By Marcus Hogan
Opinion - The government must urgently overhaul the building code to protect the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders.
New Zealand s building code needs an overhaul to make homes warmer and healthier, says architect Marcus Hogan.
Photo: Nathan Anderson/ Unsplash
The government knew, more than 80 years ago, that there was mould in the ceilings and walls of over 50 percent of newly built homes. Yet it wasn t until 1978 that insulation in new dwellings became compulsory.
Living in damp, mouldy, poorly ventilated homes is making New Zealanders sick and in some cases it s killing us.
Despite decades of accumulated knowledge and research about the health impacts of cold Kiwi homes, the amount of insulation needed in New Zealand has barely increased in the 44 years since it became compulsory.