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Metals NZ CCO Second Emission Plan Submission – 20 June 2023
Climate Change Commission PO Box 24448 Wellington 6142 Tēnā koe Consultation: Draft advice on the second emissions reduction plan (2026-2030) Thank you for the opportunity to share the New Zealand metals sector’s concerns, priorities and aspirations in helping shape the direction of policy needed to enable a thriving, climate-resilient and low emissions Aotearoa New Zealand.…
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There is no timber first-policy
“There is no ‘timber-first’ policy. There is a policy to reduce the carbon impact of government buildings.” This is Minister for Economic Development, Government Procurement and Forestry Hon. Stuart Nash’s response to written parliamentary questions from Opposition spokesperson for Construction Tim van de Molen, inquiring into the government’s timber-first policy in June 2021. The minister…
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Building Code change drives warmer, drier, environmentally friendly homes
Every year MBIE consults on the Building Code. This year’s proposed changes aim to make homes and buildings warmer, drier and healthier, with less impact on our environment, while also bringing New Zealand more in line with international standards. Metals New Zealand in partnership with the National Association of Steel Framed Housing Inc (NASH) has submitted…
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What’s wrong with phasing out fossil fuels in process heat
Metals New Zealand members are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the coming decades and support a just transition to a low-emissions economy as is the goal of Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019. However, Metals members are hugely disappointed at the Ministry for the Environment’s approach in its focus on regulating…
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Building a low-carbon and resilient tomorrow
This opinion editorial featured in BusinessDesk on 13 May 2021 By Rob Gaimster, chief executive of Concrete New Zealand and Nick Collins is chief executive of Metals New Zealand. We believe that Red Stag Timber chief executive Marty Verry’s recent opinion piece in BusinessDesk, asserting Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is better than steel and concrete,…
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Embracing light steel frame as alternative to timber
Uncertainty around timber supply for residential construction shows how the fortunes and future of New Zealand’s construction and manufacturing sectors are inextricably linked. Our residential construction supply chains are not resilient, with an over reliance on one material. Firstly, there are credible and cost-effective alternatives to timber. Light steel frame construction has been available in…
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When is government going to start to value local manufacturing?
When are we going to see government realise the value of local manufacturing and start supporting our businesses and their employees? As we watch yet another long-running New Zealand manufacturing business disappear with the likely closure of the Whakatane wood processing mill – yet another in a long line of plant closures in the last…
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Procurement guidance a surprising concern
The transition to a low emission, circular economy is complex, particularly for the construction sector which will need to deliver on the goal. Metals New Zealand believes that the best chance of New Zealand achieving its zero carbon vision is through MBIE working openly in partnership with the construction sector. Clearly, government procurement has a…
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Waking up to the potential of NZ manufacturing
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, our politicians are finally starting to wake up to the importance of local manufacturing businesses to New Zealand’s economy and wellbeing. We’ve seen National establish a first-ever spokesperson for manufacturing and small business and the Government announce plans to work on an industry transformation plan for advanced manufacturing.…
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Manufacturing – a key to rebuilding the economy
It is clear that manufacturing is going to be essential for New Zealand’s economic recovery. As a sector, manufacturing already fuels the economy, contributing $23 billion of GDP, over 50% of exports, 10% of jobs with a diverse workforce employing more Maori and Pacifica than any other sector, 42% of R&D and is essential to…