Latest FromBuilding & Construction
![NZ buildings on course for change](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
NZ buildings on course for change
Our building stock could look radically different in the next few years as owners and architects introduce new seismic elements, an expert says.
![Kingsland character on the line](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Kingsland character on the line
Kingsland property owner Pam Willis says insurance premiums may reach the point where owners start tearing down commercial buildings.
![Owners face cruel dilemma](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Owners face cruel dilemma
Mark Simmonds who, with his wife Bronwyn Paul, runs a wedding and event venue in a renovated Edwardian building in Wanganui, can no longer get insurance cover for earthquake damage.
![Shearer outlines his plans for Chch rebuild](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Shearer outlines his plans for Chch rebuild
Cantabrians would be helped into driving post-earthquake recovery if Labour returned to Government, party leader David Shearer vowed today.
![Quake case 'impossible to resolve'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Quake case 'impossible to resolve'
Challenging a $337,000 payout to repair a Christchurch home by lodging a $900,000 claim means the case will be "impossible to resolve", a court heard today.
![Shock in store for building owners](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Shock in store for building owners
The Government is proposing building owners strengthen earthquake-prone buildings within the next 15 years so that by 2028, we will be much safer if another major quake strikes.
![Strengthening 'a cost burden with no return'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Strengthening 'a cost burden with no return'
Affordability is a huge issue for small businesses and building owners, Mr Gudgeon says. "Strengthening is a cost burden - with no return".
![Confusion over leaky building GST refunds](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Confusion over leaky building GST refunds
Confusion surrounds the ability of body corporates of leaky buildings to claim GST refunds, as the Inland Revenue seems reluctant to have its decisions in two leading cases stand as precedents.
![NZ building consents fall on drop in apartments](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
NZ building consents fall on drop in apartments
Home-building consents fell last month as a drop in approvals for apartments offset gains for other types of dwellings
![Heritage campaigners fail in bid to curb demolitions](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Heritage campaigners fail in bid to curb demolitions
A proposed rewrite of Auckland's tarnished heritage rules leaves power in the hands of unelected officials and shuts out the public.
![Search on for new Mitre 10 boss](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Search on for new Mitre 10 boss
Former American FBI special agent turned New Zealand DIY hardware chain boss John Hartmann is leaving Mitre 10.
![Fletcher eyes Mainzeal jobs rescue](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fletcher eyes Mainzeal jobs rescue
Fletcher Building engineers are assessing Mainzeal Property & Construction sites and the company hopes to finish some of the 40 jobs and employ subcontractors and some members of Mainzeal's 400 staff.
![Casino's bid for funding fails](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Casino's bid for funding fails
SkyCity asked for taxpayers to pay for the marketing and promotion of the international convention centre, but the Government ruled it out.
![New pressure on Shipley](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New pressure on Shipley
Another company linked to Dame Jenny Shipley is under pressure and may be forced to stop operating by September if it cannot meet new Reserve Bank requirements.
![Select treatment for SkyCity won't stop deal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Select treatment for SkyCity won't stop deal
SkyCity got special treatment in its pitch to build the international convention centre - but nothing which will get in the way of a formal deal being struck.
![2000 homes promised, 180 built](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
2000 homes promised, 180 built
The Government's goal of building 2000 new state houses in two years has been questioned after it was revealed that it had built only 68 homes in the past year.
![John Roughan: Faultline runs through risk evaluation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
John Roughan: Faultline runs through risk evaluation
Recommendations of amendments to the Building Act to give owners of reinforced masonry buildings a deadline to bring up to earthquake standard or demolish them - which threatens many heritage buildings.
![Cyclists win support for bridge path](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Cyclists win support for bridge path
Walkers and cyclists are jubilant at winning Auckland Council committee support yesterday for a harbour bridge pathway, but face another workout before a final council sign-off.
![Dominion Finance judge steps down](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Dominion Finance judge steps down
A High Court judge has stepped down from hearing the case of three men associated with Dominion Finance.
![PM stands by Shipley as Genesis chair](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
PM stands by Shipley as Genesis chair
Prime Minister John Key has given his qualified support to Jenny Shipley remaining chair of the soon-to-be-listed power company Genesis.
![John Armstrong: Williamson abides by rules on directorship](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
John Armstrong: Williamson abides by rules on directorship
Maurice Williamson says if a potential conflict of interest arose in his portfolio, he would order officials not to give him the relevant papers, writes John Armstrong.
![Dominion Finance manager weighed blowing whistle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Dominion Finance manager weighed blowing whistle
The trial of three men associated with the collapsed firm Dominion Finance was adjourned just after lunch yesterday for reasons the Herald is prohibited from reporting.
![$50m-$100m Mainzeal loss tipped](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
$50m-$100m Mainzeal loss tipped
An out-of-pocket Mainzeal Property and Construction subcontractor estimates the builder could record $50 million to $100 million of losses.
![House supply gap begins to close](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
House supply gap begins to close
Auckland's critical housing shortage worsened again last year - but the gap between population growth and house-building may be closing at last.
![Key: Mainzeal concerns a 'beat-up'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Key: Mainzeal concerns a 'beat-up'
John Key approved the Construction Minster's directorship of a company involved with Mainzeal but says any concerns about possible conflicts of interest are a "beat-up".