PrefabNZ

E stablished in 2010, PrefabNZ is a non-profit membership organisation that informs, educates and advocates for innovation and excellence in offsite design and construction in New Zealand. The association and its 350 members are at the heart of innovative construction in New Zealand, fueled by a passion for delivering high quality, smarter, greener, safer, faster, and more efficient building solutions. PrefabNZ is a bold, member-focused voice for the industry in the quest for increased offsite construction. The membership base is a combination of architects, engineers, individuals, students, businesses of all sizes – large or small. Business View Oceania recently spoke with Scott Fisher, CEO of PrefabNZ, about the association’s role, current industry challenges and his insights into the future of this growing construction sector. The following are highlights of the conversation. BVO: Can you give us an overview of PrefabNZ? Fisher: “Our first CEO, Pamela Bell, did a Master’s paper on prefabrication, and the architectural industry was really interested in it, believing that offsite manufacturing and prefabrication needed a voice within the built environment. In a sense, PrefabNZ was born out of that. It created a community for all those interested in offsite manufacturing – architects, engineers, builders, developers, policy makers, the academic world. It provides an opportunity for education, sharing information, doing research, holding events, collaborations, networking. As well as showcasing good stories about offsite manufacturing. “Advocacy is a key function for PrefabNZ. Our job is to raise awareness about problems, or barriers or friction within the industry and work proactively with policy makers and government to ensure the friction is removed, so that the industry is allowed to progress and grow in a productive way. Educating the public about the benefits of prefab construction is very important and the government has a big role to play in that. Often the government is the biggest AT A GLANCE PrefabNZ WHAT: A non-profit organisation for the offsite manufacturing industry WHERE: Based in Wellington, New Zealand WEBSITE: www.prefabnz.com PrefabNZ The heart of innovative construction