Green Star Buildings NZ

Green Star Buildings NZ will launch in Aotearoa New Zealand on 13 August 2024. We are working hard to build awareness of the categories. Find out more about the free series of hybrid events and masterclasses.

• Meet Minimum Expectations

For any project to be Green Star certified it must meet 16 minimum expectations. These expectations are set to ensure all Green Star rated buildings meet a basic definition of a sustainable building. 

• Deliver on the Net Zero Ready Pathway

Projects registering from August 13 January 2024 targeting a 6 star* must meet the Net Zero Ready Pathway. A net zero ready building is fully electric, has demonstrated a reduction in operational and embodied energy in line with Science Based Targets and has reduced its energy demand from the grid.

• Achieve Credits

A project is awarded points for each credit achieved. The total points determine the star rating awarded. 

*Please note the requirements for meeting the Net Zero Ready Pathway vary depending on the date of registration. Please see the submission guidelines for full requirements.

Green Star Buildings NZ awards one type of certification, Green Star Certified, with three levels of recognition – 4 Star, 5 Star, and 6 Star, representing Best Practice, New Zealand Excellence and World Leadership.

Projects can also choose to obtain a Green Star Designed assessment representing a precertification that the building’s design is on track to achieve a Green Star rating when assessed after construction. 

Green Star certification is a simple,  robust process managed by the New Zealand Green Building Council. 

1. Register your project

   Register your project directly using our online platform. Please check that your project meets the eligibility criteria. If you have any questions, contact us at greenstarnz@nzgbc.org.nz

2. Submit your documentation
   Get familiar with our submission guidelines and the documents needed to show your project meets our benchmarks, then submit them to us. 

3. Get your project assessed
   Our independent panel of sustainability experts will assess your submission, give feedback and/or confirm certification.

4. Promote your achievement

   Once you’re certified you’re ready to share your achievement with the world! 

The gap analysis provides an overview of the difference between Design & As Built v1.1 and Green Star Buildings, as well as the changes that were made compared to the Australian version. The substitution credit document lists how the new Green Star Buildings credits can be applied to existing Design & As Built projects.

Gap analysis

Guidance on credit substitution

Introduction

01 - Industry Development

The development facilitates industry transformation through partnership, collaboration, and data sharing.

02 - Responsible Construction

The builder’s construction practices reduce impacts and promote opportunities for improved environmental and social outcomes.

03 - Verification and handover

The building has been optimised and handed over to deliver a high level of performance in operation.

04 - Responsible Resource Management

Operational waste and resources can be separated and recovered in a safe and efficient manner.

05 - Responsible Procurement

The procurement process for key products, materials, and services for the building’s design and construction follows best practice environmental and social principles.

06 - Responsible Structure

07 - Responsible Envelope

08 - Responsible Systems

09 - Responsible Finishes

The building’s structure, Envelope, Systems and Finishes are comprised of responsibly manufactured products.

10 - Clean Air

Pollutants entering the building are minimised, and a high level of outdoor air is provided to ensure levels of indoor pollutants are maintained at acceptable levels.

11 - Light Quality

The building provides good daylight and its lighting is of high quality.

12 - Acoustic Comfort

The building provides acoustic comfort for building occupants.

13 - Exposure to Toxins

The building’s occupants are not directly exposed to toxins in the spaces they spend time in.

14 - Thermal Comfort and Amenity Spaces

The building provides a high level of thermal comfort and internal amenities that improve occupant experience of using the building.

15 - Connection to Nature

The building fosters connection to nature for building occupants.

16 - Climate Change Resilience

The building has been built to respond to the direct and indirect impacts of climate change.

17 - Operations Resilience

The building can respond to acute shocks and chronic stresses that can affect its operations over time.

18 - Community Resilience

The building can respond to acute shocks and chronic stresses that can affect its operations over time.

19 - Heat Resilience

The building reduces its impact on heat island effect.

20 - Grid Resilience

The building contributes to the functioning of the grid as it transitions to a higher level of renewable energy capacity.

21 - Upfront Carbon Emissions

The building's upfront carbon emissions from materials and products have been reduced and offset.

22 - Energy Use

The building has low energy consumption.

23 - Energy Source

The building's energy comes from renewables

24 - Remaining Carbon Emissions

The building's emissions from refrigerants, upfront carbon, and remaining carbon sources are eliminated or offset.

25 - Water Use

The building has low water use.

26 - Life Cycle Impacts

The building has lower environmental impacts from resource use over its lifespan than a typical building.

27 - Movement and Place

The building’s design and location encourage occupants and visitors to use active, low carbon, and public transport options instead of private vehicles.

28 - Enjoyable Places

The building provides places that are enjoyable and inclusive.

29 - Contribution to Place

The building’s design makes a positive contribution to the quality of the public environment.

30 - Culture, Heritage and Identity

The building reflects local culture, heritage, and identity.

31 - Inclusive Construction Practices

The builder’s construction practices promote diversity and reduces physical and mental health impacts.

32 - Indigenous Inclusion

The building celebrates Māori people, culture, and heritage.

33 - Procurement and Workforce Inclusion

The building’s construction facilitates workforce participation and economic development of disadvantaged and under-represented groups.

34 - Design for Inclusion

The building is welcoming to a diverse population and is welcoming to their needs.

35 - Impacts to Nature

Ecological value is conserved and protected.

36 - Biodiversity Enhancement

The building’s landscape enhances the biodiversity of the site

37 - Nature Connectivity

Wildlife movement is facilitated within and adjacent to the site.

38 - Nature Stewardship

Biodiversity is restored beyond the building site.

39 - Waterway Protection

Local waterways are protected, and the impacts of flooding and drought are reduced.

GBCA Responsible Products Framework

We are still in the process of setting reduction targets for the Energy Use credit that align with Science Based Targets. As part of this work we are also looking at setting absolute value targets (kWh/sqm), instead of comparative reductions. In collaboration with Beca we have begun the process of setting appropriate targets which will be added to future versions of Green Star Buildings NZ. Further information can be found in the below report.

Energy Benchmarking methodology