Under the latest Green Star Buildings NZ framework, Credit 3: Verification and Handover sets out three minimum expectations that every certified building must meet: metering and monitoring, commissioning and tuning, and building information. These requirements are designed to ensure buildings perform as they should from day one, and are handed over in a way that sets them up for long-term, efficient performance.
During our recent PluggedIn Webinar our Senior Manager Brad Crowley, Revolve Energy’s Jo Woods, and Pacific Commissioning’s Kingsley Tam dived into the new credit, and showcased the how’s and why’s. Here are some of the key takeaways:
Metering and Monitoring
Projects now need to install metering systems to monitor energy and water use across all major sources and uses. These must be connected to a monitoring system capable of clearly and accurately presenting the data, reporting on consumption trends, and raising the alarm when energy or water use increases.
Why it matters: Effective metering enables building operators to track performance, identify inefficiencies, and make informed decisions to optimise operations. It’s also critical for verifying that environmental performance targets are being met.
Metering is often overlooked or delayed, which can hold up final commissioning reports. It’s vital to plan metering early, align it with performance targets, and ensure contractors understand its importance.
Commissioning and Tuning
Buildings must undergo a structured commissioning process, including a 12-month post-occupancy tuning period. This requirement is vital right from the get-go, from setting environmental performance targets prior to construction, through to ongoing commissioning and tuning during construction and operation.
Why it matters: Commissioning ensures systems are installed and operating as designed. Tuning helps refine performance based on real-world use, occupant feedback, and data trends.
Engage an Independent Commissioning Agent (ICA) early in the design phase. Their involvement helps align commissioning plans with project goals, ensures accountability, and supports smoother handover. Tuning should begin 1–3 months after occupancy and include regular reviews of BMS data, energy and water use, and occupant comfort.
Air Tightness Testing
As part of the Commissioning and Tuning requirements, Green Star Buildings now includes airtightness starting in the design stage all the way to when the building is constructed. This is something we’ve seen start to occur on some projects but remains fairly new to many in the sector. Importantly, airtightness should be included very early from concept design, through construction.
Why it matters: Air tightness directly affects a building’s energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Minimising uncontrolled air leaking helps reduce heating and cooling loads, improves occupant comfort, and supports better ventilation control.
Air tightness testing is relatively new to the New Zealand market, so early planning is essential. Design teams must consider penetrations and sealing strategies from the outset to ensure successful testing and compliance.
Building Information
Green Star Buildings has a requirement around the building’s information, including having operations and maintenance information available, logbooks ready before practical completion, and up-to-date info for building users and facilities managers.
Why it matters: People don’t know what they don’t know, so sharing key system information as well as key building user information right from the get-go ensures users, facilities managers, and the building owner is across the detail and can deliver best practice. It also means that as teams shift and change there’s less risk of key processes or knowledge being lost.
Get set up for success
As Jo Woods and Kingsley Tam emphasized in the webinar, starting early is the key to success. These minimum expectations are not just compliance items, they’re essential tools for delivering high-performing, sustainable buildings. Whether you're a GSAP, contractor, or facilities manager, understanding and integrating these elements early will set your project up for long-term success.