Builders busier and feeling the pressure after Rotorua floods, CEO says at conference marking 20 years of New Zealand Certified Builders

NZCB chief executive Grant Florence. Photo / Stephen Parker

The recent flooding in Ngongotaha is likely to add pressure to already busy builders, according to the chief executive of New Zealand Certified Builders.

Grant Florence is in Rotorua for the NZCB annual conference and expo and told the Rotorua Daily Post the city was similar to the rest of the country in that regard.

"Builders are very busy. Good builders have a good 12 months' work ahead of them. Something like Ngongotaha adds to that pressure," he said.

"Rotorua is also probably getting some of the overflow from Auckland and that's adding to the pressure. That shortage and pressure is felt right across industries, not just with builders, but with designers, engineers."

Florence was in town for the conference which also marks 20 years of NZCB. The conference began yesterday and finishes this afternoon.

He said the first conference was held in Rotorua so it was decided to bring it back to where it began.

Florence said having the conference in Rotorua had also meant they could take advantage of some of the things the city had to offer.

Some people at the conference had visited Red Stag Timber on Friday and there was also a trip to the carving school at Te Puia planned.

The conference also includes the Great Apprentice Race which 19 apprentices race carts they have constructed during the day as part of the NZCB Apprentice Challenge.

More than 780 people attended the conference held at the Energy Events Centre.

Florence said it was an opportunity to look back at how significantly the construction industry had changed in two decades, and address the challenges ahead including a skills shortage.

NZCB requires builders to hold a formal building trade qualification to be eligible for membership and it remains the only one of New Zealand's two building trade associations that requires this.