Building
Laws criticises Otago council's $30m headquarters plans
The Otago Regional Council has been told to focus on protecting the environment, rather than build a flash new headquarters. One of its councillors Michael Laws says the council's plan to spend up to… Audio
Govt, product quality checker at odds over scheme
The government and a key agency are at odds over what's being called a 'broken' and 'failing' building products assurance scheme. The accreditation agency called Jas-anz has rejected key findings of a… Audio
Mark Graham: Busting prefab housing myths
Prefabricated houses are being billed as the solution to building affordable homes quickly. The government has announced it will beef up the sector to fulfill its Kiwibuild promise of 100 thousand new… Audio
Finally - the government looking at pre-fab building
The government is opening the door of investment to allow the manufacture of pre-fabricated buildings to help ease the housing crisis. Roger Levie of the Home Owners and Buyers Association of New… Audio
Realtors face $200,000 fine over quake-prone property
People living in a quake-prone Lower Hutt apartment building will have to find new homes following their landlords' conviction for failing to carry out urgent strengthening work. Video, Audio
Fears squatters trapped as burning high-rise collapses
At least one person is dead and three missing after a 22-storey building collapsed in Brazil's largest city.
Boulcott building evacuees out for six months
The 700 people evacuated from a central Wellington building two weeks ago have now been told they can't go back for at least six months. That's how long it will take to earthquake strengthen the… Audio
Wheel of Fortune
Malcolm Smith and Robyn Curtis-Smith have transformed an abandoned West Coast gold mining valley into fertile farmland for their cattle. They've also built a house and a huge waterwheel that generates… Audio, Gallery
Church urges council to act over risk of building collapse
A church has called for the immediate evacuation of neighbours around a large and dangerous old hall it owns in Mt Eden and for the footpath and road next to it to be closed. Audio
No guarantee foreign firms will fill void
A building sector group says there's no guarantee that big foreign construction firms will fill the gap left by Fletcher Building's planned exit from doing by commercial projects. Audio
Quake engineering boss Peter Smith on CTV decision
Queen's Counsel Nigel Hampton, who represented some of the families of those who died in the CTV building, believes the decision not to prosecute the building's engineers was not warranted, and that a… Audio
Builders lose licences over substandard work
Two builders, in Christchurch and Auckland, have been fined and had their building licences cancelled for substandard work.
Building industry worried by hurried fire rules
New fire rules kick in this week catching the building industry on the hop. New rules will apply to hospitals, care homes, high-rises over 20 storeys tall, stadiums, big transport terminals, buildings… Audio
Builders worried best timber sent overseas
The quality of available timber is declining and builders are worried about its structural integrity, they say.
Builders forced to use 'second-rate' timber
Builders say the quality of available timber is declining and that they are worried about its structural integrity. They say booming log exports mean New Zealand builders are having to make do with… Audio
Horowhenua Council boss defiant over protester's water
A district council chief executive is refusing to turn the water back on at a building occupied by a Maori land protester despite health officials having told him it's illegal. David Clapperton is… Audio
Quake-deficient fixture should be banned - building watchdog
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment wants to ban a construction technique that proved catastrophic during last November's Kaikoura earthquake. Audio
Building regulator Australia for inspiration
New Zealand's construction industry needs help tackling the job of clamping down on poor construction and building regulator MBIE is looking overseas for that help. Audio
'In need' regulator restructures in face of building boom
The country's building regulator admits it needs a major overhaul after years scrambling just to react to leaky homes and the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes.
Eyesore flats can't be demolished
An abandoned Wellington building that's been dubbed an eyesore by locals is going to cost up to $40 million to refurbish after the Environment Court ruled it can't be demolished. Video, Audio
