The New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) has this week marked its 20thanniversary, celebrating two decades of progress as a trusted advisor and influential driver of change for Aotearoa New Zealand’s built environment.
Since being founded by 31 members in 2006, NZGBC has grown into a community of more than 700 member organisations and associates, united by a shared commitment to healthier, more resilient and lower-impact buildings and homes.
Over the past 20 years, NZGBC’s impact includes:
Growing market capability relies on a commitment to increasing understanding of sustainable buildings – a key strategic objective for the NZGBC.
Thousands of architects, designers, builders and suppliers to the sector have taken up training, education and events as part of the NZGBC’s mission to support the delivery of better-performing buildings, fit for New Zealand.
Membership includes people and organisations from across the sector – building owners, banks and investors along with designers, consultants and architects.
“This milestone is a moment to pause and reflect on what’s been achieved together,” says NZGBC chief executive Andrew Eagles.
“Over the past two decades, our impact has been shaped by the people, partnerships and mahi that have driven meaningful change — from homes and workplaces to the communities they support.”
“We continue to put people and the planet at the centre of design, construction, and operations. The strength of interest in green buildings is reflected in the continued growth and commitment of our members."
“As we begin our 20th anniversary year, we want to acknowledge everyone who has contributed to this collective journey. Your leadership and collaboration continue to move us toward a more sustainable future.”
To mark the anniversary, commemorative decals are being displayed on hundreds of buildings across the motu to proudly display the achievement of green certifications for the benefit of their tenants, employees, and communities.
NZGBC supports not only new design and construction, but also the transformation of existing buildings. Across Aotearoa, non-residential property owners and investors are mobilising to certify their portfolios to sustainability standards.
More than 500 existing buildings have been rated with Green Star Performance, NABERSNZ, and Net Zero Buildings certifications, supporting better day-to-day management of building operations for healthier, more productive working environments with measurable improvements in energy and water efficiency, and overall performance.
These tools support owners and operators to understand, manage and continuously improve how buildings perform in use – embedding efficiency in operation, better maintenance practices, and support investment decisions for investors seeking transparency of ongoing performance over time.
“Green Star has been a game changer in providing the industry a framework that concentrates on the specifications that enables a building to be built in a way that minimises its impact on the environment and provides a healthier environment for the occupant.
With an industry- recognised accreditation we can simultaneously report on our sustainability efforts and green finance, whilst also supporting our clients and tenants to do the same. Additionally, it’s helped focus our attention on performance – helping deliver lower running costs and more productive spaces.”
Saatyesh Bhana, Head of Sustainability, Argosy Property
To date, 16,000 homes have been built or are in the process of being built to Homestar certification, meaning thousands of Kiwi families are in homes that are healthier and can cost hundreds of dollars less to run each year.
Independent Infometrics research shows Homestar homes could help homeowners save $64,000 to $100,000 over the life of their mortgage through energy savings and lower interest rates –delivering benefits for both health and household finances.
Beyond individual projects, the benefits of green building are shared across the wider community. Developers and investors gain more resilient, future-ready assets; homeowners and tenants benefit from healthier, more comfortable and affordable places to live and work; and businesses see stronger performance and lower operating costs across both residential and non-residential buildings.
Waste reduction -Many NZ towns are struggling with a growing waste problem. Around half of all waste to landfill is from construction and demolition. Through Green Star and Homestar, NZGBC drives significant reductions in construction waste.
To date, approximately 168,000 tonnes of waste has been diverted from landfills through NZGBC certifications, helping reduce pressure on landfill and save ratepayers money.
Reducing climate pollution – NZGBC certifications have helped transform the supply of building materials, accelerating the uptake of lower-carbon option such as green cement, increased use of timber in buildings, and recycled lower carbon steel, and other recycled products such as flooring, insulation and acoustic materials.
Supporting energy security –Buildings account for around 15% of New Zealand’s gas use at a time when the country faces a gas supply shortage. Buildings and homes designed and constructed to current Green Star and Homestar standards support the transition to becoming fossil fuel-free, helping free up gas for industrial uses and supporting jobs, manufacturing and heavy industry.
The NZGBC has played a leading role in advocating for healthier, betterbuildings, fit for Aotearoa, including:
Demand for NZGBC’s training, events, and technical support continues to grow. Over the past year we have seen:
“Momentum remains strong across Green Star, Homestar, NABERSNZ, and Green Star Communities,” says Andrew Eagles. “The transition to Green Star Buildings NZ has the sector well-placed to address real issues facing Aotearoa, such as climate adaptation and the upcoming focus on embodied carbon targets in 2026.”
“We will continue to push hard fora building code that protects all New Zealanders, encourages transparent performance standards, and supports strong leadership on improving our sector.”