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The new Green Building Council is holding a series of briefings next week to introduce itself to the property industry and promote its role.
Speakers at the four events will include the council's new chairman, Patrick Fontein, of developer Kensington Properties, deputy-chairman Graeme Finlay, of architects Warren and Mahoney, and council chief executive Jane Henley.
The sessions will be held throughout the country to give the property sector a chance to hear about the council's role and to talk about market opportunities for environmentally friendly buildings.
Council board members are Angus McNaughton, of Kiwi Income Property Trust, John Dakin, of Macquarie Goodman Property Trust, Paul Burke, of the Ministry of Education, Carey Oldfield, of New Zealand Post, Brent Mettrick of Stonewood Homes, Hans Buwalda, of Fletcher Building, Craig Price, of Beca, Dean Riddell, from Davis Langdon, Wayne Sharman, of Building Research and Helen Priest, of Meridian Energy.
Fontein, who was appointed in August, said property development was about to change radically, as aspects of design and building in commercial and residential sectors were influenced by environmental issues. A report for the Ministry for the Environment this year found green buildings were worth 40 per cent more than conventional buildings, were much cheaper to maintain and more efficient.
