Construction

Business confidence in New Zealand has held steady although firms are a touch more positive about their own outlook.

Welding repairs have been needed on some of the seismic steel imported to build the Acute Services Hospital building in Christchurch.

The building industry is battling with labour shortages but is yet to ask the government to let in more foreign workers.

Steel-test certificates for a huge Auckland sludge tank have been rubbished by the country's watchdog for laboratories, which says they are not acceptable for any regulatory purpose.

The type of steel test certificate supplied for a giant Auckland sewage tank is "simply not acceptable" for regulated purposes, NZ's watchdog laboratory says.

One of the country's largest sewage tanks has been built using steel that was not independently tested. Audio

The government is open to settlement of its leaky schools case after the Supreme Court ruled against Carter Holt Harvey, allowing the case to go to court.

The Transport Agency is refusing to name the company which manufactured the failed steel used in the Huntly Bypass or the laboratory that tested and passed it.

The Chinese factory that made the steel strand for West Auckland's Waterview Connection roading project has provided fake test certificates for other steel.

The steel used in NZ's biggest road project is up-to-standard and safe, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says, following questions about its testing. Audio

Hundreds of tonnes of steel that does not meet the New Zealand standard has been used to build the huge Waterview highway and tunnel in Auckland.

ANALYSIS: New Zealand rules governing the steel that goes into highways, bridges and tunnels are much looser than in Australia.

New Zealand's booming construction sector is showing signs of strain, with skills and materials shortages driving up costs, according to a new report.

Resource consent for the tallest residential skyscraper in the country has been granted by Auckland Council.

Builders are waiting for weeks to get concrete as Auckland's building boom pushes up demand by 20 percent.

Fletcher Construction is promising to use steel only from reputable overseas mills when it builds the SkyCity Convention Centre in Auckland.

New Zealand's national median house price has surpassed $500,000 for the first time, as demand continues to outstrip supply.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has given an assurance the Government encourages all its agencies to follow the rules when awarding building contracts.