It sits behind the scenes — in the evidence, testing and long-term data that underpins the decisions builders, designers and regulators rely on every day.
For more than 60 years, BRANZ has played that role. Not by writing the rules, but by providing the independent research and technical insight that sits beneath them, helping ensure buildings perform as intended in New Zealand conditions.
That independence is not incidental. It is enabled by the Building Research Levy, a dedicated funding mechanism that allows BRANZ to generate evidence for the system without having to compete for it.
It is largely unseen work, and often commercially unattractive. But it forms a critical part of the system that supports the Building Code and the standards the industry depends on.
That role is now under pressure, as the government moves to repeal the Building Research Levy Act — the mechanism that has funded this independent research for decades.
Without it, organisations like BRANZ would need to compete for government contracts - relying on the regulator to also fund the evidence that supports those regulations. For many in the sector, that raises concerns about independence.
“Placing research prioritisation within a government department creates inherent tension between long-term industry needs and shorter-term policy priorities, a tension that independent industry bodies like BRANZ are specifically designed to avoid,” says Building Industry Federation Chief Executive Julien Leys.
For designers and regulators, that independence also matters. BRANZ does not set regulations, but it plays a vital role in building safety by providing the robust, locally grounded evidence, testing and long-term data that give those regulations credibility.
Keryn Davis, CEO of Architectural Designers New Zealand believes that for a country the size of New Zealand, the risk posed by the repeal deserves very careful consideration.
“We depend on independent, evidence-based research to support innovation, improve building performance, and inform better design and product decisions. The buildings we live, learn, work and gather in are all stronger because of that knowledge.
“Ultimately, this is not simply a discussion about research funding; it’s about wellbeing. It’s about safeguarding the capability that helps deliver healthier, safer and more resilient communities for future generations,” she said.
Nick Hill, CEO of the Building Officials Institute (BOINZ) concurred: "BRANZ has been the backbone of independent building research. What it looks like we’ll have is a fractured and uncoordinated research approach. We’re no longer going to have a backbone,” he said.
Long-term data is a critical part of that building “backbone”. Through sustained investment, BRANZ tracks how New Zealand buildings are designed, built and perform over time — creating a national evidence base linking materials, design choices and real-world implications.
Studies on weathertightness, seismic resilience and fire safety rely on decades of consistent data collection, testing and refinement to remain credible and relevant.
Richard Templer, CEO of Engineering New Zealand, highlights BRANZ’s global standing in this area. "BRANZ does genuine world-leading work on fire, waterproofing, and earthquake proofing. The facilities are unmatched in New Zealand and would not – or should not need to – be replicated."
New Zealand’s Building Code is performance based, relying on strong, local evidence to ensure buildings perform as intended in our challenging natural environment. BRANZ provides much of this technical foundation — from testing materials and validating methods to assessing how standards work in New Zealand conditions.
This long-term evidence gives industry greater confidence in design and consenting decisions, reducing unintended consequences.
Consistent standards
In the last year, BRANZ contributed more than 670 hours of expert input across New Zealand, Australian and international committees — helping ensure standards are clear, consistent and grounded in local conditions.
Because standards development relies heavily on voluntary input, commercial interests can shape involvement. The Building Research Levy supports BRANZ’s contribution — ensuring the sector has an independent, technically grounded voice in these decisions.
As one builder put it:
"If you go out to any building site, I know who they’re going to talk to and who they’re going to believe … It’s BRANZ."
That trust is echoed by Wendy Turvey, National Manager Research for global engineering and professional services firm WSP. She sees BRANZ as the industry’s nexus, bringing together research, standards and practical application.
“There’s a huge amount of institutional knowledge within BRANZ... and one of its strengths is the crossover between research, commercial understanding and industry relationships. It’s a very holistic system."
Beyond research
Chief Executive of New Zealand Certified Builders, Malcolm Fleming, says BRANZ’s ‘industry good’ role is as critical as its research.
“BRANZ provides considerable ‘industry good’ support beyond its research function. From a project perspective, the H1 Hub was a great example. Then there are the free helplines, technical bulletins and guidance notes they provide.
“Throughout my years co-owning a firm of architects, and now representing builders, I’ve seen first-hand the value BRANZ provides in so many ways. ‘Let’s check that with BRANZ’ is a commonly used phrase in our industry. Any future state needs to include the continuation of BRANZ’s critical industry good function,” he says.
Trusted industry advice
That deep trust and connection with industry ensures BRANZ’s research has practical and joined-up application across the sector. Some of our country’s leading suppliers are now concerned about a fragmented future.
“We want and need better homes in New Zealand. It sounds simple, but my concern is that that won’t happen if we lose the sharp, practical and cohesive focus of BRANZ’s research,” says Sara Johnson, CEO of ITM.
Mitre 10’s Head of Sustainability, Julie Roberts, has underlined what could be lost.
"BRANZ have been incredibly helpful. Their level of expertise is first rate … it would have been far more challenging if we didn’t have them to go to," she says.
Driving progress in innovation and quality
BRANZ’s work is not just about practical, science-backed advice — it also enables innovation that requires long-term commitment and investment.
“…a good example is the resilience work we’ve been doing with BRANZ around wind — understanding what climate change means for New Zealand’s housing stock. That could be a multi-billion-dollar problem if we don’t get ahead of it,” says Wendy Turvey.
Grant Fraser, Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer at Mitre10, warns of the risks of losing that capability:
"If we’re losing a mechanism that clearly supports innovation, we risk falling behind. Innovation in construction doesn’t happen overnight — it requires consistent investment in R&D, the kind BRANZ’s model has enabled for many years.”
Nick Hill adds that New Zealand cannot afford to lose its edge in areas such as sustainable building, seismic resilience and fire safety — where it has been internationally recognised.
“BRANZ’s stable funding model allows for long-term thinking, ensuring the sector remains competitive, adaptive and forward-looking,” he says.
A forward-looking foundation worth protecting.