Master Builders Elevate: Building a Better Business

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Ryan Castle talks with John Bolton (JB), founder of Squirrel and official Master Builders partner, about one of the biggest handbrakes on growth for building businesses: access to capital. JB shares how he left ANZ to start Squirrel in the middle of the GFC, breaks down the difference between house and land, spec and turnkey builds, and introduces 100% Turnkey Funding, a new product developed exclusively with Master Builders. For eligible Registered Master Builders with a pre-sold turnkey project, Squirrel funds 100% of the land and the construction cost, less a 20% implied builder margin, backed by Master Build completion cover.

JB also explains what builders need to set up to get started, why a 15% mezzanine loan can still be cheaper than giving away half your profit, and where the product is heading next. To finish, he shares what Squirrel’s research reveals about the $1.4 trillion downsizer market (think single level living, a garage and stylish duplexes) and his outlook on interest rates and house prices heading into 2027.

Useful links:
squirrel.co.nz
Turnkey Funding for builders
Squirrel’s downsizer research blog
Full findings report is available to download: https://squirrel.co.nz/modals/pfu-research-report

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

Ryan sits down with Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma to unpack what came out of Constructive and what the latest State of the Sector numbers mean for builders. Ankit's read on the event is that adaptability drives innovation and collaboration drives resilience, and that you need both to grow sustainably. He shares real examples from businesses around the country, including a builder whose team now dictates site notes into an AI app that turns them into daily customer reports, and a CEO running his CRM data through AI to get the insights he used to pull together by hand.

On the numbers, 68% of Master Builders report a strong or steady pipeline, up from 64%, and construction grew 2.7% last quarter, effectively driving New Zealand's GDP growth. Ankit explains why better informed customers are taking longer to commit, why competing on value rather than price is what unlocks that pipeline, and why 91% of homeowners saying they would recommend building matters more than the headlines. The conversation closes with his recent LinkedIn piece on why the best ideas sound stupid at first, including the uncomfortable finding that the best ideas in a business are usually already sitting with the team.

Useful links
Connect with Ankit Sharma on LinkedIn
2026 State of the Sector

Why the Best Ideas Sound Stupid at First 

Constructive 2026

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Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Penny Thomson and Dr Terri-Ann Berry of the Environmental Innovation Centre explain why just under 70% of everything going to New Zealand landfills comes from construction. They introduce the WasteHub, a free online resource where builders can identify the plastics on their site, find a local recycler, check supplier takeback options, and set up for better separation.

They are also honest about the money. Their study of an eight lot housing site found sustainable waste management added around $1,400 per home while diverting 84% of waste by weight. Penny and Terri-Ann also cover greenwashing and introduce Circular Path, a new certification launching late 2026 for smaller builders.

Useful links:
wastehub.co.nz
environmental-innovation.nz

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Nathan Hall of Navigation Homes talks about the Mauku project that earned them a spot in the Master Builders House of the Year 2025 Top 100, taking home National Category Winner and Regional Gold. Nathan shares what made this rural build stand out, from the material choices and detailing to a last-minute patio fix that nearly didn't happen.

Nathan also explains  why entering the awards year after year is less about trophies and more about holding the team to a standard. A practical and honest conversation for any builder thinking about putting their work on the line.

Useful links:
navigationhomes.co.nz
House of the Year entry

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

Ryan sits down with Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma to unpack the government's $7 billion capital package and what it will actually take to turn that intention into real pipeline for the industry. They also dig into what Master Builders is hearing directly from members through its regional summit series, where over a thousand business leaders gathered this year, including the mindset gap between businesses that are merely surviving and those that are genuinely thriving right now.

Ankit shares real examples from the listening tour he conducted alongside the summits, including a Wellington builder turning AI into a customer communication tool and coming out more profitable than ever. The conversation closes with four practical principles from Ankit's recent LinkedIn article, and a teaser of the full listening tour findings coming to Constructive 2026, 3 to 4 September at the Aotea Centre, Auckland.

Useful links
Connect with Ankit Sharma on LinkedIn
When the Wind Changes, Great Leaders Tack
Subscribe to Rethink 4.0 Newsletter

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Andrew Eagles, CEO of the New Zealand Green Building Council, joins the conversation to unpack how healthier, more energy-efficient homes can create major financial advantages for both developers and homeowners. From lower-interest development finance to green mortgage offers, Andrew explains how Homestar certification is helping builders access funding benefits while delivering warmer, drier, and more comfortable homes. 

Andrew shares practical insights into the Homestar process, common misconceptions around cost, and why many developments can achieve certification with only minor design changes. He also discusses the future of building standards in New Zealand, the growing influence of global green finance, and why energy performance ratings are likely to become a key part of every home sale. Packed with real-world examples, this episode is essential listening for builders, developers, and anyone interested in the future of residential construction in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Useful links:
The New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC)
Homestar™
Free Homestar Design Guide
Infometrics research

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Mark Metzger, Director of Metzger Builders, joins the conversation to share a behind-the-scenes look at the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards. With more than 35 years in the industry and multiple Supreme House of the Year titles to his name, Mark brings a unique perspective as both an award-winning builder and national judge.

Mark unpacks how the judging process really works — from travelling across the country and assessing homes, to the detailed scoring system that evaluates workmanship, design, and degree of difficulty. He shares what makes a home stand out, the importance of consistency and craftsmanship, and how the competition continues to raise standards across the industry. This episode offers valuable insights for builders considering entering, and a fascinating look at what excellence in residential construction truly means in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Useful links:
Metzger Builders https://www.mblexcellence.co.nz/
House of the Year Awards

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

In this special Women’s Month episode of the Elevate Podcast, Kirsty Hopewell, President of NAWIC New Zealand and Senior Quantity Surveyor at Naylor Love, joins the conversation to reflect on 30 years of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and the powerful “30 Stories for 30 Years” campaign. Kirsty shares her own journey into construction, what drew her to the industry, and how NAWIC has created connection, visibility and support for women across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Together, they explore the progress women have made in construction over the past three decades, the importance of mentorship and role models, and why greater visibility still matters. Kirsty also speaks about the value of diverse thinking on-site and in leadership, and why construction offers exciting pathways for the next generation of women. This is an inspiring Women’s Month conversation about representation, opportunity, and building a more inclusive future for the industry.

Useful links:
NAWIC New Zealand
30 Stories for 30 Years campaign
Kirsty Hopewell LinkedIn

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

In the first Elevate episode of 2026, Ryan sits down with Ankit Sharma to talk about the mood shift they’re both sensing in the sector: confidence is lifting, but the workload hasn’t caught up yet. Ankit’s message is clear. Don’t wait for the upturn. Get proactive. Build your brand, sharpen your value proposition, strengthen your pipeline, and reconnect with past prospects so you’re ready when demand returns.

Ryan and Ankit also talk through what’s changing on the regulatory front, including proportional liability and risk-based consenting, before cutting through the AI noise with three practical starting points: automating routine tasks, improving customer communication, and using data to support better decisions. The episode closes with a look ahead to Constructive 2026 (3 - 4 September, Aotea Centre, Auckland) and a personal story from Ankit on family-set goals that surface blind spots and make change more likely to stick.

Useful links
Connect with Ankit Sharma on LinkedIn
Say No to Say Yes: The Key to Turning Ambition into Progress
Subscribe to Rethink 4.0 Newsletter

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg

In this final Elevate episode of the year, Ankit Sharma reflects on a tough but important year of transition for New Zealand’s construction sector. He explains the shift to proportionate liability, the push to clamp down on Phoenix companies, and how initiatives like FiNZscore aim to reward well-run building businesses with stronger credibility, better lending options, and improved consumer trust.

Ankit also steps back to the bigger picture, unpacking the four global forces hitting construction – digitisation, decarbonisation, de-globalisation and demographics – and argues that technology is the single biggest opportunity for builders in 2026. He shares simple, practical examples of how members are already using tools like AI to save hours of admin, and draws on his Rethink 4.0 leadership newsletter to show why saying no, narrowing focus, and using a “not-to-do” list are now critical skills for owners who want more impact, more headspace, and a better life outside the business.

Useful links
Connect with Ankit Sharma on LinkedIn
Say No to Say Yes: The Key to Turning Ambition into Progress
Subscribe to Rethink 4.0 Newsletter

Where else you can find us

Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg