Meet our new member: The New Zealand Stonemasons Association

Natural stone has shaped buildings and landscapes for generations. Behind every well-crafted stone feature is a combination of material knowledge, design decisions and skilled hands. The New Zealand Stonemasons Association (NZSMA), CGF’s newest member, brings those skills together and gives the trade a collective voice. 

Established in 2012 by professional stonemasons from across the country, NZSMA represents around 25 member firms and individual craftspeople throughout the North and South Islands. Its members include trade professionals, business leaders and artisans who share a commitment to preserving the craft of stonemasonry while helping it meet the needs of today’s construction sector. 

For NZSMA, excellence starts with the people doing the work. The association promotes high standards of craftsmanship and supports education and training so that skills can be passed on to the next generation. It also works to strengthen professional standards and qualifications, helping clients and the wider industry recognise the knowledge involved in working with natural stone. 

NZSMA’s role extends beyond its membership. It connects stonemasons and stone suppliers with architects, designers, builders and councils, helping project teams make informed choices about how stone is specified and used. That advice can make a difference early in a project, when decisions about materials and construction methods are still being made. 

The association also advocates for the trade in conversations with government and industry bodies. By bringing practical experience from its members to those discussions, NZSMA helps ensure that the needs of stonemasonry are heard as guidance and professional pathways develop. 

This balance of traditional craft and forward-looking industry work makes NZSMA a valuable addition to the CGF membership. Stonemasonry is a specialist trade, but many of the challenges it faces will be familiar to other member associations: attracting and developing skilled people, sharing knowledge, and making sure industry experience informs decisions that affect the sector. 

As a CGF member, NZSMA joins a network of associations working to strengthen capability and collaboration across New Zealand’s construction sector. We look forward to learning more about its members, the projects they contribute to and the opportunities ahead for the trade. 

Welcome to CGF, NZSMA.