First version of list of overseas made building products available in NZ released
The first version of a document listing all international building products now available in New Zealand has been released as the first step in the government's plans to turbo charge the construction sector. Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcom Fleming spoke to Charlotte Cook.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Kiwi workers wanted: 'The north of Australia is a really good option'
Northern Territory industry leaders were hunting for Kiwi workers at an Auckland job expo over the weekend. File photo. Photo: AFP Australian companies say they are not trying to poach NZ's workforce, but anybody who does fancy upping sticks for 'Straya's Northern Territory is being fair dinkum promised a chunk a' change that would make your Kiwi colleagues mad as a cut snake. Northern Territory industry leaders were at an Auckland job expo over the weekend to extoll the virtues of the vast region of Australia. There were stalls looking to recruit police and corrections officers, hospitality workers, health professionals, tourism operators and construction and infrastructure workers. A number of Kiwis visiting the expo told Checkpoint the better pay and better work opportunities were tempting. But what will it mean for New Zealand's already declining workforce if they take up the offer? For Kiwis across the motu, it can be a dispiriting daily grind: apply for jobs, often receive no reply and when they do land an interview, queues of people are lining up for the same job. It can take hundreds of applications, and often many months, before something finally comes through. The unemployment rate in New Zealand is at a four-year high at 5.1 percent, so it is very competitive out there. But in Australia's Northern Territory, they are desperate for people to join their workforce and they have got Kiwis in their sights. On Saturday morning at Auckland's Manukau Due Drop events centre, the expo was bustling with hundreds of students, job hunters and people just looking for a change. They told Checkpoint finding a job in Aotearoa has become increasingly difficult. "I'm looking for other work at the moment and there's literally nothing out there, thousands of people applying for jobs that I wouldn't usually apply for. "A lot of people have applied for jobs you see 150 people have applied, 200 people and you'll still be waiting for an answer." The Northern Territory's allure lies in its higher salaries, more job opportunities and the possibility of buying a home there. "I'm renting a two-bedroom house here for $550 at the same time when I see my sister she's in Alice Springs she's renting a two-bedroom house for $350. "I feel really bad going into a job that pays so little, and I've studied so hard, where there's like a $20,000 difference if I start here or if I start there." Damien Charles from the Northern Territory Information and Communication Technology and Digital Services industry said there was a wider range of opportunities in the sector. A $30-40,000 pay bump also did not hurt. "Having listened to a number of people come through they're quite downcast about ICT and digital sector here in New Zealand, it's quite hard to get into the market even for people with existing skills and experience." Andrew Craven from the Northern Territory Police said they were looking for new recruits to join the police and experienced police who might want a change in scenery. First-year constables earn a salary of $111,000 compared to $83,000 here. After five years in the force that increases to $121,000 in Northern Territory, compared with $91,000 here. There is also a housing allowance of up to $34,000 for officers jumping the ditch. Craven said there were many similarities between the Northern Territory and New Zealand police forces. "We speak to the New Zealand Police a lot because we interview experienced police, particularly in the Northern Island, I think they have very similar problems." Dr Tanzil Rahman - Member of the Parliament of the Northern Territory for Fong Lim in Darwin's east - made the trip to New Zealand to help snag some Kiwi workers. He said the Northen Territory offered a different lifestyle, better pay, a higher quality housing market and a warmer climate. "We know that New Zealanders are keen on Australia and do move to Australia and if you're looking for meaningful work opportunities that are well remunerated than again the north of Australia is a really good option." But for some Kiwis, the grass was not greener. "Australia's way too hot and there's too much drama there," said one. "People don't realise that in New Zealand we look after our retirees a lot better than they do in Australia." "I was offered about 1.7 times about what I would earn here in New Zealand. But what I love here about people in New Zealand is the people and the culture. We moved here when I was young from South Africa, so I call New Zealand my home and I'll stay," said another "We've got the most beautiful scenery in the world, great people and a wonderful future I'd stay here," said a third. The Northern Territory job expos were held in Christchurch and Auckland over the past two weekends hosting jobs and information sessions for Kiwis keen to get a glimpse on life and work. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Material change for the construction industry
With insolvency and job losses for construction businesses soaring , the government has announced it will make it easier for firms to purchase and use international materials for builds here in New Zealand. Professor John Tookey from AUT joins Emile Donovan to look at whether this move will bring down the high cost of construction. Photo: 123RF
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Scoop
Surcharge Ban Will Benefit Consumers, Retail NZ Says
Banning surcharges will improve the retail experience for customers but risks prices being increased to cover the costs of accepting credit card payments, Retail NZ says. 'Retail payments are a contentious and complex area for retail businesses. We are pleased the Government has listened to our calls for changes in the system, to enable retailers to provide better customer experiences,' Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says. The changes will mean retailers cannot add surcharges to in-person domestic debit and credit cards. However, businesses will still be able to add surcharges to online sales, pre-paid and international credit cards. The changes are expected to come into force by May 2026 at the latest. Removing surcharges from in-store purchases is a positive move for domestic consumers, but the wider issue of pricing will need to be considered, Ms Young says. 'Retailers continue to face costs to accept debit and credit card payments and these costs will likely be added to product prices in future,' she says. The surcharge ban will likely see an accelerated decline in EFTPOS payments by consumers. EFTPOS payments do not incur any fees to retailers. As consumers change from using EFTPOS to contactless debit and credit cards, there will be a corresponding increase in the fees paid by retailers, so the benefits in the reduction of the interchange fee will be short-lived, especially for SMEs. A 2024 survey of Retail NZ members found that only 25.6% of respondents applied surcharges. Almost half of retailers calculated a rate that covered their costs, while 39% took advice from their terminal provider or relied on information from their bank statement. About 5% looked at what other retailers are charging. Members told us that the complexity of the Merchant Payment System prevented them from fully understanding the charges and fees they pay. These fees include interchange fees, scheme fees, switch fees, other external costs, internal costs and an acquirer margin. Considerable work will be needed to ensure that terminals have the ability to distinguish between domestic debit and credit cards, and commercial or international credit cards, and charge differential surcharge rates, Ms Young says. Retail NZ's position is that all cards should be treated equally. Retail NZ also wants certainty around the Commerce Commission's ability to monitor and enforce both the new interchange fees and the ban on surcharging. The Commerce Commission will need to ensure that the fees being charged to merchants reflect the new legislation, that the savings are passed on to retailers and that other fees are not increased. 'We will be seeking more detail on the surcharge changes, particularly around commercial credit cards which are not mentioned in today's announcement, and possible future changes to online transactions. We look forward to continuing to engage with the Government as it progresses these changes,' Ms Young says.
