ComCom needs to plug plumbing, electrical into study

ComCom needs to plug plumbing, electrical into study
All building costs should be under 'equal scrutiny'. (Image: BusinessDesk)
Brent Melville
Why does it cost $3,800 a square metre to build an entry-level social house in New Zealand when international best practice comes in at less than a third of that, at $1,200 sqm?The question is posed by Tex Edwards, the frontman for public policy analysis group Monopoly Watch, kicking off one of 25 submissions into the Commerce Commission’s residential building supplies market study.Edwards, the founder of telecommunications company 2degrees and a vocal anti-monopoly activist, said the group has visited 32 international house building oper...

More Economy

A brief inflation spike won’t spook the RBNZ
Economy

A brief inflation spike won’t spook the RBNZ

Some economists believe annual inflation could reach 3.1% in the third quarter. 

Rebecca Howard 17 Oct 2025
Otago a lukewarm jewel of economic temperature: survey
Finance

Otago a lukewarm jewel of economic temperature: survey

An economic thermometer reveals a cool-to-cold mood hanging over NZ, with Otago lukewarm.

Staff reporters 15 Oct 2025
Reserve Bank to ease mortgage loan-to-value ratios
Economy

Reserve Bank to ease mortgage loan-to-value ratios

The bank is relaxing LVR settings from the start of December.

Rebecca Howard 14 Oct 2025
Growth in new home loans eases in H1 2025: NZ Banking Association
Finance

Growth in new home loans eases in H1 2025: NZ Banking Association

Growth in new home loans eases in H1 2025 as NZ emerges from difficult economic climate.

Staff reporters 13 Oct 2025