In this final Elevate episode of the year, Ankit Sharma reflects on a tough but important year of transition for New Zealand’s construction sector. He explains the shift to proportionate liability, the push to clamp down on Phoenix companies, and how initiatives like FiNZscore aim to reward well-run building businesses with stronger credibility, better lending options, and improved consumer trust.

Ankit also steps back to the bigger picture, unpacking the four global forces hitting construction – digitisation, decarbonisation, de-globalisation and demographics – and argues that technology is the single biggest opportunity for builders in 2026. He shares simple, practical examples of how members are already using tools like AI to save hours of admin, and draws on his Rethink 4.0 leadership newsletter to show why saying no, narrowing focus, and using a “not-to-do” list are now critical skills for owners who want more impact, more headspace, and a better life outside the business.

Useful links
Connect with Ankit Sharma on LinkedIn
Say No to Say Yes: The Key to Turning Ambition into Progress
Subscribe to Rethink 4.0 Newsletter

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

Chartered town planner and urban designer George Weeks joins Elevate to unpack what “good density” actually looks like here in Aotearoa, and why the 5-minute pint test might be the simplest measure of liveability we’ve ever heard. George shares why density only works when you make the daily stuff easy: milk, a beer, a café, a park, within a short stroll from your front door. We dig into what NZ’s getting right already (Point Chev, Christchurch terraces, Hobsonville), and what still needs work, like acoustic standards still stuck in the 1950s.

You’ll hear why the City Rail Link won’t just shorten trips, it’ll act like a “fountain of pedestrians” that shifts demand, value and development patterns around key stations. George breaks down why good streets are tree-lined, human-scaled and well-lit, and how developers can build projects that feel more like neighbourhoods and less like dense sprawl. If you’re a builder or developer thinking about townhouses, walk-ups or mixed-use in any NZ city, this episode gives you a clear and practical playbook for density done right.

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

Jodine McIntyre, founder of Social Smarty, joins Elevate to show construction owners how to run social in-house without drowning in it. She shares why training your team can beat outsourcing for authenticity, how to set solid foundations before you post, and the simple planning rhythm that keeps content consistent and effective.

We cover the four post types that drive results: Expert, Connection, Action, Sales, with quick examples you can copy. Jolene breaks down where each platform fits today in New Zealand (Facebook groups still matter, Instagram is surging, TikTok is entertainment first), how to match content to your audience, and why “people over framing photos” wins. You’ll also hear how to think about touchpoints, what to put on your landing page instead of another “top ten tips,” and the right way to layer paid ads on top of healthy organic posting.

If you’re a construction leader starting from scratch or rebooting a dusty page, this episode gives you a clear, one-page plan to follow.

Useful links:
socialsmarty.co
Free resources https://socialsmarty.co/freebies
Social Smarty YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@socialsmartyco
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