For more than 50 years, the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) has been a trusted, independent expert in building and construction. Our team of scientists, engineers and building experts deliver research and evidence that makes a real difference for Aotearoa New Zealand.
What we do
BRANZ exists to help the building and construction sector innovate, lift productivity and tackle the challenges of affordability, quality, resilience and sustainability.
Here’s how we do it:
Investing the Building Research Levy into research, infrastructure and tools that address the sector’s key priorities
Every time a building consent is issued for work over $20,000, the Building Research Levy (0.1%) is collected. We invest this widely into practical research, infrastructure and tools, delivered by BRANZ and by organisations across New Zealand, that address the sector’s key priorities: affordability, quality, resilience and sustainability.
Building Research Levy investment decisions are made for industry, by industry. Sector priorities are guided by the Building Research Advisory Council, and individual proposals are assessed by the Research Investment Advisory Group - an independent panel representing science, industry, iwi, government and the Advisory Council.
This ensures every research dollar delivers practical results - driving targeted, relevant and impactful change where it’s needed most.
Find out more about investing the Building Research Levy.
Delivering practical research, tools and guidance that lift quality, reduce costs and improve how we build in Aotearoa
Through the Building Research Levy investment that BRANZ receives, we work collaboratively to develop easy-to-use building research, guidance and tools that help lift quality, reduce costs and support better building practices.
Discover our industry tools designed to make building smarter:
- BRANZ Artisan: A simple build app to save time and money and streamline consenting.
- BRANZ Build Insights: Trusted economic data for a stronger industry.
- BRANZ H1 Hub: Built with industry, for industry to simplify energy efficiency compliance.
- BRANZ Building Helpline: Free, trusted technical advice – 0800 80 80 85.
- BRANZ B-RISK: Fire modelling for safer buildings.
- BRANZ Maps: Free mapping tool showing building data for any New Zealand address.
- BRANZ Waste Toolbox (REBRI): Practical tools to cut waste on site.
- NECO2 carbon database: Trusted data for low-carbon design, in partnership with CIL Masterspec.
Find out more about our research.
Providing independent product testing and assurance so the sector can build with confidence
Independent product assurance and testing provides credible evidence that a product will perform - supporting faster approvals and reducing risk across the building process.
Our expert technical assessments, like CodeMark and BRANZ Appraisals, help product suppliers and manufacturers:
- comply with the New Zealand Building Code with trusted product assurance and world-class labs
- save time and money through tailored, cost-effective compliance pathways
- stand out in the market with a recognised BRANZ Appraisal or CodeMark
- back product claims with credible, science-based evidence
- reduce risk for councils, builders, designers and homeowners
- get impartial, expert advice to support innovation and compliance.
BRANZ tests products to give the sector confidence. There are a range of pathways to allow products to be used in New Zealand - MBIE sets compliance rules and councils approve that products comply.
BRANZ’s testing and certification services are paid for by product suppliers and manufacturers and are not funded by the Building Research Levy.
Looking to test a building product or system? Find out more about our fire, structural and materials testing and product assurance.
Our role
- BRANZ is a science research and testing organisation, established as an incorporated society under the Building Research Levy Act 1969.
- The Minister for Building and Construction holds legislative responsibility for the Act, which is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
The building and construction sector is vital to New Zealand - contributing over 6% of GDP, employing thousands of people and delivering homes, schools, hospitals and essential infrastructure.
Through its stewardship of the Building Research Levy, BRANZ plays a critical role for a sector dominated by small to medium enterprises, many without the scale or resources for system-wide research. We connect industry and scientists to share knowledge, solve problems, lift productivity and deliver practical tools that make a real difference.
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Meet our board
The Board members of BRANZ Inc have extensive building and construction, science, business and public sector expertise.
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Our leadership team
We've got a strong leadership team who are leading us into co-creating enduring solutions for better building system performance.
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Sector priorities, 2025-2035
Affordable, quality, resilient and sustainable buildings for Aotearoa New Zealand.
BRANZ’s science is shaped by the real challenges facing the building and construction sector.
Affordability: Making it easier to build, live in and maintain affordable housing
Housing costs are a major challenge in Aotearoa. For 2026, 60% of the Building Research Levy is invested into collaborative, practical insights, tools and technologies that boost productivity, support cost-effective decisions and reduce long-term costs.
Quality: Supporting safe, comfortable healthy buildings that are fit for future generations
Kiwis deserve to live, work and play in safe, comfortable, healthy buildings. Our work supports materials, methods and standards that are fit for purpose - creating buildings that are built right the first time and last for generations.
Resilience: Preparing buildings to resist and recover from earthquakes, fire, extreme weather and climate change
From earthquakes and extreme weather to high UV and corrosion, buildings in Aotearoa face it all. Our science helps understand how materials and systems perform, uncover risks and develop practical solutions to keep buildings strong and communities safe.
Sustainability: Leading the shift to a circular building sector that doesn’t cost the Earth
BRANZ has led sustainable building research for over 20 years. We develop tools to reduce carbon and waste, promote circular design and collaborate to support cost-effective, efficient and low-impact buildings.
Testing for real-world performance
Our world-class experts and purpose-built labs deliver ground-breaking research and testing, helping to make sure buildings and products are safe, resilient and built to last.
Explore our labs:
- Fire: Built to understand fire, designed to save lives
- Structural engineering: Testing for strength, resilience and real performance
- Materials: Testing durability in New Zealand’s toughest conditions
- Outdoor exposure sites: Real-world research and testing since 1973
Updated: 23 October 2025