The recent launch of Homestar Version 4 drew a packed house, with Prime Minister Bill English making a video appearance at the Auckland event.
Homestar is an independent rating tool that certifies the health, efficiency and sustainability of New Zealand homes. And, thanks to extensive industry consultation, the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) has re-engineered the tool to align with the needs of those building apartments or homes at volume.
When developers use Homestar, new home buyers have absolute confidence that their investment is sound and their family will be kept healthy.
REINZ CEO Bindi Norwell extended her congratulations to the NZGBC, saying:
“Homestar v4 aims to make it easier for builders of apartments and multi-unit developments to get Homestar certification. New Zealand's current housing stock is below par by world standards, and any improvement will be of benefit to the health and wellbeing of Kiwis, particularly in relation to respiratory illnesses caused by cold and damp housing, like asthma and rheumatic fever, which can have significant impacts on children and elderly people.”
She added that REINZ welcomes initiatives that will encourage healthy homes and improve the country’s housing stock.
Adding to the enthusiasm for the standard at the launch, Dr Rhys Jones of the organisation OraTaiao, which is calling for healthy climate action, pointed out that housing is a ‘win-win’ area for both climate and health. “Low quality housing is a significant cause of poor health and addressing it can deliver substantial environmental benefits. Measures such as Homestar that ensure homes are built with better insulation, ventilation and energy efficiency are great for health and for the low carbon future that New Zealand needs.”
Also sharing his support for Homestar v4, resident builder Peter Wofkamp saying he’s used Homestar for a number of years but the revisions of v4 has made it simpler and easier but it’s still as robust. "We need to educate and increase the level of understanding in the construction field, and v4 will help those building the houses better understand what they need to achieve."
The launch of Homestar v4 has attracted support from the supply chain including Green Gorilla, Pink Batts, Viridian, Auckland Council, Watercare, Resene and Carters. The new Homestar v4 is live from launch, with the option to register new projects under either v3 or v4 until the end of September, at which point Homestar rolls over exclusively to v4.
The uptake of Homestar v4 is increasing significantly with Masterspec as the latest to announce the launch of no fewer than 10 new sustainable/green General sections, including two sections for Homestar v4 and three for Green Star. This should greatly assist designers and contractors with, project documentation, and formally providing/delivering to Homestar certification.
Sharing his support, Masterspec Managing Editor Alex Shaw added that "with regard to content and functionality, it’s Masterspec’s first step into formal sustainable, green sections. It’s not expected to be all things to all people, at least initially, but over time it is expected to develop and spread across more of the Masterspec Work sections and systems”.
Andrew Eagles, NZGBC Chief Executive Officer, is thrilled to have had such an overwhelmingly positive reception from the industry for a tool that is easier to use and which delivers dependable certification for the organisations which are working so hard to address the housing shortage backlog.
“It is only through the support of sponsors and partners that the revision of the standard was possible. I’d also like to thank all those within the industry who participated in our consultation process. That input is invaluable in delivering a standard that the public can depend upon and that the industry can use practically to provide warm, safe and dry homes for all New Zealanders,” he said.
The NZGBC and representatives from the Resource Managers Lawyers Association toured the country during August to introduce Homestar V4 and set out how councils are incentivising the building of better buildings and homes.
Cities on the tour were Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.