'The House' tells a story of New Zealand's House of Representatives History from 1854 to 2004. Throughout its 150 years, the House of Representatives has responded to accommodate dramatic shifts in political patterns. Its history tells us much about the changing relationship between the people of New Zealand and its political institutions.

"Our homes should be a safe haven. In this succinct, fiercely argued book, building scientist and Passive House designer Jason Quinn reminds us of all the ways New Zealand housing fails. He takes aim at the Building Code and the high cost of building average (or worse) homes. Most of all, this is a book concerned with how to do better. It makes an impassioned argument for much wider use in New Zealand of the Passive House building performance standard. Jason Quinn demolishes myths about Passive House concepts and demonstrates its relevance for New Zealand conditions. The theory is backed up with concrete examples of New Zealand’s first 24 Certified Passive Houses and concludes with the more diverse projects - apartment buildings, offices and tourist accommodation - that are being planned. Of interest to architects and architectural designers - and those among their clients who are interested in how their new home will work and feel, not just how it will look - Passive House for New Zealand is also an important read for anyone involved in the building industry and in making policy on health and housing"--Back cover.

Sixty outstanding architect-designed new New Zealand homes. John Walsh and Patrick Reynolds are back with their third handsome New Zealand residential architecture book, which this time covers 60 projects built since 2007 and ranging from the small - baches, studios and apartments-through to the big-substantial new residences and conversions, homes with budgets to match their scale. Walsh and Reynolds have track records as New Zealand's preeminent architectural writer and photographer respectively. This time they are joined by a team of eminently well qualified contributing writers who, under John Walsh's editorial supervision, bring together a very significant survey of residential architecture endeavour in recent years. Thoughtfully written, beautifully photographed and handsomely produced, this massive book is unrivalled. Complete with plans, and enormously comprehensive, it is both a celebration and a sourcebook of New Zealand's best architectural work.

The decline of home ownership has struck at the heart of the Kiwi dream – so perhaps it is time to fashion a new one. House prices may boom or bust but the long-term trend is clear: for more New Zealanders than ever, home ownership is out of reach. Incomes simply have not kept pace with skyrocketing property prices. Generation Rent calls into question priorities at the heart of New Zealand’s identity. In this BWB Text, Shamubeel and Selena Eaqub investigate how we ended up here, and what can be done to ensure all New Zealanders – home owners and renters alike – live in affordable and secure housing.

A handsome architecture and interiors book celebrating iconic modern New Zealand houses built from the late 1930s to the mid 1970s. The 24 projects, by architects including Ernst Plischke, Ivan Juriss, Henry Kulka, Jack Manning, Miles Warren, John Scott, Vlad Cacala, Cedric Firth and many more, are the sorts of houses that are increasingly sought-after and admired. As editor Jeremy Hansen writes in his introduction, 'I love these homes for their challenge to Victorian convention, for their optimistic embrace of new ideas, for the warmth of their material palettes, for their rigorous simplicity and dignified modesty. I love the way almost all of them are as liveable today as when they were first completed.' All the homes have their roots in the modernist movement, but the book hasn't attempted to present only the purest expositions of modernist form; it maps how modernism was forced to adapt to local conditions. It also reveals how modernism's revolutionary fervour was felt not only in New Zealand architecture but also in every creative field, resulting in fascinating cultural cross-pollination. The houses are from right across New Zealand - from Auckland, Thames, Hawke's Bay, Whanganui, Wellington, Christchurch, Hokitika, Alexandra and Dunedin - and together they show how the optimistic visions of the mid-century pioneers who created them are as relevant now as when these bold, inspiring homes were created. The text is by leading architecture writers such as Julia Gatley and Douglas Lloyd Jenkins, and the book features brief biographies of all the architects - making it a helpful resource - and photographs by this country's leading architecture photographers including Paul McCredie, Simon Devitt and Patrick Reynolds.

Everything you need to know to build, renovate or just live in an eco-friendly and sustainable way. With loads of inspirational photographs of New Zealand homes, this book is packed full of practical and accessible information. It presents the modern home by moving from room to room, to look at structural materials, furnishings and general life hacks to improve your personal green-star rating. As well as the living spaces (kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, office, living area, utility rooms and outdoor areas) it also looks at the wider issues - why make an eco home at all? Also covered are- principles of sustainable building, choosing a property, building a team of professionals, foundations and floors, the structure and the shell. In a compact and colourful package, this book is both entertaining and informative. A must-have for all people with an eco-conscience.

New Zealand's distinctive state houses from the 1930s and '40s are an enduring symbol of this country's egalitarian values. Modest houses, they were built from quality materials and with an emphasis on family and community. More than seventy-five years since the first state houses appeared, they are enjoying a renaissance as new generations of homeowners find ways to adapt their sturdy form for a more contemporary way of living. Beyond the State pays tribute to the New Zealand state house - and explores what it still offers us today.

When their country house becomes too small for comfort, Rachel's mother and her friend decide to build her a playhouse of her own.