From 'acceptable' to innovative: Penk shakes up the building sector

From 'acceptable' to innovative: Penk shakes up the building sector
Building Minister Chris Penk is pushing initiatives to bring the cost of building down. (Image: NZME)
Maria Slade
Johnathan Chen and Ashton Chan reckon they can bring down the cost of building products in New Zealand by an average 25%.Chen is a property developer and professional engineer, and Chan’s family business is the large Hong Kong-based Hang Yue construction group.Through his own projects and work for developer Remarkables Park Ltd, part-owned by Queenstown’s wealthy Porter family, Chen has seen firsthand what happens when monopoly suppliers and material shortages collide.The two men met playing basketball as youngsters and didn’t...

More Property

Reviewer sides with council in fast-track economics dispute
Infrastructure

Reviewer sides with council in fast-track economics dispute

Vineway wants consent to build 1,200 homes in Upper Ōrewa.

Oliver Lewis 15 Aug 2025
Winton puts Sunfield fast-track bid on hold
Property

Winton puts Sunfield fast-track bid on hold

The housing project would pose significant risk to public safety, council claims.

Maria Slade 14 Aug 2025
Simplicity Living expands south with $500m development
Infrastructure

Simplicity Living expands south with $500m development

The build-to-rent developer has acquired its first site outside Auckland.

Oliver Lewis 14 Aug 2025
Deal to take daycare centres out of receivership struck
Property

Deal to take daycare centres out of receivership struck

The owner of three Peacocks daycare centres went into receivership in June.

Gregor Thompson 12 Aug 2025