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Industry economics & risk 23

image of a the front page of Industry perspectives on exceeding the minimum, contains image of a child playing with building blocks

Research Report

Industry perspectives on exceeding the minimum

Product Description The report examines how exceeding the minimum is understood and its benefits are evaluated within the market. It also examines how the building and construction industry evaluates its...

Jun 12, 2026, 4:21 PM

Too little spent on building resilience

By

Report shows historical funding favours reactive approach to natural hazards.

Jun 3, 2026, 10:01 AM

Too little spent on building resilience

New funding to support councils consenting more homes

By

Budget 2026 introduces a $400-million fund for new infrastructure.

Jun 3, 2026, 10:01 AM

New funding to support councils consenting more homes

A new chapter – the next generation of BRANZ scientists

By

As Build magazine turns the page from print to digital, the future of building science is in good hands. Meet some of the next generation of BRANZ scientists who are driving innovation and research excellence – ensuring our expertise shapes tomorrow’s built environment

May 20, 2026, 12:39 PM

Reflecting on Build’s legacy – and looking to the future

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As Build magazine turns the page from print to digital, BRANZ Chair Nigel Smith reflects on what’s changed in the industry, and why BRANZ’s mission matters more than ever.

May 20, 2026, 12:31 PM

Reflecting on Build’s legacy – and looking to the future

The implications of the Mainzeal decision

By

Nicole Thompson

On 25 August 2023, the Supreme Court released its decision in Yan v Mainzeal Property and Construction Limited (in liquidation) [2023] NZSC 113. The case is relevant for anyone involved...

May 19, 2026, 3:10 PM

The implications of the Mainzeal decision

Tough times ahead

By

Stuart Robertson

The labour shortages affecting the construction sector, along with the stress of rising material costs, mean conditions for builders are worsening. Disputes are rising and are predicted to increase over the coming year.

May 19, 2026, 3:10 PM

Tough times ahead

Building confidence and resilience in 2025

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Optimism is cautiously making its way back into New Zealand’s building and construction sector.

May 19, 2026, 3:10 PM

Building confidence and resilience in 2025

Are residential building firms becoming more resilient?

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The stats show small building firms are losing ground to the better-resourced medium and large players, who are demonstrating resilience in their operations.

May 19, 2026, 3:10 PM

Are residential building firms becoming more resilient?

Building by numbers

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Build Insights: trusted data tracking key construction sector trends.

May 19, 2026, 3:10 PM

Building by numbers

Engineering a textbook building project

By

Alice Yan Chang-Richards

Innovative design and collaboration delivered cutting-edge engineering teaching and research hub.

May 19, 2026, 3:06 PM

Engineering a textbook building project

Building the economic case for resilient, affordable homes

By

Michael Bealing

New research shows resilient, adaptable homes can boost affordability, cut climate risks, and add la

May 19, 2026, 3:06 PM

Building the economic case for resilient, affordable homes

Building reform’s quiet risk

By

New Zealand’s building and construction sector is entering its biggest shake up in decades.

May 19, 2026, 3:06 PM

Building reform’s quiet risk

Image of A Construction Dashboard of key industry measures

Research Report

SR321 A Construction Dashboard of key industry measures

The Construction Dashboard is intended to help industry bodies, individual builders, government and training providers understand what is happening in the industry today and where it is headed tomorrow. It...

May 5, 2026, 11:02 AM

image of the front page of a BRANZ research report, contains timber building frame imagery

Research Report

SR259 Value of time savings in new housing

Quicker construction can be of significant advantage to builders because it improves their cash flow and profit. This study was conducted to identify the theoretical cost savings arising from shorter...

May 5, 2026, 10:22 AM

image of the front page of a BRANZ research report, contains timber building frame imagery

Research Report

SR254 Firm productivity variations

The research examines the variations in productivity and profit margins between construction firms at a sub-industry level. It finds a large spread in productivity and profits within and between sub-industries....

May 5, 2026, 10:18 AM

Image of Builder Sentiment report 2024

Research Report

ER94 Builder Sentiment report 2024

This research aims to establish an annual sentiment survey for industry to estimate market conditions and workload.Each year, many different building surveys are conducted by different organisations, each with their...

May 4, 2026, 2:57 PM

Image of Improving residential construction firm resilience

Research Report

ER88 Improving residential construction firm resilience

By necessity, most of Aotearoa New Zealand’s residential construction firms are small scale. This is often seen as a weakness in terms of resilience and is perceived as one of...

May 4, 2026, 1:58 PM

Image of Enablers and barriers impacting on the development of affordable alternative housing tenures in New Zealand

Research Report

ER81 Enablers and barriers impacting on the development of affordable alternative housing tenures in New Zealand

This research examines the interrelationships between different elements of the housing and related systems and how these impact on the potential for affordable alternative housing tenure models to support the...

May 4, 2026, 1:19 PM

Image ofThe economic cost of quality defects

Research Report

ER49 The economic cost of quality defects

The aim of this report was to estimate the costs of quality defects in residential construction in New Zealand and the benefits of eliminating them.

Apr 30, 2026, 3:23 PM

Image of Green mortgages: Financial incentives to design and build high-performance homes

Research Report

ER43 Green mortgages: Financial incentives to design and build high-performance homes

This research forms part of BRANZ’s Exceeding the minimum programme. It considers how the New Zealand banking sector can lead the way in financing mortgages and home loan packages that...

Apr 30, 2026, 2:49 PM

Image of Industry perceptions of medium-density consenting issues, challenges and suggested solutions

Research Report

ER41 Industry perceptions of medium-density consenting issues, challenges and suggested solutions

This research explored with industry the challenges, problems and difficulties with consenting for medium-density development and sought potential solutions to the challenges. Interviews with 15 industry stakeholders were supplemented by...

Apr 30, 2026, 1:06 PM

Image of What's happened in the intermediate housing market since 2015?

Research Report

ER37 What’s happened in the intermediate housing market since 2015?

The objective of this report is to present an update on the trend relating to the size of the intermediate housing market since 2015.The intermediate housing market is a relative...

Apr 30, 2026, 11:30 AM

Client & community relationships 13

Getting into the quality habit

By

Improving building quality is a key focus for the sector. What are the problems with quality, and could new government initiatives such as self-certification be part of the solution?

May 19, 2026, 3:11 PM

Getting into the quality habit

New house owner satisfaction snapshot

By

Orin Lockyer

Owners of newly built houses are largely satisfied with the quality of their build, although communication issues remain a problem. A new resource from BRANZ is a useful guide to good client/builder relationships.

May 19, 2026, 3:11 PM

New house owner satisfaction snapshot

People at the heart

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With around 68,000 homes in its portfolio, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest landlord. Doug Spick, Director Maintenance Contracting and Asset Services, talks about its national maintenance and how a customer-first approach is critical.

May 19, 2026, 3:11 PM

People at the heart

Housing quality defects cost

By

Michael Bealing

Eliminating quality defects in residential construction would boost productivity. In recent research, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) quantified the benefit to our economy and households.

May 19, 2026, 3:11 PM

Housing quality defects cost

Developing strong client relationships

By

Orin Lockyer

This BRANZ guide helps builders manage expectations with their clients so they’re on the right foot from the beginning of a project.

May 19, 2026, 3:11 PM

Developing strong client relationships

Cover page of a BRANZ study report titled ‘Knowing enough to ask’

Research Report

SR443 Knowing enough to ask

Product Description This report examines the type of research newbuild clients research do before and during their build and how they interact with their builder during this process. It also...

May 5, 2026, 2:57 PM

Image of Understanding the builder-client relationship - Part 1: Builders perspectives

Research Report

SR461/1 Understanding the builder-client relationship - Part 1: Builders perspectives

This study set out to investigate if there was any evidence to support these anecdotes and, if so, what impact builder-client relationship tension is having on the wellbeing of each...

May 5, 2026, 2:28 PM

Image of Understanding the builder - client relationship - Part 2: Client perspectives

Research Report

SR461/2 Understanding the builder - client relationship - Part 2: Client perspectives

This study set out to investigate if there was any evidence to support these anecdotes and, if so, what impact builder-client relationship tension is having on the wellbeing of each...

May 5, 2026, 2:25 PM

Cover page of a BRANZ study report titled ‘New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey 2018’

Research Report

SR421 New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey 2018

Product Description This report presents the results of the eighth annual New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey. The survey looks at how new house owners rate their builder and how satisfied...

May 5, 2026, 1:16 PM

Cover page of a BRANZ study report titled ‘New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey 2013’

Research Report

SR308 New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey 2013

Product Description A survey of new house owners was undertaken to determine how highly they rated their builder and how satisfied they were with the builder’s performance. The survey’s response...

May 5, 2026, 12:30 PM

Image of Recommendations for first-time new-build housing clients

Research Report

SR356 Recommendations for first-time new-build housing clients

This report presents the findings from our work looking into what the industry needs to be recommending to new-building housing clients, particularly those building for the first time.The BRANZ New...

May 5, 2026, 11:41 AM

Cover page of a BRANZ study report titled ‘New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey 2012’

Research Report

SR287 New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey 2012

A survey of new home owners was undertaken to determine how highly they rated their builder and how satisfied they were with the builder’s performance. The survey’s response rate was...

May 5, 2026, 11:31 AM

Image of New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey 2014

Research Report

SR328 New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey 2014

This report presents the results of the fourth New House Owners’ Satisfaction Survey. The survey looks at how new house owners rate their builder and how satisfied they are with...

May 5, 2026, 11:11 AM

Artificial intelligence (AI) 1

Building careers in the age of AI

By

Dr Dat Tien Doan

AI is reshaping construction work, creating smarter, more sustainable industry opportunities

May 19, 2026, 3:06 PM

Building careers in the age of AI