Benchmark the energy and water performance of New Zealand's office buildings with NABERSNZ
NABERSNZ is expanding into new sectors – and will soon include rating tools for shopping centres, retail stores, warehouses and cold stores.
NABERSNZ expansion:
• Energy for Shopping Centres
• Energy for Retail Stores
• Energy for Warehouse and Cold Stores
These new tools are set to launch in the second half of 2026 after the conclusion of a targeted pilot programme.
A NABERSNZ rating provides an independent, industry recognised benchmark for operational performance. Since they are third-party verified, ratings have also been a component in accessing sustainable finance and investment.
NABERSNZ has shown itself to be a popular, successful way for businesses to understand energy efficiency, save money and compare their buildings to others. It’s a powerful tool for building owners to provide more efficient buildings and tenants can be assured that the building they occupy is energy efficient.
These new additions – shopping centres, retail stores, warehouses and cold stores – will get valuable insights from being part of NABERSNZ and will make effective ratings available to several new parts of the property sector.
Efficiency is the easiest way of reducing energy costs and demand. NABERSNZ provides a vital avenue for businesses to take stock and identify opportunities for better performance.
Expanding the building types available allows even more businesses to benchmark their operations and take meaningful steps to reduce their energy use – it’s an exciting step forward.
To find out more about this expansion and whether your building can be NABERSNZ rated (including as a pilot case) please contact NZGBC Impact Manager Bobby Shen.
Extra information:
NABERSNZ website - https://www.nabersnz.govt.nz/
How does it work?
Depending on the extent to which you use your office building, a NABERSNZ certification offers flexibility. NABERSNZ ratings come in three forms. Each provide a benchmark of energy use at various scales, while sharing the same set of considerations:
- The climatic conditions in which the building operates
- The building size and occupancy
- The hours of use
- The level of services it provides
- The energy sources (e.g. electricity, gas, coal, diesel) it uses
In all cases, the rating is reflective of the energy use over a 12 month period, and remains valid for one year. This encourages continuous monitoring and means that when your energy efficiency improves, you'll be able to prove it.
Whole building rating
All energy used in a building including tenancies and core building services.
NABERSNZ Water is only available for whole building ratingsBase building rating
The energy used in the building's core services -lifts, stairwell lighting, communal areas, common toilets, central air conditioning and staff kitchens. This rating excludes tenancies.Tenancy rating
The energy use of an individual building tenancy. This rating considers only the floor area occupied by a tenant, and considers energy used by things like computers, lighting, data centres, and staff kitchens. To achieve a NABERSNZ certification, a NABERSNZ accredited Assessor will compile your data including 12 months of utility bills, up-to-date survey drawings inline with PCNZ standards, the hours of occupancy, and computer counts for tenancy or whole building ratings. The Assessor will be able to provide an indicative rating, which will be submitted to the NZGBC for audit, verification, and final certification. An international recognised standard, backed by governments.
NABERSNZ is based on the National Australian Building Environmental Rating System (NABERS) and has been adapted for the New Zealand market. It is licensed by the New Zealand government’s Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) and administered on their behalf by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC).
In Australia, NABERS is mandatory for commercial office space of 1000m2 or more which is offered for sale or lease.
From 2021 the New Zealand government has required all government offices above 2,000m² have a base build rating by December 2025. A tenancy rating is also required when a building is at or above 5,000m². Agencies entering a new lease, or renewing an existing lease should achieve a minimum of four stars, while government agencies planning a new build project need to achieve a minimum rating of five stars.
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