New Zealander perspectives on the European sustainable housing market

These were really intensive two weeks project management in New Zealand. Of course the companies are not as big as Australian ones, in terms of production. But I’m really impressed with the capacity New Zealander have to keep a step forward in terms of housing innovation.

The two examples I’ve seen on Kapiti Coast, a cedar park on one hand, and a sustainable retirement village on the other hand, look like representing quite interesting business opportunities for the European market.

In terms of networking the Kiwi stage of the project was really impressive. In 2 weeks I’ve had more than 30 direct contacts, and on these 30 contacts I’ve had at least four of them having a direct interest for my business project in Europe, which is few and a lot at the same time, for such a period. It was the opportunity to better-know a potential partner in Wellington, as interested as I am in sustainable problematics and doing business around them.

In terms of things to improve, there is a big gap to reduce on insulation systems and houses structure for an important part of the housing sector. This concerns more the renovation market, on the middle-class houses. For sure it represents a certain market for the European manufacturers, because although the wheather is good, the energy savings have a large progress margin, and this is only possible by reinforcing the building structure.

I’m quite enthousiast after this stage of the project. If the Australian stage may have represented fewer but bigger contacts, the New Zealander stage has been a real opportunity to develop a big network with smaller actors, which is as much interesting for a low-sized consulting business like mine.

After almost two months, the Oceamex Project is already a success project, because it’s been a wonderful opportunity to develop a real expertise on what’s built and thought in terms of sustainable housing and building in the two big Oceanian countries. It’s been the opportunity of building a network of more than 50 direct contacts with companies and public organizations. Finally it’s been a strong opportunity to make my project better-known on these markets, which is already great, all proportions put aside.

Now the project is getting to French offshore territory New-Caledonia, 3000 km away from the north-east Australian coast. This stage of 2 weeks will be the opportunity to develop contacts almost exclusively with public authorities. It will also be the opportunity to develop and reinforce the already taken business contacts this project has allowed.

Enjoy the blog and talk to you soon

Pierre-Loïc