Latest NZRAB News

• Weaving 2026: Join the Conversation11 November 2026

  Architecture students, graduates and practitioners are invited to be part of Weaving 2026, the Australasian Student Architecture Congress (ASAC), taking place in Tāmaki Makaurau from 30 November to 5 December 2026.

  A student-led event, Weaving 2026 will bring together participants from across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia for six days of talks, workshops, tours and networking opportunities. Through the themes of place, space, knowledge, connections and futures, attendees will explore the future of architecture while building connections with peers and industry.

  Whether you're a student, graduate or registered architect, Weaving 2026 offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn and contribute to conversations shaping the profession. Students are particularly encouraged to take part and make the most of this Australasian gathering.

  Learn more and register at Weaving 2026 
   

• The new Building Amendment Bill—Defective by Design?16 October 2026

  Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington's Faculty of Law and Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation invite you to join them for a panel discussion on:
  
  The new Building Amendment Bill—Defective by Design?
  
  The new Building Amendment Bill proposes perhaps the most significant change to construction liability settings in a generation.
  
  The Bill proposes changing from Aotearoa New Zealand's widely-used joint and several liability model, which focuses on ensuring homeowners affected by defective building work have a relatively clear path to being made whole for their loss, to a "proportional liability" model, in which homeowners will only be able to recover 100% of their loss if they can identify and successfully prosecute every wrongdoer involved in the defective work.
  
  The trade-off for this loss of protection for homeowners is proposed to be a new mandatory insurance and warranty regime, but the scope of such protection in the Bill seems not only limited in scope, but also subject to potential suspension in the event insurers in New Zealand are unable to provide such cover—and in many Australian states, the Government has had to step in to provide insurance, which is a step the NZ regime has expressly excluded.
  
  The potential for the Bill to significantly adversely affect NZ homeowners and homebuyers, particularly in the midst of ongoing cost-of-living concerns, means the Bill will need especially close Select Committee review and likely amendment if it is to progress any further. Our panel of legal and construction industry participants will identify key areas of the Bill that require especially careful scrutiny, to better inform those who also wish to make submissions to the relevant Select Committee.

  Building Amendment Bill
  Format: Panel discussion of key issues raised by the Bill
  Panellists:
  • Geoff McLay, Dean, Faculty of Law
  • David Hume, Barrister and Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture
  • Zoe Brentnall, Partner, Gilbert Walker
  • Edward Scorgie, Partner, Chapman Tripp
  • John Gray, President, Home Owners and Buyers Association of New Zealand (HOBANZ)
  Moderator: Robyn Phipps, Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation
  
  RSVPs
  Kindly RSVP at your earliest convenience to Law-Events@vuw.ac.nz with Building Amendment Bill in the subject line and indicate if you are interested in attending in person or receiving a link to view the discussion online.
  
  Please note that due to the size of the venue, RSVPs for in-person attendance are essential.
  
  Date:
  Monday, 19 October 2026
  5.30pm (refreshments) - 6.00pm start, wrap up by 7.30pm
  Format: In-person attendance and online
  
  Where:
  Government Buildings, 55 Lambton Quay, Pipitea Campus, Wellington

  Salmond Room (refreshments), 2nd floor. Panel discussion Moot Room 3rd floor. Use Bunny Street entrance or wheelchair access at the back of the Law building.

• Cyber Threats Are Evolving. So Must We.5 October 2026

  Cyber Smart Week has commenced on Monday 5 October, providing an opportunity for NZRAB and registered architects to focus on an increasingly important aspect of public trust and professional practice: cyber security.
  
  As cyber threats become more sophisticated, including AI-enabled phishing, scams and impersonation attacks, NZRAB continues to strengthen its cyber security through enhanced Microsoft 365 security controls, staff awareness training, system monitoring, and practical guidance. This work helps protect the information entrusted to us and supports the secure delivery of our regulatory functions.
  
  To support registered architects and practices, NZRAB is sharing the NZRAB Guide to Cyber Threats which outlines common cyber threats and practical steps to reduce risk, including phishing emails, QR-code scams, malicious file-sharing links, SMS scams, AI-generated voice impersonation, and multi-factor authentication attacks.
  
  Cyber security is no longer solely an IT issue. It is a professional responsibility for every organisation that holds client, project, and business information.
  
  Take action this Cyber Smart Week: Download the guide, discuss it with your team, and review your cyber security arrangements. Small improvements in cyber awareness and cyber hygiene can significantly reduce risk and strengthen resilience across the profession.
  
  → Download the NZRAB Guide to Cyber Threats