The conference lasted nearly four hours and featured rich content, in-depth discussions, and tangible outcomes.
To mark the 7th anniversary of the New Zealand Builders Association (NZBA), the Association successfully held its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the New Zealand Construction Development Forum on 16 January 2026 at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland.
The event brought together representatives from government departments, industry bodies, construction enterprises, and frontline workers across various trades, who gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on the development trends of New Zealand’s construction industry, build industry-wide consensus, and promote high-quality and sustainable growth.
Member of Parliament Ms Nancy Lu attended the conference and delivered a keynote address.
In her speech, Ms Lu provided a comprehensive overview of policy development, regulatory directions, and future trends in New Zealand’s construction sector. She offered in-depth insights into the government’s policy priorities relating to housing delivery, building quality, and industry standards.
Her address was strategic, focused, and forward-looking, providing valuable guidance for participants to better understand the policy environment and identify future opportunities within the industry.
Mr Tom Lee, Vice President of the New Zealand Builders Association, delivered the opening address and warmly welcomed all guests and industry colleagues.
He reviewed the seven-year development journey of the Association and highlighted its significant contributions to the construction sector. Mr Lee reaffirmed that the Association remains committed to speaking for construction workers, providing policy input for the industry, and serving the long-term development of the sector.
During the conference, Mr Lee also presented the Project Proposal for the 2026 Education and Training Programme. He noted that New Zealand’s construction industry is highly dependent on overseas skilled labour, and emphasised the urgent need to strengthen local education and training systems to meet the growing demand for skilled workers.
Mr Jack Jia, Secretary-General of the New Zealand Builders Association, also delivered welcoming remarks. He outlined the Association’s key milestones over the past seven years, including:
Mr Jia noted that the Association has grown into a trusted partner for government, a reliable platform for the industry, and a strong support network for construction workers.
He also officially launched the Association’s Ten-Year Building Warranty Product for 2026, which aims to establish a comprehensive and reliable new standard for safe housing in New Zealand.
The conference was chaired by Mr Nic Ma, Deputy Secretary-General of the Association.
During the event, Mr Ma presented a development report on the “Blue Paper on the Living and Development Conditions of Construction Workers in New Zealand.” He proposed the establishment of a national database on construction workers, supported by large-scale surveys and data analysis, to provide evidence-based support for government agencies, industry organisations, and the wider community.
Mr Glen Hingston, former Head of the City Council Building Inspection Team, delivered a detailed presentation on the newly implemented Granny Homes policy, and addressed questions raised by attendees.
Mr Joshua Moore, Senior Building Inspector, and Ms Rina Bayani, Senior Officer from the City Council CCC Approval Team, also delivered presentations on building quality systems and the CCC application and approval process.
Guests attending the AGM included:
During the conference, participants reviewed the Association’s achievements over the past year and discussed key priorities for 2026, recognising both the challenges and opportunities facing the industry in areas such as quality control, talent development, and regulatory standards.
In the subsequent discussion session, more than twenty representatives actively contributed to practical and forward-looking discussions on construction quality regulation, industry trends, skills shortages, and the future development of the Association.
Based on broad consultation and consensus, the conference identified three key priorities for the Association in 2026:
Participants unanimously agreed that 2026 will be a pivotal year for the New Zealand Builders Association as it builds on past achievements and moves toward high-quality development.
The Association will continue to leverage its role as an industry platform, strengthen collaboration between government, enterprises, and frontline workers, and contribute more significantly to the standardisation, professionalism, and sustainable development of New Zealand’s construction industry.
The New Zealand Builders Association also reaffirmed its commitment to hosting high-quality industry exchange events on a regular basis, fostering consensus and momentum across the sector, and warmly welcomes more industry professionals to participate in the Association’s work to jointly promote the long-term prosperity and progress of New Zealand’s construction industry.
