Master Builders Elevate: Building a Better Business

In this Chief’s Chat, Ankit Sharma shares an update on the building and construction sector’s outlook for 2025. Signs of slow, steady recovery are emerging, led by improving economic indicators and easing construction costs. Regional economies are driving this rebound, with momentum expected to flow into major urban centres over the next 12 to 18 months. Ankit also highlights Master Builders’ regional summits, which connect members, local councils, and industry experts to tackle challenges and share solutions. The conversation closes with a focus on consenting reform. Ankit explains how collaboration between government, councils, and industry is driving practical changes like a national consenting system, risk-based approaches, and tech use to reduce delays and costs. These reforms aim to boost productivity and support builders in planning for the future. For a clear and grounded update on the sector and Master Builders’ work to support members, this episode is a must-listen. Useful links www.constructive.org.nz [https://www.constructive.org.nz/] Regional Constructive Summits [https://constructive.org.nz/Constructive/Regional_Summits/Constructive/Regional_Constructive_Summits.aspx] Constructive 2025 Registration Form [https://nzmasterbuilders.swoogo.com/constructive-registration/begin] Where else you can find us Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ [https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz [http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ [https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders [https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg]

Wedgwood from Advisory Works about the habits and strategies that help construction leaders thrive. Logan shares how structured routines, family time, and tools help build mental wealth, and why discipline matters more than motivation. He also breaks down what strong business health and effective sales look like in today’s climate: being coachable, calling issues out clearly, and treating sales as a process of helping, not hoping. If you're in construction and want practical ways to grow yourself and your business, this one's for you.  Useful links: Advisory.Works [https://advisory.works/] Advisory Works Self-Assessment Too [https://advisory.works/strategic-execution-assessment-tool] Advisory Works resources [https://advisory.works/resources] Beyond Strategy AI – Strategy Execution Platform - https://www.beyondstrategy.ai [https://www.beyondstrategy.ai] Connect with Logan Wedgwood on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-wedgwood-27567930/?originalSubdomain=nz] or info@advisory.works [info@advisory.works] Where else you can find us Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ [https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz [http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ [https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders [https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg]

In this episode of the MB Elevate Podcast, Rafael Caso from Live Well, Build Well joins Ryan Castle to share a fresh, practical take on mental fitness in construction. Rafael’s journey from site manager to wellbeing advocate has led to a nationwide movement focused on prevention, not crisis response. He introduces five simple foundations for mental fitness: sleep, intention, energy, switching off, and social connection – each designed to help tradies move from just coping to genuinely thriving. The conversation highlights how Live Well, Build Well empowers builders to lead their own wellbeing journeys, with peer-led stories, free digital resources, and onsite toolbox talks. With support from partners like Site Safe, the program makes it easy for people across the industry to take small, powerful steps to improve their mental health and support their mates while they’re at it. Useful links: livewellbuildwell.com [https://livewellbuildwell.com/] https://www.youtube.com/@LiveWellBuildWell [https://www.youtube.com/@LiveWellBuildWell] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/livewellbuildwell/#] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL/] Site Safe NZ [https://www.sitesafe.org.nz/] – Mental Fitness Module (coming soon) Connect with Rafael Caso on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-caso-7273bb1b/?originalSubdomain=nz] or rafael@livewellbuildwell.com [rafael@livewellbuildwell.com] Where else you can find us Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ [https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz [http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ [https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders [https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg]

In this episode of the MB Elevate Podcast, Ankit Sharma joins the Chief’s Chat to discuss key industry insights and Master Builders NZ’s initiatives for 2025. With stabilising housing prices, lower building cost inflation, and expected interest rate reductions, optimism is returning to the sector. The conversation explores the growing shift towards multi-unit home developments, driven by affordability and changing lifestyle preferences, alongside government policies shaping the future of construction. Ankit also highlights Master Builders’ commitment to financial resilience, including the launch of a voluntary financial rating program in partnership with Credit Works. The discussion covers upcoming government initiatives, such as consenting reforms, and Master Builders’ regional focus to better support members nationwide. As the industry moves from a downturn towards recovery, the focus remains on helping builders not just construct better homes but also build smarter businesses. Where else you can find us Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ [https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz [http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ [https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders [https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg]

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Wendy and Bernard Hilhorst share the story behind their award-winning restoration of a historic 1920s Arts and Crafts-style home in Cambridge. Collaborating with G.D. Pringle Building, they undertook a stunning transformation that modernized the home while preserving its original charm. The renovation featured updates like retrofitted double glazing, recycled materials, and improved indoor-outdoor flow, earning accolades in the 2024 House of the Year competition, including National Category Winner and Regional Supreme Renovation of the Year. Join us as Wendy and Bernard reflect on the joys and challenges of working with a heritage property, the craftsmanship that brought their vision to life, and what these prestigious awards mean to them. Useful links: House of the Year [https://houseoftheyear.co.nz/houses/2024/wk-39349-8-2/] Master Builders [https://www.commercialprojectawards.co.nz/RMBA/News/HOY/2023/The_Waikato_Supreme_House_of_the_Year_Winners_are.aspx] Where else you can find us Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ [https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz [http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ [https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders [https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg]