NZCB InHouse (September 2025)

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From the Chief Executive

IT’S A TIME of transition for NZCB, as we brought to a close our 2023-2025 Strategic Plan in June, and started planning for the coming years.

In July, the NZCB executive team and our board met to discuss what the next few years look like for the Association. Still to be ratified at the time of writing, our new strategic plan represents an evolution of the previous, more revolutionary plan that saw us through the 2023-2025 period.

Members can expect to see a continuing focus on the Association engaging with, and empowering our members, while maintaining the work that has led to the successful elevation of our profile and capability this past two years.

To help sharpen our focus on the new plan, we invited representatives from Cactus Outdoor, RCP, and BRANZ to give us their thoughts on how to approach culture development (from a customer/ member perspective), new construction technologies, and their views on what will be the big issues for our sector in the next decade. Their presentations the day before our planning got underway were invaluable, helping set the scene and giving us some additional perspectives.

NZCB’s impact within the construction sector and with the Government as a result of our work is now paying off.

By the time this magazine is published, the Government will have announced its proposed new building liability legislation for residential construction, which will see a move from the long established joint and several liability for all those involved in a building project (builder, designers, Council etc) to a proportional liability model.

This is the biggest change for the building and construction industry in a generation, and is designed to encourage BCAs to be less risk averse when it comes to signing off consents. It will also remove a potentially significant source of liability for ratepayers, who must ultimately bear the burden if there

is no-one else capable or available to pick up the bill when something goes wrong.

It does of course raise questions about how this risk will be mitigated by builders and developers, and the Government has already signalled that they will be looking at requiring building guarantees to be offered to homeowners. NZCB and Halo Guarantee Ltd have been working closely with MBIE on these proposals and we’ll continue to advocate strongly for a guarantee along the lines of the one we already offer.

While these announcements and legislative changes are attention-grabbing, we’ve also been making considerable strides behind the scenes in the member-education space. NZCB has purposefully become an education-led organisation through the development of our NZCB Learn programme. We’ve always believed the educational material we produced for our membership was high quality, and it was incredibly satisfying to have that recognised publicly, when NZCB Learn was announced as a finalist in two categories at the 2025 New Zealand Association of Development & Training (NZADT) Awards. The bulk of NZCB Learn training modules are provided free to members via Toolshed, and I encourage members to make the most of this resource.

The media’s focus on the building and construction sector continues unabated, with job losses and the high number of company liquidations occurring in our sector catching headlines. Our commentary has focused on the resilience of tradequalified builders during these tough times, and it’s starting to resonate. But our Conference in June was a timely reminder of the value of personal connection as well. There’s a great sense of community within NZCB; builders catching up with their peers, particularly during these tough times, provides invaluable support and reassurance.

Builders getting together in forums large and small may not be headline grabbing, but it’s a valuable part of being an NZCB member.

MALCOLM FLEMING

NZCB Chief Executive

Expert

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InHouse

Constructing

The contents of InHouse may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without written permission of the Editor. All material received will be assumed to be intended for publication unless clearly labelled 'Not for Publication' and will be published at the discretion of the Editor. Views expressed in articles in InHouse are not necessarily those of New Zealand Certified Builders Association. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication, the designers, publishers, and Editor take no responsibility for errors, omissions or for any consequences of reliance on this information. Articles are not intended to be relied upon as legal advice.

InHouse

Published quarterly in print and online, InHouse is the official magazine for New Zealand Certified Builders Association (NZCB). InHouse aims to educate and inform our members and their staff of the latest news from the Association and the Building and Construction Industry.

New Zealand Certified Builders PO Box 13405, Tauranga Central, Tauranga 3141 10 Marsh Street, Tauranga 3110

07 927 7720 0800 237 843 nzcb.nz

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Andrew Smith andrew.smith@nzcb.nz

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Cover photography: Quinn O’Connell

The Apprentice and the Master

Master

Charlette Bone won the Nelson regional heat for the Apprentice Challenge 2025, and followed it up with third in the national final in June. We talk to her and her boss Garry Nott about taking on apprenticeships later in life, and how to juggle family and work.

Charlette Bone won the Nelson regional heat for the Apprentice Challenge 2025, and followed it up with third in the national final in June. We talk to her and her boss Garry Nott later how

The

APPRENTICE

APPRENTICE

Charlette ‘Char’ Bone

Charlette ‘Char’ Bone

u NZ Certificate in Construction Trade

Skills – Carpentry at NMIT Nelson

MASTER Garry Nott

u Co-owner with wife Paulette of Tasman Homes Nelson since 2007

u BCITO Apprenticeship with Tasman Homes Nelson

u NZCB Apprentice Challenge 2025 regional winner and third place in national final.

BCITO Apprenticeship with Tasman Homes Nelson national final.

MASTER Former committee member and regional president of New Zealand

u Former committee member and regional president of New Zealand

Certified Builders (NZCB), and current member director on NZCB Board.

apprentice, Charlette, and her boss Garry Nott.

The apprentice, Charlette, and her boss Garry Nott.

Charlette

Bone

InHouse: How old were you when you started your apprenticeship?

Charlette Bone: I started pre-trade at NMIT, at 34 as a single parent of two young kids. You have to get work experience every Friday, and it was hard to get when I had to fit it in with school drop-off, after school care. I asked everywhere - job sites, local Facebook pages. A friend’s husband gave me the opportunity. What he had to say about me helped get me the next chance.

IH: Why did you want the chance at an apprenticeship?

CB: I did carpentry, building with my Dad growing up. I loved it. But back then girls didn’t do building. So I did other things and eventually got into hospitality. But building was always my dream. I’m happy I’ve changed careers and proud of myself, coming to work every day. I’m a person who when I start something, I finish it. You’ve got to back yourself, push away anyone that says you can’t do this.

IH: How does the reality of work compare to your dream?

CB: The thing that made me most nervous was having more responsibility. It’s a big deal to be left alone to lead a job; the pressure of being involved with the decisions; how you’re going to attack the project; sourcing materials - all that’s on you. You’re always there to work for the client, and if they’re not happy, you

change it. What you’re building is someone’s vision. I love creating people’s vision and that’s what construction is.

IH: What’s it been like working with Garry?

When I signed up with Tasman Homes, I thought I’d be getting a boss but I didn’t expect to get a family as well. But that’s what I got. I will always be grateful to Garry and Paulette. I got the dream but they’ve turned into a family, not just for me but for the kids too.

Garry Nott

IH: How did you find Char and decide to take her on?

Garry Nott: I talked to her tutors and their feedback was, ‘She’s top-tier.’ Worked hard, wanted to learn. The best apprentices already have some responsibility in their lives. She’s a mum, had a mortgage, so she had to turn up every day. She was fully invested from day one.

IH: But did those responsibilities make it hard for her to meet expected apprentice hours?

GN: She can’t start at 7:30am and finish at 5pm. We knew we’d have to be flexible. But Char appreciates that and in the four years she’s been with us, she’s never eased off. With Char, we feel we get nine hours work in seven hours on site.

She’d done a lot of work in the past in hospitality but she was looking for more security long-term, for her and

Char will do any task, but she wants the plans in her hands; see why we’re doing something the way we are, understand the detail. She’s bettering herself and taking responsibility for the whole job, not just her specific task... That is how a job flows, all going down the same path. It’s efficient. Garry Nott

t her family. Looking after families is a huge thing for me – my philosophy is that if you need time for your family, you go do it. Head along to school assembly, coach the soccer team. It’s the modern age; if we can accommodate those commitments, we can retain good people.

IH: Nine hours work in seven hours on site; how is that possible?

GN: Char will do any task, but she wants the plans in her hands; see why we’re doing something the way we are, understand the detail. She’s bettering herself and taking responsibility for the whole job, not just her specific task. She wants to learn the methods and processes and the reasons behind those. That is how a job flows, all going down the same path. It’s efficient.

IH: Her working different hours didn’t cause tension in the team?

My foreman Stew is here, You answer that Stew.

Stew: No concerns with team tensions. For the first year I was on another job and didn’t work with her. But I heard she was awesome on site. Last year, on quite a substantial project, I got to see Char’s work firsthand. With building, most of it is problem solving, finding solutions while you are constructing. She thrives on problem solving.

GN: Char’s been running a job recently, Stew comes along and she’s telling him where the job’s at, giving him tasks.

Stew: So I turned up, and it turns out Char’s using a new decking system I’ve never used. So she ended up teaching me. I’ve been building 20 years and I’m still learning: new materials, expectations, council rules. She puts the thought in. It’s nice not having to be the one to think about everything all the time.

IH: Sounds like you’re teaching leadership as much as how to be a builder.

GN: Early on I’d show her the plans, explain my approach. She always put the thought in; she’d come with questions. We value her way of seeing things differently. Get your apprentice involved – thinking, questioning – and you get another capable person and that takes the pressure off.

IH: You put the pressure on with the Apprentice Challenge though.

GN: I like them having a go at that, making them step out of their comfort zone. We said, ‘It’s your call, but we think entering would be good for you.’ It was hard, but afterwards, she said ‘I’m glad I did that, I struggled but I stepped up.’ We’re proud of her – it’s not about winning, it’s about growing.

ABOVE: Char competing in the Apprentice Challenge final where she placed third.

ABOVE RIGHT: Char with her supporters Garry and Paulette.

High on solitude

A friendship and a far-flung haven in Te Kiekie, Mt Somers, is testament to solid collaboration.

DWARFED BY the spectacle of the Southern Alps, this humble hideaway captures a visceral sense of place. Snowgrass Hut hunkers into the heights of Inverary Station – a farm that has been in the same family for nearly 100 years.

Owner John Chapman and builder Dave Leslie share a love for this big-sky country and collaborated from concept to completion on a hut that celebrates its splendid isolation. Designed to be built off-site and

then transported and craned into place, the dwelling is a prototype of form and function.

“There aren’t many houses in New Zealand that are 700 metres above sea level,” explains John. “Dave and his team were totally invested. They shared my enthusiasm and insistence on quality.”

Finished in just six months, this gem of a retreat set out to offer shelter and repose. But along the way, it has cemented a friendship.

BUILDER: Leslie Construction

LOCATION: Mt Somers

Read more at nzcb.nz/revere

SUBMIT TO REVERE

This project first featured in Revere magazine. If you have a project you’d like to submit for Revere – now online, in social media and print – email marketing@nzcb.nz

Constructing your retirement

It takes planning to reap the rewards of your working lifetime with a happy and fulfilling retirement - as much planning as for any construction project.

WRITER: TIMOTHY GILES

TREVOR AND SHARRON ANGUS

retired after selling their business, Trevor Angus Builders, 12 months ago, a year after putting it on the market.

“We were lucky,” says Trevor. “By the time we were ready to retire, we’d had enough and without some good fortune - a couple of contracts - we wouldn’t have had anything to sell.”

How do you value a business? It’s a common issue for retiring builders.

Patrick Donoghue served eight years on the Auckland regional committee, in varying roles including as president. But even with all that experience, he hadn’t really given a lot of thought to exiting his business when the time came.

“I ended up just downing tools,” says Patrick. “Selling your business is a big job, it takes planning, organisation. I just shut my business down because I didn’t want to go through the process. Selling is a lot of work.”

Patrick knows better than most just how much work that can be. Instead of retirement, he’s settled into a new career as a business broker, specialising in construction with Clyth MacLeod Business Sales.

“Selling well takes time. Once you begin thinking - even vaguely - what you might do once you stop working, that’s the time to start planning. The best time to plan for the sale of your

business is at least two years before the time you wish to exit.”

The upside of selling is significant, says Patrick.

“It’s all about the chance to retire well. You can free up capital and time; open up opportunities for life-style changes including more time for you, for family and friends. New moneymaking ventures become possible.

“If you do put the work in, it may be worth more than you think.”

Patrick says the issues builders face when coming to sell their business are specific to the type of work they do.

“Small-to-medium enterprises like building companies are typically owner-operated with the owner actively involved. That means it can be difficult to separate business goodwill from the goodwill attached to the owner themselves.

“On top of that, financial accounts are normally compilations, are rarely audited and may not reflect the true earnings of the business, which means that forecasts of future revenue or business value are usually unreliable, and often non-existent.

“My advice would be not to wait to sell until the business has exhausted every other opportunity. You can get the best prices when the business can still offer upside potential to the new owner. Make sure you’ve explored all your revenue streams and look at how you can diversify.”

RIGHT: Some sensible business planningand a realistic sense of what their business was worth when it came time to sell - has left Sharron and Trevor Angus set up properly for their retirement.

“I’m a year retired now and looking back, the one thing I’d say is, start planning

This is where Trevor says he and Sharron were fortunate.

for

retirement sooner than you think

“We started out in the early 2000s just building. But we diversified into some insurance work. It was those contracts in the end that gave us something to sell,” says Trevor.

it’s needed.

There’s a lot to do.”

Trevor Angus

Above:

Trevor and Sharron sought advice a year before selling and worked with their insurance clients to enable the sale.

“We got their agreement on our sale and gave them approval rightsbasically that they would rubber-stamp any new owner. They wanted stability too. The contracts had rolled over annually but they wanted to move into longer terms. It was ideal for both of us.”

When they first met with a business broker to talk about selling, some exciting sums were discussed.

“When we walked out of the broker meeting, with an estimate on-sale price, it was ‘Wow!’ Now we didn’t end up anywhere near that figure but we’re happy with what we got and the new owner is too.”

How do you make the transition?

Mike Atkinson is Managing Director at business advisory service Andersen, and in his view, helping builders and business owners navigate the transition out of their businesses

is all about striking the right balance between a happy buyer and a satisfied seller.

Mike’s advice is to take a sensible approach to what you want to get out of the move.

“Most of these guys have had a solid run and made good returns over the years,” says Mike. “By the time they’re ready to move on, they’re not chasing a big payday. What they don’t want is to saddle the new owner with so much debt they can’t make it work.”

It’s also important to think about how you’re going to structure a successful sale, and make it easier to exit.

“If it takes too long to get your money out, it’s death by a thousand cuts,” says Mike. “Drip payments can lead to poor decisions with that money. Be brave—transition the sale properly. Clear payments, agreed timeframes.”

According to Mike, that approach holds true whether you’re selling to someone else, or keeping the business within the family.

“Often you’ll sell to family or an employee,” says Mike. “So develop them. Pick the right talent, groom them properly. Set them up for success and you have secured your pathway out. They will be ready to run the business their way. So there’s no need to delay

Trevor and Sharron sought advice on selling a year before they were ready, leaving plenty of time to get things right.

the terms. Knock the sale out, perhaps four payments of 25 percent and then move on.”

If vendor finance, or leaving money in the business is part of the deal, then Mike says structure it and treat it like a commercial loan.

“You might decide to have more favourable terms when it comes to interest rates and payments, but make it just as clear as you would if you were negotiating any other deal.”

“Treat family exactly the same as any other buyer,” says Mike. “Otherwise, you risk awkward conversations around the Christmas table.

“This isn’t a DIY job—get proper advice and do it right. You’ll save yourself a lot of pain.”

What do you want from retirement?

Planning how you’re going to exit your business is important, but so is working out what you’re going to do once you’re out - and how you’re going to afford everything.

Massey University’s Financial Education and Research Centre released their latest Retirement Expenditure Guidelines this year.

According to the centre’s estimates, someone in a two-person household, who retires at 65 and lives to the age of 90, will need around $450,000 to live in rural areas but slightly over $1.1 million for a comfortable city retirement.

These estimates are in addition to superannuation payments. But finance is only half the story. That anonymous person in the Massey University study is looking at 25 years of retirement. What will they do with all that time, and will they be happy and fulfilled?

Chris Jones is a former HR professional and founder of What Next Retirement. Chris runs coaching workshops on how to plan for your retirement and according to him retirement can often be quite a nebulous concept. “Some people might see it as one long beach holiday, while others see it as a big scary void.”

Age Concern New Zealand research released last year backs

FROM TOP: Mike Atkinson, Patrick Donoghue and Chris Jones

To-do list when selling a business

u Financial statements for previous 3-5 years

u Inventory of tangible assets in the business, such as vehicles, tools, laptops - and an assessment of what is likely to need replacing and when

u Fully documented client contracts

u Fully documented employee contracts

u A healthy pipeline of work

u A statement of work currently in progress

u Documentation of the intellectual property that will form part of the sale, such as tradename, client database, website and domain names, software, logos

u Management structure in place with summary of LBP qualifications

him up.

59 percent of people aged 65 and over have recently experienced loneliness or social isolation and nearly a third of these report feeling lonely frequently or almost constantly.

“For business owners - people who have worked all their lives - just stopping can create a huge vacuum,” says Chris. “A big hole that work used to fill, which is easy to get lost in.”

He has had a lot of conversations with many people approaching retirement and has been researching the subject for years. While he doesn’t have a quick fix for happiness, he says it’s the questions that matter.

“Talk with your partner and family, asking questions of yourself: what does a good retirement look like for me or us? How are we going to make it happen?”

“I remember my father telling me, ‘The trouble with being retired is you become a person of no consequence.’ We all need purpose in our life.”

For Chris, the process of helping others plan their retirement helps him as well.

“My retirement workshops are mainly focused on others, but they also help me feel a sense of my own purpose, and they keep me socially connected. These are the sorts of things we need to plan for heading into retirement. But you need to actively think about them - they won’t happen by chance.”

A year after selling their business, Trevor and Sharron Angus aren’t yet ready to kick back and relax completely.

“We’re doing a reclad for our daughter at the moment,” says Trevor. “Once that finishes, then our retirement starts. But it’s shown me how important having a purpose is now work is gone. I think a part-time job, volunteer work, make sure you have something to do.

“We did our financial planning. We know what we can afford and what we want to do,” says Trevor.

“Our lifestyle block takes a lot of our time; we want to spend more time up at the beach; and I’ve got a shed full of rimu to get to. Once my daughter lets me.”

If you’re looking to retire or sell your business, contact the experts featured in our story:

u Clyth Macleod | cmbusiness.co.nz

u Andersen | nz.andersen.com

u What Next Retirement | whatnextretirement.com

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Rising from the ashes

When a devastating fire struck Abilities Group, NZCB members became a force for good.

WRITER: TIMOTHY GILES

A FIRE, BIG ENOUGH to make national news, sparked NZCB members into action, pulling together to help get more than 100 disabled workers back into employment.

“We saw news of the fire and our hearts dropped,” says Sharon Boyd who owns Edgecity Builders with husband Nick Farrelly on Auckland’s North Shore.

“The fire hit Abilities Group, a Shore business, like us. They’re an important part of our community. Not only do they recycle construction waste but they provide valuable employment for disabled workers. If they shut down, what happens to the staff? What happens to our waste?”

With these concerns at the back of their mind, Sharon and Nick organised a community day for NZCB members and suppliers to help get Abilities Group back to work.

“The fire was devastating,” says Abilities Group Managing Director Peter Fraher. “Our main operational building, our recycling facility –absolutely everything was destroyed.”

“It’s true that you don’t know what you have until you lose everything and we were starting from square one. One of the most urgent needs was replacing the workbenches our staff rely on each day. To keep our contracts and our very special workforce employed, these benches are essential,” says Peter.

But these aren’t just off-the-shelf benches.

“Some of the team stand, others sit, and several use specialised wheelchairs. These benches needed to be purpose-built, tailored to individuals, not just the task. And we needed 20 of them.”

Lance Spalding, of Growth Dynamics, was helping Abilities Group through the crisis. Having been in the trade, he knew to turn to NZCB via Nick and Sharon to get things moving.

“NZCB is an extended family,” says Sharon, “and I thought, let’s make it where members can come together,

u

Abilities Group is a non-profit recycling charity supporting people with intellectual disabilities into consistent, paid work.

Photo: RNZ/ Finn Blackwell.

‘We all had a good catch-up, a few speeches and a lot of laughs. The only bad bit was disappointing the members who’d volunteered for the afternoon shift. We were all just a bit too efficient and they didn’t get a chance to help out in the end.’

twork alongside each other and have a bit of an event.

“So I reached out to our Auckland members and said ‘If you want to volunteer and have a fun day in the community, get in touch.’ I wasn’t sure how long we’d need but I didn’t want to take away from family time. There’s enough stress as there is and personal time matters,” says Sharon.

Enough members volunteered to fill two shifts, morning and afternoon. Work began, says Sharon, the night before.

“Nick built a table to see how long it took, and whether the design would work. Then I copied and laminated plans and cut-sheets, one for each build team.”

On the Saturday, the NZCB community rolled-up along with suppliers such as Mitre 10, Hillside ITM, Bunnings and Hirepool to help out with all the materials and tools. Even smoko and lunch were provided.

“It was actually pretty straightforward,” says Sharon. “They were all NZCB members so we knew the builds would go smoothly and be

done properly. At smoko I could see we were way ahead and by lunch, we’d pretty much finished.”

In fact, the working bee became a networking event. “We all had a good catch-up, a few speeches and a lot of laughs.

“The only bad bit was disappointing the members who’d volunteered for the afternoon shift. We were all just a bit too efficient and they didn’t get a chance to help out in the end.”

A month later, Abilities Group held a Thank You Day for everyone involved in getting the organisation back up and running.

“People with disabilities, like all of us, need a sense of purpose, a reason to get up every day, get tidy and come to work,” says Peter Fraher.

“It’s also important for their parents and caregivers too. They can go about their days as well, knowing their dependant is in a safe and caring environment.

“This is what we were saying thank you for. The benches, the care. It gave us back our business and gave our employees their self-esteem, pride

and connection with their friends.”

Heading back to work from Thank You Day, Sharon says she, Nick and the members who volunteered got a lot out of the work as well.

“It was special seeing our benches performing to spec, the workers happy and working away – they’re an important part of our sector.

“But I think the members who gave that time got the most out of it. Everyone’s doing it tough at the moment, there’s a lot of stress and people don’t always come to networking events or tell each other how hard it is. But working together to support others – that was the win.

“I met members I haven’t talked to before. Hopefully this helps us pull together, no-one should face tough times alone, we are all going through the same stuff –redundancies, not enough work. If we are talking, we can find the work that is there. Pull in hands when they’re needed.

“I think the Abilities project reminded us of our community. A certified community.”

FROM LEFT: Volunteers working on the purpose-built benches. The working bee became a networking event. The volunteer team. Nick and Sharon are pictured fifth and sixth from the right.

NZCB is looking to support more community projects in future. For proposals or sponsorship offers, contact nicola@nzcb.nz

Gateway to greater autonomy

Are you a contractor or employee? A new gateway test is coming soon, writes Kate Ashcroft.

CONTRACTOR ARRANGEMENTS

remain a cornerstone of New Zealand’s construction industry. However, they can be challenged, with “contractors” sometimes successfully arguing they are employees, and entitled to all minimum employment rights. To help businesses get it right and

allow greater autonomy in decision making between parties, the Employment Relations Act 2000 is getting a revamp. Newly proposed changes detailed in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill 2025 include the implementation of a new contractor gateway test.

Ashcroft Mitchell McGregor operates the NZCB Employment helpline, offering specialist advice, representation and support across employment, immigration and health and safety law, to businesses throughout New Zealand. Visit ammlaw.co.nz

KATE ASHCROFT Ashcroft Mitchell McGregor

Proposed criteria for the new gateway test

The proposed gateway test states that a person is considered an independent contractor if:

 There is a written agreement with the worker, specifying they are an independent contractor;

 The worker is not restricted from working for others (including competitors);

 The worker is not required to do set hours, times, days, minimum period, or can sub-contract the work;

 The business does not terminate the contracting agreement if the worker does not accept additional work; and

 The worker had a reasonable chance to seek independent advice before accepting the contracting agreement.

If passed, this test will mean contractors who are engaged in accordance with these rules cannot then be held to be employees.

However, if one or more of these factors are not met, then the relationship status will be open to challenge.

Practically speaking, we expect the biggest challenge in complying with these tests is that many businesses prefer to retain greater control over the way their contractors work for them and who performs the work.

Given the real risk of challenge to contractor relationship status, we recommend businesses seek advice on whether their current contractor arrangements are appropriate. It is

We recommend businesses seek advice on whether their current contractor arrangements are appropriate.

likely that changes to arrangements will be needed once the new law is passed, to get the benefit of the certainty it offers.

When will it become law?

The Bill has passed its first reading, and public submissions closed in mid-August. Once the Bill has gone through its second and third readings and Royal Assent is obtained, it will become law.

Stay up to date

If you have any questions or concerns around contract arrangements and the relevant test, we suggest that you get in touch with Ashcroft Mitchell McGregor via the NZCB Helpline.

Ashcroft Mitchell McGregor delivers specialist advice, representation and support across employment, immigration and health and safety law to businesses throughout New Zealand.

Visit ammlaw.co.nz to subscribe to our newsletter, gain access to our free webinars, receive invitations to our workshop and seminar series and stay up to date with the latest developments.

Is your commercial vehicle policy roadworthy?

Personal versus commercial – golden rules to ensure the policies for your business are fit for purpose.

up not being covered in an accident. Commercial policies are designed to meet the greater risks that come from business use such as hauling goods to site, employees who use the vehicle, and the higher risk of claims. For example, imagine a young apprentice not used to a larger vehicle backing a trailer … and the greater chance of it all going wrong.

Key items to have in your policy

When you are organising a commercial policy, here are some key things to ensure are included:

 Loss of use: If your vehicle is out of action due to a claim, loss of use cover will contribute costs towards a rental vehicle so you can still be on the road.

 After-business activities: If you use your vehicle for activities on the weekends, such as off-roading, make sure you declare it. This could impact your cover and who we recommend you insure the vehicle with.

ICIB Brokerweb is the trusted insurance broker for NZCB and is proud to be celebrating 50 years of doing business in New Zealand. For a review of your commercial vehicle cover, call us on 0800 644 444 or visit icib.co.nz

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE insurance policies are very different to personal car insurance policies, which means there are several things to think about when you’re considering cover.

The number one rule is to never have a personal car insurance policy for any vehicle you are using in your day-to-day business – you may end

 Signwriting: If your vehicle is signwritten, ensure the costs are noted on the policy and included in the sum insured. That way, you can reinstate the signwriting if it needs to be redone after an incident.

 Previous offences: If you have had previous driving or traffic offences, declare them. If you’ve had a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction, it is best to say so. While you may get a higher excess, it is prudent to have this noted. If you don’t, you may find there is no cover.

 Additions and deletions benefit:

If you have an existing commercial motor policy, check it has an additions and deletions benefit. If you buy a new work vehicle on a Saturday, it’ll be automatically covered – as long as you get the details to us within 30 days and is under a certain dollar value.

 Windscreen cover: Ensure you have windscreen/glass cover. Due to the technology in windscreens these days, the replacement can be more complex so is not the quick, easy, and cheap fix it used to be.

The current cost of motor policies

You may have noticed that your motor vehicle policies have increased in

price over the last couple of years, with the cost to repair newer vehicles and inflation (panelbeating, paint, parts and shipping costs) being core factors.

You get what you pay for with motor insurance. The cheapest premium may possibly, or indeed probably, be the cheapest because the policy provides less cover or the key extension a building business requires has not been included. When comparing premiums make sure you compare the cover being provided.

Ensuring your commercial vehicle policy is roadworthy for your business will save you time and money when it comes to claims time.

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Software that works miracles

Burdened by time poverty, admin and inaccuracies? The life-changing virtues of job management software unpacked.

FreeUp/Released is a NZCB National Partner (Starter) and tech advisor for builders – making the process quick and easy, from selecting the right software to setting up the system to training staff. FreeUp/Released also operates the NZCB Technology and Software helpline for members. Contact us at 09 887 9950 or hello@freeup.co.nz or visit freeup.co.nz

CAN JOB MANAGEMENT software (JMS) reduce the administrative burden for a trades business?

The answer is unequivocally yes. The right JMS can change your systems and your life by minimising or even eliminating a range of administrative tasks.

Many construction and trades business owners have reported that good software, implemented effectively, works miracles when it comes to getting time back in their day. They’re freed up to spend time with family, take holidays, and work on the business rather than just in it.

u JMS streamlines communication within your team

Getting the right information to the right people can be a real time suck. It’s also a crucial task – dropping the ball on this can lead to mistakes and missed appointments, among other things. While some forms of communication are better done by humans, the transfer of crucial data can be achieved very effectively and efficiently by a job management platform that suits your operations. A job card acts as a central source of information, making details like

KELLIE BEAUMONT FreeUp/Released

schedules, resources, staffing, and client requests easily accessible to those who need to know. With automation features, many JMS can also send out SMS and email reminders to clients, and notify staff of important points.

Minimising communications (and therefore the mental load of ensuring everyone’s informed) is a huge weight off the shoulders of most trades business owners, and it’s one of the most valuable services that JMS offers.

u JMS makes scheduling easier

By allowing all staff to have access to a schedule that’s updated remotely and in real time, job management platforms remove the guesswork (and administrative work) from scheduling. Features like drag-and-drop capability, colour-coding, and AI assistance can make the task even smoother and minimise costly, time-consuming scheduling errors.

u JMS allows you to take advantage of spare moments JMS systems invariably have mobile apps which allow full or partial access to all features when you’re on the go. This means that you and your team can use downtime on site, or passenger time in the van, to update information and deal with admin. Having the option to tick off small admin tasks on the go is often a big factor in the decisions our clients make: which mobile operating systems a particular software is compatible with; how many features are available for use on mobile devices; and how easy it is to give limited access to their team, contractors and other third parties.

u JMS makes paperwork faster and easier

Creating an invoice or quote from scratch every time eats up time like nothing else, and is a waste of effort, when so many of your invoices will be the same as, or similar to, previous ones.

With autofill, templates, live price lists, and other handy technology assists, you can make this type of paperwork a much quicker task and reduce the amount of time spent chained to your desk. Getting invoices and quotes out promptly is a mark of good customer service and also helps to improve your cashflow – job management software can make it a much more attainable prospect.

u JMS tracks your costs and allows you to price accurately Most JMS platforms have costtracking capabilities that provide invaluable information to support your financial decision-making. To do this manually can require a lot of time with pen, paper, and calculator or numerous dreaded spreadsheets, so this feature is a huge bonus for savvy business owners, particularly in the construction business, where pricing a project accurately can make or break you.

A key aspect of cost-tracking with your JMS is ensuring that it is set up correctly (from the start if possible), with supplier pricing files, accounting codes, and other small but crucial details all squared away. Capturing all labour and material costs on every project means you have the data you need to price the next project and maintain your margins.

The examples above are just a few of the ways that the right JMS can reduce the burden of your business administration and make your life much easier.

Visit freeup.co.nz to find the software that enhances your unique systems.

Margin erosion – the silent killer

Profit leaks are like death by a thousand cuts – but there’s a solution.

YOU MIGHT BE winning work and staying busy, yet still find there’s less in the bank than expected. Over time, small leaks in profitability can become a serious issue.

The good news? With awareness and the right systems, you can identify margin erosion early and take steps to stop it from becoming a problem.

Understand your overheads

My Smart Office can help you get more done in less time. Then you can focus on what matters: growing your business. Amanda Chisholm runs a successful residential building company with her husband and has over 20 years of experience working with customers, sales and marketing, bookkeeping and administration. For more advice contact MySmartOffice on 021 886 120 or visit: mysmartoffice.co.nz

Have a clear understanding of your fixed and variable costs. This includes everything from wages, vehicles and rent, to software subscriptions, admin support and marketing. These costs – your overheads – need to be covered in your charge-out rates or you’re effectively working for free.

It’s easy to underestimate just how much it costs to run a building business. If you haven’t reviewed your overheads in the last six-to-12 months, do it now. Expenses shift, prices rise and what worked last year may no longer be enough to keep your margins healthy.

Know your numbers

Many builders set their rates based on what competitors are charging, or what they think clients will tolerate. But without knowing your true costs and break-even point, you risk undercharging and eroding your margins right from the start.

Calculate your true costs, then set your rates to cover those expenses with a healthy margin built in for profit. Your business shouldn’t just survive, it deserves to thrive.

Stay on top of project costs

 Track every project against budget in real time. If you’re not using project management software or work-in-progress reports, it’s worth the investment.

 Regular reviews allow you to see if labour costs are running over, materials are more expensive than expected, or if variations are eating into your margin.

 Charge for every variation, extra and delay that falls outside the original

AMANDA CHISHOLM

My Smart Office

scope. Too often, builders absorb these small costs to keep the client happy, but ‘small’ can quickly add up to thousands.

Quote smart

Being too eager to win the job can lead to rushed pricing, missed items or not allowing enough for time and materials. Don’t leave money on the table just to stay competitive. Be thorough, include realistic allowances, and clearly define what is – and isn’t – included.

If you’re still pricing manually, consider using estimating software to streamline the process and reduce human error. A professional, wellprepared quote sets the tone for the job and positions you as a confident, capable builder.

Review regularly

Don’t wait for year-end financials to spot an issue; by then it may be too late. Your business isn’t static, and neither are your costs. Set a regular

schedule (ideally quarterly) to review your charge-out rates, supplier prices, subcontractor rates and overheads.

If your only contact with your accountant is after year-end, consider one who offers business advisory services. Reflecting on a full year of trading won’t help fix problems in real time. A good advisor can help you monitor cashflow, pricing and profit before issues like IRD debt start to pile up.

Protect your profit

Profit isn’t a dirty word – it’s what allows you to reinvest in your business, hire great people, take time off and grow sustainably. Staying profitable doesn’t mean charging top dollar at every opportunity. It’s knowing your costs, pricing with confidence, tracking project performance and not letting avoidable mistakes eat into your bottom line.

By knowing and protecting your margins, you’re not just staying in business, you’re building a better one.

Profit isn’t a dirty word – it’s what allows you to reinvest in your business, hire great people, take time off and grow sustainably.

Cross-leases and body corporate disputes

What’s the difference between a cross-lease and a body corporate? Understanding the ins and outs of the arrangements can make a big difference if you run into disputes.

The BDT provides guidance to parties and their advisers as to the most appropriate dispute resolution process for their dispute. Call 09 486 7143 or 0508 284 534, email registrar@buildingdisputestribunal.co.nz or visit buildingdisputestribunal.co.nz

AT THE BUILDING Disputes Tribunal (BDT) and our sister companies, we regularly see disputes over crossleases, body corporates, and other property-related issues.

Common examples include decks, carports or fences built without the other cross-lease owners’ consent. Body corporate and unit owner disputes often arise over building work, repairs or maintenance.

Disputes can stall vital repairs and maintenance or planned building work. They can impact property sales and values, and damage relationships. That’s why resolving these disputes efficiently – and outside of court –is critical.

Two simple questions can help your clients avoid pitfalls and add value: “Is this a cross lease or body corporate?” and “Do you have the neighbours’ or body corporate’s consent?” Your clients may not realise this is needed and will appreciate the heads-up.

How do these arrangements differ?

Cross-lease and body corporate arrangements present challenges, especially with shared responsibilities. In cross-leases, owners hold undivided shares in land and lease their homes. Disagreements over alterations or shared spaces can cause delays when one owner refuses to engage, halting necessary repairs and maintenance or planned changes.

In body corporate settings, owners share responsibility for common areas. Under section 80(1)(g) of the Unit Titles Act, owners must ensure their property doesn’t cause

economic harm to others, even without physical damage. For example, a poorly maintained unit can lower the value of neighbouring properties, leading to disputes over maintenance.

Many agreements require arbitration, but the process can stall if one party doesn’t act.

Lease

rent review disputes

If you have leased premises, you’ll know that rent review disputes are common.

They can arise from market reviews, PPI or CPI reviews, fixed dollar/percentage adjustments, and disputes over caps (limits on increases), collars (minimum thresholds for increases), or tailored clauses in the lease. Often, the parties’ rent valuations vary widely.

BDT’s sister company, the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre, offers a fixed-fee rent review arbitration. A binding decision is delivered within 35 working days. Submissions are made in writing, with no expensive hearing required. The process is private and confidential. For $5,000 + GST (shared equally between parties), you and the other party can agree to use this service to get a quick, binding answer and move on, so you can focus on your core business.

How BDT and the ADR Centre help

Our services are confidential, cost-effective, and efficient. We help protect relationships while resolving disputes fairly. Whether you’re dealing with rent review disagreements,

LAUREN PHILLIPS Research Clerk at The ADR Centre

MICHAEL JAMIESON Manager of Commercial Contracts at the ADR Centre also manages the Building Disputes Tribunal (BDT)

cross-lease issues, or body corporate challenges, we ensure your or your customers’ property matters are handled expertly.

Our processes have tight time frames, ensuring disputes don’t get stuck in limbo. We can help you or your customer get a quick answer and move on.

Contact us today if you’d like to discuss the options or get tailored guidance.

Disclaimer: Information published in this article is not intended to be comprehensive. No person should act in reliance on any statement in the article and the Building Disputes Tribunal accordingly does not accept any responsibility. Readers are advised that specialist legal advice should be sought in relation to all matters covered in this article.

jameshardie.co.nz

STRIA™ CLADDING

The art of avoiding the tender process

Fairness and strategy: Tips on smoothing the way so everyone gets a good deal.

NO ONE LIKES paying too much. But clients are rarely after the lowest price; they want to know they’re paying a fair price.

Tenders are often promoted as a way to find out what is a fair price in the market. But they’re not fair on the market since customers don’t factor in the cost to tenderers. This is a hidden but real cost that ultimately drives up building costs.

It’s also worth asking whether the lowest tender is really going to offer the best value.

Shopping a job around, where the client gets many builders to price, is often worse. It lacks the discipline of the tender process. In theory a tenderer should expect fair treatment in the decision-process. But shopping around has no rules. Is the client asking you to quote a job when the client has already decided to go with someone else? Are you simply a bargaining chip with their preferred supplier?

Instilling confidence in the price you quote must be the focus of your sales process. If clients are confident you’re delivering value, price becomes a secondary issue.

The process starts with picking your customers. This may sound counterintuitive in a tough market, however, it’s important to spend your resources where you’ll get the best return. When it’s hard to find new customers, it’s tempting to take on work you wouldn’t otherwise consider. But that work must still make business-sense for you.

I always recommend charging a fee for doing any estimating, even if it’s just a nominal amount. Whether you’re preparing the estimate yourself or paying a third party to do it for you, there’s a real cost for estimating in your time and expertise, and the client should pay for this.

Using a third party can help with justifying these costs. Clients seem more willing to pay when it’s an external cost to you rather than “just” your time.

You can also use this as part of your strategy to avoid clients shopping the project around. You can assure a

Nick Clements is the founder and managing director of YourQS, a technology enabled quantity surveying service. Nick has 30 years of experience in the New Zealand construction sector at the leading edge of construction technology. Nick is a registered QS and Chair of NZIQS Auckland Branch, and was the inaugural Digital Technology winner of the Building Institute Aotearoa (formerly NZIOB) Building People awards. Check out his podcast Beyond the Guesstimate.

client that, as an independent third party, a QS gives them a fair view of the market cost for a project. This saves the client the hassle of having to talk to lots of builders, as well as having to break the bad news to those who miss out.

The ideal scenario is to get alongside the customer as they start their building journey. Become that guiding hand ensuring that they have a great outcome. Of course, that may not always be possible as they could already be working with a designer. But at least encourage the client to get an estimate of the build cost as early as possible in the design process.

The sooner a client gets the full picture about the cost of a project, the sooner they can deal with any

surprises – whether that means reducing the project scope; lowering specification; finding more money; or, worst case, killing the project altogether. Dealing with this early gives a better outcome for the client.

Tender Tips:

 Show that you add value.

 Be prompt and clear with your communication.

 Line up your references to prove your credibility and expertise.

 Build a visible track record. Have an up-to-date website and maintain social media accounts.

 Leverage your relationships. It’s not only you working on the project but your team of subtrades. Give your clients confidence in the package that you offer.

If clients are confident you’re delivering value, price becomes a secondary issue.

With Yale Home App

NZCB Studio launched

Stunning design and streamlined process combine to make dream builds affordable.

At designgroup stapleton elliott, we believe a well-established design process is essential for creating excellent architecture. We place value on enhancing cultural identity, advancements in technology, and responding to our environment. designgroupstapletonelliott.co.nz

IF YOUR CLIENTS are looking for streamlined, high-quality options for building their dream homes, NZCB Studio designs are the solution.

Launched in August, these architecturally designed homes have been created in collaboration with architects Designgroup Stapleton Elliott (DGSE) and provide a framework to efficiently manage and deliver affordable plans for your clients to build their dream homes.

We’ve launched NZCB Studio with two-bedroom and three-bedroom designs – with three specification tiers for clients to choose from. These options provide excellent value without sacrificing quality or design.

We aim to develop additional plans as part of the NZCB Studio suite in the future, and welcome your feedback on the types of plans we should roll out.

Why NZCB Studio?

u Easy to build Pre-designed plans simplify the process for you and your clients, with a clear path from design to construction. The plans save clients months in design and coordination time, while you can focus on delivering quality builds without reinventing the wheel.

u Competitive pricing NZCB Studio can save clients tens of thousands of dollars on architect fees. By offering these plans you can provide clients with access to high quality designs with a streamlined build process and clearly set fees at each stage, which include a margin for you.

u Architecturally designed DGSE is a leading New Zealand architectural practice and the designs have undergone months of rigorous development to ensure that they look and perform brilliantly, while remaining adaptable to suit clients’ individual needs.

The process

You must hold an NZCB Business Membership to access NZCB Studio. You must also have gone through the

online training via NZCB Learn to be accredited to offer NZCB Studio. Accreditation and access to NZCB Studio designs is free to all NZCB business members.

Once you’re accredited, we’ll update your business information on the ‘Find a Builder’ tool on our website, to show potential clients that you offer NZCB Studio.

We’ll be advertising NZCB Studio to the public and directing online traffic to our ‘Find a Builder’ tool, so it is important to make sure your business information in the tool is up to date. You’re also welcome to reach out to your networks of potential clients and do your own advertising using the client packs we have produced, which showcase the NZCB Studio product and explain how the process works.

The designs

There are currently two NZCB Studio designs, with plans to launch more in the future.

u Ascent - 2-bedroom, single storey

u Ridge - 3-bedroom, double storey

Each plan has three specification tiers available for clients to choose from:

u NZCB Studio Base – baseline offering affordable and accessible architectural design.

u NZCB Studio Rise – elevated elements within the design and finishings.

u NZCB Studio Apex – premium options with personal touches.

These tiers increase in price to reflect additional features.

All NZCB Studio designs incorporate sustainability principles, and the following features:

u Homestar 6 Ready Demonstrates the design is highly efficient and has a substantially lower environmental impact compared to standard construction practices. Clients can choose to have their build Homestar 6 certified after completion for an additional fee ($390 + GST).

u Heat Recovery Ventilation System A healthy home solution featuring filters and air purifiers to reduce allergens, while also minimising the need for internal

u

The plans save clients months in design and coordination, while you can focus on delivering quality builds without reinventing the wheel.

heating, helping to reduce ongoing energy costs.

u Passive Design Principles

Design elements such as shrouds, extended eaves, and wingwalls around glazed areas limit direct sunlight penetration, helping to manage internal temperatures and reduce reliance on mechanical heating or cooling.

u Flexible Site Adaptability

NZCB Studio designs are designed to be easily adapted to a wide variety of building sites –accommodating different orientations, access points, elevations, and site-specific constraints.

Pricing

NZCB Studio provides great value for a home designed by a leading firm of architects, with homeowner paid fees representing approximately 2.5 percent of the construction value compared with a typical 10-12 percent new home design fee for an architect.

As NZCB has invested in preceding design stages, the homeowner only needs to cover a small part of the design process to produce working drawings for building consent and construction purposes.

An outline of the pricing is in the tables (right). DGSE will invoice NZCB members the ‘Cost to Member’ amount and you invoice the ‘Cost to Client’ amount to your client.

The margin is designed to ensure that you receive compensation for your time and effort, ahead of the contract for the build once the plans are received. This margin is fixed.

PRICING

$17,500 + GST$19,500 + GST

$20,250 + GST$22,250 + GST

$24,750 + GST$26,750 + GST t

For more information, visit nzcb.nz/studio or email membership@nzcb.nz.

Newsbites

Site Waste Plan

Demonstrate your commitment to sustainable building and save money with the NZCB Site Waste Plan.

The Site Waste Plan is an editable PDF, which means you can type directly into it, save your changes, and share or print the completed version. Here’s how you use it:

u Fill in the project and contact details

u Outline your planned waste reduction and diversion actions

u Use the Waste Action Guide for ready-to-use actions to help you put waste reduction into practice

u Attach the completed plan to your Building Contract (optional)

To access the Site Waste Plan, login to the Toolshed and check the tab on the left-hand-side of the page.

Halo branding

The Halo team has refreshed their logo to better align with the NZCB brand, while still maintaining its own identity. We’ve updated the Halo assets on the Toolshed, including logo files, the member and client handbooks, and other materials.

If you’re currently using the previous version of the Halo logo on uniforms, vehicles or business cards, there’s no need to update them immediately. You can switch to the new version when it’s time to refresh your collateral.

New online shop open for business

We’ve been busy behind the scenes renovating our online shop, and we’re excited to finally unveil our updated platform.

A big thank you to all our members for your patience while the shop was offline. While our old system wasn’t broken, it was very manual – especially for co-branded items. Each customised order required a bespoke process, which didn’t always deliver the seamless experience we want for you.

We’ve now moved to a new e-commerce platform, Coreprint, powered by SCG, who can service our entire membership nationwide.

The new NZCB Online Shop is a secure, members-only experience where you’ll find: u NZCB branded gear such as hats, shirts, and signage

u A wide range of co-branding options, allowing you to add your own business logo alongside the NZCB and Halo brands to things like clothing, business cards and site wrap

u Printed NZCB resources like pamphlets, booklets, and more.

Employment agreements

We’re pleased to introduce a new Employment Agreement Service exclusively for NZCB members, delivered in partnership with employment law specialists Ashcroft Mitchell McGregor (formerly Copeland Ashcroft). Instead of completing agreements yourself, you’ll now fill out a simple online form. Once submitted, Ashcroft Mitchell McGregor will prepare a tailored Individual Employment Agreement (IEA) on your behalf. This process ensures your agreements are legally sound, up to date, and aligned with current employment standards.

This service is available to members at a significantly reduced rate of $75 + GST per agreement (normally $250 + GST when purchased directly).

To access the agreements, login to the Toolshed and search under the heading Employment Contracts on the left-hand-side of the page.

Important

We are still using the online shop in the Toolshed for all building contracts and to access the new Coreprint platform.

Getting started is easy

Go to the online shop in the Toolshed and click the ‘New Online Shop’ button, then sign in using the email address you use for the Toolshed and the password 2025Conference (you will be prompted to change this on your initial login).

NZCB Learn: Stronger, smarter, connected

New courses to provide relevant, ‘real-world’ learning that fits your time, business, and goals.

MARCIA HINTZ Education and Events Manager

The NZCB Learn platform is available exclusively to NZCB members, and it brings flexible learning to you. Access it via the NZCB Toolshed and find a range of day courses, online learning and health and safety resources. If you need extra support or have questions, email learn@nzcb.nz or call Marcie Hintz on 021 365 947.

THE NZCB LEARNPLATFORM

continues to evolve and grow, bringing practical, relevant, and builder-friendly learning to members across the country. We’re excited to share a few highlights and upcoming opportunities that you won’t want to miss.

New courses

These bite-sized, built-for-builders courses are designed to provide practical knowledge you can use immediately - on-site or in the office.

u Studio Designs

Take the guesswork out of Studio builds. This course walks you through the full process, design plans, finishing options, contracts, and key project stages.

u Understanding Halo

Want to talk about the Halo Guarantee with confidence? Learn how it works, how to explain it to homeowners, and how to submit applications that tick all the boxes.

We’re proud to share that NZCB Learn has been named a finalist in two categories at the 2025 New Zealand Association for Training and Development Awards... It’s a testament to the high quality and relevance of the courses we’re designing. NZCB Learn reflects how builders actually work, think, and learn.

u Understanding the Building Code (with BOINZ) Finally, a course that makes the Code make sense. Built with BOINZ, this module boosts your knowledge of the Building Code, helping you apply it confidently.

u Coming Soon: Understanding Building Contracts Get to grips with the fine print. This upcoming course will help break down common types of contracts and teach you how to avoid costly mistakes before you sign.

We’re attracting industry attention

More and more industry groups are approaching NZCB to collaborate on learning content and to participate in research projects. When the values and goals align, we say yes, because it means more relevant learning for our members, created with trusted partners.

Earn LBP points as you learn

NZCB Learn isn’t just about gaining knowledge, it can also help you meet your LBP requirements.

Each time you complete a course, your learning time is automatically recorded on your personal dashboard. From there, you can apply for NZCB Learning Certificates to use as LBP Elective Training evidence.

Whether you’re brushing up on contracts, health and safety, or the Building Code, your time on the platform counts. Learning that fits your schedule and supports your LBP licence.

Email learn@nzcb.nz to request your points today.

Coach the Crew is Back

Thanks to Mitre 10 Trade, we’re rolling out another round of the everpopular Coach the Crew courses. These face-to-face sessions bring teams together for interactive, real-world learning. Keep an eye on the Toolshed for updates – we’ll be coming to a region near you.

NZATD Awards Finalists

We’re proud to share that NZCB Learn has been named a finalist in two categories at the 2025 New Zealand Association for Training and Development (NZATD) Awards: u Best Transformational Programme u Best Online Learning Programme

It’s a testament to the high quality and relevance of the courses we’re designing. NZCB Learn reflects how builders actually work, think, and learn with real-world content, smart delivery, and a focus on what matters most on-site and in business.

Spotlight Course: Build Your Own H&S Manual

Ever felt overwhelmed trying to get your health and safety processes in place? You’re not alone, and that’s exactly why we built this course.

Build Your Own H&S Manual is a free, step-by-step course that helps you create a practical, personalised health and safety manual for your business.

Designed specifically for small building companies, this course takes you through the what, why, and how of a strong H&S programme, from policy to site-specific safety planning.

You’ll learn by doing, with examples, templates, and downloads provided throughout, and you’ll walk away with a complete H&S manual tailored to your business. We’ll even help you brand it if you want.

This is a game-changer for builders who want real-world compliance without the confusion. Best of all – it’s free.

This course is based on models used in large-scale prequal and compliance programmes, but it’s been made accessible, relevant, and practical for small-to medium-sized building businesses.

NZCB Learn is built for you

The content, tools, and support are all designed to fit around your time, your business, and your goals.

Log in. Learn up. Lead on.

QUALIFICATIONS THAT FIT WHAT YOU DO

WORK SMARTER

Have your team work smarter, learn up-to-date skills.

TRAIN AN APPRENTICE

ALREADY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE?

Help them learn the skills and become qualified.

Get skills recognised with a formal qualification.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH TRAINING

Training an apprentice is an investment in your business and the industry.

ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM JOINERY INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION

BRICK AND BLOCK LAYING JOINERY

CARPENTRY KITCHEN AND BATHROOM DESIGN

CONCRETE PAINTING AND DECORATING

EXTERIOR PLASTERING RESIN FLOORING

FLOORING STONEMASONRY

FRAME AND TRUSS FABRICATION

SUPERVISOR

GLASS AND GLAZING TILING

NZCB Conference 2025

The NZCB Conference and Expo hit Hamilton in 2025 with a great turnout from members, some fascinating speakers, and plenty of refreshed connections and new ideas.

Save the Date

NZCB Conference 2026 will be held on 5-6 June, at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland.

Early bird tickets go on sale 20 November 2025, and will be the same price as for this year’s conference.

Attendance

We had 199 members attend and 64 expo stands present. While attendee numbers were slightly down, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we had a record number of expo stands. Thanks to everyone who came - it was great to see many familiar faces and some new ones as well.

u

The AGM for 2025 was held on the Saturday morning of the conference, and was well attended with more than 70 members present.

The Chair and Chief Executive both presented their reports on the previous year, and the Chairperson of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee presented the Annual Financial Report for the year

ending 31 December 2024.

Several amendments to the NZCB Constitution - most of which are required under new legislation - were presented and ratified. Garry Nott was also reappointed as an NZCB Board Director for the period 2025 to 2028.

You can find the full minutes of the 2025 AGM and the supporting documents on the Toolshed.

t AGM

Future Planning

We’re surveying members about the future of the conference.

One option is to alternate formats: a full conference and expo in odd years, followed by a smaller conference without an expo in even years. This would allow us to use smaller venues and

regions around New Zealand during the non-expo stands years, rather than being restricted to the four venues around the country (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch) that can accommodate the full conference and expo.

u

Apprentice Challenge

FROM LEFT: Jake Dugdale (Chairman’s Personality Award); Charlette Bone (third place); Scott Davies (first place); Jack Mathis (second place).

Trident High School

Thanks to a grant from the NZCB Apprentice Trust, a group of year nine students from Trident High School in Whakatāne attended the NZCB Conference and Expo.

Whakatāne regional president Hamish Galloway has tutored these students and others from the school in remodelling a removable house in Whakatāne and completing units towards Level 2 Carpentry (see June issue of InHouse for full story).

Hamish and the school applied to the Apprentice Trust for conference registration fees and travel costs for the students, as a way of deepening their engagement with the industry, and to expose the students to the different pathways they could follow once they finish school.

If you know an apprentice who could use financial support, find out more about the Apprentice Trust and the procedure for applying for grants at nzcb.nz/apprentice-trust

EVENTS

Regional news

 Fun on a cinematic scale

There’s nothing like a good movie, great company, and a few treats to bring people together – and that’s exactly what our recent Canterbury movie night delivered.

Held at the Silky Otter Movie Theatre, this special evening gave members a chance to unwind, connect, and enjoy a night out with family and fellow builders. The film, Black Box, was gripping and everyone was hooked – enhanced, of course, by popcorn, drinks, and ice cream.

A big shoutout to our generous sponsor ICIB Broker Web. Events like this don’t happen without support, and we’re incredibly grateful to the team for making the night possible. Their ongoing backing means we can keep creating these opportunities for connection across the industry.

It was great to see such a strong turnout and a mix of people. Huge thanks, as well, to the Canterbury committee for organising the evening and making everything run so smoothly.

 Leveling up with the Auckland region’s Education Day

Our recent Education Daytook place on 15 July, and this year we teamed up with BuildNZ, creating an exciting day filled with learning and connections. I couldn’t be more proud of what we achieved together.

Presentations took place in seven classrooms, providing valuable information, and we set up a fantastic walking bus area within BuildNZ. Over the course of six hours, our builders earned six LBP points while enjoying a fun networking session at the end of the day.

We were fortunate to hear from some amazing educators who shared insights about new products in our industry.

A special thanks to Carters, who sponsored Auckland City Council to provide valuable updates on

 CONZTRUCT OCTOBER

Christchurch – 6 October

Dunedin – 7 October

Invercargill – 8 October

Queenstown – 9 October

NOVEMBER

Auckland North – 6 November

Tauranga – 11 November

Taupo – 12 November

Napier – 13 November

Asian Construction Expo

Central Auckland - 22 November

inspection trends and emerging issues on construction sites. Their overview of future legislative reforms, including self-certification and other changes from a BCA perspective, was instrumental in keeping us informed of the evolving landscape we operate within.

Other companies such as Cavity Sliders, Pink Batts, LMA Timber, GIB, Mitre10 Trade, and Dulux were all on hand, providing great information about the changes happening in our field.

Looking ahead, we welcome everyone in the Auckland region to our Family Day held at Auckland Zoo on 13 September. It’s going to be a fun event you won’t want to miss, whether you’re a big kid or young at heart, so make sure you’re registered. Come and enjoy a day out with the family, on us, with your Auckland NZCB committee.

Seven classrooms were set up for presentations, from Auckland City Council and various companies, that provided information about changes in our industry.

Paul WebsterYoung is NZCB’s Auckland region president

Free mental fitness training

Keeping your ‘head in the game’ is paramount for builders and tradies. A new programme, designed by those in the know, has got your back.

LIVE WELL BUILD WELL, the nationwide wellbeing programme for residential construction, has launched a free mental skills course for builders and tradies.

The online course, based on the latest wellbeing science, shares mental fitness skills and thinking strategies designed to help tradies manage the ups and downs of the industry, and helps maintain wellbeing.

LWBW programme director Rafael Caso says the course will help tradies spot stress early and stay steady on tough days.

“The idea behind the initiative is simple,” says Raf, who brings a tonne of experience to the role.

“Just like you can go to the gym to get physically fitter, you can also learn skills, such as flexible thinking, that will strengthen your mind. Mental fitness is about our ability to stay sharp and focussed on the job, and be in top shape for whatever life throws at us.

“Whether you’re on the tools or running the site, mental fitness matters. This Mental Fitness Module was built by people who understand the pressures you face every day.”

Life onsite can be tough, says Raf. “But you don’t have to tackle it alone. This module will give you the tools to navigate stress, build resilience, and show up strong – at work and at home.

“We know tradies are extremely busy people. The beauty of this course is that you can do it at your own pace anytime that suits you.”

The course, which is hosted by Site Safe, was developed by LWBW in collaboration with Professor of Health Dr Grant Schofield with input from tradies.

“Poor physical health and mental fitness are major risks for things going wrong at work,” says Prof. Schofield, “so the best bang for the buck in this sector is actually helping people stay well.

Mental fitness is about having the attributes physically and psychologically to negotiate the inevitable ups and downs of work and life.”

LWBW has also established Live Well Build Well Champions - a network of tradies and builders who are actively promoting the programme at toolbox talks and who appear in its resources. They regularly share their mental fitness tips through Live Well Build Well’s social channels and at trade events.

For Christchurch builder Ziggy Conroy, resilience means being able to deal with things in a controlled manner “no matter how much turmoil there is around you. Being organised is a big one for me. Setting myself up well for the day, understanding what’s ahead and having a game plan.”

Carpenter Brandon McAllister’s best tip is to do what you love. “If you’re not enjoying the type of building work you’re doing, find something that suits you a bit more. What’s that saying? ‘If you judge a fish by judging its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its life forever thinking it’s dumb.’ So, if you’re working in an area of construction you don’t want to be in – change.”

For 22-year-old builder Cory Gladden, a regular running regime is essential for mental fitness. “Being able to switch off after work has definitely been difficult for me. That’s why I started going for a run after work to stop my mind racing.

“The run makes me focus on my breathing and forget about everything else. After a run you feel amazing. The endorphins are high and you just feel good. It keeps my head in the game.”

To find out more, visit livewellbuildwell.com and follow Live Well Build Well on socials. To do the free Mental Fitness course head to sitesafe.org.nz

Waihanga Ora Live Well Build Well. Our goal is to increase mental and physical wellbeing across the residential construction sector. We are a community where tradies lead the conversation of what wellbeing means to them and share their own personal stories on how they overcame tough times to inspire and educate their peers. live-well-build-well.com

RAFAEL CASO Live Well Build Well programme director

RAFAEL CASO

FROM LEFT: Live Well

Build Well programme director Raf Caso (centre in orange) with the LWBW tradie champions in a promotion launching the new training course. Live Well Build Well champion Cory Gladden.

Planning for the worst

It’s vital to be ready for notifiable events. Here’s a guide on what to do if something serious happens on site.

WHEN SOMETHING GOES wrong on site, things move fast. You’re focused on your team, making sure everyone’s OK. The last thing on your mind is paperwork.

But if it’s a serious incident – what’s known as a “notifiable event” – you’re legally required to notify WorkSafe. Knowing what to do ahead of time can make all the difference.

What counts as a notifiable event?

A notifiable event is when someone is seriously injured, becomes seriously ill, or when there’s a serious near miss.

Examples include:

 Someone needs urgent medical attention (more than just a plaster and a sit-down).

 A major incident happens, like a fall from height, electric shock, or trench collapse.

 There’s a serious near miss that could have caused a major injury or significant risk to someone’s health and safety.

 There’s a fatality on site.

When in doubt, it’s better to check. It’s always OK to call WorkSafe and ask.

What to do if a notifiable event happens

 Make the site safe Help anyone who’s injured and get medical attention straight away. Make the area safe so no one else is at risk.

HazardCo are your trusted safety partner, providing you with the tools and support you need to #SortYourSafety. They also operate the NZCB Health and Safety helpline for members and can be contacted on 0800 555 339

 Call WorkSafe as soon as possible Notify Worksafe using their online notification system, or by calling them on 0800 030 040 to report what’s happened.

 Preserve the scene Don’t move or clean anything unless absolutely necessary to prevent further harm. Wait for WorkSafe’s all-clear before starting work again in that area.

 Record what happened Take photos, write down what happened, and note who was involved. You’ll need to keep those records for at least five years.

Why reporting matters

Reporting incidents and near misses helps everyone get home safe. It’s not about pointing fingers or finding someone to blame; it’s about learning from what happened and making sure it doesn’t happen again.

Having a culture where people speak leads to:

 Better communication

 Fewer surprises

 A safer worksite for everyone Everyone on site has the right to know what’s going on and how to stay safe. Reporting plays a big role in that.

How HazardCo can help

If you’re a HazardCo member, it’s quick and easy to report an incident through the HazardCo app – just tap Report Incident and add the details (photos help).

Our Advisory Team will review your report and, if it’s a notifiable event, will get in touch to guide you through the next steps, including how to notify WorkSafe.

Stay prepared

No one wants an incident to happen, but if it does, being ready helps you stay calm and in control.

 Stay calm

 Follow the steps

 Ask for help if you need it

Unsure if an incident is notifiable?

Call HazardCo, we’re here to help or download our handy FREE Incident reporting guide.

Trading places: Scott Rasmussen

Scott Rasmussen spent 10 years in finance before starting a building apprenticeship. So why did he make the switch?

ABOVE: Scott has found a way to make the most of the varied work experience he’s built up over the past few decades, in his role at NZCB.

Scott on the tools.

NZCB’S MEMBERSHIPS and Technical Manager Scott Rasmussen describes his career as having come full circle but it’s taken a few detours along the way.

Scott took up the role in December 2024, and is responsible for managing our membership and all the technical queries and concerns that come along with it. It’s a big job, but one that he was

well prepared for not only by a building apprenticeship he undertook in his mid-30s but by a previous 10-year career in the financial services industry.

Scott’s first connection with building and construction came while he was studying for a degree in commerce and accounting, labouring for his cousin who was a commercial electrician.

“Like lots of us in those days, my parents were keen that I went to uni and followed that tertiary education path. But I’ve got to confess, I wasn’t a great student – very much a ‘Cs get degrees’ kinda guy.

“But I enjoyed the labouring work – it was good money and I liked the hands-on aspect to it. Better than studying anyway, and we worked on some pretty big projects so there was satisfaction in looking back at what you’d done.”

Having finished his degree, Scott took a job with General Electric which was expanding into financial services in the mid-2000s.

“I recognised them having spent my summers pulling out their wiring and lightbulbs and all that sort of thing while I was labouring, so it was a bit weird to end up working for them in finance roles.”

But it was an exciting time to join the company, which had bought smaller finance providers and were expanding rapidly. Scott says one of the things that really stuck out about GE was the emphasis they placed on learning and development.

“They put a huge amount of effort into upskilling their staff, and sending you away on courses. And in my current role, I actually still use a lot of the skills I developed during that period - how to manage teams, how to run complex projects and so on.”

While working at GE, Scott also managed to play cricket to a pretty serious level, competing at senior grade in Wellington, and even turning out a few times for Wellington.

“I remember my first ball at that level being smashed for four through point by Nathan Astle. And when I bowled to Jesse Ryder, the ball would go to all parts. It was a pretty rude awakening.”

FAR RIGHT:

Changing it up

After a decade and a half working in professional services, Scott felt like he needed a change and thought back to his time labouring during his university days.

“I thought about it for a long time, wondering what I really enjoyed and wanted to spend more time doing. And it was that sense of doing stuff with your hands, achieving something practical, that I kept coming back to.

“It took a lot of discussion with my wife nutting out how we could make it work financially, and how we’d juggle childcare and all that sort of thing. But eventually, I found a builder who agreed to take me on, signed up through BCITO, and away I went.”

“When I was thinking about the apprenticeship, I talked about it with a few builders I was friends with, and one of the best pieces of advice I got was, ‘You have to put your pride in your pocket.’

“He was absolutely right. It was certainly pretty interesting coming from this fairly successful career in finance where I’d been managing all these people and having a fair bit of authority, to starting from the bottom again – spending my days lugging around timber, and sweeping floors and all those sorts of tasks.

“But I also realised that I had various bad habits I had to unlearn when I started on site. In my former jobs, I’d go from meeting to meeting, jumping from subject to subject working out the implications of a decision on other projects we had underway.

“When it comes to building, I realised that the really great builders have to put all that other stuff to one side, and concentrate on what’s immediately in front of them, and take things one step at a time.”

Once he had finished his apprenticeship, Scott worked on the tools for several businesses, before joining a group home builder.

“My wife and I went to sort out our new home and she was cheeky enough to ask them whether they also had any work going. As it happens, they did. So I got my new house and a new job in one go.

That move eventually saw Scott

dusting off some of the skills he’d honed during his time working with GE, and once again, he found himself more on the project management and team leadership side of things, which rekindled his interest in that area of the industry.

“What I realised was that I had these two quite separate skillsets – the practical knowledge of the building industry, and the people and project management abilities – and I finally had a chance to get both of those areas working together.

“When my wife saw the job ad for the NZCB role come up, she said it was as though someone had written it with me in mind, and she was right. It required that in-depth knowledge of the industry and what members face on a day-to-day basis, combined with an ability to see things from an all-of-membership perspective, and work out how to get a team working to achieve those broader, longer-term goals.

“So I thought, why not – it sounds like a good challenge – and I was lucky enough to get the job, and I’m loving it.”

So despite some twists and turns along the way, Scott has found a way to make the most of the varied work experience he’s built up over the past few decades.

“To be honest, I probably would never have been an outstanding builder – or at least, it would have taken me ten or more years to really start getting to that level. I was at the Apprentice Challenge back in April, and I never had any of the abilities that some of those apprentices have.

“What I do know how to do is get people working well together, and that’s something I get to do on a daily basis. And then, when I’ve had enough of the office, I can go out and have a yarn with our members, and it’s nice to be back on building sites again – even if it’s only for an hour or two at a time.”

One part of his previous life he’s not going back to, though, is cricket.

“I play maybe once a year for an invitational thing up in Auckland, and last time it took me about three weeks to recover.

“The mind is keen, but the body is totally over it.”

Certification: Information is power

Understanding product certification in New Zealand is key. MiTek New Zealand outlines its approach.

We help our customers implement superior processes. With solutions that optimize and control costs, shorten cycle times and eliminate waste, builders achieve more profitable, higher-volume business results, and deliver more affordable, legacy-quality homes. We’ll partner with you at every stage of the process. mitek.co.nz

ENSURING COMPLIANCE with the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) is a core part of delivering a quality build. For builders, designers and merchants, understanding the difference between CodeMark certification and product appraisals can make the building consent process smoother and more predictable.

Both CodeMark certification and product appraisals are recognised

compliance pathways in New Zealand. While they share a common goal –demonstrating that a product or system meets NZBC requirements –there are key differences in how they are assessed, accepted and used on the ground.

The role of CodeMark and product appraisals

CodeMark is a government-backed product certification scheme. When a product is CodeMark certified, Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) must accept it as demonstrating compliance with the NZBC. In contrast, product appraisals, such as those issued by BRANZ, provide an independent technical assessment. Although widely respected, appraisals do not carry the same legal standing as CodeMark and may require additional supporting information for acceptance by BCAs.

Why MiTek supports CodeMark certification

MiTek has chosen to prioritise CodeMark certification for key structural products used across the building industry. This decision is based on the assurance it provides to designers, builders, specifiers and merchants. CodeMark certification helps reduce uncertainty in the consent process and supports confidence in product compliance.

MiTek’s CodeMark-certified products are manufactured in New

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Zealand using locally sourced materials. This supports consistent quality, while reducing risks associated with variable overseas supply chains.

Comparing

the two pathways

 Legal standing

CODEMARK: Must be accepted by BCAs as evidence of compliance. It has the same legal status as an Acceptable Solution or Verification Method.

PRODUCT APPRAISAL: Provides a strong technical opinion but may require further evidence. Final acceptance is at the discretion of the BCA.

 Level of assurance

CODEMARK: Offers high assurance through independent certification and ongoing audits.

PRODUCT APPRAISAL: A respected technical assessment, valued for its detail, but not automatically accepted.

 Assessment scope

CODEMARK: Includes a full evaluation of NZBC compliance, along with a review of manufacturing and quality assurance processes.

PRODUCT APPRAISAL: Focuses on material performance, installation methods and long-term durability, but does not include regular auditing.

 Recognition and use

CODEMARK: Recognised across the industry as a clear compliance pathway, especially useful for easing

the consent process.

PRODUCT APPRAISAL: Frequently used to support engineering and design decisions, particularly in more complex or bespoke projects.

Choosing the right path for your build

Both CodeMark and product appraisals play important roles in the New Zealand building landscape. The right choice depends on the project, the product, and the level of regulatory assurance required.

For builders looking to reduce delays in consent, a CodeMark-certified product can streamline approvals.

For more specialised products or systems, an appraisal may offer valuable technical insight to support design and specification.

MiTek’s approach

MiTek continues to invest in CodeMark certification for selected products to offer a high level of confidence to its customers. This approach supports a smoother compliance process and aligns with MiTek’s commitment to quality and local manufacturing.

By understanding the role of both CodeMark and product appraisals, builders and specifiers are better placed to make informed choices – and ultimately, to deliver better outcomes for clients.

MS polymers vs. silicones Which one should you use?

Silicones and MS polymers are widely used as sealants and adhesives in the construction industry. Here’s a guide to how to select the right one.

Structure

 SILICONES

Are highly flexible and resistant to environmental factors. They cure by reacting with moisture in the air, forming a rubbery, flexible material. Importantly, silicones require a dry surface and cannot be painted.

 MS POLYMERS

Offer a balance between flexibility and strength. MS polymers have a thicker viscosity meaning they are less likely to slump. They also cure with moisture, but the resulting bond often tends to be more rigid than silicone. Unlike its rival, MS polymers can be applied to damp surfaces and can be painted.

Flooring and window furnishings for all styles & budgets.

SILICONE IS made from silicone polymers whereas MS polymers, also known as hybrid polymers, combine the best properties of silicone and polyurethane without being the same as either substance. Each has distinct properties, applications and advantages – so here’s a breakdown of the key differences to help you choose the right product for the task at hand.

Adhesion and bonding strength

 SILICONES

Offer long-term durability but their adhesive strength is typically lower than MS polymers. They bond well to non-porous surfaces like glass, metal and ceramics but may require primers for bonding to porous materials like wood or concrete.

 MS POLYMERS

Are known for their strong adhesive properties. They can effectively bond to a wide range of materials, including porous and non-porous surfaces, without the need for primers unless in a stress-loaded application. This makes them highly versatile in situations where strong bonding is crucial.

Elasticity and flexibility

 SILICONES

Are highly elastic and can accommodate significant movement in joints and seams without losing their seal. This makes them ideal for use in

Soudal NZ, experts in sealants, foams and adhesives. You need reliable products you can trust. We’ve been part of the New Zealand industry for more than 30 years, which means we have a strong knowledge of the everchanging building industry. We stand behind our products, knowing they are tried, tested, and meet NZ Building regulations. We’re more than just words—we have a local team on the ground to provide technical support for all your technical needs. info@soudal.co.nz

Make cavity slider installation smoother and easier with the CS FixedHead

There’s now no need to remove head jambs to service or adjust a cavity slider. Install and detach the door leaf from the cavity pocket in three easy steps with the CS FixedHead. This smart detail eliminates the need to remove head jamb, meaning less hassle and greater efficiencies.

To quickly and easily install, simply raise the door using a pump wedge; locate the pin on the CS SmartMount carriage; and let the magnet in the mount plate self-locate the hanger pin to secure the carriage to the track. It’s just as easy to detach the door from the cavity pocket.

The CS FixedHead is available with all cavity sliders using CS SmartMount; achieves a minimal above door clearance; and is compatible with CS SofStop® single and dual action.

FixedHead

It’s an ideal solution for builders who want a cleaner install, easier servicing and no visible screw caps needed.

Ask your rep about the CS FixedHead or visit cavitysliders.com to find out more.

areas subject to frequent expansion and contraction, such as around windows or in building facades.

 MS POLYMERS

Some offer the same degree of flexibility as the best facade silicones but many MS polymers are less elastic. However, they provide a stronger, more durable bond that can withstand higher mechanical loads, making them ideal when both flexibility and strength are required.

Resistance to environmental factors

 SILICONES

Are highly resistant to extreme temperatures, UV radiation and moisture. They maintain these properties over a wide temperature range and do not degrade when exposed to sunlight, making them ideal for outdoor use.

 MS POLYMERS

Offer good resistance to environmental factors but MS polymer adhesives are typically not as resistant to UV radiation as silicones. Although when used for facade and window applications, they are on par with the UV resistance that silicones offer. They also excel in applications where chemical resistance and mechanical durability are important such as in industrial settings.

Curing time and process

 SILICONES

Generally, cure more slowly than MS polymers, taking up to several days to set to full adhesive strength depending on the product and environmental conditions. The curing process is moisturedependent, so high humidity can speed up this process.

 MS POLYMERS

Cure faster than silicones and achieve a greater bond strength relatively quickly. This makes them advantageous in applications where time is of the essence.

Ideal use

 SILICONES

Are especially useful in areas where movement is expected as they remain

Silicones are ideal for environments requiring high flexibility, temperature resistance, and durability, while MS polymers provide strong adhesion, have quicker curing times, can be painted, and are versatile across a wide range of materials.

flexible over time without cracking. They are often used to seal gaps, joints and seams around windows, doors, sinks, bathtubs and in other areas where water resistance is crucial. Additionally, they can adhere to a wide variety of surfaces including glass, metal, plastic and ceramic that does not require painting.

 MS POLYMERS

Are preferred when strong bonding and quick curing are needed. They are used in construction (to bond and seal facades, windows and doors), automotive (as a bonding agent in bodywork and windshields), and industrial applications (such as manufacturing processes) where a durable and strong seal is required.

So to conclude…

Both silicones and MS polymers have their unique strengths, making them suitable for different applications. Silicones are ideal for environments requiring high flexibility, temperature resistance, and durability, while MS polymers provide strong adhesion, have quicker curing times, can be painted, and are versatile across a wide range of materials. By understanding these subtle differences, Soudal hopes you can make an informed decision to choose the right product for your specific job. If you need any further help or advice, feel free to get in touch with a Soudal expert by emailing info@soudal.co.nz

NZCB Strategic Partners

New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) would like to thank our Strategic Partners who play a vital part in assisting to cover costs for our members’ personal development and training through NZCB regional seminars, NZCB Annual Conference and monthly live Zoom webinars. Their support also assists to cover expenses with our marketing and communications.

NZCB Affinity Partners

NZCB is proud to partner with the following companies, who are aligned with the Association to bring our members discounted services and products.

More information on these services and products can be found under the Member Benefits section, on the NZCB members-only Toolshed website, nzcb.nz/members/member-benefits/ or by contacting Linda Moody at linda@nzcb.nz

NZCB National Partners

New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) is proud to partner with the following companies who align with our Association and give NZCB members access to a wealth of expertise and support throughout New Zealand.

NATIONAL PARTNER (PREMIUM)

APL Window Solutions aplnz.co.nz

Carters carters.co.nz

Comfortech BuildingPerformance Solutions pinkbatts.co.nz

Enveloped Solutions Ltd enveloped.co.nz

MiTek New Zealand miteknz.co.nz

PlaceMakers placemakers.co.nz

Red Stag Timber redstag.co.nz

Resene Construction Systems reseneconstruction.co.nz

NATIONAL PARTNER (PROFESSIONAL)

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions New Zealand assaabloy.co.nz

James Hardie New Zealand jameshardie.co.nz

Milwaukee Tool New Zealand milwaukeetools.co.nz

Outdure Decking Systems outdure.co.nz

Resene Paints Ltd resene.co.nz

Utecture New Zealand Ltd utecture.com

NATIONAL PARTNER (STARTER)

Abodo Wood Ltd abodo.co.nz

Altus NZ Ltd altus.co.nz

Bowers Brothers Concrete Ltd bowersbrothers.co.nz

Builda Price (2016) Ltd buildaprice.co.nz

Connected Spaces connectedspacesjoinery.co.nz

CS Cavity Sliders cavitysliders.com/nz

CSR Building Products (NZ) Ltd csr.co.nz

FMI Building Innovation aslnz.co.nz

FreeUp/Released freeup.co.nz

Glass Vice Products glassvice.com

Green Light Escrow greenlightescrow.co.nz

HomePlus homeplus.co.nz

Independent Building Supplies ibs.co.nz

JukenNew Zealand Ltd jnl.co.nz

JSC Premium Architectural & Building Solutions jsc.co.nz

Kingspan Thermakraft Ltd thermakraft.co.nz

KLC Ltd klc.co.nz

Kopine kopine.co.nz

Laminex New Zealand laminexnewzealand.co.nz

Marley New Zealand Ltd marley.co.nz

Marshall Innovations Ltd mwnz.com

Masada masada.co.nz

Metro Performance Glass metroglass.co.nz

My Smart Office Ltd mysmartoffice.co.nz

Open2view open2view.co.nz

Paslode New Zealand paslode.co.nz

Pro Clima New Zealand Ltd proclima.co.nz

Productspec Ltd productspec.net

Proven Systems Ltd (DVS) dvs.co.nz

Rave Build Management ravebuild.co.nz

Red LBP Ltd redlbp.co.nz

Red QS Ltd redqs.nz

RK Timbers rktimbers.co.nz

Schneider Electric pdl.co.nz

Simx Ltd simx.co.nz

Soudal Ltd soudal.co.nz

Viking Roofspec vikingroofspec.co.nz

Warmup NZ Ltd warmup.co.nz

Your QS Ltd yourqs.co.nz

Everything you need, when you need it.