This newsletter introduces new BIF NZ Chair Jason Bardell and Deputy Chair Simon Burden, who bring valuable expertise to the board. It explores the 'Fast-Track Approvals' Bill designed to expedite infrastructure projects, highlights insights from the NZGBC Housing Summit, and shares positive StatsNZ data on non-residential construction. Additionally, it addresses rising costs from stricter seismic standards and urgent calls to ban engineered stone benchtops to safeguard workers. Read on for more details!

This newsletter highlights key developments in New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure landscape. Stats NZ reports a 24% drop in annual home consents, while CoreLogic notes a 2.4% annual softening in construction cost growth. The NZGBC provides a new guide to reducing carbon emissions upfront in building projects, and the NZ Infrastructure Commission shares insights on workforce dynamics in the sector. Finally, Infometrics analyzes a surge in global freight prices driven by geopolitical tensions, exploring its potential impact on NZ.