Industry collaboration enters next phase

Strategy for the building and construction industry outlines key challenges and research required to meet them.

After more than a year of industry collaboration and surveying, MBIE hosted the Minister for Building and Construction Maurice Williamson and guests from the Construction Industry Council, Construction Strategy Group and BRANZ and for the launch of the Research Strategy for the Building and Construction Sector.

The strategy outlines the key challenges the industry faces over the next five to ten years and provides the basis for the research that is needed to meet these challenges.

“We’ve worked closely with our key stakeholders for a long period of time to develop a research programme and direction aimed at helping the sector prosper and increase its contribution to the economy,“ said MBIE’s Building System Performance general manager Adrian Regnault.

This is the first time these organisations have come together to plan for the future of the industry and it is hoped this paves the way for continued collaboration.

Acting chair of BRANZ Dr Helen Anderson said: “It is one thing to develop a strategy and to set out common goals. It’s another thing to make it more than a collection of well-intentioned ideas.

“I’m pleased to confirm that BRANZ has adopted this strategy as the basis for its investment of Building Research Levy. Over the next three months, BRANZ will be finalising its next research and knowledge transfer programme.”

Mr Williamson also took the opportunity to announce the 2014 ‘Building a Better New Zealand’ conference will be held in Auckland next September. Bringing the construction industry and researchers together, its focus is the future of New Zealand’s built environment and how to transform the building sector to deliver on the country’s future needs.