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CONSTRUCTIVE DAY 1
Sessions and times are subject to change
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| 7am |
Registration opens
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| 8:30am |
Constructive Forum Welcome & Opening
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| 9am |
State of the Sector : The trends shaping how we build
Our annual read on the sector, straight from builders and homeowners. We look at what conditions are really like on the ground now, where the pressure points are, and the emerging trends set to shape how we build in the years ahead.
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| 9:30am |
Economic Outlook: Reading the recovery
ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner will unpack where the New Zealand economy is heading, what recovery could look like for construction, and what builders should be watching as confidence, finance and pipelines begin to shift.
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| 10am |
Priorities, Pipeline and Productivity: Building New Zealand’s infrastructure future
New Zealand’s infrastructure challenge is no longer just about what we need to build, but how we prioritise, fund and deliver it. We explore what a more disciplined, long-term approach to infrastructure could mean for construction, from pipeline certainty and project sequencing to the links between housing growth, productivity and a more resilient sector.
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| 10:30am |
Unlocking More Homes: Introducing Turnkey
Master Builders and Squirrel launch Turnkey, a new product designed to help address financing barriers and support more residential projects to move forward. In a facilitated conversation, Ankit Sharma and Squirrel’s JB will explain why the product was developed, how it works and the opportunity it creates for builders and home buyers.
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| 10:40am |
Morning tea
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| 11am |
Government Outlook: Housing, Infrastructure and the Pipeline Ahead
Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Housing and Infrastructure
In an election year, decisions about housing, infrastructure and planning will have a direct impact on confidence, investment and the future pipeline of work across residential and commercial construction. Minister Bishop shares the Government’s vision and priorities, the progress of its major reforms, and what the sector can expect next.
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| 11:40am |
Opposition Outlook: Labour’s Plan for Construction
Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, Leader of the Opposition
Arena Williams, Opposition spokesperson for Building and Construction
Labour’s leadership shares its views on current conditions and its priorities for housing, infrastructure and building and construction. Chris Hipkins and Arena Williams set out Labour’s direction for the sector if elected.
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| 12:10pm |
Lunch
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| 12:10pm |
Women in Leadership Lunch (ticketed)
Join Cecilia Robinson, co-founder of My Food Bag, co-founder and Co-CEO of Tend Health, and founder of Au Pair Link, and Sam Gadd, founder and CEO of Humankind, and creator of Excellent, home of the EX Design School for an inspiring conversation on leadership, innovation and driving transformation.
Having challenged the status quo and reshaped industries, Cecilia and Sam will share their experiences of leading change, building successful businesses, and creating lasting impact. Hear their insights, lessons learned and practical advice for current and aspiring leaders.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from two of New Zealand’s most influential businesswomen.
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| 1:30pm |
Breakout 1
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The digital shift in commercial construction
This session looks at how digital tools are becoming the new standard in commercial building, and what that means for project delivery, productivity and performance. With insights from Procore, we’ll explore what is working elsewhere and what New Zealand can learn from it.
COMMERCIAL FOCUS
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Behind the Tiles: What really matters in wet areas
Moisture failures are costly, stressful, and often avoidable. This practical session cuts through the confusion around E3/AS1, E3/AS2 and wet-area detailing, giving builders clear guidance on membranes, tiled surfaces, substrates and the common mistakes that lead to defects, disputes and callbacks.
RESIDENTIAL FOCUS
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No Surprises: Communication that builds trust
A successful build relies on more than good workmanship. It also depends on clear expectations and honest conversations. We look at how builders can create more certainty from the start: from clear estimates and realistic allowances to weekly updates, variation conversations and not putting off the difficult conversations. Hear practical ideas from builders on the simple habits that reduce confusion, protect margins and keep clients on side when things change.
RESIDENTIAL FOCUS
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| 10 mins |
Allowance to move between spaces
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| 2:25pm |
Breakout 2
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Warning Signs: What liquidators want you to know
High-profile collapses always grab attention, but the real value is in understanding what sits behind them. This commercial-focused session will hear from leading liquidators on the patterns they see when firms get into trouble, the mistakes that keep repeating, and the warning signs builders and contractors should never ignore.
COMMERCIAL FOCUS
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Consenting Smarter: Using AI to cut complexity and lift quality
Consenting remains one of the biggest pressure points in the building process, but better tools can make it easier to get the fundamentals right. This practical session will show builders how AI can help streamline preparation, improve documentation, and support a smoother path through consent.
RESIDENTIAL FOCUS
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Granny Flats: What the new rules mean for builders
The new building consent exemption for granny flats is designed to make it easier to deliver small, standalone homes, but builders still need to understand where the exemption applies and what responsibilities remain. MBIE will take a practical look at the new settings, answer the questions builders are asking, and explain what the changes mean for project planning, compliance, quality and safety.
RESIDENTIAL FOCUS
COMMERCIAL FOCUS
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| 3:10pm |
Afternoon tea
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| 3:35pm |
Breakout 3
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Special Conditions and Contract Risk: What to watch for
Special conditions can have major implications if they are not properly understood from the start. We walk through the clauses that are most often adjusted, explain where builders can get exposed, and unpack the knock-on effects for variations and project risk. The panel will share practical steps to better manage risks before they become bigger problems.
COMMERCIAL FOCUS
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Smart Marketing for Builders: Social, AI and staying visible
Good marketing needs to be simple, practical and worth your time. In this follow-on from last year’s session, we’ll cover what is changing in digital marketing, how AI is influencing the way customers search for builders, and the steps you can take now to stay visible, credible and competitive.
RESIDENTIAL FOCUS
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The Shift to Proportionate Liability: What it means in practice
The move to proportionate liability is intended to create fairer accountability, but it also raises real questions for builders and homeowners alike. This session will cut through the legal language to focus on what is changing, what builders will need to have in place from 2027, and how to communicate trust, financial strength and customer protection in the new environment.
RESIDENTIAL FOCUS
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| 10 mins |
Allowance to move between spaces
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| 4:30pm |
Tim Groser: Building through global uncertainty
In a world marked by geopolitical tension, weaker certainty and shifting economic alliances, what should New Zealand’s building and construction sector be paying attention to now? Drawing on decades at the highest levels of trade, diplomacy and economic policy - including serving in Washington as New Zealand’s ambassador to the united states during the early trump years - Tim Groser will offer a clear-eyed take on the global forces reshaping the outlook for investment, supply chains, growth and resilience at home.
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| 5:30pm |
Summary and close of Day 1
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| 6:30pm |
Constructive Dinner
We're taking a fresh approach to the Constructive Dinner this year, transforming it into a relaxed and social evening focused on networking, connection, and great conversation.
Enjoy a generous selection of roaming canapés and interactive food stations, complemented by a wide range of beverages, from craft beers to signature cocktails. With entertainment throughout the evening, it's the perfect opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues, meet new people, and build valuable relationships across the sector.
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