RMBA sites

REGISTRATION OPENS

CONSTRUCTIVE FORUM WELCOME & OPENING

STATE OF THE SECTOR – OUR ANNUAL STOCKTAKE OF THE SECTOR  

Our annual deep dive into the perspectives of industry professionals and recent homeowners - what’s shaping sentiment, what regulation is shifting, and how the building experience measures up to expectations.

RAISING THE BAR ON FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

Introducing FINZscore, a new voluntary financial rating developed by Master Builders and CreditWorks. FINZscore helps builders stand out, build trust, and unlock better business terms through proven financial strength.

IN CONVERSATION WITH GOVERNMENT: THE FUTURE OF BUILDING AND HOUSING

Join the Ministers of Housing & Infrastructure and Building & Construction as they outline their priorities for the sector. They will also take your questions on what’s next for the built environment.

OPPOSITION OUTLOOK

Hear directly from the Leader of the Opposition on Labour’s vision for New Zealand’s building and housing sector, including policy priorities and the path they would chart for the future.

MORNING TEA

BREAKOUT SESSION 1

BEYOND NEW: BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO EXISTING SPACES
While new builds often steal the spotlight, the future lies in reimagining what we already have. This session explores how commercial retrofits can deliver cost-effective, sustainable solutions -featuring leaders behind the reinvention of some of New Zealand’s most iconic buildings.

LIVING SMALLER: THE SHIFT IN RESIDENTIAL DEMAND
As urban living grows and preferences change, demand is rising for compact, well-designed multi-unit homes. This session looks at what’s driving the trend, and how the industry can adapt to meet the needs of modern homeowners.

BUILDING SMARTER: SUSTAINABILITY WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG
Building sustainably doesn't have to blow the budget. This session busts the cost myth, presenting accessible home plans and a tools to guide environmentally conscious product choices.

BREAKOUT SESSION 2

MAKING SENSE OF PRODUCT ACCREDITATION
Bringing new building products to market can be a maze of compliance and red tape. This session explores the current pathways and offers practical insights from those who’ve successfully navigated the process.

COMPLIANCE AND CAPABILITY: RETHINKING HEALTH AND SAFETY ON SITE
Health and safety is evolving fast. This session unpacks what the new regulations mean for you and introduces tools that can transform H&S from a box-ticking exercise into a productivity and performance advantage on site.

COUNTING THE COSTS: WHY QS SKILLS MATTER ON EVERY BUILD
Accurate pricing can make or break a project. Led by NZIQS, this session offers practical guidance on when and how to involve a quantity surveyor, how to price with confidence, and the common pitfalls to avoid- building a stronger bottom line from the ground up.

LUNCH

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE: CAN INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING EVER BE TRULY BIPARTISAN?
Former Prime Minister Sir John Key shares insights on the elusive goal of bipartisan infrastructure planning - what it takes, why it matters, and how the sector can help push politics towards long-term solutions.

BREAKOUT SESSION 3

PROCUREMENT IN PRACTICE: ONE YEAR ON FROM THE GOOD CONTRACTING GUIDE
Procurement continues to challenge the sector, but smarter contracting is possible. A year after the launch of the Good Contracting Guide, this session reflects on what’s working, where risks are still being mismanaged, and the lessons that can drive fairer, more effective commercial procurement.

BETTER CONSENTING: USING DIGITAL TOOLS TO DRIVE QUALITY
The move to virtual consenting is streamlining approvals - but the potential goes further. This session explores how tools like the Artisan app are helping businesses lift build quality, offering a smarter way to manage compliance, assurance and efficiency all in one.

ATTRACTING AND KEEPING TALENT IN A CHANGING INDUSTRY
As the talent crunch continues, the sector must focus on more than recruitment. This session explores how to showcase the diverse, rewarding careers in construction. We look at how to retain great people by fostering strong culture, career development, and a multigenerational workforce that thrives.

AFTERNOON TEA

THE AI ADVANTAGE: LOOKING BEYOND BUZZWORD TO PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The transformative impact of AI across industries, followed by a panel of sector leaders who are already using AI to drive smarter, more efficient ways of working.

END OF DAY 1 

Summary and close for the day