Insight / Construction Building Amendment Bill: proportionate liability reforms on the way The Building Amendment Bill, introduced to Parliament on 29 June 2026, is the latest in a series of Government reforms designed to tackle increased costs, delayed delivery and underperformance in the building sector. Read more
Guide / Construction Global Arbitration Review 2026: Construction Arbitration guide (New Zealand) A practical overview of New Zealand's construction arbitration framework, including key legal principles, procedure and enforcement, as part of Global Arbitration Review's international Know-How: Construction Arbitration guide. Read more
Guide / Construction Chambers Global Practice Guide 2026: Construction Law (New Zealand) The Chambers Global Practice Guide: Construction Law 2026 provides an overview of New Zealand’s construction law landscape, including key legal frameworks, risks and market developments. Read the latest guide from Chambers and Partners authored by the Wynn Williams Construction team. Read more
Insight / Construction New opportunities for granny flats under the updated consent exemption For many property owners, the appeal of a granny flat is easy to understand. A small standalone dwelling can create space for extended family, support ageing in place, generate rental income, or simply make better use of existing land. The recent changes to New Zealand’s building legislation are intended to make that option more accessible by allowing certain granny flats of up to 70 m² to be built without a building consent. Read more
Insight / Construction Update on Government National Fuel Plan – 28 April 2026 Following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East in late March, the Government released an updated National Fuel Plan setting out a four-stage framework for managing fuel supply disruptions and prioritising fuel use if shortages intensify. Read more
Insight / Construction Fuel crisis: how rising fuel costs affect construction projects and contracts The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East have sent fuel prices sharply upward in recent weeks, with diesel in New Zealand rising at more than double the rate of standard grade petrol. For construction projects, where fuel is a significant cost across the whole supply chain, the impact is being felt quickly and acutely. Owners and contractors across New Zealand are grappling with how these increased costs should be allocated, and what their contractual rights and obligations are in the current environment. Read more
