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Welcome to the first episode of Build Aotearoa for 2026. Coming up this year, the NZGBC will be celebrating 20 years of advocating for better buildings in New Zealand. The update of the update of H1 is bedding in, but many builders are turning their attention to roof condensation and overheating. And the market seems to be in a prolonged period of 'cautious optimism'.

I chatted with the wide range of exhibitors at the 2025 Australian Passivhaus Conference, THRIVE 25 in Melbourne. This year saw a growing contingent of panel suppliers along with a variety of window manufacturers, membrane suppliers and more. Special thanks to Environtecture and the Australian Passivhaus Association for supporting the Passive House Accelerator to be there and bring you these highlights. Featured Guests and Exhibitors Peter Sullivan, Smart SIPsPeter introduces us to his structural insulated panel system designed to simplify construction while delivering high performance for Passive House and other energy-efficient builds. Annettee Braagaard, Nordic BlindsAnnettee shares how intelligent Danish blind systems support shading and comfort in Passive House projects across Australia. Ben Mitchell, SIP Solid and Solcraft Ben explains how their Solcraft panels can help deliver stronger, warmer homes in the Australian market. Rohan Madathanapalli, Bondor MetecnoAs Principal Sponsor of THRIVE 25, Rohan outlines Bondor's role in advanced panel technology and how one product can serve multiple functions, speeding up products and helping to reduce overall cost. Klaus Herrmann, Alpine Passive HouseKlaus highlights the benefits of Australian-made prefabricated panels design with European experience. Thomas Paarhammer, Paarhammer Windows & DoorsThomas shares insights from over 30 years of crafting high-quality windows and doors tailored for Australian conditions and Passive House requirements. Villy Yordanov, Pro Clima AustraliaVilly explains some of the new products available from long-time Passive House support, pro clima. Rachael Sparnon-Freeman, Pacific VentilationRachael discusses mechanical ventilation solutions, indoor air quality, and how Pacific Ventilation can support both commercial and residential projects. Joel Seagren, FantechJoel speaks about fan technologies and their application in Passive House ventilation systems and energy recovery solutions. Michael Drage, Reimagined Habitat, Net Zero Plus, Efficient HabitatMichael talks about communicating passive house in the language of clients, drawing on his experience from the financial sector.

The government is seeking consultation on insulation standards. Again. Jason Quinn has waded through the details and provided a handy summary. Check it out, and get your submission in by 28 February 2025.

I'm joined again by Sharon Robinson and Glenn Harley for a chat about the possibility of builder self-certification and MBIE's updated weather files.

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I caught up with Glenn Harley and Joseph Lyth to talk about the recent Passive House conference in Wellington, and other building issues in Aotearoa.

Notes from RMBA's Constructive Industry Forum.

99 Waiwai Drive, Milldale north of Auckland looks like a regular new house in a regular new subdivision, but around 30 people visited the site mid-build to see why it's different. This showhome will be one of the Platinum Homes high-performance range. It's a SIP (structural insulation panel) construction and achieved a near Passive House level of airtightness. I caught up with Sam Watt, the General Manager of Platinum Homes, Rodney. https://www.platinumhomes.co.nz/our-homes/house-and-land-packages/99-waiwai-drive-milldale/ https://formance.co.nz/

In this episode of Build Aotearoa, I explore the concept of building circularity and its impact on the construction industry. Learn about deconstruction vs. demolition and reflect on the reduce-reuse-recycle hierarchy. I also discuss the role of polystyrene pods and alternative fillers in concrete slabs. Be sure to check out recent episodes of the Passive House Podcast from the Passive House Accelerator for more on building cicularity.

The New Zealand Building Code does not guarantee performance in all areas that many homeowners might expect. Fortunately, Homestar is available to close the performance gaps. Homestar Headline Benefits • Fresh air • Dry • Comfort • Carbon Homestar Design Checklist This is a summary of the basic requirements over and above basic building code compliance for achieving 6 Homestar v5. Inclusion of everything here does not guarantee compliance but is a starting point for what should be considered. Homestar Designer: This can be someone within the project team or an external consultant. Engage them in the process as early as possible. Energy model: Homestar v5 uses predicted performance criteria rather than a schedule of allowable insulation levels. The performance criteria include estimated energy consumption, winter and summer internal temperature and likely carbon emissions and these can be calculated using the Energy and Carbon Calculator for Homes (ECCHO). Energy modelling used to be a highly specialised process and expensive process. ECCHO makes energy modelling accessible to Homestar Designers Continuous mechanical ventilation: Internal moisture is a significant problem for New Zealand homes and there is adequate evidence that the building code requirements of openable windows is not reliable for providing enough fresh air and removing dampness. There are simple solutions available for 6 Homestar that are nearly silent, cost very little to run and will provide much more reliable benefits to homeowners. Thermally broken windows: Pay attention to the window frames, not just the glass. Slab edge insulation OR above slab insulation: Junctions such as the connection between walls and floors are risk areas for condensation. Some additional insulation detail can help prevent this and can be easily incorporated when considered early. Water efficient fittings: These are commonly available. Select the best WELS rated products. For more, visit https://nzgbc.org.nz/introduction-to-homestar

While researching a presentation to open the NZGBC 2024 Housing Summit, I looked into the climate initiatives of Europe and the US. In Europe, over €83b has been recently been committed by the European Parliament as part of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The ultimate goal is that the building sector will be climate neutral by 2050. Importantly, there are interim goals for 2030 and 2040, which encompass both new buildings and retrofitting existing buildings. https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en Over in the US, there is the Inflation Reduction Act which will see a staggering $783b invested into energy security and climate change initiatives. https://www.whitehouse.gov/cleanenergy/inflation-reduction-act-guidebook/ Back here in Aotearoa, aside from recently updating H1 Energy Efficiency in our building code, MBIE has laid out a programme called Building for Climate Change. https://www.building.govt.nz/getting-started/building-for-climate-change The implementation plan for BfCC has reporting requirements suggested for 2025.

Steve Penny is the founder and director at Honoris, a building services consultancy in Christchurch, New Zealand. He is also the host of his own podcast, A Penny for Your Thoughts.

Stärke has been in the window industry in New Zealand since the 80s. They were at the forefront of supplying aluminium frames to the building industry but have recently made some big changes. With a focus on building performance, Benjy Simmons describes the new direction of Stärke as a 'once-in-fifty-year' change. While the company has a long legacy, they've experienced rapid change over the last few years. Benjy credits some of the openness to change to him being from outside the industry. He's come in with a different perspective. "We're beginning to see ourselves as a building performance company not just a window and door company", says Benjy. Check out the full range of Stärke products along with their education pages and other resources.