CONSTRUCTIVE DAY 1

Sessions and times are subject to change

8:30am Constructive Forum Welcome & Opening
 

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.

 

Political Outlook: What’s ahead for construction

In an election year, the decisions made in Wellington will have a direct impact on confidence, investment, and the future pipeline of work across residential and commercial construction. Hear ministers and opposition views of the current conditions and what could be instore for the year ahead.

 

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.

  Morning tea
  Breakout 1

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

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

Better pricing, better conversations

This is a practical session on how to price with confidence in a market where customers are watching every dollar. We’ll start with the common mistakes that cause confusion, disputes and margin blowouts, then hear from builders about how they create more certainty, have better conversations, and help clients understand what really matters when choosing a builder.

RESIDENTIAL FOCUS
  Lunch
  Breakout 2
More to come...

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

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
  Breakout 3
More to come...

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

Succession starts earlier than you think

For many builders, the business depends heavily on the person who started it. But stepping back, bringing others through, or preparing for future change takes planning long before it becomes urgent. This session explores the steps to build a stronger, more resilient business, one that can keep performing as roles change, opportunities arise, or the next chapter comes into view.

RESIDENTIAL FOCUS
  Afternoon tea
 

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.

 

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.

5:30pm Day 1 close
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.

CONSTRUCTIVE DAY 2

Sessions and times are subject to change

9:30am Constructive Forum Welcome to Day 2
 

How building along transport corridors affects builders, developers, and investors

Better transport does more than move people. It can change where projects stack up. This session explores how improved connectivity affects land value, feasibility and investment decisions, with European examples showing what New Zealand can learn as we plan the next wave of housing and mixed-use development.

 

Nigel Collin: Where New Zealand can lift its game

Nigel Collin returns to Constructive with a very different conversation this year. After travelling New Zealand with Master Builders and hearing directly from members about the pressures, blind spots and missed opportunities in the sector, he will bring an outside perspective to the question of where we need to lift our game - and what practical innovation and technology shifts could make the biggest difference from here.

  Morning tea
  Breakout 4
More to come...

AI in action: Lessons from builders taking the leap

AI is no longer just a future opportunity. Businesses across the sector are already testing, learning, and changing the way they work. Building on last year’s conversation, we bring together companies that have started their AI journey to share what has worked, what they have learnt, and where they are heading next.

COMMERCIAL FOCUS
  Breakout 5
More to come...

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

No surprises: Communication that works

Many builders get into the industry because they are excellent at building, not because client communication comes naturally. This session is about making that side of the job easier, with practical ideas on weekly updates, decision logs, variation conversations and how to deliver bad news without losing trust.

RESIDENTIAL FOCUS
 

Women in Leadership Lunch

Join us for a dynamic lunch event featuring a panel discussion on Women in Leadership specifically in the construction sector.

The conversation will explore the challenges and triumphs of women in leadership roles, particularly within the traditionally male-dominated construction. Female leaders in the construction sector, and the wider business world. will share their wealth of experience and perspectives on navigating and shaping the future of leadership. It’s an unmissable opportunity to gain inspiration some incredibly successful and influential leaders. This lunch is open to anyone to attend, not just women!

  Lunch
 

Backing yourself: From West Auckland to global leadership

From a turbulent start in West Auckland to the top ranks of adidas, Zion Armstrong’s story is one of grit, ambition and reinvention. He shares what it takes to back yourself, step into uncomfortable rooms, and keep growing through change. Zion offers practical insights for anyone building a business, leading through change, or looking to take the next step.

Zion Armstrong, CEO Jamie Kay Group, Noopii, Snuggle Bunnies

5:00pm Day 2 close and networking drinks

 

JOIN US AT CONSTRUCTIVE

3 + 4 September | Aotea Centre, Auckland

 

REGISTER NOW