News

Minimalism. Function. Form. Methven has successfully incorporated these elements into the design of four new products recently added to the Methven Kitchen Mixer range.

Methven today announced the launch of its new AWA range, a contemporary selection of affordable tapware. Giving plumbers, DIY renovators and builders a cost-effective way to bring modern styling into home improvement, the AWA range takes Methven’s proven engineering and adds a contemporary design twist.

The Government is determined to improve the processing of resource consents and will introduce incentives to ensure this occurs from 1 July 2010, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide today released the findings of independent reviews initiated in October last year into the performances of Environment Canterbury and the Far North District Council.

How Future-Proof Is Your Home? Future-Proof Building is pleased to introduce the Home Assessment Tool. Coming soon, this assessment will help identify problem areas that could be affecting homes and the health of New Zealand families.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley and Finance Minister Bill English have today announced the line-up of the government's seven-member Housing Shareholders' Advisory Group.

The new licensing system for qualified builders, bricklayers, roofers and plasterers being launched today by the Government is being welcomed by the Future-Proof Building initiative.

New standards are needed to assist councils in dealing with contaminated sites, says Environment Minister Nick Smith.

MultiProof, a new streamlined National Multiple-use Approval Service for volume builders, was launched today by Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson.

Labour's climate change issues spokesperson Charles Chauvel is predicting that the Emissions Trading Law – passed late last month under urgency – will be back before Parliament early in the New Year, thanks to overseas developments that the Government did not foresee.

Proposed changes to the emissions trading scheme (ETS) would result in 84% or more of the nation’s multi-billion dollar Kyoto liability being put on to future taxpayers. Today’s polluters will pay nothing like today’s emissions bill.

It is important for New Zealand families to know that they will be kept warm and healthy by the houses they live in. However, in many cases throughout New Zealand this is not the case. There are a number of factors that make the average New Zealand home less than warm and healthy. One factor is the windows.

Methven’s continued programme of design and development to achieve the ultimate shower experience was recognized at the 2009 New Zealand BeST Awards on Friday 16th October.

Methven says “Get a Maia!” to anyone suffering from Atopic Dermatitis.

The Treasury's latest monthly economic indicators today provide a mixed view of the economy and reinforce risks around the shape of the recovery.

NZOG (New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd) reported last Friday that wells have been opened and the first gas and liquids are being piped ashore from the offshore Kupe field to the processing plant near Hawera.

News that the government has backed away from its ‘take it or leave it’ rescue package offer to leaky homes victims was welcomed today by North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley has announced that from today first home buyers in higher priced areas of New Zealand will be able to borrow more under the government's Welcome Home Loan scheme, as long as they can service those borrowings.

The government is making a key change to improve the delivery of its Warm Up New Zealand Heat Smart home insulation scheme, bringing funding forward to meet demand.

A high profile television campaign recently launched by the government helps New Zealanders increase the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses.

A “masterpiece” of a new home in Auckland’s eastern suburbs and an innovative aquatic centre in Queenstown have taken out the supreme awards at the Registered Master Builders 2009 House of the Year and RMB Commercial Project Awards, in association with PlaceMakers.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says the introduction of the National Multiple-Use Approval service meets the Government’s promise to cut red tape and to reduce compliance costs in the building sector.

August recorded the most new housing consents in nearly a year, says Statistics New Zealand.

National’s true environmental colours are revealed again as it quietly axes the New Zealand Energy and Conservation Strategy, Labour’s energy spokesperson Charles Chauvel said today.

At Future-Proof Building we have come up with some top tips to reduce your house running costs this winter.