Kia ora koutou, winter is nearly here, and my thoughts go out to all the people affected by the extreme weather over the past month.
Warm, healthy and efficient buildings are more important than ever and we’re working hard to keep advocating for modernising and improving New Zealand buildings.
I’m really excited about this week’s launch of a new Environmental Management Plan template for projects – it's guidance endorsed by Master Builders and developed to support clear, practical, and consistent environmental management on construction sites.
It provides builders and project teams with a robust, adaptable framework to:
• identify and manage environmental risks during construction
• meet regulatory and consent requirements
• demonstrate sound environmental practice to clients, councils, and communities
• support projects pursuing Green Star Buildings NZ and Homestar where applicable
Developed by NZGBC with strong industry input, led by Southbase Construction, whose experience delivering complex projects helped ensure the guidance stayed grounded, proportionate, and workable in everyday construction environments. It has also been endorsed by Master Builders, which is supporting its release to the construction and building industry.
It is guidance rather than prescription, and I'd encourage users to adapt it to suit their project scale, site conditions, and contractual requirements.
It’s for public use, available on our website and if you don’t already have an environmental plan template or want to review your current plan, this is a good place to start.
Download the new template here
Another exciting development this month was our announcement of the expansion of the popular NABERSNZ tool for rating energy efficiency in our commercial buildings.
As our leading performance certification for office buildings, NABERSNZ uptake is growing year on year – and now expanding into new sectors. It will soon include rating tools for shopping centres, retail stores, warehouses and cold stores.
Piloting NABERSNZ will take place from July this year, get in touch if you have buildings you’d like to be included. Contact our Impact Manager – Buildings Bobby Shen for details.
It’s been great to have so many projects already get in touch, including Kiwi Property which has already decided to pilot the new tool at the Slyvia Park mall in Auckland.
Read more about the NABERSNZ expansion here
I was able to speak to Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk at the NABERSNZ expansion event about our ambitions for election year, as we prepare to release our Manifesto – which contains a range of policy suggestions that will improve our buildings and homes, while also improving New Zealand’s energy sovereignty.
And looking ahead, we’re well into the planning for this year’s Green Property Summit, being held in Auckland on 11 August.
It's the premier full-day conference for the commercial and non-residential property and construction sectors, and brings together the latest innovations, world-leading projects, and some of the country’s most influential leaders in green building.
I look forward to seeing you all there in August - register here for earlybird tickets.
See you next month
Ngā mihi nui
Andrew Eagles
Pictured: Launching the new Environmental Management Plan template earlier this month with Master Builders chief executive Ankit Sharma