Annual Conference 2025

2025 NZIBS Annual Conference.

11 - 13 September 2025 | Christchurch

JOIN US FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE - BETTER BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Book Your Spot!

For Group Bookings please email Saskia: office@buildingsurveyors.co.nz with delegates names, contact details and dietary requirements.

Speakers

Our Initial Line up of Speakers includes:

John Gardiner (FIPENZ), Managing Director of Building Confidence Ltd

John will speak from his 20 years experience in building controls, sharing what he has learned and what we need to do to maintain our role in society.  He will cover issues such as:

- Development and growth in what is regulated under the Building Act
- The Building Code - a regulation stuck in time
- What is poorly understood under the Act/Code - the blind and difficult spots to navigate

Denise Martin, Director of Building Envelope Optimisation.

In light of the changes to H1 and the growing confusion around building performance vs user behaviour, Denise will cover the following concepts:

- Warm Roof, Wrong Material: Why the New H1 Risks Failing Our Buildings
With insulation levels increasing to meet H1/VM1, we’re seeing more condensation and moisture damage—especially in roof build-ups. This talk will focus on the growing mismatch between insulation materials (like PIR) and roof design strategies, and how vapour control is being neglected. Denise will share common failures, modelling tips (like when to use WUFI), and better alternatives for ensuring both compliance and durability.

- Is It the Occupant, or the Building? Rethinking Failure in NZ Housing
This presentation explores the blurred line between occupant behaviour and actual building failure. Too often, issues like mould or high energy use are blamed on occupants, when the real culprit is design or lack of ventilation. Denise will unpack how to assess the difference using performance data, and design intent, while pushing for a more honest conversation about accountability in residential construction.

Dean Cowell, Director of Three Sixty Architecture.

Three Sixty Architecture were tasked with retaining and restoring as many heritage features of the Public Trust Building as possible and practical, while also upgrading to meet current codes and Dean will present on the details of this project.

The Public Trust building was originally built in 1932, designed by Cecil Woods. Over the decades it has been subjected to various alterations, not all of them considerate of the building’s heritage. The changes culminated in severe, but not irreparable damage in the Christchurch Earthquakes. The building was originally slated to be demolished but after a change in ownership the brave decision was made to save and restore it.

The Site Tour will be of the newly built Court Theatre.

Awaiting Confirmation for the following speakers/topics:

We are looking to include presentations regarding the new stadium build, the Greater Christchurch Reslience Project, the RedZone redevelopment, as well as potentially topics on Climate Change and building investigations and subsequent deconstruction from an archeological point of view.  We are also waiting to confirm a speaker to discuss the recent development of 211 High Street in Christchurch (https://www.ignitearchitects.com/projects/211-high-street)

Thank you for your patience while we work to confirm the speaker line up.  This page will be updated regularly, so please check back or contact Saskia if you have any questions - office@buildingsurveyors.co.nz

Venue & Accommodation

The Conference will be held at the Christchurch Town Hall, accommodation is secured at the Wyndham Garden Hotel for delegates.  This will be the meeting spot for all activities and is a lovely 3 minute walk to the Conference Venue.

Details below:

Christchurch Town Hall
86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central

Wyndham Gardens Hotel
64 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central

Workshops & AGM

Workshops will be held on 13 September, followed by the AGM at approximately 12:00pm.  These details will confirmed and updated shortly.

Optional Activities

The Optional Activities include:

- Annual Memorial Golf Day: 11 September from 12:00pm
- Brewery Tour: 11 September from 12:00pm
- Meet & Greet : 11 September from 6:30pm
- Dinner: 12 September from 7:00pm

The details, costs and other informationf or the above events will be added shortly.