News
Keep up to date with what government, industry and individuals are doing to help transform the sector.
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Covid-19 news and updates are now in the Covid-19 section of website.
One year on: Progress on the Accord Transformation Plan 2022-2025
8 November 2023
The 12 months since the July 2022 launch of the second Construction Sector Transformation Plan has been a busy time for everyone involved with the Accord.
Government agency commitments on special conditions in contracts
9 October 2023
Accord Agencies have committed to participating in the process to update, agree and use All-of-Government special conditions for the 2 most commonly used contract templates in the construction sector.
Contractual guidance due to severe weather and flooding events
13 February 2023
Guidance for procurers on what to do to ensure fair and reasonable negotiations for contracts impacted by severe weather events.
Improving health and safety through better design practice
15 December 2022
The Health and Safety by Design (HSbD) report was prepared by Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ) with funding provided by the Construction Sector Accord.
Construction sector contracts review
14 December 2022
A review has been undertaken of how construction contracts are used by procuring agencies across the state sector.
27 October 2022
The Accord welcomes three more Transformation Leads to drive the delivery of the new Transformation Plan.
New operating model for Construction Accord
2 August 2022
The Construction Sector Accord Transformation programme now has a new operating model in place.
Construction Sector Accord launches $37 million transformation plan
29 July 2022
Construction Sector Transformation Plan 2022-2025 sets out bold actions to lead a culture change for a thriving, fair and sustainable construction sector.
Diversity and inclusion – the right thing and the smart thing for construction
30 June 2022
The Construction Sector Accord has produced new research and a roadmap to promote and support diversity in construction.
Panel of recognised Engineers to the Contract launched
30 June 2022
The Construction Sector Accord supported Engineering New Zealand to develop an independent panel of Engineers to the Contract (EtC) for NZS 3910.
New industry leaders and sector reference groups to guide Accord transformation plan
30 June 2022
New, smaller Accord governance group to accelerate transformation work supported by new sector reference groups.
Accord is 'go to' forum for industry-govt dialogue – independent evaluation
30 June 2022
An independent evaluation says the Construction Sector Accord has become the 'go to' forum for dialogue between industry and government.
Departing Accord co-chairs 'hand over the keys'
30 June 2022
Departing Accord Steering Group co-chair Chris Bunny was unwittingly 'volunteered' for the job by his fellow departing co-chair, Peter Reidy. The job became a passion project for them both.
Funding supports new construction sector Transformation Plan
19 May 2022
The Government has committed $37.485m to continue the work of achieving a thriving, fair and sustainable construction sector.
Immigration Rebalance welcomed by Construction Accord
11 May 2022
Opening immigration doors only part of workforce shortage solution – more diversity, better productivity, greater innovation needed.
Accord publishes 2021 Progress Report
29 April 2022
Overview of 2021 progress towards sector transformation goals.
Accord Steering Group – call for new members
21 April 2022
The Construction Sector Accord is seeking new nominees for its Steering Group.
Construction MIQ closes after helping hundreds
30 March 2022
Nearly 600 people were approved to enter New Zealand via the now-closed construction group allocation for Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ), and seven of them helped save a new Hamilton company from possible disaster.
Accord Environment Roadmap released
25 February 2022
The Construction Sector Environment Roadmap for Action has now been completed and it was published in the BRANZ publication Build on 1 February.
Farewell to 2021 from the Accord Steering Group co-chairs
17 December 2021
This has been another quite extraordinary year for construction and we're glad it's nearly over!
Strong pipeline forecast shows industry can prepare for future
7 December 2021
The Construction Sector Accord says that forecasts of a strong construction industry pipeline show that the sector can and must prepare for a different future.
New broader outcomes guidance published
25 November 2021
The Construction Sector Accord has published new guidance to support government buyers and industry suppliers in applying broader outcomes in construction procurement.
Accord proposes construction vaccination protocols
23 November 2021
Accord proposes vaccination protocols to support new vaccination assessment tool announced 23 November 2021.
New Plymouth District Council wins Beacons Award
19 November 2021
The inaugural Beacons Award trophy has gone to New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) for its supply chain leadership approach.
Finalists announced for inaugural Construction Accord Beacons Awards
3 November 2021
The Construction Sector Accord is proud to announce the finalists in the inaugural Beacons Awards, championing the construction sector’s most transformative and innovative approaches.
Building for the Future report released
1 November 2021
Accord releases a summary of the most significant international developments in construction and the barriers to their implementation.
Construction Sector Accord supply chain research issued
21 September 2021
Research commissioned by the Construction Sector Accord helped government understand current supply chain challenges facing the construction and infrastructure sector.
Accord funding towards better business performance in specialist trades
22 June 2021
The Construction Sector Accord is funding the development of a benchmarking scheme to improve business performance for construction specialist trades, as part of its work to lift business performance in the construction and infrastructure sector.
Diversity in Construction initiative "great news" for women in construction
25 May 2021
Minister for Building and Construction Poto Williams spoke at the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Excellence Awards on 7 May.
ConCOVE – Women's Advisory Group announced
25 May 2021
The Accord is proud to be part of a consortium leading the Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCOVE).
Have your say on three MBIE consultations on Building Act reforms
20 May 2021
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is asking for feedback on the Licensed Building Practitioners scheme, proposals to regulate engineers and proposals to support new building laws.
Critical workers entering New Zealand under Covid-19
10 May 2021
The Government has announced 60 places in MIQ for construction workers, and a Time-Sensitive Allocation option for all workersBringing critical workers to New Zealand.
World Safety and Health at Work day
10 May 2021
The Construction Sector Accord is tackling complacency and working toward a better health and safety culture in the sector.
Construction Sector Accord partnership builds sustainable workforce
12 April 2021
The Construction Sector Accord is partnering with Diversity Works New Zealand, the national body for workplace diversity and inclusion, to build a sustainable workforce for the construction sector.
Construction Sector Accord partnership helps resourcing for suicide prevention
25 February 2021
The Construction Sector Accord (the Accord) has partnered with MATES in Construction NZ (MATES) to help prevent suicide in the construction sector by supporting them to get their programme out to more people.
Accord Steering Group welcomes two new members
28 January 2021
The Accord Steering Group is pleased to welcome newest members Mike Craig and Susan Freeman-Greene.
Government and industry collaborating to improve good business practice
28 January 2021
Construction Sector Accord partners the Ministry of Education, the Registered Master Builders Association, and the Vertical Construction Leaders Group are working together to design and implement programmes for businesses to improve their performance.
Planning for a post-COVID construction sector
21 December 2020
The National Construction Pipeline Report shows that the Construction Sector Accord will need to play a vital role in supporting our COVID-19 recovery.
2020 Construction Sector Progress Report shows benefits of Accord
17 December 2020
The 2020 Construction Sector Progress Report shows the value of genuine industry and government partnership to manage the unprecedented challenges of 2020.
Constructive Forum brings Government and industry together
17 September 2020
Accord Transformation Director, Dean Kimpton, shares his thoughts on the Constructive Virtual Event Series panel session with the Minister of Finance and sector leaders.
Accord welcomes new members to lead transformation delivery
10 September 2020
The Accord is pleased to welcome new members to the Accord Steering Group (ASG) and Transformation Delivery Group (TDG).
3 September 2020
A consortium, including the Construction Sector Accord, have been announced as the successful applicants to lead the Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCoVE).
Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council making progress
12 August 2020
The Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council (WDC) has established an interim Establishment Board (iEB).
More help to keep and employ apprentices
12 August 2020
Employers now have more options to help keep and bring on apprentices with the Apprenticeship Support Programme.
Accord welcomes new residential construction sector support
10 August 2020
The Construction Sector Accord welcomes two initiatives to support the residential construction sector – a $350 million Residential Development Response Fund, and the Progressive Home Ownership Fund.
Save the date: Rapid Mobilisation Playbook webinar
28 July 2020
Save the Date for the next Accord webinar on the Rapid Mobilisation Playbook: Wednesday 19 August, 3pm-4pm.
Rapid Mobilisation Playbook to support fast-tracking of construction projects
28 July 2020
A new resource - the Rapid Mobilisation Playbook - has been created to help fast-track government construction projects.
9 July 2020
The Accord is excited to share the video of our first 'Towards High Performance' webinar on risk management.
New Contract Partnering Agreement launched
2 July 2020
It’s now easier to put the Accord principles into practice with a new Partnering Agreement developed by the Accord.
Accord's first Beacon Project: Reducing carbon in construction – Watercare
2 July 2020
The Accord is excited to share our first Beacon Project – Watercare's carbon reduction in infrastructure construction. Find out some of the key learnings from the project, which focuses on partnering with contractors to achieve carbon reduction in large infrastructure projects.
Construction Sector Transformation Plan to lift sector productivity (external link)
26 January 2020
A joint industry and government action plan to transform the construction sector was announced today by the Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa.
1 November 2019
MATES In Construction formally launched this week to improve awareness of the significance of suicide in the construction industry.
New Construction Procurement Guidelines to promote better practices
11 October 2019
New Construction Procurement Guidelines were jointly announced by the Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford and Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa.
11 October 2019
CHASNZ has launched two new guides for the sector — Mental Health in Construction: Information for Managers, and a simple pocket guide that all workers can carry with them. The intent is to normalise conversations about mental health and create a more supportive workplace.
2019 Building and construction pipeline report released(external link)
4 September 2019
Improving the visibility of the construction pipeline has emerged as an important issue for the Construction Sector Accord and for achieving sector transformation. MBIE today released the 2019 National Construction Pipeline Report which forecasts construction activity over the next six years and supports better planning in the sector.
Construction contracts under the microscope
2 September 2019
The Construction Sector Accord programme is helping to tackle the 'culture of mistrust' identified in a recent Treasury report into the use of standard contracts in construction.
Infrastructure Pipeline launched(external link)
9 May 2019
The Government has published a prototype Infrastructure Pipeline, to show what projects will be delivered by major central government agencies over the next five years.
Innovate, Partner, Build — a better way to work with industry
15 April 2019
Housing New Zealand is creating new way of working more smartly with the construction industry through their Innovate, Partner, Build programme.
Government and industry sign Construction Sector Accord(external link)
14 April 2019
Government and construction industry leaders have today signalled a shared commitment to transform New Zealand's construction sector.
Accord set to change 'rules of the game' in construction industry
14 April 2019
Building industry leaders today welcomed the signing of an agreement with government that provides a platform to reinvent the construction sector, and improve its ability to contribute to the economic prosperity and wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Prime Minister Hon Jacinda Adern, government ministers and construction industry leaders sign the Construction Sector Accord on 14 April 2019