Skip to content

Latest news

Find the latest sustainable building news and New Zealand Green Building Council developments.

Have a story you want to share? After comment on green, healthy building or want to arrange an interview? 

12
Movers and Shakers Q&A with Bridget Pyć

Spotlighting Aotearoa's leading sustainability professionals who are transforming the way we design, build and operate our buildings and homes. These are the people leading the mission for a more sustainable built-environment across Aotearoa. Bridget Pyć Bridget is centre stage in the push for...

Read More
CEO update: The heat is on

It’s getting hotter. 2023 was the warmest on record thanks to human-cause climate change and boosted by El Nino weather event. 200 days of the year saw new daily global temperature records for that time of year according to the BBC.

Read More
CEO update: Collective action

Photo by Hunter Cosford on Unsplash This week years of industry action, advocacy, and collective change contributed to something I think is pretty awesome. The latest Construction Industry Council key design guidelines. Sure, it didn’t dominate the news cycle or enter into many office watercooler...

Read More
New carbon reduction requirements coming 1st January

Since October 2022, all new Green Star projects have been registered under Design & As Built v1.1. One of the main changes from the previous version (v1.0) was the introduction of the Conditional Requirement for minimum Upfront Carbon reductions. This new requirement was included to emphasise the...

Read More
ECCHO reaches its 7000th home milestone

A basic, but vital step is for our industry to measuring our impact, and the performance of the homes we create. In the latest iteration of Homestar, version 5, we introduced new carbon accountability requirements for homes aiming for certification. Alongside these requirements, we created the...

Read More
Meet our interns

We are thrilled to have three fantastic interns joining the NZGBC whānau for the summer, Melika Rabbani-Khah, Bhavya Jasti and Vincent Heijnen. They will be supporting our Green Star and Homestar teams and getting involved with Future Thinker events.

Read More
CEO update: The next chapter

Hopefully over Labour weekend you had an opportunity to relax, enjoy the sun, and perhaps crack into that book that’s been sitting on the bedside table for months. If you were able to finish it or are after something new, I’ve got your next bit of light reading all lined up… the International...

Read More
CEO update: The need for a vision

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash There’s barely a day that goes by when I don’t have cause to speak to, or reflect on, our vision for all homes and buildings in Aotearoa to be green and sustainable, making healthier, happier New Zealanders.

Read More
Blower door testing: What is it and why should you care?

We’re seeing increasing demand for high performance building envelopes, with blower door testing an essential tool to ensuring great results. But while it’s common practice in many parts of the world, we’re yet to see this important practice taking hold here in Aotearoa New Zealand. With demand...

Read More
CEO update: A huge opportunity to make a difference

As the election draws ever closer, our sector has an incredible opportunity. In the face of a climate crisis, of which our sector is a major contributor, we also have the means right now to significantly reduce our emissions while also reducing living costs and improving the health of our people....

Read More
CEO update: Everything, everywhere all at once

Earlier this year, UN secretary general António Guterres issued a stark call to “massively fast-track climate efforts by every country and every sector and on every timeframe. Our world needs climate action on all fronts: everything, everywhere, all at once.”

Read More
CEO update: Our greatest challenge

We're facing the greatest challenge our industry has ever faced. Recent figures released by the Ministry for the Environment show that the carbon pollution associated with construction is soaring. Under the Paris Agreement, New Zealand has committed to reduce carbon emissions to 50% below 2005’s...

Read More
Haere rā Lena Albrecht

Many of you have come to recognise and rely on Lena Albrecht who has worn many hats for us during her seven years with the Green Building Council. Lena has been instrumental in the growth of our events and professional development programmes.

Read More
Update on Green Star Buildings NZ

Green Star Buildings - the latest version of Green Star, is being adapted for the New Zealand market. Following last year’s consultation, we have been working with our colleagues at GBCA, our Green Star Advisory Committee, local technical experts and this week finished our last session with our...

Read More
CEO update: New year, same resolution

Photo by Mark de Jong on Unsplash Happy new year. I hope you are well and had a fantastic break. Last year saw tremendous steps forward with major commitments to drive lower carbon healthier buildings through changes to the building code and energy labels on buildings. Government procurement also...

Read More
Welcome to our summer interns

We are grateful to be joined by Yash Bhatia and Zoey Zheng for the next few months as part of our summer internship programme. They’ll be helping our Green Star and Homestar teams as we process a record number of new projects coming through. Please join us in welcoming Yash and Zoey to the team!

Read More
CEO update: Seven steps we need to take by 2030

Photo by Aaron Birch on Unsplash While there’s only a few frantic weeks left before our office closes, our recent AGM has me in reflection mode already. It’s been a massive year for us as an organisation, for New Zealand generally, and importantly, for our efforts to address climate change.

Read More
CEO update: Your voice is important

Together we’re re-shaping the built environment, the way we plan, design, build, and operate our homes and buildings. Together we’re pushing for real change, driving improvements to our Building Code, and embedding sustainability into our regulatory systems and policy. Together we’re learning,...

Read More
CEO update: Supply, solutions and a spectacular summit

Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash Not for the first time this winter, New Zealand’s electricity supply struggled to keep up with demand. Transpower yet again announced to generators that power cuts were at risk unless supply was increased. Driving the demand on cold winter mornings and evenings...

Read More
CEO update: Our climate

Aotearoa now has a plan for how we adapt to the effects of climate change. Released this week by Climate Change Minister James Shaw, the National Adaptation Plan aims to provide a blueprint for more climate resilient communities.

Read More
Another winter showcasing our cold, unhealthy homes

Every year the weather turns and we’re reminded yet again about the sorry state of our homes. Every year charity drives ramp up to support whānau to stay warm, dry and healthy, while our health system battles with preventable illness exacerbated by homes that fail to provide a healthy environment.

Read More
Meet the 2022 Future Thinker of the Year finalists

Following the second round of judging, we are delighted to present this year's four Future Thinker of the Year finalists Eloise Blewden, Megan Burfoot, Jasmine Fletcher, and Kim Mi Yeoh. They all demonstrate fantastic leadership and are doing some exciting work in the sustainable building space.

Read More
A huge year for local government in Aotearoa

2022 is a huge year for all councils in Aotearoa. Every local authority will be having elections this year, on 8 October. That’s all our local and regional councils. They all do important work and work that can help – or sometimes hinder – green buildings, healthy homes and resilient communities.

Read More
HomeFit certifications coming through

On Friday the 24th of August, the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) will hosting the 25 th edition of their annual awards programme. They are marking this milestone by undertaking a significant refresh of the event, including giving the awards it’s new name and introducing some new focuses.

Read More
Twinkle twinkle 5 Green Star

Just a little over two years ago, we unveiled a plan to slash carbon pollution from buildings and construction. This plan, the zero carbon roadmap for Aotearoa’s buildings, has since become the defining document outlining the milestones of progress that, together, we are making.

Read More
Meet our interns

We are thrilled to welcome Isabelle and Robbie to the NZGBC whānau. Over the next few months they'll be supporting our Green Star and Homestar teams, and getting involved in NZGBC and Future Thinker events

Read More
Less waste through better design

In the building sector we often speak about good design, cost, and affordability. More recently the conversation has also turned to environmental responsibility, and the fact that 50% of New Zealand’s waste to landfill comes from construction. However, we're frequently failing to speak to how these...

Read More
The time is now

Photo by AR on Unsplash Recent weeks have seen temperatures in western Canada soar to a record-breaking near 50 degrees Celsius. Germany has been hit by huge floods, devastating entire villages. A year’s worth of rain fell on the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, home to over 10million people. Wildfires...

Read More
Spreading the word with RMBA

Over the past weeks, we’ve been working with Registered Master Builders Association across Aotearoa to raise awareness of recent developments in sustainable building and increase understanding of Homestar in raising the standards of our new homes.

Read More
A great year for green homes, communities and buildings

Photo by AR on Unsplash Thanks to all of our members, sponsors, and supporters for what has been a momentous year for green buildings and homes in Aotearoa. In the financial year just ended, working together, we’ve put New Zealanders health at the heart of thousands of homes and buildings, old and...

Read More
Meet the Member: Tech Coatings

Original photo by Sulthan Auliya on Unsplash Our Meet the Member series is a chance to hear more from those joining the NZGBC and learn about their ambitions for the future. We asked Lisa Hopfengartner and Shane Wyatt, both members of the team at Tech Coatings, about the work they are doing.

Read More
Meet the Member: Phoenix Metal Recyclers

Our Meet the Member series is a chance to hear more from those joining the NZGBC, and learn about their ambitions for the future. We asked Phoenix Metal Recyclers owner and Commercial Manager Hilary West-Reeve about the work they're doing.

Read More