Two new pieces of research from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission | Te Waihanga highlight some failings in our approaches to infrastructure delivery and where we can improve The papers, Delivering Better Value and Better Outcomes and Towards Better Contracts, suggest new ways that can bring us better value and better outcomes from what we build, the Commission says. Continue →

Industry representatives are pleased vocational education and training providers will be given more control over their own programmes, rather than taking direction from a ‘centralised behemoth’ Beginning next year, the Government will introduce a new, independent, and industry-led model for work-based learning, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says. Continue →

‘Delivery efficiency’ is an abstract phrase, but an infrastructure consultancy boss says it boils down to using tools and techniques to do things better and remove waste from projects or programmes Whether it’s a level crossing removal, rail upgrade, new road, or water plant, one thing is more exciting than anything else for WSP’s Wellington-based director of strategic advisory, Hunter Dean – delivery efficiency. Continue →

There’s been a lot of debate recently around the high cost of infrastructure in New Zealand, but one thing missing from the discussion is the stark fact that so many projects are shrouded in secrecy, writes Greater Auckland’s Connor Sharp This isn’t just my opinion, or Greater Auckland’s view: it’s confirmed by some very timely research on transparency around publicly-funded infrastructure projects in New Zealand. Continue →

Ahead of a significant overhaul of the vocational education system, Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) has highlighted several concerns around the proposed changes Continue →

The newly elected Government intends to re-introduce 90-day employment trial periods, but is this a good and commercially safe way for employers to take on new personnel? Continue →

The early opening of the impressive Taparahi viaduct over the landslide cutting the main access to Coromandel East Coast communities, is an extremely welcome acknowledgement of the professional engineering and construction expertise successfully bridging the massive, unstable subsidence. Continue →

Civil Contractors NZ Technical Manager Michelle Farrell takes a deep dive into what ‘sustainability’ means, why it matters, and what it might mean for the civil construction industry in New Zealand It seems right now, the more the word ‘sustainability’ is used, the less it means. Continue →

The Wellington Regional Skills Leadership Group (RSLG) and over 50 representatives from across the infrastructure and construction sector met at WelTec (the Wellington Institute of Technology) to discuss workforce development needs for the region and creating a regional partnership to progress priorities Participants at the meeting included major employers, industry organisations, training providers, iwi, Waihanga Ara Rau (the Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council), local government, WellingtonNZ (the economic development agency for the region), Government representatives including from the Ministry for Social Development, Kainga Ora, MBIE, the Construction Sector Accord, and community groups such as Le Fale from Porirua.  Continue →

The Infrastructure Commission notes that New Zealand would have to spend around 9.6% of GDP over 30 years to bridge the infrastructure backlog and build a fit-for-purpose network, which Dr Matthew Birchall says is simply not feasible, nor is it desirable New Zealand faces several infrastructure challenges in the years ahead. Continue →

With 2023 approaching the halfway mark, Waihanga Ara Rau Chief Executive Philip Aldridge reflects on what the Workforce and Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure achieved since its establishment in October 2021 Much of our first year was about getting our systems set up, our people on board, our culture embedded and establishing relationships with you, our industry. Continue →

Infrastructure New Zealand has released the second tranche of its policy positions in the lead-up to the 2023 election to act as a starting point for discussions on how to improve the current state of play in the infrastructure sector At present, Aotearoa New Zealand faces a number of challenges to meet current and future infrastructure needs. Continue →

A contractor’s work environment must be safe for everyone involved, which means having the proper first aid supplies and personnel in an emergency This article will discuss some essential tips and strategies for contractors to help them meet their first-aid obligations. Continue →

Civil engineering students at Whitireia and WelTec | Te Pūkenga have taken on some of New Zealand’s toughest infrastructure issues around housing and three waters with their recent practical project assignments The ākonga (learners) have been designing housing subdivisions on real-life sections which have completely self-sustainable water capture and reticulation systems, making them more resilient and self-reliant in weather or other natural events. Continue →

As 2022 finally fades in the rear-view mirror, ending the plethora of analysis and commentary, we brace ourselves to negotiate a sadly familiar conglomeration of new and long-running challenges The major events of 2021-22, especially the dramatic impact of severe weather and our controversial prolonged Covid 19 national response affecting the social and political landscape, are largely responsible for our faltering economy. Continue →

It is once again time to get entries in for the annual Civil Contractors New Zealand Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards, which have recognised outstanding projects and maintenance initiatives from New Zealand’s civil construction industry since 1978 The awards are recognised as the civil construction and infrastructure industry’s top honours. Continue →

While there are some projects New Zealand can deliver just as well as other high-income countries, it does struggle when it comes to bigger projects, a report from Te Waihanga / The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission finds Michelle McCormick, Policy Director, Infrastructure New Zealand The lay of the land: Benchmarking New Zealand’s infrastructure delivery costs provides a comparison of New Zealand’s infrastructure delivery costs compared to other high-income countries. Continue →

As recession bites, cash-strapped nations will need private finance to fund new projects, however the public private partnership model only works if specific risks are borne by the party best able to manage them By David Ashmore, Philip Bates, and Martina Dampf In recent years, many countries have turned to private finance as a means of funding infrastructure because often, the private sector is best placed to mobilise substantial funding within short time frames.  Continue →

Three Waters, resource management reforms and energy were hot topics in 2022 and will continue to be key themes in the coming year, Buddle Findlay National Chair Jennifer Caldwell says 2022 was a busy year for the infrastructure sector.   Continue →

The addition of green list pathways for skilled civil construction trade workers alongside skilled civil engineers shows the world New Zealand is open for business once more, says Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard The changes will see Green List pathways for residence for skilled civil construction machine operators, drainlayers, site supervisors and truck drivers – people who often had vital skills and practical knowledge that often went unrecognised. Continue →