Govt. buildings should be responsible

Media release 27 January 2004

Govt. buildings should be environmentally and economically responsible

Kiwi businesses hope the new nine-story building being constructed in Thorndon for the Ministry for the Environment will use New Zealand-made fittings and furniture, says Business NZ Chief Executive, Simon Carlaw.

The building is required to meet environmental sustainability criteria. Mr Carlaw wonders whether economic sustainability is also part of the brief, with New Zealand rather than overseas businesses being used for the fit out.

"While it is an interesting observation on the Wellington economy, in that another new building is for a public sector tenant, we understand that environmental consultants are being used to ensure the building measures up from an environmental perspective," Mr Carlaw said.

"Will Buy NZ Made also be consulted, to ensure the building also measures up in terms of providing work for Kiwi companies? Certainly we would expect the Ministry register the project with the Industry Capability Network, to ensure the best possible return to the economy for the taxpayers' investment."

ENDS

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