EP 84 - Clause H1 unpacked: insights on New Zealand's Building Code updates with Dr. Chris Litten

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Ryan Castle talks with John Bolton (JB), founder of Squirrel and official Master Builders partner, about one of the biggest handbrakes on growth for building businesses: access to capital. JB shares how he left ANZ to start Squirrel in the middle of the GFC, breaks down the difference between house and land, spec and turnkey builds, and introduces 100% Turnkey Funding, a new product developed exclusively with Master Builders. For eligible Registered Master Builders with a pre-sold turnkey project, Squirrel funds 100% of the land and the construction cost, less a 20% implied builder margin, backed by Master Build completion cover. JB also explains what builders need to set up to get started, why a 15% mezzanine loan can still be cheaper than giving away half your profit, and where the product is heading next. To finish, he shares what Squirrel’s research reveals about the $1.4 trillion downsizer market (think single level living, a garage and stylish duplexes) and his outlook on interest rates and house prices heading into 2027. Useful links: squirrel.co.nz Turnkey Funding for builders Squirrel’s downsizer research blog Full findings report is available to download: https://squirrel.co.nz/modals/pfu-research-report Where else you can find us Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

Ryan sits down with Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma to unpack what came out of Constructive and what the latest State of the Sector numbers mean for builders. Ankit's read on the event is that adaptability drives innovation and collaboration drives resilience, and that you need both to grow sustainably. He shares real examples from businesses around the country, including a builder whose team now dictates site notes into an AI app that turns them into daily customer reports, and a CEO running his CRM data through AI to get the insights he used to pull together by hand. On the numbers, 68% of Master Builders report a strong or steady pipeline, up from 64%, and construction grew 2.7% last quarter, effectively driving New Zealand's GDP growth. Ankit explains why better informed customers are taking longer to commit, why competing on value rather than price is what unlocks that pipeline, and why 91% of homeowners saying they would recommend building matters more than the headlines. The conversation closes with his recent LinkedIn piece on why the best ideas sound stupid at first, including the uncomfortable finding that the best ideas in a business are usually already sitting with the team.

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Penny Thomson and Dr Terri-Ann Berry of the Environmental Innovation Centre explain why just under 70% of everything going to New Zealand landfills comes from construction. They introduce the WasteHub, a free online resource where builders can identify the plastics on their site, find a local recycler, check supplier takeback options, and set up for better separation. They are also honest about the money. Their study of an eight lot housing site found sustainable waste management added around $1,400 per home while diverting 84% of waste by weight. Penny and Terri-Ann also cover greenwashing and introduce Circular Path, a new certification launching late 2026 for smaller builders.

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Nathan Hall of Navigation Homes talks about the Mauku project that earned them a spot in the Master Builders House of the Year 2025 Top 100, taking home National Category Winner and Regional Gold. Nathan shares what made this rural build stand out, from the material choices and detailing to a last-minute patio fix that nearly didn't happen. Nathan also explains why entering the awards year after year is less about trophies and more about holding the team to a standard. A practical and honest conversation for any builder thinking about putting their work on the line. Useful links: navigationhomes.co.nz House of the Year entry Where else you can find us Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

Ryan sits down with Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma to unpack the government's $7 billion capital package and what it will actually take to turn that intention into real pipeline for the industry. They also dig into what Master Builders is hearing directly from members through its regional summit series, where over a thousand business leaders gathered this year, including the mindset gap between businesses that are merely surviving and those that are genuinely thriving right now. Ankit shares real examples from the listening tour he conducted alongside the summits, including a Wellington builder turning AI into a customer communication tool and coming out more profitable than ever. The conversation closes with four practical principles from Ankit's recent LinkedIn article, and a teaser of the full listening tour findings coming to Constructive 2026, 3 to 4 September at the Aotea Centre, Auckland.