Health & Safety

Gas appliances in New Zealand homes are fuelling serious health risks and billions of dollars in costs, according to new research released by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). The Health Impacts and Costs of Indoor Combustion in Aotearoa report, which also looks at the health impacts of combustion appliances – such as gas […]

Check that your chimney can withstand an earthquake or, if it falls, won’t cause serious damage. That’s the advice of the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC), which is reminding people that unreinforced masonry chimneys can be a significant risk to people’s safety and the strength of our nation’s homes. “Pretty much every major […]

Half of workers reported pain, illness, or disability in the 2025 MATES in Construction Industry Well-being Survey, more than double the national adult rate. Supported by ASB, MATES were recently joined by Minister for Mental Health Hon Matt Doocey to launch the results of the industry survey on World Suicide Prevention Day. The report reveals […]

As part of a broader package of health and safety reforms, the Government has announced a significant shift in the role and culture of WorkSafe New Zealand. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says the changes are aimed at transforming WorkSafe from a heavily enforcement-focused regulator into one that engages early with businesses […]

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 […]

Many New Zealand households face problems with condensation, drafts, and mould. But is a drier home necessarily a healthier home? A new study has shed light on how we understand indoor humidity and its link to ‘drier’ homes. It urges green building rating tools to clarify how humidity and dampness are measured and understood. Researchers […]