In this episode, we’re joined by Dylan Bull and Alex Hawthorne from Levela Deconstruction—two founders challenging the status quo of demolition in New Zealand. Instead of sending building waste straight to landfill, they’ve built a business focused on carefully dismantling structures to salvage and reuse materials. From timber and steel to joinery and fixtures, they’re proving that deconstruction is not only better for the planet, it’s commercially viable and creates more jobs on site.

We dig into how Levela works with clients like the Ministry of Education, how their approach compares in cost and time to traditional demolition, and why smarter waste separation is catching on across the industry. If you’re ready to think differently about waste, this episode is packed with real-world insight, practical ideas, and a glimpse at what construction could look like with sustainability built in.

Featured Guest: Levela Deconstruction
Website: https://leveladeconstruction.co.nz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levela_deconstruction
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/levela-deconstruction-ltd/

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

Katherine Hall, CEO of ConCOVE, joins the Master Builders Elevate podcast to talk about the future of trades in New Zealand and why now is the time to invest in it. She shares the trends reshaping vocational training, including why most construction apprentices don’t start until 27, and what we need to do to better support them: from smarter pathways and stronger employer-apprentice support, to rethinking how we treat each other on site.

Ryan and Katherine discuss why New Zealand needs a national apprenticeship strategy, how pastoral care can make or break learner success, what bystander theory reveals about creating safer, more inclusive worksites, and why employers should be actively building relationships with schools.

Whether you’re a business owner looking to bring on your first apprentice or a seasoned operator wondering what’s next for the workforce, this episode is full of insights and ideas to help you future-proof your team and your trade.

Useful links:
www.concove.ac.nz
Funding of vocational education for the construction and infrastructure sector discussion paper
Overview page
Connect with Katherine Hall on LinkedIn

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

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
Regional Constructive Summits
Constructive 2025 Registration Form

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: 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
Advisory Works Self-Assessment Too
Advisory Works resources
Beyond Strategy AI – Strategy Execution Platform - https://www.beyondstrategy.ai
Connect with Logan Wedgwood on LinkedIn or info@advisory.works

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: 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://www.youtube.com/@LiveWellBuildWell
Instagram
Facebook
Site Safe NZ – Mental Fitness Module (coming soon)
Connect with Rafael Caso on LinkedIn or rafael@livewellbuildwell.com

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: 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/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: 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
Master Builders

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Litten, General Manager of Research at BRANZ, to unpack the recent changes to Clause H1 of New Zealand’s Building Code. Dr. Litten dives into the new energy efficiency standards, detailing updates in insulation, thermal performance, and ventilation requirements, and the practical challenges these pose for builders.

We explore how BRANZ is supporting the industry through this transition, including resources like the House Insulation Guide, which provide guidance on achieving compliance without inflating costs. Chris shares insights on why maintaining insulation standards is essential to New Zealand’s climate goals and how design plays a critical role in creating energy-efficient, comfortable homes.

Tune in to discover how these changes to Clause H1 are shaping the future of New Zealand’s building industry, aligning it with sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the people living in these spaces.

Useful links:

BRANZ H1 Energy efficiency support

BRANZ eLearning modules

• Free 20-minute module on H1

Previous BRANZ webinars

• Free webinars on H1:
  • H1 Floor
  • H1 Roofs
  • H1 - Calculation method
  • H1 - Windows, doors and skylights

BRANZ House Insulation Guide 6th edition

BRANZ LinkedIn

BRANZ Facebook

BRANZ Instagram

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg