Homestar

During early 2017 Homestar was simplified through a comprehensive review by industry experts. Homestar v4 is faster, simpler and more cost effective to accelerate the delivery of warmer, drier and healthier homes. Simpler, quicker, just as robust.

Homestar was developed from successful international rating tools and adapted for New Zealand’s specific conditions. It can be used on any residential building, from stand-alone homes to multi-unit dwellings.

Homestar is a comprehensive, independent national rating tool that measures the health, warmth and efficiency of New Zealand houses. A home is rated on a scale from 6 to 10.

A 6 Homestar rating or higher provides assurance that a house will be better quality - warmer, drier, healthier and cost less to run - than a typical new house built to building code. A 10 Homestar rating means you've built a world leading house.

The earlier a project starts using the Homestar framework, the easier, and more cost-effective, it is to make new and existing New Zealand homes warm, healthy and desirable places to live.

Homestar assesses a house, apartment or multi unit development against several categories including energy, health and comfort; water waste and materials. There are two stages to a Homestar rating:

  • Design – this rating assesses the full and final plans.
  • Built – this rating occurs after a homes is constructed. It certifies that the features in the Design rating have been fully implemented.

    • What does Homestar take into account?

    To rate a home’s performance and environmental impact, Homestar awards points across seven categories: energy, health and comfort; water; waste; materials; site; home management; and an optional innovation category.

    Are you a builder or developer?

    Register a project here

    Ask us about volume certification here

    Registered on an earlier version and want to move to v4? Contact us here

    Are you a buyer and want a quality home?

    See a list of builders and developers that have delivered projects here

    Why build to homestar?

    Previous versions of Homestar

    New registrations under Homestar v3.2 (and earlier) are now closed, however existing registrations can continue to submit under previous versions.