The government is ending its road cone hotline six months early. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says the pilot did exactly what it needed to do. “We now understand what’s really causing the excessive use of road cones, and changing to a risk-based approach is key to resolving these issues.” She says […]
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Our magazine is the go-to source for professionals looking to stay informed of the latest trends in the building and contracting industries. We explore issues and insights concerning energy and utilities, property management, property development, scaffolding, residential & commercial projects, and concrete applications for housing.
Six children’s coloured sand products prompted widespread school closures across Australia and New Zealand in November 2025 after laboratory testing detected traces of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos. By mid‑November, dozens of schools in New Zealand and over 70 in Australia’s ACT had temporarily shut, while hundreds more sought guidance from regulators. The products, rainbow sand from Educational […]
A new agreement between WorkSafe and Forest360 means forestry roads nationwide are set to become safer. In response to a death on one of its sites, Forest360 has agreed to fund a range of actions. 59-year-old Greg Stevens was killed when his logging truck and trailer rolled while negotiating a tight bend on a Coromandel […]
The Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay region had the highest incidence rate of workplace injury claims in 2024, per Stats NZ data. There were 120 claims per 1,000 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Yet the national incidence rate for work-related injury claims was 80 claims per 1,000 FTEs, the lowest rate since 2002. Trades workers had the […]
Road construction workers face alarming amounts of abuse, threats, and violence, according to a new survey. It doesn’t help that road users refuse to stop more than once a week. 4.3% of respondents reported being struck by a vehicle in the past year. The 2025 Traffic Controller Safety Survey is the first trans-Tasman study exploring […]
With accidents occurring on the road every day, vehicle safety is a huge concern for all New Zealanders. For every fleet of vehicles, safety should be made the main priority. Safety is not the sole responsibility of the drivers, however – it’s also the technicians, dispatchers, and upper management who are responsible. One way that […]
New vehicle suppliers are growing increasingly optimistic about a sustained rebound in sales, as August results continue the upward trend that began earlier this year. A total of 11,739 new vehicles were registered in August, slightly up from 11,671 in July and significantly ahead of the 9,986 units sold in August 2024—a year-on-year increase of […]
Kia has officially entered the pickup truck segment — and not quietly. The all-new Kia Tasman, the brand’s first-ever ute, makes a powerful debut with rugged off-road credentials, impressive towing and payload capabilities, and a level of refinement not typically found in this class. This isn’t just another dual-cab with a badge swap — the […]
Continuing its crackdown on road cones, the Government is soon to force local councils to adopt a risk-based approach to minimise spending on orange witch hats. “New Zealanders have become increasingly irritated by the too-frequently over-the-top use of road cones and costly temporary traffic management around roadworks,” Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “This approach causes […]
The most outstanding landscaping projects in Aotearoa New Zealand recently received the industry’s highest accolade at the Registered Master Landscapers’ Landscapes of Distinction Awards 2025. Every two years the Registered Master Landscapers (RML) Landscapes of Distinction (LOD) Awards recognise projects in residential and commercial landscape design, construction, planting and maintenance. Registered Master Landscapers has officially […]
D&H Steel Construction’s ability to deliver exceptional workmanship has again received the highest praise at arguably the most prestigious event in the steel construction industry. The company was just awarded the 2019 SCNZ Supreme Award for Excellence in Steel Construction for its stunningly successful work on the AIAL International Departures Terminal redevelopment. As impressive as […]
Last year, a landmark British study found that half of the building sector identified themselves as neurodivergent. Awareness of unique brains has been on the rise for a long time, and it’s shaping the way we build and do business for the better. By breaking down barriers and promoting accessible learning, all apprentices and employers […]
A pilot that gives high school students manufacturing industry experience will expand to new regions. Launched in Waikato in February, the ‘Earn as You Learn’ initiative gives students paid, real-world experience while they study. “We know that meaningful, well-paid employment is one of the most powerful ways to change a person’s life and open doors […]
Just 3% of New Zealand’s tradespeople are women. That figure has long been seen as a symptom of the cultural and practical barriers that make the sector feel inaccessible, from a lack of visible role models to workplaces designed with men in mind. Turning intent into action In response, BCITO’s new Actions Speak Louder initiative […]
New Zealand’s tradespeople are being encouraged to put their long-term wellbeing at the forefront of their work through the Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ) ‘Work Should Not Hurt’ programme. The initiative, supported by ACC, aims to reduce the incidence of soft-tissue injuries across the construction industry and ensure workers can enjoy longer, pain-free […]
BCITO has launched a campaign to highlight the achievements of Māori tradespeople. “We’ve seen the percentage of Māori workers in building and construction grow from 12 per cent in 2018 to 17 per cent. However, we also want to see a corresponding rise in Māori students completing their apprenticeships and qualifications,” said BCITO Director, Greg […]
Tradies face demanding schedules, early mornings, and physically exhausting work. Long hours may feel necessary, especially for business owners managing their tools by day and paperwork by night. But this work culture comes with risks to your lifestyle, your health and those around you. The tradie lifestyle is notorious, but how do we prevent burnout? […]
Q&A with NZCB CEO Malcolm Fleming Uncertainty about forward workloads and a lack of government direction regarding the future of vocational education and apprentice training; these are the two biggest challenges chief executive of New Zealand Certified Builders, Malcolm Fleming, believes Kiwi tradespeople face today. But with construction costs growing and regulations changing, his role […]
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