September 2025

Written By Emma Thomas
BIF NZ Newsletter — Clean (v2)

BIF NZ Newsletter

August 2025

Chief Executive's Report:

Julien Leys
Dear BIF NZ members and supporters,
August was another big month for us. Lots of announcements, including unemployment figures, Fletcher Building reporting a loss, and changes to the building consent system, including liability and streamlined consenting, which all impact our industry in one way or another.

I, on behalf of BIF NZ, was interviewed on these issues and more last month. I also spoke out about the need for gas used by Methanex to be redistributed in order to keep our industry afloat and reduce excessive costs - I wrote an opinion piece that was published in The Post, which was picked up by Radio New Zealand and then posed to Resources Minister and Associate Minister for Energy Shane Jones. Links to all of these can be found below. I also contributed to a joint statement alongside GS1 calling on the New Zealand government to consider digital labelling in its review of product labelling, so that Kiwi businesses and consumers can reap the benefits that digital labelling provides - we wait to see what comes of this.

I'd like to congratulate BRANZ on the release of their Annual Review 2025 as they continue to emphasise the importance of affordability, quality, resilience, and sustainability. Check out their full Annual Review for 2025 here.

As you will recall, I mentioned in last months newsletter that I was re-elected to the Board of the New Zealand Construction Industry Council (NZCIC) to represent BIF NZ. We had our first meeting since my re-election and I'm pleased to advise that there are some great, strong discussions being had, with meaningful actions underway. I have provided a more in-depth NZCIC update further in this newsletter.

BIF NZ's Building Leaders Forum series on YouTube is looking good and performing well, too. We have just released the fifth episode with Shane Brealey, Managing Director at Simplicity Living. Shane tells it like it is and shares some brilliant insights and ideas - I highly recommend watching if you haven't already.

BIF NZ: Building Leaders Forum with Shane Brealey, Managing Director at Simplicity Living
In addition, last week I travelled to Riverhead to meet with Marty Verry, CEO of Red Stag Timber as part of the Building Leaders Forum, who similarly to Shane didn't dance around the issues he sees for our industry - his episode should be out towards the end of this year.

I'm also pleased to share that I have been invited to join a panel at the Master Builders’ Constructive conference. I will be part of the "Making Sense of Compliance Pathways" session, which will focus on cross-sector insights on how builders can adopt new products with confidence while managing compliance. This will be held on Friday 12 September, 11:15am – 12:00pm at Aotea Centre in Auckland. I'm particularly excited to be appearing alongside David Kelly and Chris Litten who are both well-regarded experts in our industry.

As spring has sprung, hopefully we will see better weather conditions that allow our industry to maximise opportunities and thrive, noting that daylight savings kicks back in on the 28th. Keep up the toolbox talks and check in on one another - resources like Mates in Construction and CHASNZ are a great place to start if you or someone you know is struggling.

Finally, don't forget about the BIF NZ AGM coming up next week. There's still time to RSVP - see details below - by getting in touch with Sarah via office@bifnz.co.nz or on 021 246 8820. I hope to see you there.

Ngā mihi nui,
Julien Leys
Building Industry Federation of New Zealand Chief Executive

In this newsletter:

  • BIF NZ in the news
  • Law passed to speed up infrastructure
  • New wage threshold for skilled residence visas and pathways
  • GS1: Building and construction industry update
  • NZCIC update
  • Concrete NZ: Concrete industry apprentice of the year nominations open
  • New climate resilient homes quick guides
  • Dentons: ESG NZ
  • Stats NZ: Stand-alone houses lead annual rise in home consents
  • Forsyth Barr: Building News Wrap
  • Industry Headlines
BIF NZ in the news:
via The Post
Law passed to speed up infrastructure

The Public Works Act Amendment Bill was passed recently, with the aim of making it simpler and quicker for agencies to acquire land for projects listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, as well as the Roads of National Significance in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024.

The new accelerated land acquisition process includes:
  • Incentive payments: Landowners who agree to sell before a Notice of Intention is issued will receive an additional premium of 15 percent of their land’s value, capped at $150,000.
  • Recognition payments: All landowners whose land is acquired under the accelerated process will receive a five percent recognition payment, acknowledging the role their land plays in delivering essential infrastructure, capped at $92,000.
  • Replacement objections process: Objections will no longer go through the Environment Court. Instead, they will be decided by the Minister for Land Information or the local authority, speeding up resolution.
  • Opt-out clause: Agencies may choose to use the standard Public Works Act process instead of the accelerated process.
Read more about the bill here.
via RNZ
New wage threshold for skilled residence visas and pathways

The annual update to the wage thresholds for skilled residence visas and pathways took effect a couple of weeks ago.

Employers who are supporting a migrant to apply for a skilled residence visa must offer a job that pays at least the wage threshold for the occupation. This includes applications for a Skilled Migrant Category, Work to Residence or Straight to Residence visa. The change can also affect work visa holders in New Zealand on a pathway to residence.

Employers need to pay their work visa holders at least the wage threshold in effect at the time they started their job for it to count as eligible work experience for a Skilled Migrant Category or Work to Residence visa. Employers do not need to give these workers a pay increase when wage thresholds increase.

However, if a work visa holder changes jobs, applies for another work visa, or their remuneration decreases, their new pay must be at least the current wage threshold for their work experience to count. They must be paid the new wage threshold at the time they apply for residence.

Wage thresholds reflect market conditions and skill requirements and are updated annually in line with median wage changes. See the new wage thresholds here.

In addition, a reminder that 10 skilled trades occupations were added to the Green List Work to Residence pathway today, to help meet the expected demand for tradespeople in the workforce.

Eligible applicants can apply for residence after working in New Zealand and earning the relevant wage threshold for 2 years in one of these 10 occupations:
  • Metal Fabricator
  • Pressure Welder
  • Welder
  • Fitter (General)
  • Fitter and Turner
  • Fitter-Welder
  • Metal Machinist (First Class)
  • Panel Beater
  • Vehicle Painter
  • Paving Plant Operator
Work to Residence Visa applicants must meet the skills, work experience and wage requirements. Standard health, character, language and age requirements also apply. Learn more here.
GS1: Building and construction industry update

Building and construction has become a major focus for GS1 both globally and locally as businesses continue to constantly seek ways to trade effectively and efficiently.

GS1 recently posted an update on the changes landscape of our industry from their perspective - you can read the update here.

BIF NZ is proud to be sponsored by GS1.
NZCIC update

To summarise the key issues that NZCIC has been discussing:
  • Building Consenting Reform
    In the post-cabinet press conference today, Minister Penk announced a raft of changes to the building consenting system.
  • Proportionate Liability
    The building consents regime will change to ease the liability load on local councils. Minister Penk said building owners could currently claim full compensation from any responsible party and it was often councils, with the deepest pockets and no ability to walk away, that ended up footing the bill. The government is scrapping the existing 'joint and several liability' regime in favour of 'proportionate liability', where each party will only be responsible for the share of work they carried out.

    I noted that a shift to proportionate liability in the building consents system would have a massive impact on the sector.
  • Warranty ideas
    The Government is considering requiring home warranties for certain building projects, with opt-out provisions, or possibly mandating professional indemnity insurance. Councils would not escape accountability but would no longer be liable for others’ mistakes. They would still retain responsibility for processing consents, conducting inspections, and issuing Code Compliance Certificates as part of their regulatory role.
  • Building Consent Authority Consolidation
    The government has also announced it will allow councils to voluntarily consolidate their Building Consent Authority (BCAs) functions with each other. Councils will be allowed to voluntarily consolidate their Building Consent Authority (BCAs) functions with each other. Minister Penk said many councils had asked for the ability to consolidate.

    Personally, I support of the move to open up consolidation for the country's 67 BCAs. The building sector welcomes any changes that made it easier and cheaper to build. High eligibility standards, mandatory insurance and ongoing auditing and bigger fines for non-compliance would ensure the changes didn't lead to another leaky homes crisis.
via NZCIC
Concrete NZ: Concrete industry apprentice of the year nominations open

Concrete NZ, in partnership with BCITO, is seeking entries for the 2025 Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year award.

With a $10,000 prize pool and national recognition on offer, the award celebrates the skill, drive, and future leadership of apprentices across the concrete industry.

The 2025 award is open to anyone currently enrolled in, or who has completed (after August 2024), one of the following BCITO concrete qualifications:
  • New Zealand Certificate in Concrete Construction Skills (Level 3)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Concrete Construction: Commercial and Civil Infrastructure (Level 4)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Concrete Specialist (Level 4)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Concrete Production (Level 4)
Membership of Concrete NZ is not required to apply. The deadline for submissions is Friday 5 September 2025. Learn more, including how to enter, here.
Naziah Quinn of HEB Construction, 2024 Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year (via Concrete NZ)
New climate resilient homes quick guides

As our climate changes, we can expect to see more severe weather events such as droughts, wildfires and storms.

The Building Performance team from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment have published two guides to provide practical and affordable strategies for homeowners looking to design or purchase homes that can withstand severe weather events. The guides may also be useful for renovating, retrofitting, or repairing an existing home.

A drought and wildfire resistant home is one that's designed and built in a way that reduces the impacts of droughts and wildfires due to a changing climate. Read the guide on drought and wildfire resilient homes here.

A wind and storm resistant home is one that's designed and built in a way to reduce the impacts of wind and storms due to changing climate. Read the guide on wind and storm resilient homes here.

MBIE notes the importance of making decisions that consider the performance of homes as extreme weather events become more common. Find out more about MBIE’s climate change work programme aiming to improve the climate resilience of buildings here.
Dentons: ESG NZ

Dentons, a multinational law firm, publishes a monthly LinkedIn newsletter to keep you up to date on Environmental, Social, and Governance insights, trends, and challenges. A uniquely New Zealand focus, what to think about and how it may affect business.

Read the newest edition - "Infrastructure resilience – time for a proactive shift" - on LinkedIn here.
Stats NZ: Building consents issued in July

In July 2025, there were 3,252 new dwellings consented in Aotearoa New Zealand, up 5.4% from June 2025. However, the 33,879 new homes consented in Aotearoa New Zealand in the year ending July 2025 marks a decrease of 0.1 percent compared with the year ended July 2024

See more on building consents issued from Stats NZ here.
via Stats NZ
Forsyth Barr: Building News Wrap

Forsyth Barr releases regular updates on the building sector in New Zealand and kindly allows BIF NZ to share the data with our members and supporters.

From their latest Building News Wrap:
  • Mortgage lending continues to pick up (Jul.): Total mortgage lending up +35.8% yoy (with first home buyers 23.7%, other owner/occupier down +39.6% and investors +40.1% yoy).
  • Residential construction intentions remain robust (ANZ Business Outlook, Aug.): Residential 26.8 (previous 16.7), Commercial 25.0 (previous 28.9). Own activity outlook of 37.0 (previous 37.3).
  • New Zealand building materials and land developers close out a soft year, cautiously optimistic on the outlook.
  • Vulcan Steel gets into roofing: Vulcan Steel purchased Roofing Industries, one of the leading suppliers of roll-formed roof and cladding products in New Zealand with a branch network of 15 stores. The purchase price was NZ$88m (or an equivalent enterprise value of NZ$99m). The price reflects an enterprise value multiple of 4.5x, based on the average annual pre-NZ IFRS 16 EBITDA over the last six-years. The transaction will be funded with new equity via a 1 for 9 fully underwritten accelerated renounceable entitlement offer.
  • Govt shifts consenting liability: The current joint or several liability building liability will be replaced with proportionate liability with each party only responsible for their share of the work carried out. Local Councils had been last man standing when it comes to building defects. Similar to Australia, building owners will be protected by professional indemnity insurance and home warranties.
  • Auckland Council updating its Unitary Plan: The new plan will lift building heights and density around major transport routes and town centres and increase in the amount of land zoned for three-storey dense housing. 12k homes will be downzoned due to natural hazard risks.
  • Queenstown’s Lakeview development almost underway: The NZ$2b+ development will see the former camping ground near the Skyline gondola transformed into five residential tower blocks, hotels, retail and hospo space. There has been NZ$150m+ of pre-sales, a build contract has been signed, and building consents approved for stage1. "We’d like to start next month, we’re ready to go.” “It’s just a question of how long it takes to close out the final few things."
  • Wanaka hospital gets the green light: A NZ$300m hospital in Wānaka’s Three Parks has received its resource consent and construction could start within 15-months. The hospital is part of a wider health precinct that includes offices, retail and hospitality, and parking.
Industry Headlines
via 1News
LinkedIn LinkedIn
Website Website
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Emma Thomas