20 years ago:
• Consideration was being given to excluding from the Master Build Services (MBS) five-year new home guarantee any products or materials used in home construction that did not have formal appraisal certification.
MBS chief executive Trevor Allsebrook says the proposal followed concerns at the risk imposed by the use of products that had not undergone adequate research and development.
Products considered high risk included cladding, roofing, flashing and foundation materials.
“Builders know from painful experience that risk increases substantially when products have not been properly tested. There have been many instances over the years where building materials such as cladding, sub-strata products and sealants have failed miserably,” Mr Allsebrook said.
15 years ago:
• Serious deficiencies in government legislation that purported to offer greater commercial protection from the financial fall-out of building industry collapses were identified by the New Zealand Building Industry Federation.
Federation executive director Kevin Marevich said the Construction Contracts Bill was flawed because it discriminated between sections of the industry in the application of new and welcome fast-track mediation procedures for resolving construction disputes.
“Suppliers of materials and services are denied the same level of protection as that afforded installers and prefabricators,” Mr Marevich said.
“The likely impact of the measure, if made law as it stands, is a further increase in tensions within the industry, and a rise in litigation and commercial argument. Many businesses left out in the cold are small and medium enterprises unable to withstand prolonged litigation,” he said.
10 years ago:
• The RMBF welcomed Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove’s announcement of a new package of work aimed at improving the energy efficiency of New Zealand buildings through insulation, solar, lighting and other technologies.
The package comprised four initiatives which were to introduce higher thermal insulation performance requirements for new homes, make it easier to install solar water heating systems, and improve lighting, ventilation and air systems in commercial buildings.
5 years ago:
• The scaffolding industry was recruiting new trainees direct from the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) programme to help boost the workforce for the Christchurch rebuild.
The LSV programme was a six-week residential course for unemployed youth based at Burnham Military Camp.
Scaffolding and Rigging NZ had teamed up with Tai Poutini Polytechnic and Work and Income to launch a pilot programme to train LSV graduates in basic scaffolding and rigging skills.
Ten young people, some who were recent graduates of the LSV programme, had taken part in a six-week pilot training scheme, and were undertaking work experience in the scaffolding industry.
