All posts by Nikki Kruger

A month ago (A month! Already!) PHINZ held our annual Hui, at the excellent Tūranga Library in Christchurch. I’d be lying if I said we were nervous in the runup, pulling together a packed 3 days of presentations, workshops, lectures and site visits is a massive undertaking. But on the day it surpassed all our hopes, resulting in an event that I walked away from with a full head and a full heart!

On the Wednesday our pre-Hui events were well attended and well received – ventilation design from Stiebel Eltron & Fantech, moisture control from Jason Quinn and an excellent installation session from Pro Clima, the attendees walked away with new knowledge and skills to inform their work and homes. The evening lecture from Matthew Cutler was equally successful, with a nearly full room of homeowners, designers, builders, hearing how we can all achieve healthier homes.

The following day the Hui itself began with our fantastic sponsors rolling in products, brochures and models to enlighten and excite the attendees, and to run workshops during the day for which we’ve had excellent feedback – thank you all for your time and your support!

The primary thanks for the event taking place must go to our GM Nikki, and Board member Karen, who almost destroyed themselves pulling all the threads together to
make the day a success. They absolutely put their all into the planning, as evidenced by Nikki having to leave as soon as the day finished to go and sleep; and Karen
being too run down to host as intended! I stepped in to do my best to fill her shoes as MC, and oversaw a day which proved to be a rousing success from start to finish.

Beginning with some eye-opening insights from the BRANZ HEEP2 study that set the context in which we work in, the day provided a range of case studies and examples of how we can achieve better buildings. Homestar rated, Certified Passive House, zero waste (no skips on site at all!) natural materials, reduced carbon, prefabrication and exciting retrofits; there really was something for everyone – whether a standalone home, multi-unit project or a commercial space; Passive House fits them all.

Alongside these we had some excellent educational presentations. Glenn’s breakdown of how to make your practice successful for both you and your clients was extremely valuable at a difficult time for the industry. Elsie’s approaches to communicating the power of PHPP were both entertaining and insightful (we have 3 cats Elsie, will that be enough?!), and it was fantastic to hear how building performance is being incorporated into the courses at Ara Institute of Canterbury – as a great philosopher once said ‘the children are the future, teach them well and let them lead the way’ (thanks Whitney). Morning and afternoon tea were followed by panel sessions.

The first I found extremely exciting, as we welcomed to the stage organisations that sit alongside PHINZ, pushing towards better buildings for Aotearoa. Natural building materials with EBANZ, prefabrication from OffsiteNZ, collective housing models from The Housing Innovation Society, enhanced timber construction from The Timber Design Society, and demonstrating the value of certifications from Eco Design Advisors – I found it so valuable to hear more about organisations that we can work alongside, explore different ways of doing things, and consider our projects more holistically.

The second panel saw three (potentially slightly nervous!) builders come to the stage, with an enlightening session on how to build successful Passive House projects. My primary takeaways were trust & relationships. When we’re working on a project, we’re all on the same team. How that team performs together will make or break a project, so maintaining trust and open communication is so key. The afternoon Pecha Kutcha flew through some amazing Passive House projects around the country, and in every climate that Aotearoa has to offer. From dealing with humidity in Kaitaia and retrofits in Napier, to keeping froggy bottoms warm in Queenstown! It really showed that the Passive House process that can be used successfully to suit all climates and contexts around the motu.

During the PHINZ update Guy presented our new membership structure. We hope that you all agree this is a step in the right direction, but we absolutely welcome any feedback on it, before we roll it out for the membership renewals. I also presented our proposal for our name, and identity. Following the rousing response at the previous Hui, and continued consultation with the cultural competency coordinator who originally gifted PHINZ our Te Reo name, the board are proposing to trial ‘Te Whare Korou – Passivhaus Aotearoa’. Comments and feedback are welcome, and we’re working to ensure that all the membership is heard.

As the day came to a close and the packing down began, I was heartened to see how many people just started helping, packing chairs and collecting cups – it was really appreciated; and of course, helped us all get to the social event faster! The evening evolved into a variety of enjoyable discussions over good food and drinks, and there seemed to be a couple of worthwhile hazy heads at the site visits the following day! Thank you to Elizabeth, Nick, Amanda and Pete and their neighbours for opening up their homes to us – seeing homes in construction, experiencing them when complete, and hearing stories from those thriving in them is invaluable.

Following the event we put out a request for feedback, and you answered the call!

The comments received were both positive and constructive, so thank you for taking the time to send them through. Based on this we are already keeping the momentum going and will be acting on the feedback received:

  • We’re working to confirm the location & venue of the 2026 and 2027 Hui and conference in the coming months.
  • We tried to fit a lot in and recognise there should have been more time for those burning questions for the presenters, we’ll ensure to include this next year.
  • A Pecha Kucha for our valuable trade stands and sponsors – we want to hear more about what you’re offering.
  • The workshops were great, but there was a lot in one space – we’ll work to make room & consider the venues carefully.
  • Hearing from the whole project team – engineer, designer, builder, subbies; everyone is invaluable in the success of a project, so we want to hear from you all.
  • Networking, networking, networking!! We will ensure to include more time to chat

All in all, I came away with an overwhelming feeling of positivity, and a real sense of community. I want to extend my deepest thanks to our principal sponsor Fantech, your support was invaluable to the success of the event. I also want to thank our sponsors BRANZ and Arkform for their support, and to all of the suppliers around the room. Thank you again to Nikki and Karen for organising, to Jessica and Luca for socials and photos, and to all of the PHINZ team who all volunteered their time over the past few months.

Finally, thank you to everyone that came along. Without you it would have been an empty room, and every one of you helped to make the day a success. It was wonderful to see old friends and colleagues, and meet new ones, many of whom I’ve already spoken several times since! We are all in this together, and I hope everyone came away from our Hui with optimism, excitement, and hope for the future.

Joe
Board Chair
Te Whare Kouru -Passivhaus Aotearoa

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Unlocking Better Building Performance and Healthier Homes

We are excited to release the results of the Energy Modelling Practices for Design and Compliance Survey. Thank you to all those that participated and special thanks to Joe Lythe and Elrond Burrell for their contributions!

As Aotearoa moves toward a net-zero carbon future by 2050 energy modelling remains underutilised despite its potential. Most building projects still use prescriptive methods or basic calculations rather than advanced modelling. While Clause H1 permits energy performance verification, it’s not mandatory for all projects. This creates a gap where compliance-focused approaches dominate over performance optimisation.

H1 compliance modelling tends to use simplified assumptions that don’t match real-world energy use patterns, leading to buildings that technically meet code but underperform operationally. Predictive energy modelling, by contrast, enables better design decisions – optimising insulation, allowing for strategic ventilation system design, and material selection balancing embodied carbon and thermal performance to reduce energy bills, cost, and improve comfort. These capabilities directly support both energy savings and improved occupant comfort, making it crucial for achieving climate goals while maintaining living standards.

In Australia, around 90% of new homes are assessed using energy modelling under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), which ensures minimum thermal performance standards. Similarly, the UK mandates energy modelling for all new residential developments, with the upcoming Home Energy Model set to further improve accuracy.

Concerns about cost are often overstated. A study in Australia found that increasing energy ratings from 5.9 to 7.1 stars added just $37 on average to build costs. Meanwhile, the long-term savings in energy bills and material efficiency far outweigh the initial investment.

The results reveal that traditional compliance methods still dominate, with the Calculation Method being the most used pathway. Adoption of energy modelling in the design process remains limited, with just 38% of respondents incorporating it – often relying on external consultants rather than in-house expertise. A significant skills gap persists. Additionally, performance risk assessments – such as evaluating thermal bridging, heat loss, and moisture risk – are rarely conducted, despite their importance for building durability and occupant health.

The Institute has urged the government to modernise design standards – phasing out outdated methods, introducing predictive energy modelling for townhouses as a starting point, and introducing absolute performance targets. Upskilling architects are key to success. Energy modelling isn’t only about compliance, it is about building better, healthier, and more resilient homes for the future.”

Read the full report here

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Message from PHINZ Chair, Joe Lyth

I’m three months into being elected Chair of the Board and thought that it would be valuable to update the membership on where PHINZ are. It has been equally an extremely enjoyable 3 months, and a baptism of fire into the world of governance!

I’ve had generous and supportive messages from many members; but have also heard the difficulties so many are currently experiencing – I’m always available for a chat or a moan, so feel free to reach out.

Last week the PHINZ board had an in-person strategy session, kindly hosted in the Energy Architecture offices in Wellington. It was a full-on day of scrutinising where we are, where we want to be, and how we can get there. Discussions revolved around identity, communication, and our place in an industry that is going through a turbulent time.

A key point was the fact that we are only as good as our membership, and we want to make sure you are heard. The May newsletter mentioned a range of actions we’re taking that may hopefully take some small pressure off. We also went back to our roots and asked the hard questions. Why are we doing this? What are we providing? How can we communicate better, be more relevant, and help more people?

The following points sum up our discussions – I welcome your comments and feedback – joe.lyth@passivehouse.nz.

 We recognize that, while Passive House is the ideal outcome and remains the end goal, it is unrealistic to expect everyone to get there straight away. PHINZ exists and the board members volunteer their time because we care. Because we want people to be healthy and thrive. Because we want our buildings to have less impact on the planet, and we want to help everyone on a pathway towards those goals, whatever their stage on the journey. The trust deed sets out several statements that support this alongside our promotion of the Passive House Standard.

 We recognize that Passive House has a reputation (‘snobby and exclusive’ was mentioned!) that we want to dispel and welcome feedback on what aspects create this image, and how we can change it. PHINZ – our board and our membership – are designers, consultants, suppliers, and experts in how to achieve measurably healthy buildings. We can provide value and input wherever you are on your pathway. If you want to improve the quality, durability and energy efficiency of your buildings, and the health of the occupants, we can help. There are bottom lines that we will always advocate for around ventilation, modelling, airtightness; but whatever your point on the pathway, we’re here to help you move forward. Our advice is grounded in a robust, international, science and evidence-based building standard, that has shown it does what it says on the tin, in every climate.

 We published our ‘how do I refer to my project’ guide in late 2023, but how to talk about projects aiming to achieve ‘higher’ performance is still a bit of a conundrum. Higher than what? Higher than minimum code? How high is it? If minimum code is 1 on the scale, and Passive House is 100; then ‘high’ performance could mean anything from 2 to 99! In an Aotearoa New Zealand context the range truly could be that large – many of the energy models I’ve produced have code minimum buildings sitting at around 120-150kWh/m2/yr heating demand, and higher, with equally high cooling and overheating risks. A certified Passive House is 15kWh/m2/yr – the goal, but even the PHI Low Energy Building Standard is 30kWh/m2/yr – more than 4x more efficient than code, with the related health and comfort impacts that the certification process brings. Our position is that Passive House sets minimum standards for health and comfort. Nothing more, nothing less, with ideal levels for energy efficiency for new and existing buildings. To this end rather than Passive House being ‘high’ performance, is anything less essentially ‘low’  performance; and how low do you want to go?

 For a long time, we have sought to respond to the use of reference to ‘Passive House principles’, primarily due to the fact they can so easily be misused or partially used – the key ‘principle’ of Passive House, is the fact it’s a whole process. The modelling, the balanced application of insulation, airtightness, orientation, etc; the third-party QA, the onsite checking, and the checking on completion that you’ve achieved what you set out to do. If any part of this is missed then you have increased risk of unexpected outcomes, which are often blamed on the ‘principles’ rather than the incomplete application! However, PHINZ aren’t the Passive House police. What we are is experts in how to avoid issues that stem from not applying all the ‘principles’ and processes correctly, and we’re here to help with this. The UK’s Passivhaus Trust have recently published an excellent guide ‘Passivhaus Principles – A Primer’  seeking to own the term, a guide we’re happy to support.

 We have heard your feedback around moving towards the German ‘Passivhaus’ which was tabled at last year’s conference, while also retaining the Te Reo name “Te Tōpūtanga o te Whare Korou ki Aotearoa” which was gifted to us – we are consulting and will update members in due course.

 We have also heard your comments regarding membership and sponsorship. PHINZ relies on membership fees and sponsorship income to allow it to exist, as they are our only funding. We play our part in supporting the research and development of the standard through paying a percentage of the membership fees to IPHA, which all PHINZ members gain complimentary membership of, while also providing support and value to our members and sponsors. However, we also recognize that especially in the current market, membership fees are just another bill to pay when belts are being tightened. To this end we are assessing the membership levels, practice sizes etc and will provide updates soon. We are also offering discounts on webinars for members and are working hard to keep conference ticket prices low. If you are interested in sponsoring us or becoming a member and helping support our work, please do reach out. 

 We want to celebrate the wins. Each one of you has achievements and stories we want to share, so others can celebrate, support and learn from and with you. If you have a project you’re proud of, a challenge you’ve overcome, a PHPP hint you’ve discovered (!) anything you’d like to share – send it through and we’ll celebrate with you through our social channels and newsletters, and during a session at the upcoming Hui. We’ll also be opening a call for papers soon – watch this space!

I look forward to hearing any comments, and to seeing you all out there.

Cheers,
Joe

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PHINZ has recently appointed a new Chair to the Board and we are delighted to announce that Joe Lyth, Director of WEL Architecture, has enthusiastically stepped into this role to lead our organisation in 2025 and beyond. He takes over from Guy Shaw who has been in the role of Acting Chair for the past few months.

We would like to take this opportunity to also thank Guy for his outstanding commitment and support. He will resume his role as Treasurer on the Board.

Joe has a vast amount of knowledge and expertise and we know that our organisation is in great hands but we will let Joe tell you more on his thoughts and vision for the next chapter:

“Designing and building lower energy, lower carbon, healthier homes and buildings, is a challenge facing the whole construction industry. This means homes and buildings that use less materials alongside less energy, that work with their context and local environment without imposing on it, and that utilise healthier, less impactful products, systems and materials, for both people and planet.

The Passive House process is a key part of achieving this goal, with measurable performance and a proven track record of producing buildings of higher quality, comfort and durability, in all climates. My family and I have first-hand experience of this, through producing our own Certified Passive House home on a standard budget, and we have seen the results – it does what it says on the tin!

Yet Passive House is one part of the picture, with other bodies, individuals, rating and certification schemes covering areas such as biodiversity, materiality, waste reduction, liveability, and so forth. These are all part of the same pathway towards better buildings and need to be supporting each other towards achieving this goal.

In taking the role of Board Chair at Passive House Institute New Zealand, my aim is to work towards fostering more collaboration, to clarify the place of Passive House and its significance in achieving energy efficient, climate resilient buildings for Aotearoa New Zealand; and to support anyone on their journey, whatever their point on the route. I look forward to working with everyone on the way!”

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Te Tōpūtanga o te Whare Korou ki Aotearoa, Passive House Institute NZ (PHINZ) has voiced its concerns regarding the proposed changes to the Building Code’s insulation requirements (H1) in a recent submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). PHINZ believes that the proposed changes, while well-intentioned, represent incrementalism and are a step in the wrong direction. Instead, PHINZ proposes an alternative approach that they believe is necessary to achieve the desired outcomes for New Zealand’s built environment.

Key points of PHINZ’s proposed alternative approach include:

  • Replacing the current prescriptive and calculation methods with a predictive modeling approach based on ISO 52016.
  • Shifting the focus from minimum R-values to minimum absolute thermal performance levels.
  • Adopting the caps from the Building for Climate Change document.
  • Allowing a transition period to the implementation of the first cap of 24 months.

Predictive Modeling Approach
PHINZ strongly supports the transition to a predictive modeling approach based on ISO 52016. This allows for a more accurate and flexible assessment of a building’s energy efficiency compared to the current prescriptive methods.

Minimum Absolute Thermal Performance Levels
Instead of relying solely on minimum R-values, PHINZ recommends shifting the focus to minimum absolute thermal performance levels. This means setting specific targets for the amount of energy a building is allowed to consume, rather than just specifying the thermal resistance of individual building elements. This approach encourages a more holistic view of building performance and promotes innovation in building design and construction.

Building for Climate Change Caps
PHINZ proposes adopting the caps from the Building for Climate Change document, which outlines a roadmap for reducing emissions from buildings in New Zealand. These caps would set progressively stricter limits on the energy consumption of new buildings, driving significant improvements in energy efficiency over time.

Transition Period
To allow the industry to adapt to these changes, PHINZ suggests a transition period of 24 months or more to the implementation of the first cap. This would give builders, designers, and manufacturers sufficient time to adjust their practices and product offerings, ensuring a smooth shift towards more energy-efficient buildings.

Conclusion
PHINZ believes that their alternative approach is crucial for improving the energy efficiency of buildings in New Zealand. They urge MBIE to give their feedback careful consideration before finalizing any decisions on the proposed changes.

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Joe is no stranger to our Passive House Community but we have asked him to share a little about himself and his goals with our members.

“I’m Director of WEL Architecture, a Homestar Assessor & trainer for NZGBC, a Certified Passive House Designer & I have led the Auckland PHINZ Chapter since its inception. I’m dad to three ‘lively’ Kiwis, and husband to my amazing wife Sarah.

Originally from North Yorkshire in the UK, I grew up exploring the rural farms, moors and woodland around my childhood home. Through this experience I have a deep love of nature and the outdoors. After almost pursuing a career in sculpture, I moved to London in 2007 to study and work in Architecture, which added a love of urbanism & the built form to my passion for hands-on creating, before heading to NZ with my wife in March 2016 ‘to travel for a few months’!

We swiftly decided to stay and started our family; but after watching our children get sick in cold, mouldy, minimum code buildings, my passion grew for building performance and occupant health. To provide a better, healthier life for us I embarked on a journey to create our own Passive House Certified home – Lower Saddle Passive House, on a minimal budget. I believe that homes should achieve a standard far above what the NZ Building Code achieves, but that this doesn’t necessarily mean significant additional cost if this is prioritised and considered holistically throughout the design process, as we proved with our own project.

My passion, and the primary aim of my practice, is to get more people into healthy, low energy and low carbon homes and buildings through my own designs, through helping others as a consultant, and through teaching. I feel that Passive House is one of the best ways to achieve low energy, durable and comfortable homes, supported by other pathways and tools such as Homestar and Living Building Challenge, to cover the wider project context and elements such as water use, embodied carbon, biodiversity, healthy materials, the list goes on.

I have presented, lectured and taught building performance and energy modelling, and enjoy enabling others to learn. I have aimed to use the PHINZ Auckland Chapter events to educate and demystify building performance and Passive House, while also utilising my own experiences and journey to help others connect with and understand both elements.

In joining the PHINZ board, I hope to break down some of the perceived barriers around Passive House, show that healthier buildings can be achievable to those who feel that they are out of reach, demonstrate how Passive House is an appropriate way to achieve energy efficient, climate resilient buildings for New Zealand; and push for more education to allow more people to achieve Passive House Performance through their designs and work.

I have hands-on real-world experience with designing, building, and living in a Passive House, so can show that I’m not just talking the talk but also walking the walk. Through this I can discuss the positives and negatives of each stage, and how to approach them based on personal experience, all of which I hope to bring to the role.”

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We are excited to bring to you the PHINZ 2025 Webinar Series, with 20 webinars over the space of 10 months tailored for both the Designers in our community as well as Builders and Tradespeople.

The overarching webinar theme for the year

  1. Designers webinars : How to Build a Passive House
  2. Builders Social webinars: Everything Passive House

Whatever your interest in Passive House or level of expertise, there is something for everyone in this series. 

Each month we will present 2 x 1.5hr webinars on the selected topic for the month. The first webinar will be a Designers Webinar with a Host/moderator, technical speaker/s and a Q&A session.

The Builders Social will be more informal with the host providing a brief overview and perspective on the topic followed by a Q&A with the builder/s.

ENVELOPE

FebruaryAvoiding Lock-In Effects in Floor Slabs and Foundations
MarchAlternative Wall systems – SIPS’s, straw
AprilWeathertightness vs Airtightness
MayWindow Selection & Installation
JuneOpen discussion – Energy modelling insights

SERVICES

JulyHeat Pumps for space heating & hot water
AugustPassive House & Solar
SeptemberVentilation Design & Installation
OctoberHot Water & Plumbing
NovemberOpen discussion – I wish I’d known/You only do this once

View our Events page for details of individual webinars as they become available.

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