Huge potential for construction in New Zealand’s South Island! The 2023 NZ International Building Expo & Summit South Island event wraps up successfully — here are the highlights you need to know!
Thank you to the sponsors, exhibitors and people from all walks of life who supported our event!
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A group photo of North and South Island board representatives from the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association
As New Zealand goes through an election-driven change of government and a post-pandemic economic recovery, the South Island market holds enormous potential for development. Last year, NZIBES came to the South Island for the first time as a summit, giving construction professionals from both islands an opportunity to exchange knowledge and resources. This year, NZIBES held its first South Island exhibition and large gala dinner, with unprecedented enthusiasm from exhibitors and sponsors. Exhibitors represented a wide range of sectors, including construction, property development, building materials — encompassing suppliers, tools, steel, windows, cabinetry and more — government agencies and service providers. The successful South Island event brought more opportunities to industry professionals and businesses across both islands, enabling participants to build broader partnerships and marketing networks.
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Early on 3 November, dozens of property and construction-related companies had their stands ready to welcome visitors. At the opening ceremony, New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association President Frank Xu officially declared the Christchurch expo open! He said NZIBES had become an essential annual event for New Zealand’s property and construction sectors. This was the second year of the expo’s coordinated North and South Island programme, and a particularly pivotal one. He thanked the partners who had supported the event over the years. Association board members from both islands then jointly cut the ribbon.
North and South Island board representatives from the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association cut the ribbon
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To examine industry trends in greater depth, identify the direction of development and address current crises and challenges, every session and topic was carefully designed around construction professionals’ needs. Through 6 specialist presentations, the seminar series combined the exchange of industry information with business networking.
This year’s expo theme was energy efficiency and emissions reduction for a low-carbon future. Many guests explored this theme through discussions and exchanges on new environmentally friendly technologies.
Julie Villard from Christchurch City Council spoke about environmentally friendly design
Steven Turnbull from Comfortech provided an update on the H1 Building Code requirements and energy standards
New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association President Frank Xu had previously stated publicly on several occasions that society’s rapid development had raised expectations for low-carbon living and brought a new understanding of low-carbon buildings. Incorporating low-carbon principles into construction could not only address resource shortages but also promote environmental values and deepen public awareness of low-carbon, environmentally friendly practices.
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This year’s gala dinner was a highlight of the event, bringing together more than 300 prominent political, business and construction industry figures from the North and South Islands.
The pre-dinner drinks reception and gala dinner
The dinner began with a welcome address from Chinese Building Industry Association President Frank Xu. Christchurch Mayor Philip Simon Mauger and National Party representatives Nancy Lu, Dr Hamish Campbell and Dr Vanessa Weenink then delivered enthusiastic speeches. They warmly welcomed the NZ International Building Expo & Summit and expressed their thanks, saying construction played a vital role in driving economic development in Christchurch and across the South Island.
New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association President Frank Xu
President Frank Xu and South Island board representatives paid tribute to the guests
Christchurch Mayor Phil Simon Mauger
Newly elected National Party MPs Dr Hamish Campbell and Dr Vanessa Weenink, and candidate Nancy Lu
Diamond sponsor PlaceMakers’ Christchurch Hub Owner Operator Grant Close
Diamond sponsor Homehopper’s Operations Manager Christina Yin
This year’s dinner featured an exceptionally strong speaker line-up. The organiser, the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association, invited the world-renowned Fred Van Brandenburg, a master architect regarded as a New Zealand national treasure; Mike Casey, owner of Forest Lodge, the world’s first zero-fossil-fuel orchard; and experienced architect Bob Burnett, who has focused on designing energy-efficient, healthy and environmentally friendly homes for more than twenty years.
Alongside these professionals with extensive experience in architecture and sustainability, New Zealand high jumper Hamish Kerr also attended the dinner, drawing considerable attention from the audience. A multiple medal winner, Hamish Kerr had competed at the Tokyo Olympics and recently won gold at the Commonwealth Games.
The many distinguished guests helped make this an outstanding industry celebration for the hundreds in attendance.
Fred Van Brandenburg
Mike Casey
Bob Burnett
Hamish Kerr
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Special thanks As one of the most influential annual events in New Zealand’s construction and property sectors, NZIBES has, over the past 8 years, supported the aspirations of many Chinese New Zealand property and construction professionals to build their dreams in New Zealand. Finally, we would like to thank all exhibitors, sponsors and NZCBIA members for their tremendous support for the NZ International Building Expo’s South and North Island events over the years. NZIBES could not have achieved what it has today without you! We believe the success of this year’s coordinated events across both islands will enable us to facilitate more industry partnerships and bring further opportunities to construction in the North and South Islands.
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