A Lincoln University building has been shut down after a concerned staff member took a swab of some dust which returned a positive test for asbestos.

Fletcher Building's Winstone Wallboards unit has temporarily closed a plasterboard factory in Christchurch after finding traces of asbestos in the building.

Building products giant Carter Holt Harvey is among companies battling a multimillion-dollar claim brought by the Ministry of Education over leaky schools.

Editorial: What exactly is the holdup in Christchurch? A year has passed since the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority drew up a plan for the rebuild of the city centre but nothing seems to be happening.

In what turned out to be a tale of two countries, Fletcher Building announced a lift in its annual net profit yesterday, with Australia's economic downturn detracting from a strong showing in New Zealand.

Australia has old-fashioned union arrangements and needs "a dose of Margaret Thatcher," says Mark Adamson, the British chief executive of Fletcher Building.

The 38m brick chimney at Victoria Park Market was considered a liability if Auckland was ever struck by a large earthquake.

Maori groups are engaging directly with businesses on major projects.

Beca has forged a new opening in the competitive Chinese construction market by leveraging New Zealand's reputation for designing and building first-class food and beverage manufacturing facilities.

Opus New Zealand managing director Peter Mathewson says the nation's infrastructure market is suppressed at present as construction and consulting companies wait for the Christchurch rebuild to start in earnest.

After five years of trying, the Hurunui Water Project has finally received resource consents for its $400m storage and irrigation scheme.

Travel choices and reliability are imperative, says a transport expert.

New Zealand's big infrastructure job is being funded by the state - but public-private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged on two big Auckland sites.

We talk to two key players driving action in the quake-damaged city

Long-term political focus is needed to drive our significant infrastructure investment, says Karen Silk.

Large-scale projects at home and overseas keep the infrastructure division busy, writes Anne Gibson.

Law changes have big implications for the building industry, says Andrew Stevens.

Involving the community in decisions on big irrigation schemes may help simplify the resource consent process. Nigel Stirling reports.

The New Zealand Superannuation Fund says it is willing to go where others fear to tread with regional irrigation schemes.

Congestion charging and public transport investment are two sides of the same coin, writes Paul Callow.

The rebuild of Christchurch's CBD is an issue dogging the city, as builders and sub-trades work mainly in suburban areas and on houses.

The legacy of divided councils is behind Auckland and it's time to move ahead, says transport expert.

Cutting across traditional discipline and reporting lines can make a huge difference to big city projects.

The Waterview Connection is crucial to the city's future, reports Anne Gibson.