Keola Achieves New Zealand’s First Circular Path® Certification for Sustainable Construction
In an industry where waste has too often been treated as an inevitable by-product, Keola has proved that smarter, greener solutions are not only possible, they are essential.
We are proud to announce that Keola is the very first company in Aotearoa to receive the Circular Path® Waste Certification, a milestone that confirms our leadership in sustainable construction in New Zealand.
This recognition goes beyond plaques or certificates. It reflects our determination to push the industry forward by embedding waste minimisation, material reuse, and circular design principles into every project.
Why This Certification Matters
The Circular Path® certification, developed by the Environmental Innovation Centre, is designed to recognise construction projects that take measurable, transparent steps towards circular waste management.
It is not about “greenwashing” or clever marketing. It’s about evidence. Numbers. Real impact.
For Keola, that meant proving our commitment to:
- Waste diversion at scale – targeting 70% and achieving a remarkable 78% diversion rate.
- Innovative material reuse – finding new lives for materials that are often discarded.
- Sustainable project delivery – building homes that are safe, warm, healthy, and created with respect for people and the planet.
This is the future of construction in New Zealand, a future where quality, sustainability, and responsibility work hand-in-hand.
The Project That Made It Possible
Our May Road 8-Unit Social Housing Development became the pilot site for the Circular Path® certification, and it’s a project we are deeply proud of.
The goal was clear: create homes that serve people well for decades, while leaving the lightest possible footprint on the environment.
Here’s how we made it happen:
- 80% of waste diverted from landfill – including 3.7 tonnes of timber fencing repurposed for local projects.
- Specialist recycling streams – 2.7 tonnes of HDPE pipe, 56 kg of soft plastics, 70 kg of polystyrene, and 1.5 tonnes of plasterboard all diverted into appropriate recycling channels.
- Innovative reuse of branded materials – even our Keola banners were cleaned and repurposed into durable bags for use in other housing communities.
- Future-focused design – compact, functional homes designed for privacy and dignity while encouraging community living.
- Active lifestyle choices – three carparks balanced with six bike stands to encourage sustainable transport.
This is not just about building houses. It’s about building sustainably.
Recognition Beyond the Certification
Our work on this project has already been recognised on a national stage, with three major honours at the 2025 Master Builders House of the Year Awards, including:
- Regional Gold Award
- Regional Category Winner
- Regional Special Award for Waste Minimisation
Together, the awards and certification are proof that high-quality construction and sustainability are not competing priorities. They strengthen one another.
Why It Matters for New Zealand
Construction accounts for a significant portion of waste going to landfill in New Zealand. For decades, this has been accepted as part of the cost of building.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Keola’s Circular Path® certification shows what’s possible when builders take responsibility for their impact. By reducing waste, rethinking materials, and designing smarter, we are proving that sustainable construction in New Zealand is not only achievable, it is essential.
Clients, communities, and future generations all benefit when construction is done with respect, for people, for place, and for the planet.
Looking Ahead
We see this certification not as the finish line, but as a starting point. Circular Path® will continue to expand into new waste streams, and Keola will continue to lead the charge in sustainable construction practices.
Our promise is simple: to keep building homes, communities, and projects that embody quality, dignity, and sustainability.
If you would like to learn more about our May Road project, visit our Keola Projects Page.
You can also read more about our certification on the House of the Year website.
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Award winning
Our unique engineering approach to construction management is built on strong analytical minds that say there’s ‘never a problem, always a solution’.
We have an ethos of building things that work. Added to this an exceptional back office team who offer a streamlined, process driven approach to project delivery. On time with industry leading quality.
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Excellent track record
We take care of the details, expertly navigating the intricacies of working with Council for RMA issues, noise, fire rating, inter-tenancies, unit titles, parking, infrastructure etc.
Can-do approach
Sometimes it takes a little Kiwi ingenuity to figure out a cost-effective way of bringing an architect’s vision to life. So if you’re looking for a builder that’ll add value and finesse to your project, call us.
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Director Sanjesh Lal is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Registered Master Builder. He’s backed by the exceptional and experienced Keola team to expertly manage your construction project.
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