Business View Oceania | January 2020

13 14 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA JANUARY 2020 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA JANUARY 2020 NEW ZEALAND CERT I F I ED BUI LDERS (NZCB) history of stability and success. And homeowners are reaping the benefits. Not only are they guaranteed first-class knowledge and expertise when working with an NZCB approved builder, each home is covered by New Zealand’s Halo 10 year residential guarantee for peace of mind throughout the building journey. For New Zealand builders who are passionate about providing superior workmanship and meet the NZCB membership criteria, the door is wide open. The first requirement is to hold a recognised trade qualification equivalent to, or better than, National Trade Certificate in Carpentry Level 4. To ensure high standards are maintained, the association also considers a builder’s history of stability and success, solvency, absence of complaints by customers and suppliers and an untarnished reputation and brand. Business View Oceania spoke with Grant Florence, CEO of New Zealand Certified Builders for an overall look at the association and what the future holds for NZCB and the building industry. The following is an edited transcript of the conversation. BVO: Can you give us an overview of the NZCB association? Florence: “We were formed in 1998 by enthusiasts who felt that builders who had undertaken some study or training weren’t recognized. So the association was formed with the criteria that you needed to have done an apprenticeship or some sort of study in building to gain membership. Doing that was unique in the New Zealand environment and that criteria remains today. Over time, the association has gone from being a ‘club’ of members with like- minded objectives to still supporting leaders in business and building but now taking a range of activities and services to its members. “Education for builders is a key focus and we have a number of ways we communicate our education stream. From face to face regional meetings or seminars, through to the online