Better places Aotearoa

New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC)
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  • Non-Profit

Better Places Aotearoa is the podcast from the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC), bringing you real conversations with the builders, designers, developers, policymakers and industry leaders shaping the future of how we build in Aotearoa. Join hosts Matthew Cutler-Welsh and Sophie Ciurlionis as they explore the projects, ideas and people driving change across the built environment. Healthier workplaces. Stronger returns. Warmer homes. Better performance. Better building makes sense. Across Aotearoa, more people are proving it every day. From high-performance homes to commercial developments, community housing to urban planning, these are the conversations driving a more sustainable, healthier, and more resilient New Zealand. Welcome to the conversation.  

Episodes

  1. Sep 10

    Ep 3 The future of the built environment with Davina Rooney

    This Better Places Aotearoa episode features Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, discussing the changing built environment and sustainability lessons from Australia. The conversation covers the challenges of communicating sustainability, the importance of circularity in sustainable businesses, the role of property as a service, and the need for leadership and management in sustainability initiatives. It also delves into the adoption of electric solutions and the impact of voluntary market adoption on policy change. Takeaways Built environment transformationEffective communication of sustainability requires balancing technical detail with language that people understand.Circularity is crucial for the long-term sustainability of businesses in a predominantly linear economy.Property as a service requires incentivising both building owners and tenants to see the benefits.Leadership and management are essential for driving sustainability initiatives and creating a culture of a safe space for complex work.Voluntary market adoption can influence policy change and lower minimum standards over time. Chapters 00:00 The Changing Built Environment01:28 Focus Challenges and Sustainability05:10 Sustainability Initiatives in Australia08:56 Lessons for New Zealand12:50 Improving Home Standards in Australia and New Zealand20:11 Driving Sustainable Change in the Built Environment25:33 Challenges of Communicating Sustainability29:16 The Importance of Circularity37:40 Property as a Service and Incentivisation42:43 Leadership and Management in Sustainability46:24 Adoption of Electric Solutions and Voluntary Market Adoption Resources mentioned in this episode The Circular Economy | Definition & Model Explained | Ellen MacArthur Foundation  Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) tools update December 2025. - Australian Housing Da… Sustainability in Property 2025 www.gbca.org.au worldgbc.org Stolen Focus by Johann Hari

  2. Sep 10

    Ep 2 People, place and purpose with Sarah Hull

    The conversation with Sarah, the Sustainability and Brand Director for Cooper and Company, covers topics related to the development and sustainability of the Britomart precinct. Sarah discusses the challenges and successes of restoring heritage buildings and the long-term vision of the company. The conversation also delves into the long-term planning and getting things done. The episode covers the sustainable refurbishment of buildings, the impact of Green Star ratings, the importance of public spaces, and the long-term vision for building design and development. Takeaways Sustainability in building developmentLong-term vision and planningChallenges and successes of restoring heritage buildingsBalancing long-term planning with getting things doneSustainable refurbishmentImpact of Green Star ratingsImportance of public spaces Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Britomart Precinct02:17 Role and Experience at Cooper and Company04:40 Embedding Sustainability and Reporting09:56 Long-Term Vision and Planning15:11 Heritage Buildings23:07 Sustainable Refurbishment24:33 Green Star Ratings and Sustainability27:29 Public Spaces and Precinct Development29:51 Long-Term Vision for Building Design36:23 Future-Proofing and Sustainability Useful resources Britomart – Cooper and Company Green Star Buildings NZ Green Star Fitouts certification

  3. Sep 8

    Ep 1 Raising the standard with Peter Wolfkamp

    This is the inaugural episode of the Better Places Aotearoa podcast with special guest Peter Wolfkamp. It covers topics such as craftsmanship, building performance, energy modelling, trustworthiness of builders, the role of designers, and future trends in the building industry. Peter emphasises the importance of going beyond the building code and the need for innovation and efficiency in home building. He also discusses the impact of AI, USB C charging ports, and garage carpet in homes. Takeaways Craftsmanship and passion drive better building performanceEnergy modelling is essential for optimising building performance Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Peter Wolfkamp01:28 Craftsmanship and Home Building02:23 Craftsmanship vs. House Building03:22 Building Homes for Better Performance04:19 Designing for Efficiency and Performance05:13 The Value of Going Beyond the Building Code06:11 Energy Modelling and Building Performance08:38 Builders' Trustworthiness and Innovation09:35 The Role of Young Builders and Future Trends10:06 The Building Code and Aspirational Housing10:35 The Impact of Building Code and Energy Modelling31:27 The Role of Designers and Architects39:29 Future-Proofing Homes and Building Trends Useful resources Analysis of financial benefits of Homestar FINAL.pdf Homestar Design Guide Upcoming energy modelling courses Events & Training

  • 3 Episodes

About

Better Places Aotearoa is the podcast from the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC), bringing you real conversations with the builders, designers, developers, policymakers and industry leaders shaping the future of how we build in Aotearoa. Join hosts Matthew Cutler-Welsh and Sophie Ciurlionis as they explore the projects, ideas and people driving change across the built environment. Healthier workplaces. Stronger returns. Warmer homes. Better performance. Better building makes sense. Across Aotearoa, more people are proving it every day. From high-performance homes to commercial developments, community housing to urban planning, these are the conversations driving a more sustainable, healthier, and more resilient New Zealand. Welcome to the conversation.  

Information

  • Creator
    New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC)
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC)
  • Show Website
    Better places Aotearoa