Shows
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 28: Allison BailesIn this episode, building scientist Dr. Allison Bailes shares his journey from physics academia to the world of building science. He discusses the importance of airtightness in homes, explaining how it directly impacts indoor air quality, comfort, energy efficiency, and moisture control. Bailes challenges the myth that houses need to “breathe,” advocating instead for air-tight construction combined with well-designed ventilation systems.Special Guest: Allison Bailles .
2025-08-0542 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 27: Arena WilliamsIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Simon Cator and Jon Davies sit down with Arena Williams, MP for Manurewa, for a conversation on housing, policy, and the future of building in Aotearoa.
They discuss the overseas building products register, unconsented granny flats, and Arena’s vision for her time in parliament. She also highlights the urgent need to modernise New Zealand’s building code—calling out issues like moisture management and fire safety—and the vital role cross-party collaboration and industry input must play in shaping future reforms.Special Guest: Arena Williams.
2025-07-0135 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 26: Sian TaylorIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, architect Sian Taylor shares her journey from growing up in Wales to designing and living in a Passive House in Queenstown. She reflects on the contrasts between UK and New Zealand building standards, highlighting the superior comfort and energy efficiency of Passive House design.
Sian also critiques the current New Zealand building code, calling out its shortcomings and advocating for stronger regulations, especially the need for mandatory energy modelling to address issues like overheating. Special Guest: Sian Taylor.
2025-06-0326 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 25: Mark AndersonIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Simon Cator sits down with Mark Anderson of MA Building, a Wanaka-based builder, as he shares how an apprenticeship alongside his father led to his journey into building high-performance homes, focusing on health and comfort. He reflects on his commitment to energy efficiency and how it drives his focus on Passive house standards and smarter building methods.
He discusses his role in community initiatives like the Better Building Working Group, his plans for a low-energy home, and the small design decisions that make a big impact on comfort, cost, and...
2025-05-1440 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 24: Jason QuinnIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, host Simon sits down with Jason Quinn, the Director of Sustainable Engineering, as they discuss overheating in homes and how to design to prevent it from happening.
Jason explains the balance between reducing heat gain in the summer and losing some solar gain in the winter, and the importance of good glass specification.
He also goes over the importance of understanding building performance through modelling and making design changes early in the process to avoid any problems in the future.Special Guest: Jason Quinn.
2025-04-2341 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 23: Bronwyn BarryIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, host Simon Cator sits down with Bronwyn Barry, Principal at PassiveHouseBB, for an insightful conversation about Passive House design.
Bronwyn talks about a pre-fabricated panel solution that is really cost-effective while still having a really high insulation value. She also shares her perspective on an often-overlooked advantage of Passive House design, superior acoustic comfort.Special Guest: Bronwyn Barry.
2025-04-0135 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 22: Denise MartinJoin Simon Cator as he sits down with Denise Martin, Director at BEO, for an insightful discussion on building science and insulation practices in New Zealand.
Denise explores the unique challenges of insulating concrete structures and explains the advantages of exterior insulation. She also highlights how proper insulation and airtightness can lead to significant energy savings, ultimately reducing your power bill. Throughout the conversation, Denise shares expert insights on the relationship between airtightness and energy performance, as well as the crucial role of ventilation and moisture management in creating a healthier home environment. Tune in for valuable knowledge...
2025-03-1140 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 21: Graham FinchIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, host Simon Cator sits down with Graham Finch, Principal Science Specialist at RDH Building Science, for an in-depth discussion on rain screen walls—their function, importance, and the key differences between open and closed rain screens. Graham shares his expert insights on how different cladding systems impact not only the performance of a building but also its longevity, highlighting critical considerations for architects, builders, and designers. Whether you're a construction professional or simply interested in the science behind moisture management in buildings, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge you won’t wa...
2025-02-1846 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 20 : Dan SaundersJoin Simon Cator in conversation with Dan Saunders as they explore New Zealand’s H1 building code changes and discuss how we can promote higher standards. This engaging discussion dives into the challenges and opportunities of creating homes that are not only durable but also better suited for Kiwi lifestyles.
Dan shares expert advice on selecting the right building materials, debunks common myths about constructing high-performance homes, and offers practical steps for achieving better results. Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or simply interested in the future of housing in New Zealand, this is a conversation you won’t want...
2025-02-0421 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 19 : Bob BurnettJoin Simon Cator as he interviews Architect Bob Burnett to explore the transformative work behind the Christchurch Earthquake rebuild, the origins of the Superhome Movement, and how to select the perfect architect for your dream home.
In this insightful episode, Bob shares the guiding principles of the Superhome Movement, including airtight designs, low-carbon materials, and the importance of responsibly sourced resources. He reflects on how witnessing the Christchurch rebuild and the prevalence of substandard housing across New Zealand inspired his mission to design healthier, more sustainable homes.Special Guest: Bob Burnett.
2025-01-2129 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 18: Nick GaitesIn this episode of the Pro Clima Podcast, host Simon Cator is joined by Nick Gaites from Reveal Building Consultants for an insightful discussion on one of New Zealand’s pressing housing challenges—overheating. Together, they explore how energy modelling, fixed shading, reduced glass areas, and improved insulation can transform building performance and elevate comfort levels.
Nick also shares valuable strategies for retrofitting existing homes to enhance their performance. From starting with energy modelling to assess current conditions, to implementing practical solutions, this conversation provides a roadmap for creating healthier, more energy-efficient housing in New Zealand.Spec...
2025-01-0831 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 17: Matthew Cutler-WelshIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Simon Cator sits down with Matthew Cutler-Welsh from Home Style Green at the Green Building Council. They discuss the role Home Style Green plays in educating and assisting New Zealanders in designing and building more sustainably, along with addressing carbon targets and reporting requirements.
Throughout the podcast, Matthew shares insights about the assumptions surrounding new builds meeting healthy living standards and explains the differences between the three methods for calculating energy or insulation values for homes: the modeling method, the schedule method, and the calculation method. He also examines the...
2024-12-1725 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 16: Manfred KehrerJoin Simon Cator and Manfred Kehrer as they discuss Manfred's upbringing in Bavaria, his interest in building science and, how he ended up working at the Fraunhofer Institute.
They discuss the early development of WUFI® software and how he helped in the early stages of the development process, working alongside Hartwig Künzel. He touches on the differences between WUFI® modelling and the Glaser method, and how the Glaser method can often lead to overestimation of moisture issues.
“What people don't know is how many times we discovered measurement errors because we figured out that. I mea...
2024-12-0534 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 15: Kara RosemeierJoin Simon Cator as he sits down with Kara Rosemeier, director of the Passive House Academy in New Zealand, discussing Kara's early career in physiotherapy to then studying Architecture in Germany before moving to New Zealand in 2001.
Kara talks about her emphasis on building science and shares insights on ventilation in New Zealand homes, highlighting that air change rates don’t often correlate with Blower Door tests and that openable windows alone are insufficient for effective ventilation.
Throughout the podcast, she shares valuable insights into the contaminants in your home and the importance of having a...
2024-11-2628 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 14: Hartwig KünzelIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Simon sits down with Hartwig Künzel, who shares his journey with Fraunhofer—from accompanying his father at the test fields as a child, through his studies in chemical engineering, to his pivotal role today at the Institute.
Hartwig dives into the critical role of understanding vapour permeability in construction, highlighting the creation and impact of the WUFI® model. He explains both the significance and complexities of working with WUFI®, along with the challenges that can arise in its calculation. Reflecting on earlier methods of hygrothermal modelling, Hartwig discusses their...
2024-11-0435 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 13: Barry CopeIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Barry shares with Simon his journey from studying engineering to transitioning into airtightness testing with ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association) where he has worked for 10 years.
Simon and Barry discuss the process of Blower Door testing and emphasise the importance of airtightness testing for energy efficiency, citing that homes with improved airtightness can achieve up to 35% energy savings for heating alone.
Barry talks about the future of airtightness testing, and how he predicts there to be a shift in the way we test for airtightness, instead...
2024-10-1534 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 12: Vlada AcimovicIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Simon and Vlada delve into Vlada’s career as a European-trained architect and Certified Passive House Designer. Vlada, now based in Auckland, is passionate about promoting Passive House design in New Zealand. Vlada has completed multiple certified Passive House projects, as well as many other high-performance building projects throughout NZ.
During the discussion, he shares some of the main challenges he faces, particularly misconceptions around the cost of Passive House design. He highlights the need to educate clients and consultants on the numerous benefits of Passive House design, while ad...
2024-10-0327 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 11: Murray Alcock_Now is the time to press play on my next property development! _
This podcast conversation between Simon Cator and Murray Alcock explores Murray’s career in property development and construction, his experience with building techniques, and his current efforts to improve housing design and energy efficiency in New Zealand.
Murray is committed to building homes that do not introduce long-term problems to the buyers, emphasizing the importance of keeping the right balance between individual elements such as for example mechanical ventilation & airtightness, choice of materials, maintaining cost efficiency while meeting higher environmental and livability standards....
2024-09-2332 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 10: Steven HughesIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Steve shares his journey from living in a renovated 1860s villa in Ponsonby, Auckland, to building an off-grid Passive House in Coromandel. He recounts how the villa’s renovation revealed issues with heat retention, leading to high energy costs and discomfort. This experience, along with a desire to live more sustainably, inspired his family's move to Coromandel, where they began with minimal infrastructure, even living in a tent while constructing their new home.
Steve discusses with Simon the process of building the new passive home, emphasizing the importance of en...
2024-09-0536 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 9: Joe LythIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Joe shares his personal journey in architecture, from his childhood in a 1890s farmhouse to pursuing a career in architecture and later moving to New Zealand for a better work-life balance. Facing unhealthy rental conditions in New Zealand, Joe and his wife decided to build their own house to ensure a healthier living environment for their family. They prioritized continuous insulation, high-quality windows, and proper ventilation while balancing budget constraints. Despite challenges, including high construction costs and bank valuation issues, Joe creatively managed to design and construct a functional, affordable, and...
2024-08-1436 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 8: Chris PenkIn this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Simon Cator and Jon Davies speak to Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk.
The discussion revolves around the Minister’s desire to build “Simply, Cheaply and Quickly” - the recent controversial media furore regarding the government's signal to roll back the H1 insulation standards and other building and construction-related issues.
The discussion also touches on easing the regulations for granny flats, developing well-qualified construction workers and revising regulations to maintain building standards.Special Guests: Chris Penk and Jon Davies.
2024-07-1943 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 7: Jon Davies"I hope we'll see a change in the outcome for renovation work which has energy modelling and predicted energy demand for that building - for any building - in play during the design process; and then just put some minimums around that."
In this podcast, Jon discusses his transition from teaching to the building industry where tangible results were more easily visible. He talks about a home renovation project, emphasizing the importance of creating a comfortable living environment by addressing common issues like drafts and poor insulation. Jon describes his Masters thesis - the use of Parka...
2024-07-1637 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 6: Sharon Robinson"Ask yourself, what is your house going to be worth in 2030. A certified Passive House is on the operating levels, energy-wise, of where we're going in 2030. So do you consider your house an investment? I think we put more consideration into the performance of the cars that we buy than we put into the houses that we are creating, and our homes are the largest financial investment that we make in our lives."
In this podcast, Sharon advises homeowners to research the Passive House principles via the Passive House Institute of New Zealand (PHINZ) website, focusing on...
2024-07-0132 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 5: John StraubeDr. Straube explains the importance of the critical elements of the building structure, balancing insulation values with good airtightness levels and high-performance windows: "It's a rule of physics that you need to be able to match those three components of typical houses to get the value out of each one of those components."
In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, John Straube emphasizes the importance of balancing components such as insulation, airtightness, windows and ventilation in building design to achieve optimal energy efficiency and indoor air quality. He explains that airtightness is often misunderstood but is...
2024-06-1843 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 4: Kim Feldborg"We moved into a brand new house in Taupo, it was double-glazed and looked good, but it was blimmin' cold. I couldn’t understand why people would put up with it. Because of this environment, we decided we wanted to live in a more comfortable house."
In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Simon Cator interviews Kim Feldborg, a builder from Denmark who moved to New Zealand in 2007. Shocked by the cold temperatures in his rental home, Kim decided to design and build a Passive House, which he and his family have been living in for ov...
2024-06-0430 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 3: Darryl Sang"Modelling approach is the most accurate way of looking at a building. The overall performance really needs to be modelled."
In this episode of pro clima podcast, Darryl shares insights from his experience with energy-efficient building projects, including the Piha EnerPHit renovation and the Legacy House. He talks about the importance of improving the performance of existing homes in New Zealand, proposing standardized systems to facilitate retrofitting. Darryl highlights the challenges of addressing issues like condensation moisture management and airtightness in the Building Code. He emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to building design, advocating for...
2024-04-0928 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 2: Natasha Cockerell“We accept a lot just because we don’t know any different.”
In the second episode of pro clima podcast, Natasha explains how seeing her relatives work in construction sparked her interest in architecture, which she sees as a combination of art and science. From her experiences with leaky buildings to addressing challenges in the industry, we discuss the current state of the New Zealand construction sector, focusing on economic difficulties and the urgent need to address carbon emissions. Looking ahead, she advocates for a shift towards sustainable, energy-efficient building practices, emphasizing holistic approaches to building performance and th...
2024-04-0926 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 1: Joe Lstiburek"It's not a rocket science, it's a building science!"
In the first episode of the pro clima podcast, we're talking to Joe Lstiburek, the Godfather of Building Science. He delves into his journey from designer to advocate for improved building practices, emphasizing the importance of learning from past mistakes, like weathertightness issues seen in the US or Canada. He reckons the New Zealand construction industry should learn from these mistakes, not keep repeating them. Joe also discusses ventilation concerns and the role of dehumidifiers, suggesting a balanced approach to efficiency. Additionally, he talks about upcoming advancements in...
2024-04-0950 min
Bromley BuzzEpisode 76: Coconut latte’s, Black History Month, and Penge Pride PicnicZeenat Noorani and Darren Weale present the latest Buzz about Bromley, from the Newman Flexible Workspace, aided by breakfast bought at Laura's Larder in Petts Wood (and Grace 40 in Bromley's East Street!).
We hear from Cllr Simon Jeal, Chair of Penge Festival and Millie Knight, Chair of the Friends of Cator and Alexander Park. It is Black History Month, and we interview Bromley-resident and Founder of the Black Heroes Foundation, Joyce Fraser OBE. She talks about their upcoming play, The Story of Claudia Jones, at the Canada Water Theatre on 15th October. Tickets here. We have Zeenat's...
2022-10-0659 min
Home Assistant PodcastChecking the rain tank water levels with SimonSimon joins Rohan and Phil to talk about his journey with Home Assistant, and some of his grand plans he wants to achieve.
For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at
https://hasspodcast.io/ha114/
Watch this episode on YouTube
Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon
This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsor
Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa
Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that...
2022-08-171h 03
Home Style Green271: Super RenoGrowing up in a typical kiwi home, it wasn't until he had lived in the UK for a bit that Damien McGill realised we don't need to be suffering through winter in cold, damp houses. Damien is an engineer and knows how things should be put together so they don't fall apart. But he's interested in more than that. In this chat, Simon Cator and I discuss how Damien got into the Superhome Movement. We also review his experience working on his own 'Super-Reno'.
2022-07-3138 minHome Style Green271: Super RenoGrowing up in a typical kiwi home, it wasn't until he had lived in the UK for a bit that Damien McGill realised we don't need to be suffering through winter in cold, damp houses. Damien is an engineer and knows how things should be put together so they don't fall apart. But he's interested in more than that. In this chat, Simon Cator and I discuss how Damien got into the Superhome Movement. We also review his experience working on his own 'Super-Reno'.
2022-07-3138 min
Home Style Green270 Richard HoughtonRichard Houghton now lives in a very good, healthy home. But that wasn't always the case. Along with Simon Cator from Pro Clima NZ, we discuss Richard's journey in designing and building an energy-efficient SIP home just outside Auckland, New Zealand.
2022-07-2244 minHome Style Green270 Richard HoughtonRichard Houghton now lives in a very good, healthy home. But that wasn't always the case. Along with Simon Cator from Pro Clima NZ, we discuss Richard's journey in designing and building an energy-efficient SIP home just outside Auckland, New Zealand.
2022-07-2244 min
Home Style GreenHow to Control AirtightnessMy third conversation with Simon Cator in our series on the control layers of a well-performing building envelope. In this episode, we cover the why and how of airtightness.
2021-11-2739 minHome Style GreenHow to Control AirtightnessMy third conversation with Simon Cator in our series on the control layers of a well-performing building envelope. In this episode, we cover the why and how of airtightness.
2021-11-2739 min
Home Style Green262: Weathertight vs WaterproofFollowing my previous chat with Simon Cator we continue our discussion about how to construct a good building envelope. This week we're focussing on keeping the weather out. We cover the benefits of a monolithic membrane instead of a microporous one, the importance of being resistant to water while maintaining permeability to vapour, and how to keep everything connected.
2021-11-1229 minHome Style Green262: Weathertight vs WaterproofFollowing my previous chat with Simon Cator we continue our discussion about how to construct a good building envelope. This week we're focussing on keeping the weather out. We cover the benefits of a monolithic membrane instead of a microporous one, the importance of being resistant to water while maintaining permeability to vapour, and how to keep everything connected.
2021-11-1229 min
Home Style GreenBuilding Better HomesSimon Cator is passionate about helping people to build better homes. Prior to becoming Regional Sales Manager for the Upper North Island at Pro Clima NZ, he worked for New Zealand's online architectural products library - EBOSS and also HRV before that. In this introductory episode, I spoke with Simon about the diversity of his role at Pro Clima and how he talks with people throughout the whole building industry to help change the way we do things.
2021-08-0720 minHome Style GreenBuilding Better HomesSimon Cator is passionate about helping people to build better homes. Prior to becoming Regional Sales Manager for the Upper North Island at Pro Clima NZ, he worked for New Zealand's online architectural products library - EBOSS and also HRV before that. In this introductory episode, I spoke with Simon about the diversity of his role at Pro Clima and how he talks with people throughout the whole building industry to help change the way we do things.
2021-08-0720 min
Home Style GreenA Sustainable ICF ECO-Block HomeSimon Cator of Pro Clima New Zealand recently caught up with Kirstie Brown at a sustainable house that Kirstie has built using ECO-Block Insulation Concrete Forms (ICF) in Tauranga. Simon finds out about the advantages of using ECO-Blocks and how an airtight construction is already contributing to great performance. This episode and accompanying article originally appeared on Eboss, https://www.eboss.co.nz/ebossnow/pro-clima-intelligent-air-barrier-tauranga-sustainable-home
2020-06-2510 minHome Style GreenA Sustainable ICF ECO-Block HomeSimon Cator of Pro Clima New Zealand recently caught up with Kirstie Brown at a sustainable house that Kirstie has built using ECO-Block Insulation Concrete Forms (ICF) in Tauranga. Simon finds out about the advantages of using ECO-Blocks and how an airtight construction is already contributing to great performance. This episode and accompanying article originally appeared on Eboss, https://www.eboss.co.nz/ebossnow/pro-clima-intelligent-air-barrier-tauranga-sustainable-home
2020-06-2510 min
TektronicityTekronicity 39 - Guestmix by John Manning (Brisboys)A genuine pleasure to introduce this installment of Tektronicity with a superb mix from Northern Ireland based DJ/Producer, John Manning, one half of the Brisboys. Having built an impressive back catalog over the last decade, John and production partner, Ciaran have released numerous tracks that have received support from the likes of Pete Tong, Richie Hawtin, Marco Carola, Dubfire ,Paco Osuno, Stacey Pullen, Dave Piccioni, Slam, Davide Squillace, Miss Nine, Jesse Voorn, Eric Entrena, Threesixty, Felix Baumgartner (James Cator), Loko, Macromism, Tom Novy, Betoko and many more.
It's fantastic to be able to share this mix for you, recorded...
2019-12-162h 07