News (List) | OffsiteNZ

Title of Project
New Zealand construction industry’s perspective towards zero-carbon buildings
Researcher Introduction
My name is Nidhin Bindhu Kumari Sreekandan Nair, and I am currently completing the Master’s in Construction (Construction Project Management) course at Massey University. My supervisor for this research is Dr Niluka Domingo, Senior Lecturer in Quantity Surveying, Doctoral Supervisor, School of Built Environment
Invitation and Research description
I would like to invite you to participate in this research to analyze the readiness of the construction industry in implementing zero-carbon buildings. This study will also examine the awareness of industry professionals about the zero-carbon policies and their familiarity and experience in the zero-carbon tools and resources.
Climate change is affecting all life on this planet very badly. The reason behind these climate change issues is human activities which leads to the emission of greenhouse gases. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established international treaties o reduce the emission the greenhouse gases. New Zealand is also committed to some of the international agreements and the government sets a domestic target to become carbon neutral by 2050. The construction industry needs to play a huge role in supporting the government to fulfil the targets and commitments. As the construction industry accounts for 20 per cent of the country’s carbon footprint it requires a transition toward zero-carbon building practices. Now is the time to shift from the conventional practices and this research will analyze the readiness of industry in implementing zero-carbon buildings in New Zealand.
Participant Identification and Recruitment
The criteria for selecting the participants for this study is that the participants must be a professional working in the New Zealand constriction industry. The participant needs to be a member of any one of the construction professional organizations in New Zealand. The response from the professionals will be generalized to identify the objectives of this research.
Project Procedures
An online questionnaire will be distributed to the participants through their email id. The participants will be requested to sign the consent form if they wish to respond to the questionnaire. The questions included in the questionnaire will be close-ended questions and participants have the option to select their answer from the 5 options given. The questions will be divided into three sections. Once the participants respond to the three sections they can finish the survey by clicking the submit option. The response to the questions will be automatically saved to the researcher's cloud storage. The responses will be later analysed using data analysis software.
Data Management
The data collected will be stored in the researcher’s cloud storage which is encrypted and secured. The analysis of data will be performed on the researcher's laptop which is password protected. After one year from submitting the research report, the collected data will be erased from the cloud storage. In the report, the participant's name or any other personal information will not be published.
Participant’s Rights
You are under no obligation to accept this invitation. If you decide to participate, you have the right to:
• decline to answer any particular question;
• withdraw from the study (specify timeframe);
• ask any questions about the study at any time during participation;
• provide information on the understanding that your name will not be used unless you permit the researcher;
• be given access to a summary of the project findings when it is concluded.
• Completion and return of the questionnaire imply consent. You have the right to decline to answer any particular question.
Project Contacts
If you have any questions, concerns or complaints about the study at any stage, you can contact :
Research supervisor
Dr Niluka Domingo BSc(Hons), Ph.D. Constr. Mgt.
Senior Lecturer in Quantity Surveying
Doctoral Supervisor
School of Built Environment
Ph : +6492136574
Email: N.D.Domingo@massey.ac.nz
Researcher
Nidhin Bindhu Kumari Sreekandan Nair
Master of Construction Project Management student
Massey University, Auckland
Ph : +64223364785
Email: 21010712@massey.ac.nz
Compulsory statements
“This project has been evaluated by peer review and judged to be low risk. Consequently, it has not been reviewed by one of the University’s Human Ethics Committees. The researcher(s) named above are responsible for the ethical conduct of this research.
If you have any concerns about the conduct of this research that you wish to raise with someone other than the researcher(s), please contact Prof Craig Johnson, Director, Research Ethics, telephone 06 356 9099 x 85271, email humanethics@massey.ac.nz”.

Survey - New Zealand construction industry's perspective towards zero-carbon buildings

A Massey University Master student's survey - please complete

A quick guide to classifying prefabricated building manufacturers and installers:
Based on the current levy classification definitions, if a business provides the service of manufacturing and installing/erecting a whole kitset building or dwelling; it must be classified under the relevant construction classification, e.g. – 41110 House construction, 41130 Non-
residential building construction.
If the business is only engaged in the manufacture of prefabricated buildings/dwellings in a factory setting, then the relevant manufacturing classification applies.
If the business is manufacturing and installing only the individual components of a building – again, the relevant manufacturing classification would be applicable.

Common levy classifications:
29190 Prefabricated wooden building manufacturing - includes manufacturing of wooden prefab houses / kitset dwellings, garages, wooden sheds. Excludes the manufacture of prefabricated buildings in conjunction with onsite erection / assembly of buildings.
29110 Prefabricated metal building manufacturing - includes manufacture of metal sheds, carports, bus shelters, kitset homes. Excludes the manufacture of prefabricated buildings in conjunction with onsite erection / assembly of buildings.
23230 Wooden structural fittings and components manufacturing – includes manufacturing, as well as manufacturing and installing; wooden cabinetry, staircases, roof trusses/prenail,
window frames, doors. Excludes fabrication and installation of joinery on a building site (which would fall under the classification: 42420 Carpentry services).
27490 Structural metal product manufacturing (not elsewhere classified) - includes manufacturing metal (except aluminium) balconies, balustrades, curtain walls, doors or door frames, fascias, prefabricated fire escapes, partitions, railings. Also includes manufacturing in conjunction with installation of above products.
27420 Architectural aluminium product manufacturing - includes manufacturing of aluminium roofing, stairs, staircases, doors/doorframes, gates, garage doors, windows/window frames,
screens, shopfronts. Also includes manufacturing in conjunction with installation of above products.
26350 Concrete product manufacturing - includes manufacturing fibre cement weatherboards and cladding, concrete roofing components, precast walls/floors/ceilings.

Need more information?
For further information and definitions of ACC levy classifications, you can refer to the Business Industry Classification Code website: https://www.businessdescription.co.nz/.
If you are unsure as to whether you are on the correct levy classification, you can contact ACC’s Business Centre on 0800 222 776 or email: business@acc.co.nz.
You can also view and check your levy classification, invoicing, employee claims reports, and request changes to your business details via our online app, MyACC for Business. If you don’t have MyACC for Business set up, but would like to know more – visit the following link:
MyACC4B information.

A quick guide to ACC levy classifications

From this week, PrefabNZ will be known as OffsiteNZ to reflect the industry’s expanding depth and breadth in providing much-needed, high-value, sustainable solutions for the residential, commercial and infrastructure building sectors.

In today’s high-demand and increasingly expensive building climate, offsite manufacturing is growing in innovation and appeal, and is a far cry from the prefabricated buildings of the 1950s.

Various terminology is used to describe prefabrication, modern methods of construction and offsite building. The commonly used term ‘prefab’ conjures up images of temporary homes, tiny homes, flat pack and secondary dwellings. While this is an important and valid part of the construction sector, it does not cover all parts of it.

Chief Executive Scott Fisher explains why the name needed to change.

“When people hear the word ‘prefab’ their first thoughts might be of cold, damp classrooms. That kind of association is a stumbling block to starting credible conversations about the need for the building and construction industry to embrace innovative technology, systems and processes.”

“The name change comes after much consideration and broad discussion with stakeholders, including members, non-members, officials, policymakers, the public and the wider construction sector,” says Fisher.

Board Chair Toni Kennerley says the name change is a strategic move and supports the organisation’s vision for the sector.

“Our vision is for offsite construction in New Zealand to be mainstream, and that productivity is high, and value is created for clients and society. The change to OffsiteNZ supports this vision and has broader appeal to the wider construction sector.”

OffsiteNZ will keep its existing modern branding with strapline “The heart of innovative construction”. The organisation will continue to be the loudest voice promoting the benefits of offsite manufacturing to the wider construction sector, the government and public.

About OffsiteNZ:

OffsiteNZ is a non-profit membership organisation that informs, educates and advocates for innovation and excellence in offsite design and construction in New Zealand. Our members are at the heart of everything we do, and we are the heart of innovative construction in New Zealand.

PrefabNZ announces name change to OffsiteNZ

New 2021 Resident Visa

On 30 September 2021, the New Zealand Government announced a new one-off residence visa for some temporary work visa holders currently in New Zealand. As a result of this announcement, a large number of work visa holders will be able to remain in New Zealand permanently (Immigration New Zealand estimates that around 165,000 migrants who are currently in New Zealand will be eligible for residence under this new category).

The Ministry of Health is undertaking targeted COVID-19 surveillance testing in Auckland in order to provide a level of assurance that there is a low risk of undetected community transmission prior to movement to Alert Level 2.

Given the increased movement as employees return to work, and people are able to visit these businesses (even in a contactless way), the Ministry of Health is asking businesses to support voluntary surveillance testing of their workers.

The particular areas of focus for this voluntary testing are the construction, hospitality, and retail sectors, who have returned to face to face work.

It is important to note the following:

Testing is not mandatory, but the Ministry of Health is encouraging employers to support their workers to undertake this testing while we are in Alert Level 3.
As this is a surveillance test, workers who choose to be tested do not need to isolate, unless they have symptoms.
Surveillance testing consists of one nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal/nostril swab taken, and a single follow up test in the following week (at least five days later) if we are still in Alert Level 3.
The swab test is free, it is up to employers on what arrangements they make with their workers who choose to undergo this testing.
Workers already being tested (crossing the alert level boundary, border workers, etc) should not undergo additional testing.
Businesses wishing to support worker surveillance testing can encourage their workers to book and get tested at a community testing centre, GP or urgent care centre. There is no workplace testing proposed at this point. Click the link below to find your nearest testing location.

Targeted voluntary COVID-19 testing for building and construction workers

Latest COVID-19 update from Building Performance.

Offsite Construction Sees 300% Growth

Update on offsite research commissioned by PrefabNZ.

Waste reduction through OSM

Construction is one of the largest waste-producing industries in New Zealand. What opportunities does off-site manufacturing (OSM) provide to reduce this load?

News List

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Survey - New Zealand construction industry's perspective towards zero-carbon buildings

A quick guide to ACC levy classifications

PrefabNZ announces name change to OffsiteNZ

New 2021 Resident Visa

Targeted voluntary COVID-19 testing for building and construction workers

Offsite Construction Sees 300% Growth

Waste reduction through OSM