A new Critical Materials Taskforce, implemented with a focus on maximising productivity & cushioning businesses from supply chain risks will provide guidance, data and information to support builders, designers and business owners.
The new entity, announced recently by Minister for Building and Construction, Megan Woods, includes sector leaders from the Government’s Plasterboard Taskforce which was set up in June 2022, and has been reshaped to include broader sector knowledge and expertise, incorporating experts covering smaller operations, design, consenting, products and procurement.
Woods says the taskforce will watch for emerging supply chain risks in the building and construction industry.
“The Critical Materials Taskforce will build on the successes of the Plasterboard Taskforce and use the valuable lessons learnt to be proactive and forward-looking, so we can identify emerging risks and respond as quickly as possible,” Megan Woods said.
Since the beginning of January to October 2022, there has been an increase of almost 450% in the amount of plasterboard imported. This increasing trend in plasterboard imports is expected to continue through the end of the calendar year.
In that same period, a total of 4.6 million square metres of plasterboard and plaster-related products were imported into New Zealand – enough to build more than 9,000 homes.
“While we can be optimistic about the opportunities for our economy, we also need to remain cautious. We know we are facing a period of global turmoil. There will be more headwinds, which potentially means more materials shortages. We are ready,” Megan Woods said.
In partnership with the Critical Materials Taskforce, the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will lead the Critical Materials and Products Work Programme (CMAP Programme), which will then mitigate emerging supply risks based on the information received.
Woods will be kept informed of the work programme and the taskforce’s meetings and actions through weekly reports from MBIE.
