Driving Systems Change in the Construction Industry
Wao is more than a supporter of sustainable building—it’s the change engine powering the Better Building Working Group (BBWG), a group driving systems-level transformation in the construction industry. With a mission to inspire the Southern Lakes region and beyond to embrace better building practices, BBWG and its supporting members are addressing critical environmental and economic challenges by reshaping the sector’s approach to construction.
As 2024 concludes, we reflect on a year of systemic progress and look ahead to ambitious plans for 2025 that will continue to foster deep, structural change.
2024: Catalysing Systems Change in Construction
BBWG is creating ripples of change across the construction industry:
1. Building National Networks for Impact
BBWG has established partnerships, including collaboration with councils and agencies across Aotearoa that helps share resources, knowledge, and influence to help improve building practices.
2. Reshaping Industry Standards at the Wao Summit
By convening architects, builders, designers, and product manufacturers, BBWG leveraged the Wao Summit to challenge norms, showcase innovative practices, and inspire a shift toward performance-based, sustainable construction.
3. Growing Collective Momentum
With membership exceeding 39 committed professionals, BBWG became a collaborative force, amplifying its capacity to improve awareness across the industry and discuss systemic issues to entrenched challenges like construction and demolition (C&D) waste and inefficient building standards.
4. Keeping the Industry Informed
Wao distributes regular BBWG newsletters packed with insights and solutions, fostering ongoing dialogue and reinforcing the importance of unified action. In addition to the Better Building Brekkies, Wao also launched Better Building Banter this year to bring together partners and industry professionals to further the discourse in better building.
2025: Expanding the Change Engine’s Reach
BBWG vision for 2025 centres on embedding sustainable practices deeper into the construction sector’s DNA through systemic initiatives.
1. Revolutionising Industry Engagement
BBWG will introduce a series of educational events designed to spark innovation and systemic adoption of sustainable practice.
Bringing back the Better Building Brekkies and Banters, and introducing Better Building Smokos: Casual, dynamic forums where industry leaders and tradespeople come together to discuss challenges and co-create solutions.
Otago C&D Waste Week: A region-wide initiative in March tackling construction and demolition waste through workshops, webinars, and hands-on activities, laying the groundwork for large-scale waste reduction.
2. This Is How We Build Training Modules
This initiative embodies Wao’s systems-change philosophy by working with the BBWG to offer multi-segmented training modules that provide practical tools and frameworks for sustainable building. By integrating visual and written content, the campaign will foster widespread learning and application across the industry, nationwide!
3. Strengthening National Connections
Building on 2024’s partnerships, Wao aims to expand BBWG’s influence nationwide, creating a network of councils, organizations, and industry players united in sharing new and existing products and services as well as helping to drive sustainable construction practices.
4. Humanising Systems Change with "Faces of Change"
BBWG will share videos spotlighting industry professionals who are championing sustainability. These stories will showcase the systemic shift, inspiring others to join the movement.
5. Sustained Community Engagement
Wao will ensure BBWG’s continued momentum with monthly newsletters, targeted outreach, and the cultivation of a thriving network of industry change makers and partnerships.
Systems Change in Action
Wao’s role as the engine of change behind BBWG goes beyond individual projects; it’s about fundamentally rethinking how the construction industry operates. By addressing interconnected issues—waste, inefficiency, emissions, and education—BBWG with the support of its members and partners is enabling the industry to transition toward practices that are not just better but transformative.
Why It Matters
The construction industry is central to both our economy and environmental footprint. By fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and embedding sustainable principles, Wao and the BBWG are creating systemic change that will ripple across communities, regions, and industries.
In 2025, Wao’s change engine will continue to power the BBWG toward its ultimate goal: a resilient, sustainable construction sector that not only builds better but builds the future we need.