Pardon my ignorance, but isn't there a housing regulatory authority that controls new construction? What happens in strong winds or, god forbid, a hurricane?

>Believe it Tracy !!
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>Modern houses in NZ are built out of polystyrene sprayed with plaster !! There is a bit of fibre glass insulation, then an inner layer of gib or plaster board, and that's it.
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>Having come out from the UK, we are having a lot of trouble with keeping warm - the other aspect out here is paranoia over damp - leave some clothes in a closed closet for a few days and they get mildewy...
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>Oh and don't mention the fact that this country suffers from power shortages when it doesn't rain for a few weeks...it's rained enough the last few days to make up for all those low lake levels. There was celebration here yesterday because a train arrived in a new station - only 9 minutes late!! They should go to somewhere like France to see how a proper transport system runs!!
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>Regards
>Simon