A nationwide survey conducted by CBS Co-operative has revealed widespread concern and uncertainty across New Zealand’s residential construction sector regarding the Government’s proposed mandatory home warranty scheme. The survey, which drew hundreds of responses overwhelmingly from small-to-medium operators, found 61% of respondents unsure whether they would even qualify for a registered warranty provider under the proposed framework, with only 23% confident they would. Builders raised major concerns around cost, compliance burden, and financial requirements, with 30% saying they would stop residential building altogether if they couldn’t access a provider. CEO Carl Taylor warns good operators could be unintentionally shut out of the market, not due to poor workmanship but strict underwriting criteria, and is calling for a gradual, multi-year phase-in. Read the full survey findings.