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flag New Zealand urges building code update to prevent overheating in new homes amid rising summer temps.

flag New Zealand's Auckland Council and the New Zealand Green Building Council are urging Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk to update the national building code to require overheating assessments for new homes, especially terraced and apartment buildings. flag They cite rising summer temperatures—particularly in Auckland and Whangārei—and warn that current standards fail to ensure safe indoor conditions, unlike codes in Australia and the UK. flag With data showing a doubling of hot days and research identifying poor design choices as key causes, advocates say mandatory assessments using existing, low-cost tools could improve comfort, health, and energy efficiency without increasing construction costs. flag The call is backed by major industry groups, and the government has acknowledged the issue, pledging to strengthen ventilation rules.

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