We have noticed an upswing in the number of international visits to our website and decided that the quickest and most efficient way to service these visitors, in addition to providing information, was by making our unique range of products available on a truly international scale via the addition of an online shop. Because we do not have distribution channels set up outside New Zealand, coupled with the growing number of people showing interest in our product range and our need to service these enquiries in a timely, efficient and hassle free way, an on line shop was the logical next step in the development of our on line presence. We trust people will enjoy not only the remarkable benefits associated with utilizing the Aquatite Products, but will also enjoy the on line shopping experience Aquatite now offers.[–]

Aquatite Enterprises today launched a new website. In line with a new marketing strategy the website boasts new features and ease of access to information.

"It's really about helping our customers to get the information they require from us faster." said Kevin Turley, Aquatite's managing director, "We want to improve the online experience for cutomers to bring it in line with how they can experience dealing with us overall as a company."

Along with the new website is a strategy to start supplying product internationally. This will be reflected in the soon to be released online store, where customers can order product direct from Aquatite. Aquatite products will still be available through major building and plumbing merchants throughout New Zealand. [–]

Right from the outset of designing these products, it was very clear that our current building code has some major oversights in it that go completely overlooked, risking the health and integrity of a home and its occupants. Without changes and amendments being introduced to our building code, along with standards to change the way we design and build our homes, we will continue to build insufficient homes that fail to "SAFEGUARD PEOPLE AGAINST ILLNESS, INJURY, OR LOSS OF AMENITY THAT COULD RESULT FROM THE ACCUMULATION OF INTERNAL MOISTURE"—Clause E3.1 OBJECTIVE (NZBC)

Looking back, developing the actual product was the easy part. It was going to be difficult to introduce the new product, as well as a new concept into the mindsets of our tradesman and local authorities. Along with this, most homeowners are unaware of subtle variances in the way we build that can turn a beautiful bathroom into a damp, mould-infested, rotting mess. Without our building code even recognising the functionality of our products, it was always going to be hard to get some traction in the industry. If they did not have to be included, why include them in the build?

One of the first exercises we undertook was to actually quantify the problem, by obtaining information and statistics from the Insurance Council of New Zealand and associated insurance companies, it became clear that we have a major problem with leaky bathrooms, costing the homeowner and insurance companies millions of dollars annually to repair. The next step involved contacting the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) and seeking advice as to how to go about initiating change to our building code and compliance documents. This proved to be difficult as changes to anything in our law can take years to successfully achieve. We were initially told to pursue product certification; a scheme that was jointly entered into with Australia in 2005 but has never really worked in Australia, and never got off the ground here in NZ. Years have been spent pursuing that to no avail as yet.

After having very little contact and support from the DBH from first contact in 2005, it wasn't until mid-2008 that things changed. I managed to meet with the then Minister of Building and Construction who listened to my concerns and agreed to arrange for me to meet with the DBH. Now in 2009, a review process is underway for E3/AS1 and it is planned to have a document ready to seek cabinet approval by the end of June.

What we are hoping to see is a very simple insertion of a clause that will require penetrations in wet area linings to be sealed, with a proprietary flange or sealant. With this simple clause being added, the whole issue of unsealed penetrations in a wet area wall will have to be addressed to gain a code of compliance. Interestingly, the last clause of our NZBC E3 internal moisture document states that "SURFACES OF BUILDING ELEMENTS LIKLEY TO BE SPLASHED MUST BE CONSTRUCTED IN A WAY THAT PREVENTS WATER SPLASH FROM ENTERING BEHIND LININGS OR INTO CONCEALED SPACES."—E3.3.6  This clause alone should be enough to address the issue of unsealed penetrations into wet area linings, but obviously it has not been adhered to or complied with, just another reason why so many New Zealand homes are quietly rotting away.

Following on from a meeting I had this week with the Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson and a representative from the DBH, I can confirm that the review process for E3/AS1 is well underway. A draft copy is due to be ready for review by the end of June. A number of organisations including Aquatite have made submissions to the DBH regarding amendments to E3/AS1 and we will get a draft copy first for comment before the document is tabled to cabinet for approval.

We can expect to see a lot of changes to the current E3/AS1 with a number of different areas been closely looked at. As far as Aquatite is concerned, we are seeking a simple clause to be added that will address the area of unsealed penetrations into wet area linings, so a builder/plumber will have to demonstrate how they are sealing up the holes in the wall to gain a code of compliance certificate.

The standard will not be set around an individual company's product, but sealing up the holes in the wall. With the inclusion of a clause in the NZBC addressing this issue, it will set demand for other companies to develop complying solutions. [–]