Small renovations and minor building work are set to be cheaper.

From July 1, any building project worth under $65 thousand, including GST, will be exempt from the building levy.

Currently any project worth $20,444 and above is subject to the fee, which is paid at $1.75 per $1000 of work value.

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk told Mike Hosking that the effects will be minimal, as the government has a levy which has built up over the years.

He says the change will reduce unnecessary red tape and means people will save up to $113 for small renovations.

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Small renovations and minor building work are set to be cheaper. 
From July 1, any building project worth under $65 thousand, including GST, will be exempt from the building levy. 
Currently any project worth $20,444 and above is subject to the fee, which is paid at $1.75 per $1000 of work value. 
Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk told Mike Hosking that the effects will be minimal, as the government has a levy which has built up over the years. 
He says the change will reduce unnecessary red tape and means people will save up to $113 for small renovations. 
LISTEN ABOVE

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Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Chris Penk: Building and Construction Minister on small renovations becoming exempt from the building levy

A Former Finance Minister expects this year's Budget to invest in health, education, and defence – with cuts elsewhere. 

Budget 2026 is being unveiled tomorrow, opening up the Government's books and detailing when a return to surplus is possible. 

Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking re-prioritisation is the story of the week, and he's backing further cost-savings in the public sector. 

The Government aims to cut around 8,700 jobs in the public service by mid-2029, with savings set to be re-invested. 

Joyce told Hosking we've had an increase in public servants since 2017, but outcomes aren't significantly better. 

He says many believe it has just increased the churn, and number of meetings. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A Former Finance Minister expects this year's Budget to invest in health, education, and defence – with cuts elsewhere.&nbsp;
Budget 2026 is being unveiled tomorrow, opening up the Government's books and detailing when a return to surplus is possible.&nbsp;
Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking re-prioritisation is the story of the week, and he's backing further cost-savings in the public sector.&nbsp;
The Government aims to cut around 8,700 jobs in the public service by mid-2029, with savings set to be re-invested.&nbsp;
Joyce told Hosking we've had an increase in public servants since 2017, but outcomes aren't significantly better.&nbsp;
He says many believe it has just increased the churn, and number of meetings.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Steven Joyce: Former Finance Minister previews Budget 2026, backs public sector cuts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a3cac514-795e-4eb9-b512-b456016903a7/transcript

A Government agency's confident its multi-million-dollar fuel saving campaign is working. 

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has spent more than $3.5 million on ads encouraging people to drive smoothly and check tyre pressure. 

It estimates an average fuel reduction of more than two million litres of petrol a week, saving consumers more than $7 million. 

Chief Executive Dr Marcos Pelenur told Mike Hosking that while people may have already known some of the tips they shared, the campaign hopefully worked as a good reminder. 

He says that the fuel price obviously acts as the price signal, but what this does is tell people how to react to that signal. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A Government agency's confident its multi-million-dollar fuel saving campaign is working.&nbsp;
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has spent more than $3.5 million on ads encouraging people to drive smoothly and check tyre pressure.&nbsp;
It estimates an average fuel reduction of more than two million litres of petrol a week, saving consumers more than $7 million.&nbsp;
Chief Executive Dr Marcos Pelenur told Mike Hosking that while people may have already known some of the tips they shared, the campaign hopefully worked as a good reminder.&nbsp;
He says that the fuel price obviously acts as the price signal, but what this does is tell people how to react to that signal.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Marcos Pelenur: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority CEO on the public ad campaign on how to save fuel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ba21c094-ec46-457e-a79a-b45601633dfb/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 27th of May, our attention is on the economy with Kelly Eckhold previews today’s OCR announcement while Steven Joyce looks ahead to the Budget. 

How much do you think was spent on telling people to take off roof racks and make sure your tyres are pumped up to save on fuel? 

And on Politics Wednesday, Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk the Labour leaks, accommodation entitlements for MPs, and the Ombudsman looking at the PM's office. 

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 27th of May, our attention is on the economy with <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/kelly-eckhold-westpac-chief-economist-ahead-of-the-official-cash-rate-announcement/">Kelly Eckhold previews today’s OCR announcement</a> while Steven Joyce looks ahead to the Budget.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/marcos-pelenur-energy-efficiency-and-conservation-authority-ceo-on-the-public-ad-campaign-on-how-to-save-fuel/">How much do you think was spent</a> on telling people to take off roof racks and make sure your tyres are pumped up to save on fuel?&nbsp;
And on Politics Wednesday, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/pollies-nationals-mark-mitchell-and-labours-ginny-andersen-talk-mp-housing-entitlements-labour-leaks/">Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell</a> talk the Labour leaks, accommodation entitlements for MPs, and the Ombudsman looking at the PM's office.&nbsp;
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 27 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d3cb1e93-12f4-4a4a-b533-b456015d6cd1/transcript

Chris Penk: Building and Construction Minister on small renovations becoming exempt from the building levy

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