Filter by:
-
Infrastructure for a better future
The Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga’s proposals to extensively overhaul the way New Zealand’s infrastructure is planned, prioritised and built, is an impressive, comprehensive and thought-provoking document. Aptly titled He Tūāpapa ki te Ora, Infrastructure for a Better Future the discussion document sets a proposed direction for a 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy, which is being developed – covering how…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
One big thing: our response to the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice to government
If there’s one big thing we want the Climate Change Commission (CCC) to understand – it’s that whatever actions the New Zealand government takes, it’s vital that all New Zealand’s trading partners similarly commit to programmes of action to ensure global warming does not achieve 2 degrees. This is the framing for Metals New Zealand…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Supporting tariffs on dumped galvanised wire
Metals New Zealand strongly supports imposition of tariffs on galvanised wire from specified Chinese plants – as has been identified in the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment’s (MBIE) Step 2 Investigation PIP Report on its investigation of dumping of galvanised wire from China as set out in the Trade (Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties) Act…
-
Briefing our new government
Election 2020 is over, with a landslide victory for Labour. Now New Zealand awaits the formation of a new government, one that will face some herculean tasks including post-COVID economic recovery, the significant pipeline of infrastructure and construction work and the transition to a low emissions, circular economy. Metals and the wider domestic manufacturing sector…