PIHA HOUSE started in 2019 as pretty much a standard renovation of an existing 2012 build, using European quality exterior joinery and more insulation. Although the brief was not Passive House quality, it was continued work for myself and team, considering I am a Certified Passive House Builder. Work started, removing interior linings to add … Continue reading Whānau Spotlight: Terry Bryers and the team at Bruyere Ltd renovate Piha House
As interest in better performing buildings, and Passive House specifically, is ramping up rapidly in Aotearoa NZ we are starting to see dubious Passive House claims being made more frequently (and more complaints about incorrect claims coming our way). Be mindful: if your build has not reached Passive House certification, then you cannot claim … Continue reading Claiming Passive House – the need to un-muddy the waters

What are the important things that make your life comfortable..healthy…happy? If you scaled that idea up to your community, have you ever thought what that community might look like? Would it be a place where you’re not shivering by a fire at night so you don’t spend too much on power? Or where your child … Continue reading Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CET) course makes a visible difference to lives and businesses
Kia ora koutou, As we approach the end of 2021, I’d like to thank you for your energy and passion in driving the Passive House kaupapa, and your support of PHINZ. We’ve seen huge momentum this year for Passive House in Aotearoa. Kāinga Ora now has 2 Passive House beginning construction – Bader Ventura in Māngere and Ngā Kāinga Anamata – homes … Continue reading A message from our CEO
On 29 November, MBIE released the 2021 update to the building code. The main changes include increasing insulation requirements and changes to Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods. However, quietly tucked way in H1/VM1 Energy Efficiency Verification Method is a section that now recognises the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) as a modelling tool that can … Continue reading Building Code update recognises the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) for energy modelling
On Thursday 25th November PHINZ hosted a webinar which covered the challenges faced and solutions implemented in consenting the windows for the Wunderbar Passive House project. Darryl Sang and Alya Abed Ali from Sang Architects and Darryl August and Ian Fong from August Millard talked through the details and shared their learnings. If you missed … Continue reading Consenting Passive House Windows webinar a success
Ngā Kāinga Anamata, which means “homes of the future” is a Kāinga Ora project aimed at driving carbon emission reduction in New Zealand’s construction industry. The project will deliver 30 new homes within five, three-level apartment buildings in Auckland’s Glendowie. Each near identical building will use a different construction technology, enabling insights to be gathered … Continue reading Passive House social housing project a catalyst for change in the building industry
A Kāinga Ora social housing project in Māngere, Auckland has passed pre-construction review and is now on track to become the first central government funded Passive House social housing in Australasia. Construction on the 3 level, 18 unit “Bader Ventura” project is due to start by the end of this year, and to be completed by … Continue reading Passive House Social Housing gets going in Aotearoa
The number of certified Passive House projects is growing fast in Aotearoa NZ. And with Passive House being in the media more frequently, PHINZ is often asked how many Passive House projects there are in Aotearoa NZ. Unfortunately, this question does not have a straightforward answer. Passive House certification is an independent process undertaken by … Continue reading Certified Passive House projects in Aotearoa