Prices had hiked accordingly. Some steel products were up between 15 per cent and 21 per cent, concrete and cement products were up 7 per cent, and prices for decking, timber, and plywood were up between 6 and 20 per cent. NINE TO NOON/RNZ Shipping companies are charging more to get goods into and around the country due to delays at the log-jammed Ports of Auckland. “The group home builders are planning [months] ahead just to make sure they have the materials, it’s ballooned out.” Davmet, a niche exporter of chilled lamb in the Hawkes Bay, said frequent changes in shipping schedules, container shortages and enormous freight hikes had made this year very tough.