The Government has made a significant step towards reducing construction and demolition waste through government procurement. From 1 April 2022, agencies covered by the Carbon Neutral Government Programme will have to make sure new non-residential buildings with a capital value over $25 million meet a minimum Green Star rating of five. By 2023, this will then apply to government buildings with a capital value over $9 million. Over 140 government agencies are covered by this programme, so it will include buildings such as schools, hospitals and prisons.
In addition, the waste credits have been made mandatory. This means these projects will need to divert 70% of waste from landfill and design the buildings so that occupants can easily recycle e.g., ensure there is sufficient space for rubbish, recycling and food scraps collections, waste collection vehicle access and egress etc.
More information can be found here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/climate-standards-new-govt-buildings