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 Green Star Technical Clarification Rulings

Technical Clarifications for Green Star represent our answers to Technical Questions submitted by projects, and provide further guidance and reference to others. The list is regularly updated.  

There are two types of Technical Clarifications listed in the table below:

General Clarifications

These are extensions to the guidance provided in the Submission Guidelines. They clarify and sometimes supersede the original Credit Criteria or 
Compliance Requirements. General Clarifications set precedent for future project teams to follow. Should a project team wish to apply a general clarification to its project, there is no requirement for further Technical Questions to be submitted. NZGBC Assessors will also use them as precedents to assess submissions.

Project Specific Clarifications

These are published as references for other projects but, unlike General Clarifications, they do not set precedent. They often relate to special 
situations where multiple prerequisites exist for a particular project and are less likely to reoccur to another project. Therefore, rulings set for Project Specific Clarifications are often conditional and will likely vary for other projects. Each project still needs to submit its own Technical Questions and provides evidence relating to its own building in order to have a similar ruling approved for that specific building. 

Should you wish to apply any Technical Clarification for legacy rating tools to your projects, please submit a Technical Question to the NZGBC to 
explain why and how it applies. You can access the online Technical Question form here

Technical Question Title Tool Version Date Released Credit Name Sub-credit Name TC Link
Further guidance on the scoring metrics for Market Transformation Green Star Buildings NZ August 2025 40 - Market Transformation Market Transformation
Approved Ruling:

Project teams may use the table below for further guidance on the scoring metrics under the Market Transformation credit from Green Star Buildings. It would be expected that the initiatives proposed under the Market Transformation credit would be rated highly in at least three categories and medium in the remaining two. 

The metrics are: 

  • Control of outcome: The initiative delivers a guaranteed outcome
  • Scale of impact: The scale of impact is significant. For example, the outcome may satisfy multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Transformation potential: The initiative has the potential to transform an industry or sector
  • Length of impact: The initiative delivers long-lasting impacts
  • Value generation: The initiative can deliver benefits to both stakeholders (e.g., building owner or occupants) as well as the general public

 

Control of outcome

Scale of impact

Transformation potential

Length of impact

Value generation

Low

Process

The project goes through a process to try to ensure the outcome is achieved, but there is no certainty.

Low

Addresses one SDG, no direct link to NZGBC Strategy, limited beneficiaries 

Precinct only

Benefits are only accrued to precinct occupants or precinct developer.

1 year

Benefits are felt from construction to around 5 years after practical completion 

Low

Credit is mostly standard practice for industry and expected by the market

Med

Influence

The project has the ability to influence an outcome. The greater the effort, the higher the likelihood of this being achieved. Somewhat certain. 

Medium

Addresses at least two SDGs, links to megatrends, and at least two beneficiaries

Surrounding Community

The benefits extend beyond the precinct, but are limited to the surrounding neighbourhood or precinct

5 years

Benefits are felt from about 5 years after practical completion to around 20 years

Medium

Credit outcomes are somewhat valued by stakeholders, particularly those looking to get a high Green Star score.

High

Direct

The project is directly responsible for achieving the outcome. Guaranteed certainty.

High

Addresses multiple SDGs, aligned with megatrends, and multiple beneficiaries

Market transformation

This market transformation claim plays a significant role in transforming an industry or sector 

20+ years

Benefits are felt for longer than 20 years

High

Credit outcome has broad benefits but is rarely sought after.