BENEFITS OF A SUSTAINABLE HOME
A sustainable home has less impact on the environment, but not at a cost to the occupiers.
You can make your home sustainable and reduce its impact on the surrounding environment in many ways.
THE PROBLEM
Each year, homes account for almost 30% of New Zealand's electricity consumption and are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Residential gardens are often a source of invasive non-native species that replace unique New Zealand fauna and flora.
HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT FROM A SUSTAINABLE HOME
COMFORT
A sustainable home is designed to fit the occupants’ needs and adapt to their changing requirements.
HEALTH
Asthma, headaches, eczema and sneezing fits are linked to moulds and other toxins found in most households.
Damp homes are a key factor in respiratory problems such as asthma, colds and flu, according to Otago University research.
While the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) says about 45% of New Zealand homes are too damp, technology can help eliminate the toxins, particulates and excessive moisture that cause respiratory diseases.
WARMTH
The Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) found that about 30% of New Zealand homes are colder than World Health Organisation recommended minimum temperatures (16°C in bedrooms, 18°C in living areas).
Sustainable homes use the sun’s energy, capturing heat for healthy, comfortable inside temperatures. A fully insulated house uses 50% less energy for heating than an uninsulated house.
Otago University research showed that householders in insulated homes took fewer sick days and visited their doctor less often than those living in houses without insulation.
COST
Insulation, smart heating options, and energy- and water-efficient appliances can make homes cheaper to run. The payback period for investing in insulation may be as little as 1 year for a simple hot water cylinder wrap, or 3 years for ceiling insulation.
INVESTMENT
Green homes also appear to be a wise investment. A survey conducted by Realestate.co.nz suggests that one in 10 people are prepared to pay up to 25% more for a sustainable home. Banks are starting to offer ‘green mortgages’ providing customers with a package of discounts on eco-friendly home products because they predict that these homes will better retain value over time.
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
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