2022 Building Code update

Last updated: 30 April 2024

The Building for Climate is a comprehensive and on-going initiative by the New Zealand government, aimed at reducing emissions from building construction and operation through reducing associated carbon emissions, enhancing operational efficiency, and other associated measures. 

Amendments to the Building Act was announced in 2022 as part of the initiative. The proposed amendment would:

  • Accelerate the shift to low carbon building
  • Improve building energy efficiency
  • Reduce embodied carbon of buildings
  • Lay further groundwork for emissions reduction through databases and tools


As part of the larger initiative, New Zealand has updated its building codes to require strong energy efficiency and insulation for new construction.

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