Somehow my post was deleted, but i'll just summarise
It is a really good idea, as NZ builders simply do not understand the need for European standard glazing and insulation.
I don't think it's should be a 'lack of understanding' by the NZ building industry because it's like comparing apples with oranges. Cold places like Europe and most parts of N. America construct homes under a complete different approach to how houses are built in NZ (which is more similar to how houses are built in Australia). The single biggest factor that differentiates between the 2 is in NZ, timber framed walls must more or less be able to breath (which means any moisture or condensation in the wall cavities can escape. Where as in comparison to cold climates, such a method of building will not be suitable because of the simple fact that uncontrolled air movement (in the form of drafts - through down lights in the ceiling, electrical flush boxes, etc) is not a solution to efficiently keep heat inside the living space, especially when it can be -30C outside.
Secondly, the energy load on such air tight constructed houses wouldn't fit the bill for most people in NZ as features such as central heating (via electric or LPG/nat gas) would result in a high user cost of operation. There are builds in NZ such as "Passive Haus" that focus on minimal carbon footprint running costs but it is still yet to be debated if the extra cost to go this far is warranted. I don't think it's an issue about payback time but rather, an issue of, is it all really necessary to live in a house that is constant 22C (by active ventilation and HVAC) vs passive heating from the sun where the living space temperature can vary between 14C - 28C (depending where you live in NZ).
I have encountered much resistance to more than the NZ new build standard of insulation and thermally broken double glazing and central heating in our re-build/extension in Motueka. We were cold last winter- never again.
It was hard enough having uPVC windows installed in our house built few years ago as the builder continually expressed interest in aluminium frame or thermally broke ones. I agree completely that use of non-standard materials is a risk to any builder (after all compare to the methods used recently that caused all of NZ's leaky house syndrome - methods and use of different materials resulting billions in damages). The methods they're using today would be more along the lines of the 'tried and true' with more insulation specified.
I'm a fan of triple pane windows. But i'm not a fan of using such glazing if it's not part of the whole building system. That is, there's a point where you can go too extreme when factors such as air tightness/draft proofing isn't taken into consideration. Actually, a Passive Haus house being built near Hamilton is getting special PVCu windows imported from Europe but with glass spec of only double glazing.