In the spotlight: New Zealand’s construction industry returns to Christchurch!
On 18 September 2026, the South Island edition of the 2026 New Zealand International Building Expo & Summit (NZIBES) took place at the Air Force Museum in Christchurch. Organised by the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA), with support from MultiMarketing, the event was themed “Engage, Empower, Elevate — Working in synergy, empowering progress”. It brought together representatives from construction, property, design, education, finance and related professions to network, collaborate and exchange ideas, while also contributing to the community through a charity auction.
On 18 September 2026, the South Island edition of the 2026 New Zealand International Building Expo & Summit (NZIBES) took place at the Air Force Museum in Christchurch. Organised by the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA), with support from MultiMarketing, the event was themed “Engage, Empower, Elevate — Working in synergy, empowering progress”. It brought together representatives from construction, property, design, education, finance and related professions to network, collaborate and exchange ideas, while also contributing to the community through a charity auction.
Connecting the South Island’s industry expertise
As an important platform connecting New Zealand’s construction and property sectors, NZIBES continues to create opportunities for businesses, professionals and industry partners to showcase their work, exchange ideas and collaborate. After the 2025 South Island event attracted more than 350 guests and nearly 30 industry brands, the 2026 event returned to Christchurch, further bringing together professional expertise across the South Island market.
This year’s summit attracted nearly 30 leading brands and numerous industry professionals. Investors, developers, builders, architects, suppliers and professionals from a range of fields gathered to share experiences, learn about industry developments and explore new business connections and opportunities for collaboration.
Summit discussions focus on industry development
The NZIBES South Island Summit officially opened at 3 pm. Brand display and networking areas gave exhibitors opportunities to discuss their products, services and industry practices with guests. Rather than simply presenting information, this part of the event emphasised face-to-face exchanges, enabling participants from different professional fields to share views directly, understand the needs of the South Island market and build more enduring industry connections.
Gala dinner brings guests together to discuss future opportunities
The NZIBES Gala Dinner officially began at 6:30 pm that evening, with around 450 people attending. Callum MacFarlane and Nancy Lu hosted the dinner.
NZCBIA President Frank Xu delivered the opening welcome. He described the evening’s gathering as “both a celebration and an opportunity to reflect on the past and consider how we should move forward”. Addressing the cost pressures, shifts in market confidence and workforce challenges the construction industry had experienced over the past year, he emphasised: “Government, industry and training providers need to work together to offer more people clear pathways into the industry and help them build lasting careers within it.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon then joined a fireside conversation, interviewed by MultiMarketing Chief Executive Patrick English, to discuss repairing the economy, infrastructure, attracting international capital and drawing in talent. The conversation addressed industry concerns from a broader economic and policy perspective, offering those present fresh perspectives on New Zealand’s future direction.
Xu Haiyuan, Acting Consul-General at the Chinese Consulate-General in Christchurch, then delivered an address. He acknowledged the platform NZCBIA had built over the years for exchange and collaboration in the construction industry, and thanked construction professionals for their expertise and hard work. He said China’s economy continued to demonstrate resilience and that China and New Zealand had strongly complementary strengths in construction. He expressed the hope that NZCBIA could serve as a bridge to further strengthen technical exchanges, cooperation on talent and project connections, creating more opportunities for mutual benefit.
Representatives of the major sponsors spoke next. Fletcher Distribution Chief Executive James Peters and BCITO Chief Executive Jason Hungerford shared their observations on industry development, addressing areas including market opportunities and workforce training. They also reaffirmed their recognition of Chinese building businesses and their support for collaboration between businesses and the construction industry’s long-term development.
Chinese New Zealand artist and sculptor Yang Yi also appeared at the dinner. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Academy Award-winning director Andrew Adamson, whose directing credits include Shrek and The Chronicles of Narnia, jointly presented Yang with the 2026 NZCBIA Outstanding Contribution Award. Five-time Academy Award winner Sir Richard Taylor, founder of Wētā Workshop, was unable to attend because of scheduling commitments and recorded a special congratulatory video to send his best wishes. Yang also created the trophy for this year’s highest contribution award at the NZCBIA Excellence Awards. Titled “A Cry from New Zealand”, it evolved from his “WE ARE ONE” sculpture series.
Sharing industry insights with a focus on the South Island’s future
During the dinner, NZCBIA introduced its latest New Zealand Construction Industry Report to guests. Drawing on data and industry research, the report examines the scale, cycles, employment and development trends of New Zealand’s construction industry, providing a reference for business decisions and policy discussions.
Ricky Wang, President of NZCBIA’s South Island branch and founder of Kevler Homes, then delivered a keynote address. He began by thanking guests for supporting the charity auction and acknowledged that, although Christchurch and the wider South Island economy had performed relatively steadily, the construction industry still faced challenges including rising costs, narrowing margins, greater difficulty securing finance and tough market conditions. He shared his observations through the themes of People, Innovation, Sustainability and drew on frontline experience to identify three key directions for the industry’s future development.
Connecting the industry and giving back to the community
An important highlight of this year’s event was a special charity auction at the dinner, with all proceeds donated to Hato Hone St John. Hato Hone St John’s incoming Director and Chair, Maj (retd) Brendan Wood KStJ DSD ED, addressed guests before the auction.
The charity auction took place in two rounds, with enthusiastic participation from guests creating a lively atmosphere. The Prime Minister also contributed the silver fern lapel pin he was wearing as an auction item. The final amount raised reached 50,000. The auction gave the industry gathering a purpose beyond business networking, turning the support of businesses and individuals into a tangible contribution to the community. It also reflected the construction industry’s responsibility to grow alongside society and give back to the community.
Working in synergy, empowering progress
From the afternoon industry summit to the evening’s networking, presentations and charitable activities, the 2026 NZIBES South Island event once again connected businesses of different sizes and professionals across a range of fields. Its emphasis on “Engage, Empower, Elevate” was reflected in brand displays and business collaboration, as well as knowledge sharing, workforce development and community participation.
As the South Island market continues to develop, collaboration across disciplines and lasting industry connections will become increasingly important. NZCBIA and NZIBES will continue to serve as platforms for exchange, creating more opportunities for New Zealand’s construction and property sectors, promoting resource sharing between the North and South Islands, and helping industry partners find new directions and room for growth amid change.
The success of the 2026 NZIBES South Island event depended on the support of all its sponsors, partners, exhibiting brands, speakers, auction donors, bidders, volunteers and participants. Special thanks go to PlaceMakers, James Hardie and all sponsors for their generous support, and to every participant for bringing new connections, ideas and action to the South Island’s construction industry.