December 2024
In this newsletter:
Industry news at a glanceBIF NZ 2024
Strategy Workshop update
MBIE: Summary of Submissions published following public consultation on Granny Flats
Stats NZ: Home consents down 6.9 percent in the month of October
Stats NZ: Building activity down 3.2 percent in September 2024 quarter
McKinsey insights: Delivering on construction productivity is no longer optional
Waihanga Ara Rau research: Realising the potential of Aotearoa New Zealand’s disabled workforce
INDUSTRY NEWS AT A GLANCE
RNZ: Government gives extension to remediate quake prone buildings
(Photo: RNZ/Richard Tindiller)
NZ Herald: Watercare’s new map shows Auckland connection constraints
(Photo: Watercare)
BIF NZ 2024 Strategy Workshop update
The BIF NZ Board met at Metrix HQ in Parnell for its annual strategy workshop this week. The strategy workshop is a chance for the BIF NZ Board to review and consider a range of workstreams for prioritisation for the year ahead from advocacy on behalf of members on key regulatory issues to engaging with different industry groups. It was a productive session with several practical outcomes which will be prepared as a 2025 strategy providing a roadmap for the Chief Executive to translate into results in the New Year and as a way to add more value to members and sponsors across a range of services.
The 2025 Strategy will be posted on the BIF website in the New Year.
MBIE: Summary of Submissions published following public consultation on Granny Flats
In June 2024, MBIE and MfE jointly released a discussion document, Making it easier to build granny flats. Through public consultation, feedback was sought on options to enable small, detached, self contained dwellings of 60 square metres or less without a building or resource consent.
Almost 2,000 submissions were received for the granny flat consultation and the summary of submissions has been published. While submitters generally supported the intent to make it easier to build granny flats, they indicated that changes should:lower the risk of building failureimprove consumer protectionsfairly assign liability, andavoid environmental risks, for example from natural hazards.
You can find out more about the consultation feedback in the submissions report on the MBIE website.
Stats NZ: Home consents down 6.9 percent in the month of October
There were 2,850 new homes consented in New Zealand in the month of October 2024, down 6.9 percent compared with October 2023, according to figures released by Stats NZ this week. For the full breakdown of the figures, please visit the Stats NZ website.
Stats NZ: Building activity down 3.2 percent in September 2024 quarter
The seasonally adjusted volume of building work in NZ was $7.8 billion in the September 2024 quarter, down 3.2 percent compared with the June 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ this week. Residential building work fell 3.5 percent to $4.8 billion and non-residential building work fell 2.8 percent to $2.9 billion over the same period. For the full report, please visit the Stats NZ website.
McKinsey insights: Delivering on construction productivity is no longer optional
The construction industry remains one of the world’s largest industries. In 2023, $13 trillion worth of gross annual output was devoted to construction projects globally, constituting 7 percent of global gross output. By 2040, the industry could grow by around 70 percent, but engineers and constructors in many parts of the world are struggling to deliver even today’s project pipeline. There is an increasing urgency to bridge the gap between the construction industry’s lagging productivity and its role and this article looks at the historic trends of productivity in construction and the reasons why recent efforts to improve productivity have not been effective. You can read the full article on the McKinsey website.
Waihanga Ara Rau research: Realising the potential of Aotearoa New Zealand’s disabled workforce
Industries like construction, engineering, infrastructure, logistics and manufacturing require support to meet future demand. Support is also needed to improve recruitment and retention. At the same time, 55.9 per cent of working-age people with disabilities are not participating in the labour force.
Waihanga Ara Rau has published an industry-specific research looking into the potential of Aotearoa New Zealand’s disabled workforce. The report provides insights for employers looking to boost productivity and foster inclusivity in the construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, engineering, and logistics sectors. You can read and download the key findings from the Waihanga Ara Rau website.
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