About Master Builders Elevate: Building a Better Business
Welcome to the Master Builders Elevate podcast, hosted by Ryan Castle, where we discuss topics and talk with experts, advocates and business owners in the New Zealand construction industry. We share knowledge, insights and experiences to help you build a better business and enjoy a better life. The podcast explores ideas and practices that help builders get the best from their businesses, teams and themselves. Every second week a new episode will be released. You can listen online or find and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform, such as Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
In addition to a podcast, Registered Master Builders Elevate is the online learning portal exclusively for Master Builders. Here you’ll find courses, microcourses and other learning resources – all free to you as part of your membership. Elevate offers the flexibility to learn what you need when you need it and at your own pace. The learning platform can be accessed anywhere, anytime and on any device and is available to all your staff. When members complete an Elevate course, they also earn LBP points.
Ep 103 - Chief's Chat: Productivity, adaptability and the state of the sector
Ryan sits down with Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma straight off the back of two days at Constructive 2026 to unpack the 2026 State of the Sector survey and what it means for builders heading into the rest of the year. The headline looks steady, with 68% reporting a strong or steady pipeline, up from 64%, and critically diminished pipelines nearly halved from 11% to 6%. But as Ankit puts it, a pipeline does not automatically become a viable project. He and Ryan get into where jobs are getting stuck, why customers need certainty on finance, cost and timing before they will sign, and why this is a sector in transition rather than collapse.
The strongest signal this year came from homeowners who have just been through a build, with 91% saying they would recommend it. Ankit talks through the gap between the media narrative and lived experience, what a more proportionate consenting system would change day to day, and closes with his recent newsletter piece on why the best ideas sound stupid at first.
Useful links
Connect with Ankit Sharma on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankitnz/)
2026 State of the Sector (https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/RMBA/Advocacy/State_of_the_Sector.aspx)
Why the Best Ideas Sound Stupid at First (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-best-ideas-sound-stupid-first-ankit-sharma-fuwce/)
Constructive 2026 (https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/RMBA/News/Constructive/2026/Register_now_for_Constructive_2026.aspx)
Subscribe to Rethink 4.0 Newsletter (https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/rethink-4-0-6926299151164985344/)
Where else you can find us
Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ (https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/)
Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz (http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ (https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders (https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg)
12 Aug 2026
Ep 102 – Construction waste, real costs and the Waste Hub with Penny Thomson and Dr Terri-Ann Berry
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 (https://www.navigationhomes.co.nz/)
environmental-innovation.nz (https://www.environmental-innovation.nz/)
Where else you can find us
Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ (https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/)
Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz (http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ (https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders (https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg)
14 Jul 2026
Ep 101 – Craftsmanship, awards and the drive to improve with Nathan Hall, Navigation Homes
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 (https://www.navigationhomes.co.nz/)
House of the Year entry (https://houseoftheyear.co.nz/houses/2025/AK-14514-19-12/)
Where else you can find us
Website: https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/ (https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/)
Elevate Platform: http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz (http://elevate.masterbuilder.org.nz/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/ (https://www.instagram.com/masterbuildernz/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders (https://www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmh_9vl0pFf0zSB6N7RrVeg)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
59,823
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
59
Social presence
94
YouTube
76
Engagement
85
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