Houses overheating from poor design not more insulation

Houses overheating from poor design not more insulation
Branz says homes are more than a set of components. (Image: Getty)
Greg Hurrell
Poor housing design and not higher insulation standards lead New Zealand households to increasingly feel the heat over summer.The Building Research Association of NZ (Branz) said homes need to be considered a system rather than a set of individual components.Its comments were in response to proposed changes to higher insulation standards for new builds, which were only introduced in November 2023.Branz has just published a new survey showing homes of all ages overheat in the summer months.Unintended consequencesThe Ministry of Business, Innovat...

More Property

Leighs opts out of Scott Base build
Infrastructure

Leighs opts out of Scott Base build

The Antarctic contractor is focused on offices, healthcare and apartments.

Two housing projects snare first fast-track panels
Policy

Two housing projects snare first fast-track panels

Applications opened on Feb 7. Now we have our first panels.

Oliver Lewis 08 May 2025
NZ Super Fund, Russell, Lockwood want to sell $600m+ hotel portfolio
Property

NZ Super Fund, Russell, Lockwood want to sell $600m+ hotel portfolio

The Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland is one of seven properties for sale.

Staff reporters 07 May 2025
Property flipping 'pushing up prices': Valuer
Property

Property flipping 'pushing up prices': Valuer

Rapid trading, sometimes on the same day, is hurting low-income buyers, valuer says.

Maria Slade 07 May 2025