MEDIA RELEASE
11 June 2013
Energy Management Association of New Zealand hails launch of NABERSNZ energy rating scheme
The Energy Management Association of New Zealand (EMANZ) has hailed the NABERSNZ Office Energy Rating Scheme as a
fantastic tool for saving energy costs for businesses countrywide.
EMANZ Executive Officer Ewan Gebbie said the scheme, launched today, which rates commercial office buildings on their
energy use with a scale of one to six stars, will mean businesses will get a good sense of a building’s operating costs.
“If a building wastes energy, then my members can help clients reduce that waste,” said Mr Gebbie.
“As NABERSNZ becomes established we are going to really start to see some productivity benefits coming through very
clearly
“Significant energy savings will be a big part of that but there will also be other advantages, particularly for
commercial property owners. Just like a healthy home, a building with good energy management is a healthier and more
comfortable environment to work in. NABERS rated buildings will be in greater demand among potential tenants, as
evidence from Australia, where NABERS is mandatory, has shown.”
Mr Gebbie said that the business community had been wonderfully supportive of the development of NABERSNZ and now was
the time to build on that collaborative momentum and get office buildings assessed.
“You can self assess your initial star rating and then work with an EnergyMasters® Specialist to improve your rating to
where you want it to be,” said Mr Gebbie. “Property owners need to be getting buildings assessed, developers need to be
taking NABERS into account from the earliest planning stage and tenants should be asking their landlords when they are
going to get a NABERS rating for their building.”
NABERSNZ is based on the successful National Australian Built Environment Rating System where it has been in operation
for many years. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has licensed NABERS. EMANZ has adapted it for
New Zealand and it is being administered by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZBC).
ENDS