Construction Growth Foundation, Tauranga (2026)

10/12/2025

Good design prevents problems long before they appear, and that’s exactly why CGF funded the NZ Green Building Council’s Homestar Designer course.

Twenty-seven designers, architects and residential builders completed the programme this year, learning how to spot moisture risks, reduce overheating, and model home performance using ECCHO. With participants joining from across the country, the course offered practical tools that can be applied immediately in the design process.

And yes—the feedback was outstanding:

“Every designer should be doing this course as standard practice.”
— Bobby, Mercury Architects

“Fantastic course… excited to apply the new skills.”
— Courtney, Gary Todd Architecture

This training brings new capability into Architectural Designers New Zealand, New Zealand Certified Builders Association and Registered Master Builders Association member associations, supporting healthier, more efficient homes for Kiwi families.

Read the full story: https://www.cgf.org.nz/news-events/case-study-new-zealand-green-building-council

01/12/2025

Meet Scholarship Recipient: Claudia McGough-Morunga
Bachelor of Architectural Studies

"It's about being a good ancestor" 💚

Claudia started in Architectural Technology thinking she'd follow a technical career path. But during her studies, something clicked. It wasn't the maths or the calculations that lit her up, it was the design, the creativity, the process of turning ideas into something meaningful.

So she took a leap and enrolled in the Bachelor of Architectural Studies. And with support from a CGF scholarship, she was able to take Te Hononga Māori Studio, a decision that completely transformed her understanding of what architecture can be.

A journey to Motueka

With her husband and children whakapapa to Ngāpuhi, Claudia wanted her education to reflect the cultural values at the heart of her whānau. Learning from renowned architects Min Hall and Rau Hoskins, she travelled to Motueka to work alongside the local community at Te Āwhina Marae.

Together, they designed and built a Pātaka Kai (community food pantry) but more than that, Claudia learned what it truly means to design with communities, not just for them.

"Mana whenua aren't stakeholders, they are knowledge holders," she says. "Their worldview reframed my understanding of place, time, and responsibility."

Thinking 500 years ahead

One of the most powerful lessons? Architecture isn't just about meeting today's needs or even the standard 50-year requirements.

"It's about being a good ancestor and thinking in terms of the next 100, 200, or even 500 years," Claudia shares.

Working with kaumātua, parents, and tamariki showed her that meaningful design grows from relationships, values, and deep listening. It's about facilitating community aspirations, not imposing a vision.

When design becomes whakapapa

You can see this thinking come to life in Claudia's work. Her concept for a Tā Moko Studio, which she designed as part of a Master Plan developed collaboratively with Taina Marie, was inspired by the korowai, a protective woven cloak. The building's curved roof drapes over the land like fabric, with two circular forms representing the shoulders of the cloak. Like the sacred art of Tā Moko itself, the design carries identity, whakapapa, and wairua by creating a space where culture and architecture are one. This isn't styling. It's storytelling in built form.

Why this matters

This scholarship didn't just cover costs, it allowed Claudia to be fully present in an experience that will shape how she practices architecture for the rest of her career.

And that's the power of investing in people. That's what CGF is all about, supporting future leaders who will build a construction sector that's sustainable, collaborative, and grounded in the values of Aotearoa.

Claudia, we're so proud of you and excited to see the incredible spaces you'll help create. Ka pai!

Want to support the next generation of construction professionals? Learn more about CGF scholarships: https://www.cgf.org.nz/scholarships-training

24/11/2025

🎯 When construction leaders take governance seriously, something shifts.

Last month, we wrapped our final governance training for 2025. And honestly? The results speak for themselves.

Over three years, we've trained board directors from 17 industry associations. What started as a commitment to build capability has turned into something bigger, a movement toward stronger, smarter leadership across our sector.

Here's what actually happened:

People walked away with clarity on the difference between governance and management (game-changer for most boards).

They built genuine connections with leaders facing the same challenges. No fluff, just honest conversations about what works and what doesn't.

They gained practical tools they could use the very next board meeting, not theory, but real frameworks that land.

The feedback?

"It clarified our responsibilities and reminded me what effective governance really looks like."

That's from someone now applying this learning in their boardroom right now.

And we're not done.

Our Board just approved another three-year cycle (2026–2028). Because building capability isn't a one-and-done thing, it's an ongoing investment in our industry's future.

This is about more than training courses. It's about lifting leadership capability one board table at a time, creating a construction sector that's cohesive, productive, and ready for what's next.

👉 If you're involved in construction leadership or governance, this is the kind of work that creates lasting change.

Institute of Directors in New Zealand

19/11/2025

"I can't see where my construction career is going."

If you've ever thought this, or heard someone say it, then this is for you.

Construction Growth Foundation just funded a game-changing project that maps out EVERY major career pathway in New Zealand's construction industry.

It's called Built Environment Career Streams, and it's like having a GPS for your career.

Whether you're:
✅ A graduate trying to figure out your options
✅ A mid-career professional looking for your next move
✅ An employer wanting to retain talented staff
✅ A parent helping your kid understand construction careers

This framework shows you the full picture.

Think of it like a braided river (he awa whiria): Your career doesn't have to be a straight line. There are multiple streams, pivot points, and ways to progress that you probably didn't even know existed.

Want to move from site engineer to project director? There's a pathway.

Interested in BIM management but don't know how to start? It's mapped out.

Wondering if your skills transfer to a different construction role? You can see exactly how.

Plus, you get:
• Day-to-day role descriptions
• Salary expectations
• Required qualifications
• Real stories from people who've made the journey

And the best part? It's completely free.

Explore your pathway: https://becareerstreams.nz/

Read the full case study: https://www.cgf.org.nz/news-events/case-study-building-institute-aotearoa

Because everyone deserves to see where their hard work can take them. 💪

12/11/2025

Building capability, one member at a time 🔨

Our Chief Executive Brian Dillon visited the Glass and Glazing Institute of NZ (GGINZ) in Plimmerton yesterday to check out their fantastic training facility.

GGINZ trains the glass and glazing professionals our construction sector needs, and we're proud to support them. CGF recently approved funding for a new practical training structure that will help deliver their Advanced Technical Glazing course.

It's visits like these that remind us why we do what we do—investing in our members means investing in a stronger, more skilled construction industry.

Big thanks to tutors Frank Cole and Chris Renata, and GGINZ CEO Verina Jones for the warm welcome and showing us around! 👏

Want to know more about how CGF supports our members? Get in touch.

06/11/2025

Building Better Together

A big thank you to ConCOVE Tūhura for hosting yesterday's Wellington industry activation lab!

Brian Dillon and Karla Farrar had a fantastic time collaborating with industry peers in a workshop that was all about discussion, teamwork, and finding practical solutions.

Brilliant facilitation by Katherine Hall, Executive Director, and her team George Makapatama, Eve Price, Shaun Gear, and Anne-Marie Shepherd.

Here's what we're excited about:
CGF will be sharing newly developed toolkits and resources with our members and the wider construction sector in the coming weeks. These white-labelled resources can be tailored to suit different organisations.

The toolkits cover crucial topics like:
✅ Making apprentice training more effective
✅ Pastoral care and support for workers
✅ Preventing sexual harassment and promoting allyship
✅ Connecting with schools to inspire young people
✅ Degree level apprenticeships

More information is coming in our December newsletter – stay tuned!

03/11/2025

Construction's Future is Being Built Right Now 🏗️

The construction industry is at a crossroads. Technology is accelerating. Sustainability is essential. The workforce is changing.

The question isn't whether construction will evolve, it's whether we'll evolve together.

That's where CGF comes in.

We're not here to replace what individual associations do brilliantly. We're here to strengthen the connections between them. To solve shared problems. To build a sector that's stronger, more skilled, and more sustainable.

Our focus areas:
🎓 Skills & Pathways : Scholarships, training, and career development so construction attracts the best talent
🤝 Collaboration : Bringing 17 associations together to share best practice and amplify impact
🌱 Future State & Sustainability : Building an industry that's resilient, innovative, and genuinely sustainable

What's changed in just six months?
✅ Completed a member-led Advocacy Strategy Review
✅ Refreshed our strategy for 2026–2028
✅ Invested in systems to scale support
✅ Strengthened relationships with government and peak bodies

But we're not done. We're listening harder. Building stronger relationships. Continuously proving membership delivers real value.

The construction industry's future depends on all of us working together.

What does the construction sector you want to see look like? 👇

30/10/2025

Our Chief Executive, Brian Dillon, joined architects, designers, and industry leaders at the 2025 New Zealand Architectural Design Conference in Ōtepoti Dunedin this week.

CGF was proud to support this inspiring event, which explored how Impact, Innovation, and Identity are shaping the future of design and construction in Aotearoa.

Brian shared how the Construction Growth Foundation is helping build capability and collaboration across the construction sector — strengthening our industry for the future.

Highlights from the event included:
🌿 Damien van Brandenburg, Architecture Van Brandenburg – nature-inspired innovation
🏠 Darryl Church, DCA Architects of Transformation – growing with integrity and purpose
📊 Tony Alexander, Economist – shared an optimistic outlook for 2026 and reminded us:
“Don’t underestimate the value of data and insights to inform positions and decisions.”

A big thank you to Architectural Designers New Zealand CEO Keryn Davis and the team for bringing together such a passionate group of professionals!

29/10/2025

Behind the Scenes: How CGF Funds Real Change 🏗️

CGF doesn't just hand out money, we partner with construction associations to make real things happen.

Right now, we're backing 10 projects across the sector, and the results are impressive.

Here's what's happening:

✅ Master Brick and Blocklayers + Concrete NZ are redeveloping best practice guides
✅ Floor NZ is creating professional standards through the Master Floorer initiative
✅ Frame and Truss Manufacturers are building health and safety video resources for the whole industry
✅ Architectural Designers New Zealand is developing a "Pathway to Professional" programme
✅ New Zealand Green Building Council - NZGBCl is delivering Greenstar training on energy-efficient design

Why this matters:

When associations have the resources to develop standards, create training, and share knowledge, entire industries lift. Projects that were stuck get moving. Information that was locked away gets shared.

These aren't top-down mandates, they're member-driven ideas that CGF helps bring to life.

We're also funding business mentoring for small construction businesses (150+ already registered!), conference support, and career pathway work for newcomers to the industry.

This is collaboration at scale. 💪

We'll be sharing more about these projects and their outcomes in the coming weeks.

What does your part of the construction sector need? Let us know in the comments! 👇

27/10/2025

We're Investing in Your Future (And Your Team's!) 🎓

Here's a fact: the construction industry needs more skilled professionals stepping into technical, strategic, and leadership roles.

Here's our answer: scholarships that remove the financial barrier.

This year, we've funded over $70,000 in scholarships for construction professionals pursuing advanced qualifications. The response? Amazing. Over 65 applications approved, supporting:
🏗️ Architects & designers advancing their credentials
🏗️ Quantity surveyors strengthening their expertise
🏗️ Construction managers upskilling in new area
🏗️ Digital specialists leading innovation
🏗️ And many more...

Why this matters: When your team members get more skilled, your whole business benefits. Projects run smoother. Innovation happens faster. You attract better talent. You win more work.

Got talented people in your team? If you're part of a CGF member association and have team members considering further study, we want to help. Scholarships information can be found at cgf.org.nz/scholarships-training

Drop a comment below: What qualifications do you see as game-changers for your sector? 👇

22/10/2025

Last week, our CE Brian Dillon presented to Concrete NZ members, sharing CGF's story and how we're working to build capability across the construction sector.

It was great to see how ConcreteNZ is leading the charge on carbon reduction in concrete, turning research into real-world practice and showing the environmental benefits of innovation.

ConcreteNZ is also tapping into international research and best practice, bringing global insights back to strengthen our sector here in New Zealand.

This is the kind of collaboration CGF exists to support. Through scholarships and partnerships with associations like ConcreteNZ, we're helping ensure our sector has the skills and knowledge to build a sustainable future.

Big thanks to Rob Gaimster, CE at ConcreteNZ and CGF Board Member, and the ConcreteNZ team for having us! 🙌

Want to know more about CGF? Visit our website cgf.org.nz

22/10/2025

What Does CGF Really Do? 🏗️

When we became the Construction Growth Foundation in April 2025, we committed to one clear mission: empowering construction workers, employers, and communities through education, training, and collaboration.

But what does that look like in real life?

CGF connects 17 industry associations, supporting 12,000+ employers and 25,000 employees across construction. We're the bridge that brings everyone together to solve shared challenges and build a stronger sector.

Here's what we do:
✅ Fund scholarships for people pursuing advanced education or training
✅ Deliver governance training to build leadership capability
✅ Support member projects that lift industry standards and capability
✅ Advocate with our members on issues that matter (especially vocational education & training)
✅ Create spaces for collaboration and knowledge-sharing

We're here to support, enable, and amplify your work.

Are you part of a CGF member association? Let us know what support would make the biggest difference for your sector. 👇

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