What we do

BRANZ is an independent and impartial research, testing, consulting and information company providing services and resources for the building industry.

Our two main areas of activity are to:

• research and investigate the construction and design of buildings that impact the built environment in New Zealand
• enable the transfer of knowledge from the research community into the commercial building and construction industry.

Our core purpose is to improve people's lives through our research and to inform, educate and motivate those who shape the built environment.

How we are funded

Funding for BRANZ comes from three main sources:

• industry funding via the Building Research Levy
• the Ministry of Science and Innovation
• revenues generated through commercially contracted research projects for private, government and international clients.

The Building Research Levy funds a continuous programme of research and information transfer activities for the benefit and education of the building and construction industry, and funds activities such as Build magazine, specific research projects, seminars, technical advice helpline and material testing projects.

Commercial income is generated through commercial activities such as the testing and appraisals of products, the sale of publications and the provision of educational information and professional development activities. This work on behalf of governmental, institutional and commercial entities keeps BRANZ in direct contact with the construction industry, ensuring that what we do remains relevant to the industry and that BRANZ processes are commercially competitive.

Our customers

Our customers are located in New Zealand, Australia and around the world - we aim to provide them with innovative and value-for-money research-based solutions, helping to create a better built environment through publications, seminar and training services, contract research, product appraisal, and material and fire testing.

We undertake commercially contracted work for clients throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including Malaysia, China, Australia and other areas.

Who and where we are

We have around 100 highly trained specialist staff located in Wellington and Hamilton.

The main BRANZ site at Judgeford, Wellington, covers five hectares and contains laboratories, testing facilities and exposure sites to meet national and international standards.

BRANZ in Australia

BRANZ is a registered testing authority, in terms of Part 1 of the Building Code of Australia, as a consequence of the IANZ Accreditation that we hold for fire, thermal and weather penetration testing. This has helped to ensure that BRANZ maintains its significant market share in these testing segments.