Opinion

Showing results 1-10 of 83

Order by:

Seismic assessment

By Win Clark 1 December 2013, Build 139

Following the Canterbury earthquakes, a new term has come into everyday language - Percentage New Building Standard. But is this the best way to characterise a building's earthquake performance?

Read more

Time of change

By Grant Florence 1 July 2013, Build 136

Extraordinary changes are affecting the building sector – even how the industry is regulated is under discussion – But all the changes seem ad hoc rather than part of a transparent overall review.

Read more

A house is a home

By Dr Oliver Hartwich 1 October 2015, Build 150

Dr Oliver Hartwich from The New Zealand Initiative explains that, while they might make homeowners feel richer, high home prices are not a cause for celebration. It’s time to remember what a home’s true function is and why unaffordability is problematic.

Read more

Planning for a better future

By Susan Houston 1 February 2016, Build 152

Climate change, an ageing population and the need for a resilient built environment are some of the challenges we face. Susan Houston, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Planning Institute, says good planning now will prepare us for the future.

Read more

We need apprentices

By Warwick Quinn 1 February 2017, Build 158

Taking on an apprentice is good business, not simply another expense. It’s not an easy message to sell at a time when the building industry’s business model is to contract work out to the most competitive subbie, says Warwick Quinn, Chief Executive, BCITO.

Read more

The construction debate

By Phil Eaton 1 February 2019, Build 170

Fragmentation is the chief cause of malaise in the construction industry says Phil Eaton, Managing Director of the Greenstone Group, and the answer is more consolidation and working together to build community.

Read more

A call for regulatory change

By Chris Alderson 1 December 2022, Build 193

Chris Alderson, CEO of the Construction Health and Safety New Zealand Trust, says more-descriptive regulations such as the UK’s successful construction design and management legislation should be adopted here to deal with the complexity of health and safety issues in the construction sector.

Read more

A broad perspective

By Wayne Sharman 1 June 2015, Build 148

Dr Wayne Sharman went from scientist to senior management during his 40 years at BRANZ. Recently retired, he reflects on career highlights and his belief that, while developing the science is important, it needs to be applied.

Read more

Show results related to

Clear all filters

Refine your search

Topics (73)

Issues (83)