Helpline Technical Advisor
Phil McNamara has spent his career solving building problems – first on site, now on the phone.
Phil McNamara is a Technical Advisor on the BRANZ Advisory Helpline – the person people call when a problem doesn’t have an obvious answer. He supports all sectors across Aotearoa New Zealand, from architects and designers to construction workers, with practical, evidence-based guidance. If you want an answer on complex topics like H1 energy efficiency, E2 weathertightness, or NZS 3604 timber-framed buildings, Phil is the person to call.
Phil came to building through his family, spending more than 25 years in the trade, working across residential and semi-commercial projects. He loved the diversity of the work but was drawn to the complex jobs because there were more problems to solve. His work helped win multiple awards, but a shoulder injury ended his time on the tools, so he joined BRANZ – initially as a temporary move, then a permanent one.
At BRANZ, he did a lot of reading and, to his surprise, found he had a huge appetite for it. Now, he understood why he was taught to do things a certain way, but this has only sparked more questions – so he’s still learning. And while he knows a little about a lot of subjects, he will occasionally get stumped by a question. This is when he’ll reach out to a BRANZ expert or they’ll point him to the right person outside the organisation. If Phil can’t find the evidence, he’ll say so – but he’ll do his utmost not to.
"I've turned 25 years on the tools into practical building advice, helping people understand the rules and why they exist."