Research Impact & Industry Reach
Research undertaken by Dr Mark Kirby has contributed to industry discussions surrounding construction quality, productivity, defect prevention and self-certification within New Zealand's residential construction sector. Findings from doctoral research were published in a peer-reviewed Q1 international engineering journal and subsequently informed industry implementation, national media coverage and public discussion.
Research findings were later distilled into articles published through The Conversation, generating national and international media attention across outlets including RNZ, 1News, MSN, Yahoo News, NZCity, Interest.co.nz and other media platforms. Combined coverage achieved an Altmetric Attention Score of 98, placing the published commentary within the top 5% of research outputs tracked by Altmetric.
NZ's $2.5 Billion Shoddy Building Bill
AUT News | Research Feature Dr Mark Kirby
AUT featured Mark Kirby's doctoral research examining the estimated $2.5 billion annual cost of construction defects and rework across New Zealand's residential building sector. The research explored how quality failures impact productivity, profitability and housing affordability, while highlighting practical quality assurance interventions shown to reduce failed inspections, improve site performance and support better construction outcomes.
NZ's $2.5 Billion Shoddy Building Bill: How To Fix The 'Build Now, Fix Later' Culture
By Dr Mark Kirby | Published in The Conversation Feb 2, 2026
Drawing on doctoral research and industry evidence, this article examines New Zealand's estimated $2.5 billion annual cost of construction defects and rework and explores why poor quality continues to undermine productivity, profitability and housing affordability. The article argues that improving quality performance before formal inspection represents one of the construction sector's largest opportunities for productivity improvement.
The article highlights how preventable defects, rework and failed inspections consume resources that could otherwise be used to deliver additional housing, while outlining practical strategies for moving away from a 'build now, fix later' culture towards evidence-based quality management and continuous improvement.
NZ Has a $2.5 Billion Building Defect Problem. Will Self-Certification Make It Better Or Worse?
By Dr Mark Kirby | Published in The Conversation July 28, 2026
This article examines New Zealand's estimated $2.5 billion annual cost of construction defects and rework and explores how proposed self-certification reforms could affect quality, accountability and risk across the residential construction sector. Drawing on doctoral research and industry implementation, it highlights the importance of evidence-based quality assurance and early defect prevention in improving construction outcomes.
RNZ Coverage: NZ Has a $2.5 Billion Building Defect Problem
Featuring research by Dr Mark Kirby | Radio New Zealand (RNZ)
Radio New Zealand featured research examining New Zealand's estimated $2.5 billion annual building defect problem and the implications of self-certification reform. The coverage highlighted the importance of evidence-based quality assurance, accountability and defect prevention within the residential construction sector.
The Hidden Costs of Failed Building Inspections
Interview with Dr Mark Kirby |RNZ Nine to Noon
In this RNZ Nine to Noon interview, Mark Kirby discusses the hidden financial and productivity impacts of failed building inspections across New Zealand's residential construction sector. The interview highlighted how more than 20,000 building inspections fail annually, creating tens of millions of dollars in avoidable costs across New Zealand's residential construction sector. Mark subsequently carried out research across nearly 200 residential building inspections, focusing on framing inspection failures and opportunities to improve construction quality before formal inspection. The research identified a systemic industry culture where failed inspections had become accepted as part of the normal building process, despite the significant costs created through rework, delays and lost productivity. The interview also highlighted how these hidden costs are ultimately borne by the end homeowner through increased construction costs and reduced housing affordability.
Beyond the Guesstimate Podcast: Construction Productivity, Quality & Housing Affordability
Guest Interview with Dr Mark Kirby | Beyond the Guesstimate Podcast
In Episode 25 of Beyond the Guesstimate, Nick Clements speaks with Dr Mark Kirby about the underlying drivers of construction productivity, quality performance and housing affordability. Drawing on experience spanning carpentry, construction management and doctoral research, Mark explores why defects, rework and failed inspections continue to impact the residential construction sector.
The discussion covers lean construction principles, productivity measurement, prefabrication, procurement models, quality management systems and the long-term implications of New Zealand's performance-based building standards. The episode highlights practical opportunities to improve quality, reduce waste and enhance productivity across the residential construction industry. An insightful conversation packed with practical thinking around how the industry can build smarter, reduce waste, and improve outcomes for both builders and homeowners.
The $2.5 Billion Shoddy Building Bill: Quality Gates in Procurement
Presented by Dr Mark Kirby | NZIQS Auckland AGM
This presentation examined New Zealand's estimated $2.5 billion annual cost of construction defects and rework and explored how quantity surveyors can use procurement processes and quality gates to challenge the industry's "build now, fix later" culture. The session highlighted the relationship between quality performance, productivity, profitability and project outcomes, while identifying practical opportunities to reduce rework and protect economic margins.
The Self-Certification Paradox and New Zealand's $2.5 Billion Defect Problem: Is Any Level of Failure Acceptable?
Presented by Dr Mark Kirby | New Zealand Construction Industry Council (NZCIC)
This presentation explored the challenges and opportunities associated with self-certification in residential construction. Drawing on doctoral research, industry implementation and quality performance data, the session examined whether an industry that routinely accepts failed inspections and construction defects is ready for self-certification, and why evidence-based quality assurance, accountability and performance measurement will be critical to its long-term success. The presentation provides a solution for self certification through a hybrid aprpaoch that supports the industry. Results from trial data of 193 residential frame inspections over 6 months improvemtn from 32% first time fail inspections (industry benchmarks) to 27% along with improved effeceincy and profitability for end users.