37024 (2026). Arena Williams to the Minister for Building and Construction

37024 (2026). Arena Williams to the Minister for Building and Construction: How many construction apprentices does New Zealand currently have, and as Building and Construction Minister does he believe that number is enough to meet the country’s future building needs?

Hon Simon Watts: The latest available data indicates there were around 25,000 building apprentices in New Zealand in the year ended December 2025. Whether that number is sufficient to meet future building needs will depend on a range of factors, including wider workforce settings and the extent to which productivity and technology change workforce requirements over time. Apprentices are an important part of the construction workforce pipeline, and the Government's decisions in the Tertiary Education portfolio will help ensure the sector continues to have access to skilled workers.