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JANUARY 2019
A NEW STYLE OF BUILD
TAKES OFF IN BLENHEIM
What an airfield, a stunning wine region
and acoustic fences have in common
INSURANCE INS & OUTS
How to pick what’s right for you
FIT HOUSING,
A FAIR CALL FOR ALL?
Why HomeFit could be
a good fit for the trade
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
A constructive discussion
around ethical materials
1
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2
WELCOME
CONTENTS Solid foundations for
a successful 2019
Welcome to the first Bunnings Trade Issue
of 2019.
It’s a fresh New Year and I hope you’re
enjoying long summer days before the
furious housing shortage kicks tradies back
into gear. With 80,000 houses to be built by
2020, there’s a lot of discussion around what
2019 will mean for the industry.
In this issue we explore how the housing
boom has inspired innovations around
sustainable design and cost-efficient
building across the country, with moves to
streamline consents and create safer work
environments.
We cover HomeFit, healthy homes and new
builds, consenting, WorkSafe requirements
and the income insurance versus health
insurance conundrum. Sharon Mimilo,
Product Risk Safety Coordinator at Bunnings
shares how she’s looking at the ethical
supply of timber and implementing
4 The new build in Blenheim sustainability initiatives across the Bunnings
business.
What an airfield, a stunning wine region and acoustic fences have in common.
Jonathan Williams of CPMC Property
7 Consenting 101 Management Group also takes us through
his latest development, one in a series of new
There’s a need for new builds and still a backlog of consents.
early childhood education centres being built
9
across New Zealand. He lets us in on the
Health and Safety challenges, consenting issues and regulatory
How well is the Health and Safety Act really working? hoops he’s had to jump through to bring the
build to life.
10 Building essentials
Great deals on gear made for the trade.
But regulations and paperwork aside, it’s
time to get inspired by the smart, sustainable
12
approaches that are being brought to the
Fit housing – a fair call for all? building industry.
Why HomeFit could be a good fit for the trade.
Enjoy the read and here’s to a productive
14
year ahead.
Building a sustainable future Des Bickerton,
A constructive discussion around ethical materials.
Commercial Manager
15 Insurance ins & outs
How to pick what is right for you, without piles of paperwork.
For any enquiries, contact us at
BunningsTrade@bunnings.co.nz
EARN LEARNING POINTS
WITH TRADE ISSUE TRADE ISSUE JANUARY 2019
Trade Issue contributes 1 point towards your LBP skills
maintenance requirements. Remember to record your learning.
3
A NEW STYLE OF BUILD
TAKES OFF IN BLENHEIM
A series of sustainable, cost-efficient early childhood Jonathan got involved in this project with his business partner, Martin Russell. Their first
cab off the rank was the childcare centre in Rolleston, and Blenheim is the second build
education centres are being built across the country. in progress.
We spoke with developer Jonathan Williams to get In terms of the initial vision for the project, Jonathan wanted to prove that great design
the lowdown on his latest project. and sustainable, efficient buildings could be delivered across New Zealand, not just in
the main centres.
The last few years have seen considerable growth in Blenheim. Thanks to the booming
To put the vision on paper, award-winning architect Phil Smith from Collingridge and
wine industry, the region is likened to how ‘Auckland was’ and ‘Queenstown is now’.
Smith Architects came onboard. Phil is schooled in this kind of work: specialising in
As a result, there has been a surge in building and development. One of these is the
sustainable buildings, he has now designed 80 early childcare centres.
construction of a new early childcare centre.
We talked to Jonathan to find out how he worked with all involved to develop an early
The childcare project started in October 2018 and is due for completion in March 2019. childcare centre inspired by an old airfield, while managing council consents, acoustic
One of a number of high quality childcare projects rolling out across New Zealand, the fences and the supply of sustainable materials in the heart of New Zealand’s
Blenheim centre is under the supervision of Jonathan Williams, Director of CPMC Group spectacular wine region.
of companies.
What makes this development different?
We’re used to being in business, but because this is childcare, it gives us a chance to
give something back to the education of kids across the country. We’re creating a
compelling learning environment for kids to grow in, but we obviously need to make
money as well – to do that, we need to make sure that all the constitutional elements of
the process are aligned. It was set to be a challenge.
What special considerations did you have for a development for early
childhood education?
There are specific separation regulations around other buildings, roads and dangerous
situations. To avoid noise impacting on neighbours, we created acoustic fences around
the childcare centre. Then there’s special interior noise and safety considerations, like
slip resistant flooring for play and paint environments and the fact that you need to
allow for one child per 5m2 to provide a good learning environment. You don’t want
kids on top of kids.
What was it like working with the architects?
Phil Smith is amazing to work with. What he brings to the project makes it different, his
solutions have an impact on sustainability and the functionality of the centre, from where
the kitchens are, to play areas and sleep areas, how it all integrates and comes together to
be efficient. His knowledge and understanding comes from a history of developing
different centres around the world – and now across the country, all focused on optimal
education and the development of children.
Phil specialises in sustainable design. How did this play a part in the project?
These centres are based around sustainability, so a lot of locally sourced New Zealand
timber is used throughout this entire building. When one radiata pine absorbs as much as
4
2.5 tonnes of CO2 in a 30-year growth period, just by employing local timber you make a indoor-outdoor flow to the playground. There’s cut pile commercial grade carpet and
difference. We also use low or zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) finishes on all timber plank vinyl flooring in an oak type finish, so compared to traditional builds it’s
internal surfaces to ensure great IEQ (Indoor Environment Quality). a more cost-effective project as it’s more prefabricated.
Also, the build uses passive design like large north-facing windows and natural light to How did you work with Bunnings and what was your experience?
improve warmth. The insulation is three times what the building code suggests, to The supply arrangement within the Bunnings network and trade is key. Basically, they
minimise heat loss. The large windows and double glazing promotes solar gain and it all take responsibility for all materials and products, making sure there’s consistency across
works in balance with the natural environment to create a healthy space for early materials and pricing. It takes the pressure off builders – there’s one point of
childhood education. responsibility for materials. It means warranties are backed up by a company that have
What was the inspiration? the financial security to stand by them, which is imperative for everybody. The building
The building design is inspired by an old airfield adjacent to the subdivision, where roads act and many of the builders require a ten year guarantee, so material performance and
are named after old planes like Spitfire Drive and Mustang Alley. A lot of inspiration has surety around supply are paramount to these companies when entering into agreements
come from that, even the architecture, what the building looks like and the materials. on a long-term basis. Especially when they’re supplying everything bar carpet and
For example, we created a modern pavilion design with a large floating canopy over the electrical, like with this project.
outdoor play area. I see hangars proportional to what we developed on the site. Throughout
The other thing is that as a supply partner, Bunnings operate in a different way. Material
the process we‘ve maintained the vision in-keeping with a functional space.
pricing is material pricing, but they don’t work on a rebate model so we get a cost-
Did the vision change much and what makes it stand out? effective price, a supply agreement and all of the warranties for safe material supply,
The vision didn’t change at all in terms of what was created. It’s a balance of form, which from my point of view is a great way of working. Rather than being incentivised,
function and efficiency – how the space works, like large classrooms with art centres in they simply bring me the best product I can incorporate to get consistency of supply
between to allow a multi-play environment. The location also stands out. It has a beautiful and they make sure that that happens time and time and time again.
outlook. From our centre you’ve got all of the hills that overlook Blenheim and the plateau
Were there any special innovations used for the build?
that forms Marlborough wine country – 20,000 hectares of land that is famous for
We purposely use standard components that can be replicated to ensure cost-
growing great wine in the region. It’s also a pretty flat area so it made the design simple,
effectiveness. That’s the benchmark, but new products come into market all the time.
cost effective and easy to relate to the environment it was going to be in.
Des Bickerton, Commercial Manager at Bunnings often travels around the world looking
What have the challenges been?
for innovative new products that can be brought to New Zealand and are applicable to
Not managing it in Auckland can be a challenge, as we can’t pop over to the site in real
BRANZ approval. In New Zealand, we need to have that constant evolving standard, and
time. That’s why we have a time-lapse camera recording what’s happening so the whole
the confidence that designs can be built anywhere in the country, rather than only being
design team can see. What we tend to do is build in multiple centres with similar
able to be built in Auckland. Otherwise it can hike up costs, take more time, planning
designers and systems to get to the ultimate recipe: cost-efficient materials, cost-efficient
and involvement – we don’t want to get into that.
details, with design and construction teams that understand what they need to be doing
and how they need to be doing it. For Jonathan Williams and Martin Russell, ultimately projects like this mean growth.
It’s all about providing great design and sustainable, cost-efficient buildings anywhere
How does it compare with traditional builds?
in New Zealand. In his mind, it’s a real opportunity for the future.
Traditional early childcare centre designs tend to be more compartmentalised with
minimal roof spans, smaller windows or french doors and cheap institutional vinyl. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this project. To find out more about CPMC and
We’ve used prefabricated timber components to maximise the openings, some glazing the Blenheim Childcare Centre development, check out cpmcgroup.co.nz
units are up to 8m wide and we’ve used 2.7m high stacking doors to create a seamless For more on sustainable architecture, visit Collingridgeandsmitharchitects.com
5
LATEST INNOVATION
Raise the bar with the upcoming new railing system
from Promenaid.
Introducing the latest railing system
from Promenaid.
A stylish and dependable new design from Promenaid
is about to hit the shelves. These rails follow the geometry
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Each bracket supports more than 220kg, so they’re
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What’s more, you can complete the entire job on-site,
there’s no need for off-site labour and the Promenaid
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To find out more, talk to your local
Trade Team or Trade Account Manager.
6
CONSENTING 101
With new builds in high demand and a backlog of builder can act as the project manager and work with all parties to gather information
before submitting applications.
council consents, builders across the country are
asking one question: Why the hold up? Ben Healy of Holmes Farsight recommends getting a Compliance Expert on your team for
complex builds. “An expert is familiar with the process and can work through the council
It’s not news that New Zealand has a housing shortfall. We’re short of 71,000 homes
forms and processes required. The stress and pressure of compliance can be removed,
and just to accommodate the population increase over the next two years, we need to build
risks mitigated, even costs can be reduced with fewer delays.”
80,000 houses.
If you decide to go it alone, here’s some info from Holmes Farsight to help streamline
We’re heading for a peak of around 34,500 consents in 2019 and 2020, but that’s still
the process:
not enough to keep pace with demand – let alone tackle the shortfall.
Consenting basics:
On average, it takes 10 months to complete a new build. In 1998 it was 6 months.
Given the housing crisis, tradies around New Zealand are asking why the government isn’t • All building work in New Zealand must comply with the Building Code, even if it
doing more to streamline the consenting process. doesn’t require consent.
It’s a good question. But not an easy one. The process for resource consents is set by • Plans and specifications are assessed by Building Consent Authorities (BCAs), usually
the government via the Resource Management Act (RMA). Amendments made in 2017 the local council, to ensure the proposed building work will comply with
were an attempt to make it easier to deal with minor district plan non-compliance, and the Building Code. When the BCA is satisfied, it will issue a building consent for
included reduced public notification requirements. The government has also created a the work to proceed.
statutory 20-day application processing time for councils. • The purpose of the building consent authority accreditation scheme is to set out
Robert Wright, Head of Building Consenting for Christchurch City Council confirms minimum policies, procedures and systems that a building consent authority must
his team has processed approximately 98% of building consents for housing within implement, to perform its building control functions.
20 working days in 2018 (75% processed with 15 working days). • If the work is built to the consented plans and receives a Code Compliance Certificate,
But there are 78 regional councils around the country, all interpreting their obligations it confirms the requirements of the Building Code have been met.
under the Building Code differently. So, builders deal with 78 different ways of consenting, • The Building Code is contained in regulations under the Building Act 2004.
inspections, and how Codes of Compliance are issued. Many councils are also cautious The Act governs the building sector and also sets out the rules for the construction,
throughout the inspection process, on the back of the leaky building crisis. alteration, demolition and maintenance of buildings in New Zealand.
It can be complex stuff. Penny Pirrit, Auckland Council’s Regulatory Services Director, says Top tips for consents:
the process for consenting buildings is tricky because “the Building Act places liability on • Seek the expertise of suitably qualified professionals. Quality in = Quality out.
councils for any defects in buildings. Our processes are risk-averse, as we need to ensure
• Ensure you clarify what the use of the building is before starting the consent process.
ratepayers don’t incur liability for defective building work.”
• If the intended use is different from the current legally established use, then a ‘change
Grant Florence, Chief Executive of New Zealand Certified Builders, would like to see
of use’ application may be required.
a national standard of processing introduced. “There’s so much variation around the
country. A single way of managing compliance would be to improve efficiency for the • Never take the risk and build without a building consent. It may affect insurance and resale.
industry, but it’s still some way off. We see some councils such as Selwyn and Taupo • Gather all the necessary information from third parties before submitting an application.
implementing technology to improve the consenting process, and it certainly seems
• If you require more than one type of consent, submit them at the same time as they
to be working in those regions.”
may be processed as a single package.
“Unfortunately, there’s still a massive logjam of consents across the country and councils
• The statutory timeframe of 20 working days for processing only begins once an
are too busy to process compliance efficiently with the resources they have. It’s a source of
application is accepted.
frustration for builders, as the industry gets a bad rep for being inefficient, when in reality a
• During processing of your application, the clock stops if the Building Consent team
lot of delays are beyond our control.”
have to request further information (RFI).
Florence recommends builders be proactive about the consenting process and have
• Once granted it is best to be organised and book ahead for inspections.
all the required information upfront to minimise delays. Although the responsibility
of building consents lies with a homeowner and there’s often an architect involved, the For more advice, check out mfe.govt.nz/node/16377
7
BUILD YOUR
KNOWLEDGE
OF MDH
There’s more demand for housing in New Zealand forgiven for getting your wires crossed, because no universally agreed ‘standard
definition’ exists. That’s why there’s one website for builders, developers and those in
than ever. With growing cities and a hot property
construction that gives in-depth, industry-relevant information based on current research.
market, medium-density housing has become a hot
mdh.org.nz is a medium-density housing site set up by BRANZ that offers solid
topic too. Do you know the ins and outs? resources and tools to help build high quality, affordable medium-density housing.
As people grapple with housing pressure and urban sprawl, MDH is becoming a more BRANZ is an independent organisation and all information is based on impartial research,
viable option for the construction industry in New Zealand. There’s a lot to know, a lot testing and consulting.
you may not need to know – and plenty of jargon. If you need a straight-talking resource on MDH, find out the what (and what not) at
People have varying views on what MDH is and they’re often contradictory. You’d be www.mdh.org.nz/
Vulcan Decking
High performance natural timber decking, from sustainable local forests.
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THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY AT WORK ACT
Is it working for the construction industry? To manage risk, Hale recommends Job Safety Analysis for every work site. Make
sure risks are identified objectively and stop to assess a situation before starting
In April 2016, new safety regulations were put in place – about 800 pages of them. It’s
work. For example, clearly mark any holes, label or store hazardous chemicals and
easy to roll our eyes imagining such a paralysing pile of paperwork, then again, this did
make sure everyone onsite knows how to minimize hazards. Hale believes safety
come about after the tragedy at Pike River.
requirements need to ensure safety, without significantly reducing productivity or
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) took effect in April 2016 following the
increasing costs.
Royal Commission into the Pike River disaster. Its objective was regulating workplace
safety requirements for all New Zealand businesses. “In isolation it may sound pedantic, but when health and safety measures are
implemented well, you get a symphony of stuff that keeps people safe.”
The rules affect companies of all sizes and in all areas of the construction industry,
including sole traders, who now need to comply with all the safety regulations. If not, they By managing risk, tradies can also gain other benefits, like a cutback in costs
risk a fine or even pay a percentage of ACC costs if someone’s injured while working through reduced ACC levies. Hale has saved one client $22,500 per year just by
onsite. The number of claims made to ACC each year related to a business restructuring ACC in their business and keeping levies low with better
also impacts levies the following year. safety measures.
Specific rules around working at height were introduced after WorkSafe research showed The WorkSafe website provides common sense pointers to help businesses identify,
that more than 50 percent of falls were from less than three metres, while about 70 percent assess and manage risks in an objective way. There are basic tools to assist with hazard
of falls were from ladders and roofs. The tall and the short of it is, if you’re working onsite identification in the construction industry, the ‘Around the Block’ tool, for example,
above 1.8 metres, you’ve got to use safety equipment like scaffolding or a cherry picker however there are no specifics in the breakdown of risks by industry – despite
instead of a ladder. construction being high risk.
But for tradies in construction, these requirements can add compliance costs to jobs.
So, your best bet to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act is to speak with a local
According to Grant Florence, Chief Executive of New Zealand Certified Builders, the
health and safety expert. Consider asking for a review of Job Safety Analysis plans, ACC
regulations (especially working at heights) lead to increased build costs, many of which
levies, workplace insurance policies and other safety-related measures.
are passed on to customers.
Safety tips:
Florence says the cost may seem excessive, but surely everyone in construction has the
right to a safe work environment and if the measures prevent even one serious accident or • Train your staff regularly in health and safety systems and procedures.
death, the costs seem insignificant. He’s seen figures that show the new working at
• Ensure warning signs are clearly displayed where required.
heights requirements have reduced accidents from falls in the industry.
• Create specific safety procedures for machinery and equipment.
That makes sense, but the problem is this: there’s no statistics to show the new safety
regulations are having an overall effect on accidents. The rate for work-related injuries in the • Ensure that workers operating equipment have the necessary training and skill set.
construction sector was significantly lower in 2016 and 2017 than in years prior to 2014. • Establish heavy lifting and manual labour procedures.
That said, 2015 had already shown a sharp decline in the number of construction injuries,
so the reduction can’t be attributed to rules introduced in April 2016. • Monitor atmospheric conditions such as light, noise, heat and ventilation.
What’s more, serious work-related non-fatal injury rates in construction spiked in • Provide personal protective equipment for general work and specialist safety
2017 after four years of declining rates – to the highest rate of injuries in a decade. equipment for hazardous tasks.
Health and Safety Consultant and Risk Manager Jon-Paul Hale of Willowgrove Consulting • Create accident reporting systems and procedures that all workers know how to follow.
says the Act isn’t having much impact on the rate of accidents in the construction sector • Create contractor induction systems and procedures so everyone onsite is briefed
because “it’s one thing to implement a system that’s a legal requirement, and another
consistently.
thing to actively manage risk”.
• Actively manage risk through Job Safety Analysis of every individual worksite.
“Until the consequences are felt, eg. a serious accident occurring onsite, health and safety
is just a box-ticking exercise for many tradies who believe it’s extra cost and red tape, These safety tips are courtesy of Willowgrove Consulting, for more info visit
rather than seeing the benefits of a safer workplace.” worksafe.govt.nz or willowgroveinsurance.co.nz
9
BUILDING
ESSENTIALS
ALL PRICES ARE EXCLUSIVE TO POWERPASS & BUNNINGS TRADE ACCOUNT CUSTOMERS. VALID TO 14TH FEBRUARY 2019.
PRICE PRICE PRICE
355
Roofers Harness Kit
$ $
550 $
249
Commercial Harness, adjustable lanyard,
Scaffold Riser Commercial 15m fall arrest line, anchor
strap, screwgate karabiner,
Extension Scaffold Tower Pack backpack.
00087410 EXCLUDES GST 00258509 EXCLUDES GST 00313766 EXCLUDES GST
Temporary Temporary
Fencing Concrete Fence Panel
Filled Plastic Feet 2.4 x 2.1m.
Clamps & feet
00244139
sold separately.
PRICE 01060450
$
21
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EXCLUDES GST
$
48
EXCLUDES GST
PRICE
Extendable Plank with Jags
225kg rated.
00079312
$
155EXCLUDES GST
COMMERCIAL Expandable
Barrier
PRICE
SCAFFOLD
$
1740
2m.
STARTER PACK
08909620
PRICE
$
68
Tested to AS/NZS1576:2010 standards.
Lightweight aluminium construction.
Comes with heavy duty height
adjustable wheels.
00087409 EXCLUDES GST EXCLUDES GST
10PRICE
$
69
QUICK LATCH PRICE
118
Eagle
RESPIRATOR
Easy to put on and take off.
Safety Boot
Steel toe cap.
$ PER
Reduces heat and moisture. Leather. Sizes 7 - 12. PAIR
00302170 EXCLUDES GST
00035620 EXCLUDES GST
Pro-Grade PRICE PRICE PRICE
49 28 10
Waterproof
Earmuffs
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headband and
$ Knee Pads
Flexible, all-day
$ PER
Hard Hat
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$
pivoting ear cups. comfort. Non-marking. PAIR stabilised ABS shell.
08908300 EXCLUDES GST 05821004 EXCLUDES GST 00226368 EXCLUDES GST
PRICE
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00159142
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MECHANIX WEAR PRICE
$
10
SPEEDKNIT® LG/XL
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Not all services and products featured are available in all stores, but may be ordered. See in store for product availability. We reserve the right to restrict the purchase of commercial quantities.
Prices quoted are exclusive to PowerPass or Bunnings Trade Account Customers and exclude GST. Prices valid until Thursday 14th February 2019, or while stocks last. 11FIT HOUSING
FOR A FAIR FUTURE
HomeFit is being hailed as the new WOF for already be struggling with the high cost of living. Instead, she sees the government
playing a role:
New Zealand homes. It’s good news for renters and
“There’s space for grants and support for homeowners, if they get work completed by
homeowners, but could it also be a tool for the trade?
certified professionals. I do believe this is something the government will consider, to
By now you’ve probably heard of HomeFit. At a basic level, HomeFit is an online tool start by helping with a subsidy.”
designed by the New Zealand Green Building Council to help people figure out how
“It’s not new for the government to support initiatives like these. Think of the Warm Up
healthy their home is and support them to improve it.
New Zealand Heat Smart programme and the move towards solar panels. Enabling
It’s essentially twenty questions to check the warmth, energy efficiency and safety of a New Zealanders to live sustainably and energy efficiently is crucial. It’s something in
house, ensuring it’s liveable and meets requirements set by the government’s ‘Healthy which the government should play a role.”
Homes Standards’.
With policy makers looking to rustle up support and grants to ensure everybody has access
As well as the basic online self-check, HomeFit also offers a more comprehensive, to – and can afford – a safe, warm, healthy home, there’s a better chance of builders, plumbers
independent appraisal, carried out by a trained assessor. The assessment looks at damp, and tradies gaining business through these requirements, as long as they’re certified.
mould, insulation, heating, ventilation and other key areas and, if a home passes, it will be
Being familiar with the requirements and assessment means tradies can pre-empt
awarded a HomeFit stamp, showing that it is warm, dry, safe and efficient. And, on top of
common questions and improvements. Potentially, if smart contractors and business
this, there’s a HomeFit PLUS standard for homes exceeding the HomeFit standards, with
owners collaborate to meet the public’s needs, they could work together to provide a
higher insulation levels, fixed, energy-efficient heating and other additional features.
package solution, making it easy for homeowners to achieve a HomeFit rating and
When the CEO of HomeFit, Andrew Eagle asked their intern what she thought of the new gaining business through HomeFit.
app, her response was, “It’s useable.” Straight shooter, that one. But she’s right, it is
“HomeFit has the potential to be used as a tool for contractors, where they could provide
useable. Useful, even. The question is, could it be beneficial for those in the trade?
a package solution or form a network to help homeowners complete all aspects for
The answer isn’t cut and dried, so let’s just say HomeFit has potential. Once people have certification. They could sort customers out as a group, and split the bill at the end.”
completed a simple online check of their home, they’ll know what needs to be done to get – Andrew Eagles, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Green Building Council.
a HomeFit rating – and that’s where the trade comes in. Another benefit is that the industry bar will be raised. Assessors are independent and
If people are self-assessing their homes, this will inevitably lead to higher demand for there’ll be no cutting corners. Certified installers and builders could also be listed with
upgrades and work across the board for tradies, plumbers and installers. It might seem HomeFit for referrals.
like bitsy work, but because so many homes are not up to scratch, it’s going to add up. One thing the trade, industry, government and the general public will agree on, is that any
The fact is, 50% of Kiwi homes are not meeting current standards. It’s high time move to raise the standard of housing in New Zealand is a good thing. Watch this space.
something is done about the state of housing in this country, however, raising the You can find out more about HomeFit at homefit.co.nz
standard of housing throughout New Zealand is no small task and won’t come cheap
– so who’s going to foot the bill?
If HomeFit’s intention is to achieve the government standard for housing in New Zealand,
should the cost fall solely on homeowners? If so, will landlords pass the expense on,
resulting in higher rents? As if the cost of living in New Zealand isn’t high enough. If it’s a
legislated standard, shouldn’t the government chip in?
To answer this question, we approached Marama Davidson, co-leader of the Green Party,
who attended the HomeFit launch event.
Davidson wholeheartedly supports lifting the quality of housing in this country.
She also believes it should not be solely the responsibility of homeowners – who may
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SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
In many ways, timber is the ultimate sustainable material. Ironically, a well-managed, profitable timber industry can be one of the most effective
It’s natural, renewable and ultimately, biodegradable. ways to conserve tropical forests. Since 2001, Bunnings introduced a zero tolerance
In New Zealand, our pine forests are sustainably managed approach to illegally logged timber in our supply chain, which led to our timber policy
and the logging and sale of native timbers is carefully being developed in 2003. Bunnings was also the first retail participant in the WWF Global
controlled. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case for Forest and Trade Network (GFTN), a programme established to encourage markets to
some exotic hardwoods like kwila. responsibly source forest products. In June 2014 as part of the GFTN partnership
Bunnings accompanied WWF to a Merbau/Kwila decking supplier’s concession in West
Since the 1990s, this hard, dense wood has been a popular choice for decking and Papua, Indonesia. This involved witnessing first hand an independent High Conservation
outdoor furniture. But unregulated and indiscriminate logging in Papua New Guinea Value (HCV) assessment as part of the supplier’s goal to achieving FSC® certification. The
(PNG) has resulted in trees being taken from old, established rainforest with no supplier implemented findings as a result of the HCV to improve their processes, which
replanting programme in place. in turn benefits the forest and supports the local community.
In 2007, Greenpeace issued a report claiming that most of the kwila import from West
So can you explain what that certification means?
Papua came from illegal logging, prompting a call from human rights groups and the
Green Party to ban its sale in New Zealand. In 2011, the New Zealand Imported Tropical The FSC® is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that sets the standards
Timber Group (NZITTG) agreed not to import kwila from Indonesia without for what a responsibly managed forest is, both environmentally and socially.
a legality check. FSC® certification means that forests, indigenous communities and endangered
animal species are treated with respect. When timber leaves an FSC® certified
Bunnings is one of several retailers selling kwila products in New Zealand. Trade Issue
forest, the companies along the supply chain need to meet the same best
sat down with Product Risk Safety Coordinator, Sharon Mimilo, to talk about how the
practice standards. So when you see the FSC® label on a product in Bunnings,
company is ensuring the ethical supply of timber and implementing sustainability
you can be sure it’s been sustainably grown, harvested and processed.
initiatives across the business.
Why won’t Bunnings stock popular products that aren’t sustainable?
The sale of kwila and other exotic hardwoods has obviously been the subject
of controversy in New Zealand. As a major retailer, what is Bunnings’ Bunnings is absolutely committed to responsible timber sourcing and we don’t support
position on deciding to stock it? processes or operations that are unethical or negatively impact communities and wildlife.
It’s also our responsibility to ensure that the communities where we source our timber are
treated fairly and benefit from having well-managed forestry operations. We won’t simply
cut off any supplier that doesn’t meet independent certification standards. If they’re
committed to the process, we’ll work alongside them and the local community to bring
them up to that level.
So when I buy timber from Bunnings, I can be assured that it’s sustainably
produced?
Almost. By December 2020 all timber in our products originating from natural
forests will originate from FSC® or PEFC certified forests. At the moment, around
99% of our products come from low risk plantations and 79% of those are sourced
from independently certified forests.
So if timber is moving toward complete sustainability, how important is
sustainability in the other areas of the business?
Sustainability across the business is really important, as it should be to any large
organisation today. It’s the right thing to do and our customers and Team Members expect
it. The reality is that goals like changing packaging and a zero footprint are very complex
and difficult to achieve.
14We’re continuing to make good progress in sending less waste to landfill and reducing New Zealand, where we rely heavily on our natural resources. China
our energy usage in our warehouses. We’ve introduced a number of recycling and is no longer accepting our plastic waste and the onus is on us to
packaging optimisation initiatives, including reusing and recycling cardboard and dramatically reduce landfill and greenhouse gas emissions.
reusing timber pallets. Our cafés now use compostable or readily recyclable cups,
But that’s just the start – there’s a massive opportunity for Bunnings
plates and cutlery and even small initiatives like those add up to real efficiencies
to improve and make changes. We are committed to working
across the business.
towards a future sustainability programme across our
Are your customers and suppliers onboard with these initiatives? whole business. What we have done to date
is just the start.
We’re working with our suppliers to reduce their packaging waste. We challenge our
buyers to source products that have either reduced or recyclable packaging, but at the
same time, we have to ensure that those products are safe to handle and store.
In-store, we’ll continue to promote sustainable living options, helping our customers save
energy, use less water and choose environmentally friendly products. Beyond products,
it also means being a source of expert advice, free workshops, ‘how to’ guides and
information kits.
So what does the future look like for sustainability?
You only have to look at the news to see that climate change and species loss is
happening faster than was predicted. That poses a huge threat to all countries, including
THE INCOME
PROTECTION VERSUS
HEALTH INSURANCE HEADACHE
By Ben Rickard
There’s a bit of confusion around health insurance and income but health insurance may mean faster access to private treatment. It can cut down the cost
protection. Sometimes they’re seen as much of a muchness. Not so! of private treatment, too.
For starters, health insurance covers treatment costs. Income protection replaces your The guts of it is, taking only income protection means relying on the public health system
income if you can’t work. Sounds simple enough, but then what about public health? for treatment if you get sick, but receiving regular payments to replace your income until
And isn’t that why we have ACC? you’re back at work.
The thing is, ACC only covers accidents. Income protection replaces income if you can’t If you just take health insurance, you might receive treatment sooner. But if you can’t work
work because of an accident or illness, including mental health. Surprisingly, builders are and have no source of income, you rely on disability income support from WINZ
more likely to miss work due to illness than accidental injury. So, income protection can
(currently just over $60 a week).
be better than solely relying on ACC.
You could choose both or a combination of the two, like income protection for yourself
Additionally, self-employed people can dial back their ACC cover and put the saving
towards income protection insurance, leading to broader cover for the same price. There and health insurance for the kids. At the end of the day, running it by
are pros and cons though, so it’s a good idea to discuss it with an independent financial an experienced adviser before you make a call is the way to go.
adviser.
Builtin Insurance are New Zealand’s trade insurance experts. For more
Unlike ACC and income protection, health insurance won’t replace your income. information and to request your own review visit builtininsurance.co.nz
It only covers the cost of treatment. People do rely on the public health system for this, or contact Dave La Pere at dave.lapere@builtin.co.nz or 0800 BUILTIN.
15WE’RE HERE FOR THE TRADE
Bunnings Trade has your business covered. You’ll find a trade desk with trained Team Members in store
and Trade Account Managers on the road, dedicated to helping you get the job done.
Here are just a few ways we can help:
Drive thru convenience Stores where you need them One account across all stores
Trade quality and quantities Dedicated Trade Centres Trade prices and exclusive offers
No more out of stocks. If you are in a hurry, we You can rely on us.
We have put a list of your can help. We guarantee We guarantee your
‘Builders Essentials’ products that your phone order, delivery will be on time
together and we make this if urgent, will be ready and in full as promised
promise to you: Guaranteed for pick up within or no delivery charge.
in stock or delivered to site 90 minutes.
within 24 hours, or supplied
free of charge.
TERMS & CONDITIONS Offers apply to Bunnings account holders only. DELIVERY: Products must be confirmed as an in stock product line. Delivery time must be agreed and in writing. PHONE ORDERS: Normal pick up
quantities apply. Trade quantities excluded. Phone orders must be received between 9am – 4pm. Products must be confirmed as an in stock product line. Phone order must be requested as urgent for 90 minute pick up.
16You can also read
