Material Matters: We investigate the business of building materials

Material Matters: We investigate the business of building materials
Material Matters: A new BusinessDesk investigation launches today.
Victoria Young
Building materials are a key plank of the construction industry, which is Aotearoa, New Zealand’s fifth-largest sector. It produces 6.3% of the gross domestic product and employs one in 10 people in NZ.   Materials are a major factor in the cost of a house, which has increased by more than 41% since 2019.Our latest investigative series examines who profits from this and whether building materials are a good investment.  BusinessDesk’s team of investigative journalists will investigate the construction industry and exa...

More Infrastructure

Northland targets $60b regional economy by 2050
Primary Sector

Northland targets $60b regional economy by 2050

The bullish goal represents a six-fold increase over 2024 figures.

Oliver Lewis 24 Jul 2025
Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension
Policy

Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension

Bay of Plenty hapū seek High Court intervention to stop expert panel being set up.

Oliver Lewis 23 Jul 2025
KiwiRail submits Marsden Point rail spur business case
Infrastructure

KiwiRail submits Marsden Point rail spur business case

Winston Peters says the 19km line to Northport is 'going to happen'.

Oliver Lewis 21 Jul 2025
Contractor costs climb as Scott Base spend tops $143m
Policy

Contractor costs climb as Scott Base spend tops $143m

Antarctica NZ spent $9.3m on contractors in five months this year.

Oliver Lewis 21 Jul 2025