of new regulations needed to implement the Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill (the Bill).

This edition covers key updates from the building industry, including Forsyth Barr: news wrap, Low Damage Seismic Design: vol. 1 now available, PVC: NZ’s first PVC recovery facility opens, NZ Infrastructure Commission: report and webinar on preparing for natural hazard risks, NZ Herald: Why is the housing recovery taking so long?, MBIE: New climate resilient homes quick guides.