BUILDINGTODAY VOLUME 25 NUMBER 10 THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE REGISTERED MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NOVEMBER 2015 www.buildingtoday.co.nz INSIDE: HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2015: CATEGORY WINNERS, IMAGES AND COMMENT ALSO INSIDE: BCITO CHIEF RETIRES ❯ THE BLAME GAME ❯ INVESTING IN CONNECTIVITY www.gerardroofs.co.nz Gerard Roofs’ colours have light-fast pigments that resist fading, even in the harshest environments. Gerard Roofs also have coatings up to twice as thick as some competitors. No wonder they retain their original colour under some of the most extreme conditions on earth. Long lasting good looks is one of the reasons why Gerard roofs have been adopted in over 120 countries. Even in places with merciless ultraviolet light. Like New Zealand. The worry-proof roof ® CONTENTS BUILDINGTODAY 03 www.buildingtoday.co.nz 4-21 BUILDINGTODAY RMBA NEWS All the category winners from the RMB 2015 House VOLUME 25 NUMBER 10 NOVEMBER 2015 of the Year; RMB Carters 2015 Apprentice of the Year Shaun Campbell follows in his father’s footsteps 22-28 31-33 INDUSTRY NEWS INDUSTRY OPINION BCITO CEO Ruma Karaitiana retires; Labour on right Matrix Homes’ Sean Murrie: Affordable housing track with procurement policy, steel industry says stymied by red tape; Minister Paula Bennett: Too many Loopy Rules! 34-36 38-39 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFILE Investing in connectivity; New cloud-based tool Trades Coaching New Zealand: Adding value to helps builders keep up to date building businesses 40 44-46 BCITO NEWS COLUMNISTS The BCITO launches its Strategic Workforce Leaky buildings — vendor/council/contractor found Development Framework to help building industry liable; The blame game; Plan to avoid festive businesses and employers manage their workforce heartache FROM THE EDITOR PUBLISHER: Taurean Publications Ltd PO Box 35343, Browns Bay, Auckland 0753 It’s awards season again, and inside this issue you’ll find full EDITOR: Andrew Darlington 09 478 4888 021 90 11 56 coverage of the RMB 2015 House of the Year, along with a [email protected] profile on RMB Carters 2015 Apprentice of the Year Shaun Campbell. ADVERTISING MANAGER: John Helsdon 021 164 2960 [email protected] As usual, we have some hard-hitting opinion pieces, BUILDING TODAY is the official magazine of the Registered Master Builders’ including one from Matrix Homes’ Sean Murrie who Association of New Zealand. Advertising statements and editorial opinions bemoans the multitude of red tape strangling affordable expressed in Building Today do not necessarily reflect the views of RMBA housing in this country. Hmmm, sounds familiar. members, its executive or committees; or of the chief executive and staff unless expressly stated. Further, the RMBA and members are not liable Also, Building Today has rolled out its new-look web site for any statements made in Building Today unless otherwise stated. The which we’re sure will give you plenty to mull over. Go to page editor reserves the right to edit, amend or reject copy where necessary. The publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss 7 for more details, or head straight to our site at or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in this www.buildingtoday.co.nz. publication, or from the use of the information contained herein. No warranties, express or implied, are made with respect to any of the material We hope you enjoy your read, whether it be hard copy or contained herein. digital! 1-year subscription: $57.50 Andrew Darlington — Editor ISSN 1171-0225 (Print) ISSN 1171-1264 (Online) RMBA NEWS BUILDINGTODAY 04 www.buildingtoday.co.nz Congrats to AOY and HOY winners It certainly grabbed media attention, as did the Chief’s Chat involvement of ex-All Black Chris Jack as an By CEO David Kelly AOY Ambassador. The apprentice finalists were all hosted as he final of the 2015 Apprentice of the Year guests at the final of the House of the Year held Twas held at The Cloud in Auckland on on November 14. October 9 and once again showcased the Once again, the quality of entrants was superb emerging talent in the industry. and the RMBA was thrilled to see an increase in The judges said this year’s competition came entry numbers for 2015. down to the practical section where one or two This year we refreshed the regional magazines mistakes made the difference in who came out and web sites, and with more than 300,000 the eventual winner. page views since the regionals started in July, it Congratulations go to this year’s winner, Shaun demonstrates that the House of the Year is an Campbell, from the Upper South Island Region. important part of the decision-making process We also wouldn’t have a competition if the when New Zealanders are looking to build. home owners of these fantastic properties The Apprentice of the Year is unique among were not prepared to be involved. our awards in the way it involves the One of the most important components of a community through the donation to charitable successful competition is our dedicated team In most cases they do so as a sign of support groups of the play castles built by the finalists of judges. It is no easy task and, in some cases, for their builder, to see them get the as their final practical test. can come down to the narrowest of margins. recognition they deserve. Their willingness to allow us into their homes is greatly Many of the charities came down to support They are a passionate group of professionals, appreciated. “their” finalist on the day as they assembled and we are very fortunate that they choose to the castle, and chanted and encouraged them give back to the industry through the House of Congratulations go to all category winners, and over several hours. the Year. the Supreme Award winners. FairWay Resolution Helping people resolve building and construction disputes FairWay is an Authorised Nominating Authority and appoints appropriately qualified, trained and impartial adjudicators to determine construction disputes. We also have qualified mediators who can assist with all building-related disputes. Adjudication Mediation FairWay offers an end-to-end adjudication service Many disputes relating to building work arise from that includes not only appointing a suitably qualified misunderstandings. If you have tried discussing adjudicator to hear your dispute, but we also the problems with each other but cannot agree on manage the process to ensure that deadlines are the way forward, mediation can be a good choice if met, communication is clear, and all aspects of the both parties agree to participate. We can help you service meet strict quality standards. Give us a call reach agreement. to discuss your situation. 0800 77 44 02 [email protected] www.fairwayresolution.com Top apprentice follows in his father’s footsteps haun Campbell, of Inhaus Developments, passion for building really set Swas thrilled when his name was read out as him apart from the rest of the the Registered Master Builders Carters 2015 contestants. Apprentice of the Year. “We were impressed by Shaun says it was his parents who encouraged Shaun’s ability to convert his him to enter the competition, and he has not passion into quality work, looked back. and deliver in a commercial time frame. He is a strong “The old man, who is also my employer, does a all-rounder who scored lot with Registered Master Builders, and always excellent marks across all takes part in House of the Year. I thought that stages of the competition,” entering Apprentice of the Year would be a they said. good way to play my part and prove myself in the industry.” “His work in the practical challenge was of particular The 20-year-old from Nelson said the note, scoring very highly competition was challenging but rewarding. across all aspects.” “I was pretty shy through the regional judging, While Shaun entered but by the time we got underway at the Apprentice of the Year to national competition I felt a lot more make his mark in the The 10 national Registered Master Builders Carters 2015 Apprentice confident,” he says. industry, he is also playing a of the Year finalists put their skills to the test in a demanding “The practical challenge at the national role in the Registered Master practical challenge where they were tasked with building a children’s competition was pretty full on — a lot was Builders 2015 House of the playhouse, to be gifted to a local charity. Shaun’s playhouse won the going through my head, and I was the youngest Year competition where judges over, and will be donated to Head2Head. one there which made me nervous. It was a Inhaus Developments was a great feeling once I was finished!” Gold Reserve finalist. The Apprentice of the Year judges said Shaun’s “I took a leading role in building a great little bach in Little Kaiteriteri. While Russell oversaw the project, it was up to me and my apprentice to execute the build,” he says. Shaun is looking forward to one day taking over his father’s company, ensuring they continue to deliver Shaun took a leading role in building a bach in Little Kaiteriteri builds of a high quality. which was a Gold Reserve finalist in this year’s Registered Master “We have a lot of pride in our Builders 2015 House of the Year competition. work, and love turning out really top quality homes. Our clients become www.apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz. good friends and that makes it really enjoyable — I want to keep it that way.” Owned by the Registered Master Builders Association, the Apprentice of the Year Apprentices, employers and young people Competition is made possible thanks to aspiring to be a part of the construction principal sponsor Carters, the Building and industry are encouraged to join the Facebook Construction Industry Training Organisation page at (BCITO), and supporting sponsors the Ministry www.facebook.com/apprenticeoftheyear, or Shaun Campbell on stage after being named the of Business, Innovation and Employment follow us on Twitter: @AOY_NZ.