All over social media! Auckland’s construction sector buzzes as a hundred brands gather, with more to come tomorrow
The 2026 New Zealand International Building Expo & Summit (NZIBES) officially opened at Auckland’s Due Drop Events Centre on the morning of 14 August.
The 2026 New Zealand International Building Expo & Summit (NZIBES) officially opened at Auckland’s Due Drop Events Centre on the morning of 14 August.
As one of New Zealand’s most influential annual events for the construction and property sectors, this year’s NZIBES once again brings together government representatives, industry leaders, construction businesses, developers, designers, suppliers and professional service providers. It provides an important platform for industry exchange, connecting resources and collaboration across sectors.
This year’s event takes‘Working in synergy, empowering progress’as its theme. As New Zealand’s construction industry faces challenges including cost pressures, market adjustment, regulatory reform, productivity and workforce development, the theme expresses both the urgent need for stronger cooperation and the hope that sharing resources, building professional capability and taking collective action can move the industry into a new phase.
Opening day: bringing the industry together to discuss construction’s future
The 2026 NZIBES opening ceremony began at 9 am. Frank Xu, president of the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA), delivered a welcome address, followed by a joint ribbon-cutting by the guests.
Government representatives, business leaders, heads of industry organisations and association members gathered to witness the opening of 2026 NZIBES. After the ribbon-cutting, guests entered the exhibition area to speak in depth with exhibitors and learn about the latest products and developments in building materials, construction, design and planning, green technology and industry services.
For many exhibitors and industry professionals, NZIBES is both a platform for showcasing products and technology and an important opportunity to build connections face to face, exchange views and explore potential partnerships.
Gala dinner opens: political, business and industry leaders gather at Cordis
That evening, the 2026 NZCBIA Gala Dinner & Excellence Awards Ceremony was held at Cordis Auckland.
As evening fell, guests from New Zealand politics, business, construction and property began arriving. Lively conversations filled the venue and its surroundings as professionals from different fields reunited to reflect on changes over the past year and look ahead to the future of New Zealand’s construction industry.
Frank Xu: the greater the challenges, the greater the need to move forward together
Following the opening of the dinner, NZCBIA president Frank Xu delivered a welcome address. He said the gathering of around 840 guests that evening was both a celebration of industry achievements and a demonstration of confidence in the future of New Zealand’s construction sector.
Frank acknowledged that the past year had been difficult for construction. Activity had fallen from its peak, profit margins had tightened, financing had become more cautious and market confidence remained fragile. Yet construction was still an important force in New Zealand’s economy. The 2026 NZCBIA New Zealand Construction Industry Annual Report shows that the industry generates around NZ$92,000,000,000 in annual revenue and directly provides nearly 300,000 jobs.
Facing challenges including the loss of skilled workers, apprentice training and a complex regulatory environment, Frank emphasised that the report offered a ‘call to action’. Demand for housing and infrastructure had not disappeared; it had been deferred. As the market cycle turned, businesses that could retain talent, train apprentices, improve productivity and invest in technology now would be better placed to seize opportunities in the recovery ahead.
He said NZCBIA hoped to continue connecting the industry, using business study tours and platforms such as NZIBES to turn industry knowledge into connections, and connections into opportunities for cooperation. That evening’s Excellence Awards would recognise outstanding projects and professional achievements, as well as the teamwork behind them, while encouraging the industry to continue developing and supporting young talent.
Frank concluded by summing up his hopes for the industry in one sentence:
‘Don’t wait for confidence; create it together.’
He hoped the industry would keep investing in people, sharing knowledge, strengthening collaboration and building connections to prepare for the next market recovery, working together towards a more efficient, sustainable, safe and inclusive future for the sector.
Honouring longstanding supporters: special recognition for veteran members
This year’s dinner included a particularly meaningful segment recognising member organisations and individuals who had been members of, or supported, the association for 5 years and for 10 years or more.
These longstanding members have witnessed the association’s growth and played an important role in its continued development. Over the years, they have supported its activities with professionalism, trust and action, actively participated in industry exchange and contributed to New Zealand’s construction sector in their respective fields.
Four scholarships sow seeds for the industry’s future
Alongside recognition for longstanding members, four NZCBIA Scholarships will also be presented tonight.
While focusing on market and business development, NZCBIA also hopes its scholarships will support construction education and the growth of young talent, providing encouragement and assistance to students aspiring to enter the industry.
The industry’s future depends both on how many projects it can complete today and on whether it can develop the next generation of professionals. The four scholarships represent more than financial support: they express the industry’s long-term commitment to education, passing on expertise and the future.
Industry report, guest speeches and Excellence Awards coming up
According to tonight’s programme, economist and report author Shamubeel Eaqub will again introduce guests to the 2026 NZCBIA New Zealand Construction Industry Annual Report, officially launched at New Zealand’s Parliament in July this year. Drawing on its data and analysis, he will offer further insights into the industry’s current position and future trends.
A video address from New Zealand’s Prime Minister will follow. Political, business and industry representatives including Nicola Willis, Wayne Brown, Arena Williams, James Peters and Peter Thompson will also speak in turn.
The second half of the dinner will feature the NZCBIA Excellence Awards Ceremony, recognising outstanding businesses and projects in property development, commercial and residential construction, engineering and residential design, project management, industry collaboration, and health, safety and wellbeing.
Recognition for longstanding members, the Excellence Awards, a lucky draw and the presentation of four scholarships together form key parts of tonight’s programme.
There is more to come: join the expo tomorrow
From the morning’s opening ribbon-cutting and exhibition conversations to the evening’s industry report, guest presentations and annual awards, the first day of 2026 NZIBES showcased the professional strength of New Zealand’s construction sector and its confidence in continuing to move forward through challenges.
Facing an unprecedented combination of pressures, no business can solve every industry problem alone. But when experience is shared, resources are connected, talent is supported and different fields work together, the industry has an opportunity to move from responding individually to working in synergy, enabling one another to make new strides.
And there is still more to come at 2026 NZIBES.
Tomorrow, the expo continues at Auckland’s Due Drop Events Centre. Whether you are a builder, developer, designer, engineer, supplier or industry professional, or a member of the public renovating, planning to build or interested in property and construction, you can visit to explore the latest products and technologies up close, speak directly with exhibitors and find products, services and partnership opportunities that suit your needs.
An industry’s future depends on the dedication of its professionals and the interest of everyone who takes part.
Join us at Due Drop Events Centre on 15 August for more of 2026 NZIBES, and experience the innovation, energy and limitless possibilities of New Zealand’s construction industry together!