About Green Star NZ

Green Star NZ is a comprehensive, national, voluntary environmental rating scheme that evaluates the environmental attributes and performance of New Zealand's buildings using a suite of rating tool kits developed to be applicable to each building type and function.


Green Star NZ was developed by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC)in partnership with the building industry in order to:

  • Establish a common language and standard of measurement for green buildings;
  • Promote integrated, whole-building design;
  • Raise awareness of green building benefits;
  • Recognise environmental leadership; and
  • Reduce the environmental impact of development.

Green Star NZ works by evaluating a building against a number of categories that assess the environmental impact that is a direct consequence of a building's site selection, design, construction and maintenance.

The nine categories included within all Green Star rating tools are:

  • Management
  • Indoor Environment Quality
  • Energy
  • Transport
  • Water
  • Materials
  • Land Use & Ecology
  • Emissions
  • Innovation

Credits are awarded within each of the categories based on the building's environmental merits in a range of areas and takes into consideration the unique development requirements and impacts of each sector.  Points are then weighted and an overall score is calculated, determining the project's Green Star NZ rating.

Possible Ratings

  • 4 Star Green Star NZ Certified Rating (score 45-59) signifies 'Best Practice'
  • 5 Star Green Star NZ Certified Rating (score 60-74) signifies 'New Zealand Excellence'
  • 6 Star Green Star NZ Certified Rating (score 75-100) signifies 'World Leadership'