Skip to main content

Investing the Building Research Levy

Every year, BRANZ invests the Building Research Levy into collaborative research and practical tools and guidance that improve how we build in Aotearoa New Zealand. These decisions are made by industry, for industry. Here’s how it works.

Every time a building consent is issued for work over $20,000, a Building Research Levy (0.1%) is collected. So, for every $1,000 over this threshold, BRANZ receives $1 to invest.

We make sure that every research dollar delivers practical results – helping drive real change where it’s needed most in Aotearoa New Zealand’s building and construction sector.

Investing in the sector’s priorities

BRANZ’s research investment is shaped by the real challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand’s building and construction sector. Learn more about BRANZ’s Strategy.

Sector priorities for the next decade of building with science, 2025 - 2035

Together with the sector and research collaborators, we work to make buildings affordable, better quality and more sustainable and resilient for all New Zealanders.

Through our 10-year Research Investment Strategy, BRANZ and our collaborators are creating that change.

Governance: Investment guided by the sector

BRANZ uses a strong governance process to ensure Levy funding delivers real value for the sector and all New Zealanders.

Levy investment is determined by BRANZ’s sector priorities, which are guided by the Building Research Advisory Council, a cross-sector group.

Individual research proposals are then assessed by the Research Investment Advisory Group, an independent panel of sector experts representing science, industry, Iwi, Government and the Building Research Advisory Council.

The Research Investment Advisory Group’s role is simple but critical:

  • Access proposals against investment criteria
  • Advise the BRANZ Inc. Board on where Levy investment will deliver the greatest impact
  • Ensure research priorities reflect real world challenges and opportunities

This process ensures Levy funding is targeted, relevant, and impactful to deliver more affordable, quality, resilient, and sustainable buildings for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Research Investment functions

We invest the Levy through three research investment functions:

  • BRANZ-led research
  • Collaborator-led research
  • Scholarships, that supports future researchers and leaders in the building and construction sector

Our main investment mechanism is an annual funding round for BRANZ-led research, collaborator-led research and scholarships. From time to time, we also offer ‘out-of-cycle’ funding for one-off projects to respond to urgent and emerging issues from the industry. Learn more here.

Updated: 2 October 2025