In 2010, the NZ Green Building Council introduced the Homestar sustainability certification, a framework that aims to allow designers, architects and builders to build better, more environmentally friendly, energy efficient housing. The upfront cost of building to the Homestar certification can be more, but the potential savings over time - not to mention the quality of life improvements - are significant.

Brad Olsen from Infometrics, an economic consultancy that has just published a detailed report on the Homestar certification,  joins Bernard Hickey to dig into the broad range of benefits of Homestar-rated housing, for both the planet and the back pocket.

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