Business optimism jumps on the back of construction and tourism industries.

The value of all residential buildings based on those consents is $11.4 billion.

The half-hectare $60 million Red Stag Timber "mega-mill" is almost as big as a rugby field and the materials and construction techniques used were unusual.

Half the floor of one of New Zealand's biggest new supermarkets at a $40 million Tauranga scheme has been torn up and re-laid, the store's owner says.

Some of the planned projects were badly located, too expensive or not what the market wanted.

Compact, liveable cities can be the most efficient places for people to live, writes Helen Twose.

COMMENT: The Government's actions have been begrudging, delayed and lacking conviction.

Local government's infrastructure-building monopoly could be removed and Chinese contractors could take the lead.

A top Auckland Council official has questioned whether a new Auckland urban development authority is needed.

John Key is allowing companies - including from China - to fund and build some of Auckland's infrastructure.

Prime Minister John Key has floated the idea of a powerful new agency to oversee major building projects.

Fletcher Building's residential division has signed a deal with the government to build 196 homes on Crown land.

New Zealand's economy has grown at a faster pace than expected in the first quarter of 2016.

A builder who wrote a funny and directly worded job advertisement seeking a reliable employee has found his man.

Deficiencies have been discovered in some Chinese steel imported for the new $458 million Huntly bypass, says a contracting chief.

Kiwirail is accused of breaching a collective agreement with the Rail and Maritime Union.

The owners of apartments in a multi-storey leaky block have launched a $60 million claim against the council and other bodies.

A Whangarei steel company is thrilled at winning a Convention Centre steel contract, which has already started providing new jobs for Northlanders, with more on the way.

At least three people have lost more than $25,000 in a "highly sophisticated" scam targeting the building industry.

Centre build to create jobs and training opportunities for Kiwi workers.

The Herald can reveal detailed plans for "Customs Residential" - a 50-storey building in the heart of the CBD.

COMMENT: Auckland feels like a boom town. Its shortage of houses, hotels, roads, schoolrooms and tradies dominates the conversations.

NZbuilding activity grew for a fifth quarter in the March period as Auckland dominated construction for both residential and commercial construction.

New Zealand firms grew more confident about the state of the local economy for the third month in a row, with gains most evident in construction.

New Zealand residential building consents climbed 6.6 percent in April as new housing intentions climbed at their fastest monthly pace in eight years.

One-off restructuring costs contributed materially to AWF Madison reporting a "disappointing" $5.2 million profit.

Dodgy imported products are being found on building sites across Auckland, including electrical wiring, toughened safety glass shower doors and roofing tiles.

The Labour Party surprised many people last week by advocating the complete abolition of boundaries on urban expansion.

A record number of cranes have transformed the Auckland skyline, illustrating the city¹s multi-billion dollar upswing in construction.