Purpose Rapid construction growth is increasing construction and demolition waste and associated environmental burdens. Construction waste management involves structured practices aimed at reducing, reusing and recycling waste. Despite its recognised benefits, implementing sustainable strategies remains challenging. This research aims to examine the challenges and potential solutions for managing construction waste in New Zealand, focusing on stakeholder perspectives and sustainable practices. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of Scopus and Google Scholar identified 43 eligible studies. Ten semi-structured interviews with New Zealand subject-matter experts complemented the review. Thematic synthesis was used to derive challenge domains, map barriers to coordinated strategy packages and develop an integrated conceptual framework. Findings Six challenge domains were identified: governance and compliance; infrastructure and resource capacity; financial constraints; waste management planning; culture and education and market availability and demand. Strategies addressing these challenges emphasise stakeholder collaboration, financial incentives, education, logistics and infrastructure planning and technological innovation. Public–private partnerships, certification schemes and procurement requirements were identified as enabling mechanisms that reinforce consistent waste-minimising decisions and accountability across supply chains. Practical implications The framework guides policymakers and practitioners in aligning regulation, incentives, collaboration and technology adoption to improve diversion and material value retention. It supports Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, 12 and 13 through innovation, responsible consumption and production and reduced waste-related emissions. Originality/value Integrating systematic review evidence with expert interviews, the study offers a New Zealand-focused challenge–strategy framework that explains how interacting institutional, organisational, and market conditions shape waste minimisation outcomes across design, construction and end-of-life stages.
Doan et al. (2026) studied this question.