It’s cold! Even in Auckland, where I know you Southlanders would be in shorts and a t-shirt, I’m seeing beanies, gloves and scarves accessorising the pedestrians of Queen Street. While the chill reminds us to rug up, it also brings front of mind the buildings we live and work in, and how well (or poorly) they protect us from the elements.
The good news? The green building movement is heating up.
I recently spoke at Electrify Queenstown, where it was clear just how embedded and accessible the shift to electrification has become. The momentum and commitment to better buildings and communities was incredibly uplifting. Green certified buildings, like those rated with Green Star, are leading the way. They’re fossil fuel free, healthier, and more productive spaces for the people who use them.
Just this past month, we’ve seen a surge in Green Star registrations. Despite a slowdown in residential construction, the commercial sector is pushing ahead. We’re on track to hit nearly 70 registrations by the end of the financial year—almost 70 major building projects that will be healthier, lower carbon, and more energy efficient. That’s a big impact on the lives of Kiwis who work, shop, and gather in these spaces.
A major shift in the new version of Green Star is how we approach products and materials. If you’re involved in the supply chain or product selection, it’s worth checking out our explainer. The team will be diving deeper into this at our sold out Green Speak Christchurch and our upcoming Green Speak Tauranga event.
And for existing buildings, we’re excited to be launching NABERSNZ Water at the end of the month. Water efficiency is a huge opportunity, and with EECA’s support, we’re bringing this important tool to market. Join us in Auckland on 30 June to celebrate the launch.
Now, back to those beanies.
Each winter reminds us just how much our homes matter. Our aging, cold, damp housing stock leaves hundreds of thousands of Kiwis trying to ward off the cold, blasting the heater, and balancing energy costs with the risk of winter illnesses.
But there’s hope. Every year, thousands more Kiwi households are staying warm and cosy in new homes built above Code with Homestar. These homes are healthier, more comfortable, and more energy efficient, saving families money and improving wellbeing. It’s a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.
Thanks to the terrific work of our mates at Rewiring Aotearoa, we’ve also seen promising steps toward easing the energy burden on households. The recent announcements by Ministers Simon Watts and Chris Penk to make solar installation easier and more attractive for new homes are a great step forward. While our priority remains reducing demand over increasing supply, supporting renewable energy and easing pressure on the grid is a win-win. With Minister Penk signalling at our Housing Summit that he wants to take action on overheating and ventilation, I’m optimistic we’ll see progress on modelling and higher standards soon.
So, while the days are getting colder, the future of our buildings—commercial and residential—is looking brighter. I’m fired up about the opportunities ahead to keep delivering excellent, efficient, healthy, sustainable buildings and communities. I hope you are too.