Construction
Auckland building boom has concrete suppliers scrambling
Builders are waiting for weeks to get concrete as Auckland's building boom pushes up demand by 20 percent.
Fletcher pledge to use only good steel
Fletcher Construction is promising to use steel only from reputable overseas mills when it builds the SkyCity Convention Centre in Auckland.
NZ median house price passes $500,000
New Zealand's national median house price has surpassed $500,000 for the first time, as demand continues to outstrip supply.
Steel contract rules followed, says Govt
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has given an assurance the Government encourages all its agencies to follow the rules when awarding building contracts.
Trader asked to list suspect steel projects
A steel trader who has claimed dangerously flawed steel is being used in New Zealand has been contacted by officials worried about public safety.
Economists wonder whether constraints will cap building
Economists are wondering whether a lack of builders will cap dwelling consents in housing starved Auckland. Audio
Builders warn of shortage with guarantee plan
Builders are worried many will drop out of the sector if plans to require them to guarantee work go ahead.
Builders may quit if forced to guarantee their work
As Housing Minister Nick Smith considers requiring builders to guarantee their work, some say this will lead to them dropping out of the sector. Audio
Govt looks at builder warranty scheme
The government may force builders to offer guarantees of their work, but a leading construction figure says it could drive them out of an already slim industry.
Is the free market to blame for housing crisis?
Construction sector commentator Mark Graham addresses some listener questions about building more homes. Audio
Failed building inspections on the rise
More building inspections are failing as new house construction ramps up, the Minister for Housing and Building says.
Steel mesh falls short in crucial tests
Steel reinforcing mesh for house floors has been falling short in crucial tests, with mesh from three out of five companies failing to meet the mark.
Government injects $24 million into construction industry
Twenty-four million dollars is being injected into trades training to help plug skill gaps in the construction industry. Audio
Govt pays up for 5500 apprentice builders
The government has announced an extra $3.5 million a year to attract more people into the building and construction industry.
Claims new glass safety standards are misplaced
Pressure to make new glass balustrades safer is misplaced, and any accident is most likely to arise from a lack of control over dodgy imports, according to some industry leaders. Audio
No more in-house testing for Steel & Tube
Steel & Tube is being permitted back into the seismic reinforcing mesh market, but is not allowed to rely on its in-house testing anymore.
Frameless toughened glass balustrades likely to be banned
Auckland Council is pushing for a ban on balustrades made of frameless toughened glass by as early as June.
Firm behind Christchurch build under scrutiny
The company signed up to do the single most expensive building in the Christchurch rebuild is centre stage in a corruption inquiry in the Australian Senate.
Steel safety crisis meeting being held
A crisis meeting on the standard of quake-grade steel mesh is being held today in Auckland, with questions also now being raised about structural steel. Audio
Buildings checked for failed steel mesh
Regulators are checking how much Steel and Tube seismic reinforcing mesh has been used in buildings, as wire rod maker Pacific Steel denies a conflict of interest over testing.
