This is interesting for us all. This government is quite a contrast. They have an ambitious building programme, they want more urban development authorities and they have a stronger drive for environmental stewardship. Here at the New Zealand Green Building Council, we’re ready for these changes.
What are we doing? In our membership survey, you asked for better value tools, engagement with officials and making the case for change. And that’s what we’re delivering.
Better value tools – The transformation of Homestar V4 has been very well received. From smaller projects right through to Panuku requiring Homestar on their Unlock and Transform projects, covering swathes of Auckland in Manukau, Onehunga and Henderson. This agreement sees thousands more homes committed to Homestar. If you want to build or design to Homestar do be in touch. We’re happy to assist you.
Green Star Performance will launch on the morning of the 29th November in Auckland. This ground-breaking tool provides a lower cost Green Star tool to evaluate the performance of your existing buildings whether they are retail, industrial, education, health, crematoria (yes, really), petrol stations or other types of buildings. This is an assessment designed property owners, and can provide a check on how your Green Star design and built building is operating.
And, perhaps most importantly, it provides for portfolio assessment. When assessing tens of buildings the costs come down to as little as $1,000 per building per year.
Almost 400 buildings a year are being assessed in Australia using the tool. Besides the Auckland launch, we will also summarise it at the Green Rooms in Wellington and Christchurch and in a webinar in November.
Engagement with officials - Even prior to the election, NZGBC engagement with officials has been paying off. Our senior staff are increasingly meeting senior officials in Government on key matters. And the Ministry of Education, Housing New Zealand, Watercare, Defence New Zealand and others have joined as members recently.
Other significant Ministries are strongly interested in working with us, and we have strong, clear links with Government and good relationships with the new relevant Ministers.
Case for change - You also asked us to be more vocal in making the case for change. In the last four months we have featured on the TV news, Radio New Zealand or newspapers almost once a week. We are, with industry, mounting a significant campaign on buildings which you will see more of soon. If you and your CEO believe in better buildings and verifying this with Green Star Performance or NABERSNZ, do be in touch. It would be great to have you participate.
It was also particularly heartening to see the interest from the sector during World Green Building Week. Many events sold out and the response has been particularly strong. The many people who attended said they want better, warmer homes and buildings that are verified against hard standards.
For new buildings the work we have on our books for Green Star is up about 50% on previous years. It’s great to see so many new projects coming through. And from mid-2018 we will be consulting on a new standard so any new building can use Green Star design and as built, rather than using custom tools as much. We will also be seeking your views on carbon neutral buildings.
We will be continuing to drive change, outlining the leadership of NZGBC members in taking this forward and working with you for a better future for New Zealand.
At the NZGBC, we don’t need to say “Let’s do this”. We know that, with you, we are getting it done!
As always do be in touch should you like to discuss this or other matters
Best regards
Andrew