Builders & Contractors Magazine Issue#144

Maintaining

Celebrating our history, and legends in the making.

We began as a service to Fletcher Construction in the early 1920’s. Today, we continue to grow from strength to strength, turning lessons learnt into the pillars of our success.

100 years later we’re New Zealand’s leading importer, distributor and processor of steel representing: Fletcher Building’s EasysteelTM , Fletcher Reinforcing®, CSP, Fletcher Wire ProductsTM, Dimond® Roofing, Dimond StructuralTM and Pacific CoilCoaters® as our brands.

Cheers to 100 years of growth, legends driving our success, and to the next 100 years.

fletchersteel.co.nz

Welcome - Editor’s note

In this issue of Builders & Contractors we open up discussing the ins and outs of portable buildings, and also look at the work at hand to maintain a pipeline of skilled workers to support the industry’s future.

There are pieces on how to position your team for success by seizing the moment, how to manage difficult team members, and ways to help mitigate workplace stress.

We also look at how technology can help you tackle challenges, the ever-important understanding and implementation of weathertightness, while looking at the building of an Antarctic research station in Timaru, plus lots more.

As always, we thank all our columnists for their expertise, along with the views, opinions and predictions of all those who contributed, to help you manage the risks you face each and every day.

Contents

6: The ins and outs of portable buildings

8: Managing difficult team members

12: Positioning your team for success

14: Preparing the future workforce

18: Tackling challenges with technology

20: Increasing your efficiency and cutting costs

26: Managing workplace stress

30: Countdown to the Concrete NZ Conference

40: Concrete NZ Readymix members place onus on quality

46: Industry-leading fire research with useful implications for steel structures

50: Understanding mass timber use in construction

51: The importance of planning when it comes to joinery

Page: 40

65: Unlocking the full potential of wood

64: Master Plumbers – the best in the business

68: SARNZ continues to keep a close eye on safety procedures

72: The ever-present threat of asbestos

73: Safe demolition and asbestos management

74: The universal benefits of responsible demolition

78: HIANZ - putting clients’ safety first

80: Compact construction equipment

82: Insulating kiwi homes for the future

84: Storage systems to keep freight safe

88: Weathertightness and our uncertain future

90: ACE New Zealand - the consultant’s champion

92: Grand designs - Auckland’s Te Whau Pathway

94: Building an Antarctic research station in Timaru

Editor

Readers: Construction/building industry leaders and decision makers: government & trade organisations, site safe members, business owners and professionals in the industry.

Nationwide Distribution: Mailed directly to a carefully maintained list of decision makers and subscribers for 25 years.

Builders and Contractors, a national trade newspaper targeted directly at New Zealand's building and construction industry. For some time we were aware that, although the building and related trades were generally covered individually by some trade journals, there was no amalgamated news link for trades as a whole, especially on a nationwide basis.

This void has been successfully filled by Builders & Contractors. Distribution is by way of various outlets: PlaceMakers, Mitre 10, Builders Hardware, I.T.M., Carters, Site Safe Members, Home Ideas Centre, timber companies, hire companies, together with our database direct mail drop to architects, draughting professionals, consulting engineers, building consultants, designers and local Councils. By these means we aim to reach one of the most powerful buying groups in the industry.

Editorial: Jonathon Taylor Phone: (03) 961 5098 editor@academygroup.co.nz

PO Box 1879, Christchurch, 8140

Production:

Jarred Shakespeare Phone: (03) 961 5088 jarred@academygroup.co.nz

Sales Manager: Monice Kruger Phone: (03) 961 5083 sales@academygroup.co.nz

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Holyoake is plea sed to introduce it s new A HL Series Acoustic Louver

The AHL Series offers an attractive louver system that provides both ventilation and sound attenuation. Based on Holyoake’s proven louver technology, the AHL Series has been designed to efficiently allow air to pass through the facade of a building while educing radiated noise.

Moveable constraints

The ins and outs of portable buildings

Portable, prefabricated or modular buildings are certainly flavour of the month. Kainga Ora are now asking for a certain percentage of their new build components to be manufactured off-site.

The Government is championing the industry and is working hard to reduce red tape in the sector. They see it as the way of the future. So, what exactly is the attraction?

There are a lot of arguments in favour of portable buildings. You can build them in all weathers, so there are no interruptions or down-time. A large proportion of them are machine-made which reduces human error. You can qualify for MultiProof building consents which speeds up and simplifies the regulatory process. They are mass-produced to the same design, which maximises efficiency. Or you can import them from countries with low labour and raw materials costs, and therefore get a competitive edge. But just as there are advantages to off-site manufacturing, so there are disadvantages. The choice of designs is very limited. You have to transport the components, modules or completed buildings to the site, and they then have to be installed on site.

Depending on where your manufacturing facility is and where your customer’s site is, you may require two different building consents from two different building consent authorities. You require payment of a lot of the price before you have anything to show for it, and that is a deterrent to customers. And finally, you don’t benefit from on-site learnings as the construction progresses –you can’t be flexible and make adjustments as you go.

The perplexing thing is, hardly a week seems to go by without another news media story of an off-site manufacturer going bust. Why is it that so many portable building suppliers fail? Do these disadvantages outweigh the advantages?

There are a number of reasons for these failures. For a start, the cost of setting up the manufacturing operation is prohibitive for small firms.

Unlike the on-site builder who merely requires a ute, some tools, and some shelter from the elements, an off-site manufacturer

requires a large factory and a lot of highlyengineered machinery. That facility will have either been funded by substantial borrowings, or it will be leased at a prohibitive rent.

And it’s not as if the capital outlay stops there. These manufacturing processes are never perfect from day 1, so they require continuous improvement to iron out the wrinkles, and that costs more money. Furthermore, you need a steady supply of customers to cover costs and keep production up. But currently, supply appears to exceed demand.

The industry has become too competitive and there are too many prefabricators or portable building suppliers to be sustainable. Plus, there are too many complicating factors to cope with such as consenting, transportation, and installation. Finally, customers are becoming wary with each new depressing news story. They are reticent to risk their money and suffer the same fate as the people who have lost their life savings.

Those aren’t the only challenges. For example, there are a whole lot of legal compliance issues to satisfy.

The starting point is that under the Building Act, all “building work” must be building code-compliant, and the manufacture of portable buildings or prefabricated components will almost certainly be building work unless you are mass-producing commodity products that aren’t customised for a particular project. So, you have to ensure your prefabricated components or finished buildings comply with the building code.

Also, remember that all “building work” requires a building consent unless it is exempted. Exemptions (primarily under Schedule 1 of the Building Act), depend on size, location, and intended use of the structure.

Those criteria have recently been relaxed a little, but they are still fairly rigid – you either comply with them or you don’t. If no exemption applies then you have to endure the delays and expense of the consent process, and consents may be required from two separate Building Consent Authorities. There may even be resource consents required.

If your portable buildings are “household units” then that triggers the consumer rights and remedies in Part 4A of the Building Act 2004.

Household units are defined as a building or group of buildings, or part of a building or group of buildings, that is used, or intended to be used, only or mainly for residential purposes, and occupied, or intended to be occupied, exclusively as the home or residence of not more than one household. So tiny homes and self-contained granny flats are going to fall squarely within that.

What that means is mandatory pre-contract checklists and disclosure statements, building contracts that have to deal with a specified list of topics, and post-completion owner manuals dealing with ongoing insurance and building maintenance requirements.

Plus, all the implied 10-year warranties and powerful consumer remedies that go with it. And if you are manufacturing these household units with the intention of resale (in other words you are manufacturing stockin-trade or inventory as distinct from making to order), then you can’t give possession or title without first obtaining a Code Compliance Certificate.

Quite how you achieve that when you have to hand over the unit prior to its installation being signed off by the Council, is a mystery.

It doesn’t end there. If the portable structure requires a building consent, then you may be doing “restricted building work” as defined in the Building Act. Restricted building work is work that is critical to make a home structurally sound and weathertight, and most prefabricated components of a household unit will fall within that.

That means that Licensed Building Practitioners must carry out or supervise that work, and they must provide design certificates at the consent stage and records of work at the completion stage.

But wait, there’s more. When you are manufacturing portable buildings or prefabricated components, are you doing something “relating to building work” or are you merely a building product supplier?

If you are doing the former, then you can’t be sued for defective workmanship after 10 years, whereas you’re on the hook for 15 years if your products are massproduced and not customised for any particular project.

Finally, if the arrangement you enter into with your customer is a “construction contract” (in other words, a contract for carrying out construction work), then the Construction Contracts Act 2002 (“CCA”) applies. That is largely good news, because then you can use the payment

claim procedure under the CCA to extract payments (or explanations for non-payment) from your customers, and you can use the CCA adjudication system to resolve disputes quickly and economically.

Then there is the issue of non-codecompliant cabins. A lot of portable buildings don’t have a hope of complying with the building code, because they’re too basic. Some manufacturers and importers simply gamble that Councils will turn a blind eye to this, whereas others put wheels on their buildings.

Why do they do that? Because under the Building Act a “building” includes a vehicle that is immovable and is occupied long term. So they argue their cabins are moveable because they can be towed away.

Finally, how do purchasers of portable buildings protect themselves from the risk of their supplier’s insolvency?

With on-site construction, everything attached to the land immediately becomes the owner’s property (subject to the Bank’s mortgage), so if the builder goes bust, you own the structure that you have paid for. With off-site construction on the other hand, the customer is paying money for components they don’t yet own and that may not yet be identifiable. So the customer is just an unsecured creditor with little chance of recovery.

What do you do to improve your situation?

There are three precautions that I would recommend to a portable building purchaser.

First, if possible, have your money kept in a trust account until the building arrives. Secondly, register your ownership of the building on the Personal Property Securities Register. Thirdly, negotiate for a right to access the manufacturing site to recover your components, and require that they be identified as yours from the get-go.

Geoff Hardy has 47 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer and is a partner in the Auckland firm Martelli McKegg. He guarantees personal attention to new clients at competitive rates. His phone number is (09) 379 0700, fax (09) 309 4112, and e-mail Geoff.Hardy@martellimckegg.co.nz. This article is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice.

Silvercard

The Silvercard™ MEWP and now forklift Training Program continues to grow and be seen as a strong brand when it comes to Competent Operator Training.

The program currently has 5 courses and 7 practical assessments, that help educate, train and prove competency of operators on MEWPS and Forklifts. All owned and managed by the Hire Industry Association of New Zealand Inc (HIANZ), using Independent Trainer/Assessors and their training businesses to deliver and issue our Competent operator cards.

The association values the support and input all our accredited deliverers provide. We have a lot of respect for their work and their skills in training and assessing. However, we don’t take it for granted. We work hard with them all to ensure they are delivering the best possible course and are sufficiently skilled to deliver our quality Silvercard™ training material. Our goal is to provide the user market with the most recognisable brand of competent operator training, that is delivered to the highest level and consistent across the country.

Why do we want to do this? It is so, the Association can fulfil our member’s duty of care to the operators, by ensuring they have received the best possible training and assessment out there and have confidence in their abilities. If you are employing MEWP or Forklift Operators, you can look at their

Competent operator card (or verify their competency on the silvercard.co.nz website) and have confidence in the knowledge that they have been trained and assessed as competent Silvercard™ operators . No longer having to wonder what the quality of training was when they hand over a certificate or operator card created on a bubblejet printer and laminated, look out for the Silvercard™brand.

Silvercard™ gives you confidence and supports you in identifying competent operators. Silvercard™ is growing. You are about to see new changes and increased training opportunities to ensure everyone operating is a safe, competent operator.

We have a further 5 courses and 2 assessments to add to this training suite in the next few months, giving us 10 courses and 7 separate practical assessments, that operators can achieve.

One of these is our new Transporting MEWPS course. An important part of using a MEWP is the transporting, handover and operator familiarisation when the MEWP is delivered to site. Too often no attention is shown to this process, even though it is where some of the biggest risks exist around MEWP’s.

A course focussed on transport operators takes them through not only the safe loading and unloading and securing for travel. The course will focus on teaching the driver how

to hand over the MEWP to the receiving operator safely. Pre-operational checks, maintenance and inspection confirmation and safe functional operation is a very important part to ensure the receiving operator understands the condition and operation of the MEWP.

This course solidifies the duty of care the owner (Hire Company) has, to ensure the receiving PCBU and workers are safe in the use of their plant and equipment.

The Hire Industry Association works hard on ensuring high compliance to safety standards and providing the best possible training around all aspects of MEWP operation and ownership.

Our comprehensive courses combine theory and practical training with valuable one-on-one time to ensure a successful outcome.

Spots of bother Managing difficult team members

How do you handle that difficult team member that isn’t performing? At what point do you say enough is enough?

The employee who gives pushback every time you correct them, the complaints about that person not pulling their weight, mistakes combined with that “I don’t really care” attitude. It can feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall.

They take a lot of time and energy to manage. When their name is mentioned it triggers you into reaction mode bracing for the next problem that could be coming your way.

If you’ve been in business for a while, you’ll likely have had someone like this at some point. Pareto’s law would say that if you had 10 employees, there’s at least one who is exceptional and one that is difficult to manage. I’ve seen this many times with thousands of business owners I’ve coached.

These are some of the strategies that have worked best with my clients that could also work for you. But keep in mind I am coming from a business coach perspective. So make sure that you check with your HR specialist about the legal aspects which aren’t covered here.

The litmus Test

Remember in science class, you learned how to use litmus paper to tell if a liquid is acid, neutral or alkaline. When litmus paper is dipped into the liquid it would change colour, then you check the colour against the chart to determine if its acid, neutral or alkaline. Red is acidic, green is neutral and purple is alkaline.

Let’s apply the litmus test to your team member to see what effect they’re having.

The team

How is the behaviour of this person affecting the rest of the team? Is the team getting frustrated and discouraged, are they feeling demotivated, or is there any bullying involved? Is the overall performance of the team being affected?

The business

Is this person’s performance affecting how long jobs are taking, or causing too many mistakes at extra cost? Is their behaviour spilling over and affecting your clients or professionalism as a business?

You

Are you constantly putting out fires caused by this team member, or every time you hear their name, it triggers you into anxiety around what could go wrong next?

I was working with a husband and wife couple in an engineering business with a team of around ten. They had an employee who was their most knowledgeable team member, but his attitude was terrible. But his attitude was terrible. It was so bad that the wife admitted to me one day that she didn’t even like going into the office in case she might see him.

But they both felt powerless, worried about losing him with all the work they had on and they didn’t think they could replace him at that higher skill level; this guy knew it which made things even worse.

After a few weeks of us working together I encouraged them to take control back. So they started calling the shots again. He was given the opportunity to change his attitude or move on. He decided to move on.

It only took a couple of months to find a good replacement, while the rest of the team stepped up to another gear. They had their business back and enjoyed coming to work again, also the rest of the team was much happier.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

If you have a problem team member it’s important to take a look in the mirror. Good coaches know that the business is a reflection of the business owner.

Your strengths, weaknesses, success and mistakes reflect in your business. The more you work on yourself, the better your business will perform.

Did things go wrong at the hiring stage, or has this developed over time?

Only by looking back can we see what really happened. It’s important to learn from any mistakes you might have made so you don’t have to repeat them.

Do you have a good hiring process in place that takes into account attitude not just skills?

Have you set the right structure in place including written checklists, best practices and training so your team members have the opportunity to succeed?

Notice I said ‘opportunity’ as they still have to do their part.

Are you giving each team member regular feedback, do they know if they are winning or losing?

When we help clients put these systems in place the culture improves and the team takes on more responsibility as the standards are much clearer.

Do you know everyone on your team well, like the names of their partner/children and what’s most important to them outside work?

Business owners and managers who show their team that they really care, have better team culture with employees who are more likely to step up when needed. Also, their best employees usually stay longer.

What’s changed

When you first employed that team member there must have been some traits and skills you liked. If they are a good performer initially then what changed. Did you recognise the early red flags?

Maybe something major is happening at home; their marriage might be in trouble or a family member is dealing with a health crisis. They could be clashing with another team member or it could simply be the wrong job for them.

It’s important to find out early what your team members can and can’t do. Don’t assume.

A drainage client recently discovered some large mistakes on jobs from his foreman that cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix. When questioning him and his team, this confirmed suspicions that he was not leading the team well and they were getting increasingly frustrated with the lack of direction.

After some further training it became clear that this guy was not foreman material and he was in the wrong role. They are now looking at other options for him. If this was done earlier it would have saved a lot of frustration, time and money.

I know I need to do something, but where to start

One tool we use with clients that works well is our review process. It’s a great way to talk about the elephant in the room without the awkwardness.

By the end of this process, it’s really clear to both of you if they are meeting the standard and a track of what to do next.

My building client had a foreman who wasn’t leading the team well and pushing back at any constructive feedback. My client didn’t like confrontation so he let these things slide a bit too long.

Once we implemented the review process the line was very clear on what was not acceptable anymore. The foreman stayed for a short couple of months then left. They discovered some significant mistakes which cost them a few weeks to fix, but at least they could get back on track.

It’s your move

If you have a difficult team member, they will be costing you a lot more than their salary. Moving forward there are basically two choices, carry on as you are and hope things get better which is unlikely, or you can start being proactive and dealing with the issues.

If you challenge them now, they have a chance to become better. Alternatively, if they are in the wrong place, you are not doing them or yourself any favours by leaving them there.

Whatever happens next is up to you, but being proactive always gives you better options.

Need some help with your team and becoming more profitable in your business then book a free 45-minute strategy session here: www.nextleveltradie.co.nz/nextstep.

Business owners and managers who show their team that they really care, have better team culture with employees who are more likely to step up when needed. Also, their best employees usually stay longer.

QUALIFICATIONS THAT FIT WHAT YOU DO

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GROW YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH TRAINING

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HELP THEM LEARN THE SKILLS AND BECOME QUALIFIED

GET SKILLS RECOGNISED WITH A FORMAL QUALIFICATION

TRAINING AN APPRENTICE IS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR BUSINESS AND THE INDUSTRY

With more than 50 years’ experience in the construction sector we are well aware of the needs of the industry. This means we realise how important the safety of your best asset – your staff – is to you and your company’s future.

So, as a national company servicing New Zealanders in the construction industry, we are committed to the safety of your staff.

And when you deal with us you’re dealing with the owner, which means you receive a superior and speedy service – every time.

Our extensive construction knowledge ensures we understand local compliance issues and we realise how critical your deadlines are and we guarantee to be on time – check out our Secureguarantee.

• We guarantee to beat any written quote by 10%

• We guarantee to return all quotes within 48 hours otherwise you will receive the first week rental FREE of charge!

By using Securescaffold you can rest assured that your objectives of safety, cost and meeting deadlines are of paramount importance.

All our equipment is rigorously tested to the highest of standards.

Securescaffold covers all NEW Worksafe working height requirements providing fall protection for builders, painters, home handyman and roofers on new and existing home constructions.

Ask

Seizing the moment Positioning your team for success

Clarity and understanding is key

The key to ensuring the team is set up for success is in knowing what you need, where each person is at their best, and how to equip them. This will strengthen your ability to deliver.

Consider the following for each of your team members:

1. How long have they been in their current role?

In business terms, this of course includes looking at the tasks at hand, whether you have the right person/people for the job or if you’re going to need to fine tune, regroup or restructure.

With change comes opportunity

Change, as it’s often said, is the one constant and there will always be changes affecting what happens in your organisation.

For example, one product line or service area has become quieter than others, supply chain glitches have put production on hold or rapid growth has staff shortages causing headaches. Sometimes creative thinking sees such changes easily dealt with, but at other times, a radical rethink might be required.

So what can be helpful to consider as you figure out the best way forward? Here are some starting points:

• How is progress tracking against your current goals?

• What are your gaps and opportunities?

• Do you have the right players with the skill sets/expertise in place?

• Could some people be better suited to a different role?

• What support do people need to help them succeed?

As you work through what you want to achieve, it’s important to consider whether any roles need to change, or perhaps be reshuffled.

Central to this process is knowing what each person brings, remembering to look at how they contribute to your workplace in terms of attitude and motivation, as well as their technical skills and knowledge.

You might discover you have gaps in some skill sets which can be addressed through training and professional development, or you may find a need for a completely new position. This is about taking a big picture look at possibilities.

2. Are they clear about the priorities of the role?

3. What are their development needs?

4. Do you know and understand what they need to be successful?

When it comes to identifying requirements, it can be helpful to use a profiling tool or framework to take a look at people’s strengths and weaknesses.

These tools can also help you drill down into what they are really about, how individuals see themselves and others, and importantly how to match different talents to your organisation’s needs and goals.

Choose the right tools for the job

With a number of different options to choose from such as CliftonStrengths, DISC or MyersBriggs choosing the right framework and approach for your situation can be daunting. Keep these questions in mind as you weigh up your options:

1. Does the framework have a good evidence base?

2. Does it label people or develop them?

3. Can it show how your people progress over time?

4. Will it work for your team based on what they need to achieve?

5. Is it helpful in enabling people to grow in their role so they are improving?

6. Finally, does it resonate with you as the leader and help you too?

Not only do different frameworks suit different situations but how they are used also determines their impact.

Bear in mind that the framework you choose, also has to resonate with you as the leader; you need to believe, buy into it and feel inspired by the possibilities it generates.

Because as an inspired leader you are more likely to engage, inspire and equip people to move your organisation forward.

Whichever tool you use, its effectiveness will only be as good as your follow through.

Positive influence, plus action is game changing

As well as reflecting on the right people and right tools for the job, commit the time to mapping out your plans so you turn these great ideas into action.

Put the actions in the diary and if you need someone to help you with your follow through, by then you’ll hopefully have already found the right person for the job!

So if you know it’s time for change, start by taking a look at the people you have right in front of you to see if there is opportunity for them to adapt and grow, and making sure you equip and position them for success. This way, however small or radical the change, they are more likely to be engaged and perform at their best, supporting your changes so that you get the best results possible.

So go on, take a good look at where you’re at, who you’ve got on board and how they like to work - it can be your game changer!

With some sense of normalcy having returned after the unpredictability of the last few years, now is a good time to take a breath, look at how things are currently going and where you want to head.

As well as reflecting on the right people and right tools for the job, commit the time to mapping out your plans so you turn these great ideas into action.

Preparing the future workforce

Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce and Development Council (WDC) for Construction and Infrastructure was established in October 2021. I am pleased to report on our progress and engagement with you.

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. We have achieved that and so much more as we round out our second year of operation.

Now we are focused on providing skills leadership on behalf of industry and reinforcing the following key outcomes over the next 18 months:

• We have quality relationships with industry and productive partnerships with Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs), Construction Accord, ConCove, industry associations, iwi, hapū and education providers

• Industry understands the role of Waihanga Ara Rau and how to leverage the organisation

• Qualifications system products are informed by industry needs

• Assurance practices and programmes support national consistency and quality learning outcomes

• Relationships with Māori support greater awareness of career opportunities in our industries and opportunities to train at all levels.

We could not do all this without your support and genuinely thank you for your input and feedback.

The pressure is on

Skills shortages in construction and infrastructure do not appear to be diminishing any time soon. We have record employment across the economy and the shortages are similar in other countries.

Many countries are all competing for the same workers. We also have a declining birth rate and an ageing population. The combination of these factors is a perfect storm putting pressure on the sector to maintain a pipeline of skilled workers. Together, we need to make sure that workplaces and communities are attractive and welcoming in this new world of work, particularly if migrants are going to help at all.

Also adding pressure are adverse weather events which add to the volume of work immensely. While evaluation is ongoing, early predictions after the recent cyclone and flood events are that the repair and rebuilding expenses will amount to approximately $6.3 billion while evaluation is ongoing.

For many construction businesses, the last two years have been a frustrating cocktail of lockdowns, other project delays, labour and skill shortages, capacity constraints, disrupted supply chains, materials shortages, and sharply rising costs.

The boom-bust-cycle nature of the construction industry means that businesses are more susceptible to cash flow issues. As a result, construction companies could face more pressure from a mix of project delays and cost increases, consents are also down 25% in March 2023 compared to the same time last year, indicating a slowdown in residential construction activity.

Preparing the future workforce

Attracting people to the industry is all well and good, but we also need to make sure that they are supported, prepared and workready before they are hired.

If newcomers understand what to expect on the job and have already developed a keen interest in the type of work they will be doing and what they will be learning, then it becomes highly likely they will be content and stay in the sector. Getting some elementary skills on board before entering the industry also helps. This is where trade academies and work preparation courses can fit in.

We also need to raise aspirations and narrow the skills and diversity gap. To achieve this, we will need to disrupt the way that companies engage with the pipeline of talent and provide people with the tools to challenge stereotypes.

What we keep hearing from employers is that they cannot find the right people to hire. This signals that we must help a wide range of people get ready for the industry and support them to become the right people to hire by shining a light on the future world of work. We need to do this together by making sure the construction and infrastructure sector are an attractive proposition with genuine career prospects and opportunities for everyone to succeed.

Attracting more ākonga (students), rangatahi (young adults) and pakeke (career changers) to the industry and into vocational education programmes will take a team effort by industry, industry associations, education providers, government ministries/ organisations, including Waihanga Ara Rau, and schools.

Retaining talented workers

The retention of skilled workers in construction and infrastructure is indeed a challenge. Waihanga Ara Rau is committed to helping industry address this issue. One key approach is to foster supportive and inclusive work environments.

By supporting developing leaders, cultural competency and the well-being and safety of employees, employers can build culture, diversity, reduce burnout and promote positive work-life balance. Offering opportunities for career advancement is another strategy that can be employed.

By investing in the growth and development of skilled workers through higher-level training, business owners can aim to enhance job satisfaction which in turn increases commitment. Businesses should strive to create work environments that not only attract skilled workers but also motivate them to build long-term careers.

Being consistent and meeting industry needs

No matter where a learner is based, whom they work for, or how or where they learn, every learner achieving the same qualification should gain the same skills and knowledge. The time it takes to become qualified should be consistent as well as assessment decisions. This is one of the main goals of the reform of vocational education and our assurance team is working in close partnership with industry, vocational

education providers and schools to achieve this goal.

Making qualifications and standards fit for purpose

Waihanga Ara Rau is responsible for the lifecycle of 149 qualifications, and 2,822 unit standards across 57 industries in the construction and infrastructure sector. We have embraced this huge programme of work to make sure all qualifications remain relevant and meet industry needs. With the help of industry, we have improved the relevance of more than 1,200 standards and over 40 qualifications in the first 18 months of our operation.

We are also focused on helping the industry prepare for the future and recognising emerging skill requirements across our sector. We are working on creating new qualifications and standards for industry groups where no qualifications have previously existed, including Site Traffic Systems Management and Underground Utility Location.

Achieving great outcomes together

Only in partnership with industry can Waihanga Ara Rau support education providers and employers who train to produce people with the right skills and enable people from all walks of life to have rewarding careers in our sector.

There is no switch to turn on that will deliver many thousands of new people into the workforce overnight. We are pleased that the Apprenticeship Boost initiative has been extended until the end of 2024. This support will help, but many more newcomers are needed to meet the current and planned project pipeline in the next three years. The things we can do are provide industry with the facts, strategies and competency frameworks that will help achieve the most successful outcomes possible.

We will advocate for you with government and other agencies so that your voice is heard to ensure vocational education is funded in a way that best meets the needs of the industry. We will help you look after your people with the resources and tools you need to support well-being and together, we can make change happen.

In this article I am reflecting on what Waihanga Ara Rau has achieved in what can only be described as changing times for both the industry and vocational education.

Maintaining a pipeline of skilled workers

No leaks, no fuss

Thomassen Waterproofing Ltd is a family-owned waterproofing and construction business based in Auckland, New Zealand. With over 30 years of experience, the team at Thomassen Waterproofing are specialists in torch-on membrane waterproofing that pride themselves on their expert workmanship.

Thomassen Waterproofing are committed to delivering clients with affordable optimised waterproofing, decking, and tanking solutions. They offer low and no fuss installations that give homeowners peace of mind. Thomassen Waterproofing care about integrity when it comes to both your structure and their business practice. Without waterproofing, a home is vulnerable and can cause loss of amenity for occupants. Avoid living in unhealthy and dangerous conditions by getting in touch with the likes of Thomassen Waterproofing. They understand the importance of water penetration prevention on the small residential scale as well as that of massive commercial projects.

For reassurance that your waterproofing project will be completed correctly, efficiently, and without any additional costs, look no further than Thomassen Waterproofing. They are well-equipped to offer PVC, crack injection, and liquid

application services so that no matter where you need it, they will keep nasty leaks at bay. The epitome of what it means to work hard, Thomassen Waterproofing deliver consistent results that leave clients satisfied. They know that one system does not fit all and can provide you with solutions, systems, and advice to achieve your unique goals.

To learn more, get in touch with the folks at Thomassen Waterproofing by visiting their Instagram @thomassenwaterproofingnz. They are happy to talk with you regarding your waterproofing needs. Simon is happy to talk with you about your waterproofing needs, so give him a call at 021 261 0606.

You can also flick Thomassen Waterproofing an email at: thomassenwaterproofing@gmail.com.

Thomassen Waterproofing is located at 71 Botany Road, Botany Downs, Auckland, 2010, New Zealand.

Tackling challenges with technology

Helping reduce injuries and ease industry challenges

This is the message from the CEO of a leading safety and work site management platform.

Ben Leach, Founder and CEO of HammerTech, has seen first-hand how technology can help increase productivity and offset many of the increasing costs and challenges the industry is facing.

“In our experience, in New Zealand, Australia and the US, some companies and subcontractors are reluctant to adopt new processes, especially when it comes to incorporating technology. Many just flat out refuse a new process or platform, especially if it’s not easy to use.”

He says the use of technology is key to attract new talent to construction and future growth across all sectors, yet the construction industry continues to lose out to other industries who are moving faster.

“There are significant opportunities for Kiwi companies in the construction industry who become early-adopters of evolving technology to help increase productivity, drive higher quality work, and make work sites safer for their teams.

“The increase in workplace injuries is an example of where the right constructionspecific technology is proven to deliver significant benefits that serve the whole construction ecosystem — even subcontractors,” he says.

Injury prevention

WorkSafe statistics for the New Zealand construction industry show injuries resulting in more than a week away from work totalled 5,880 in 2022 (up from 5,826 in 2021). There were 12 fatalities in 2022 and 12 in 2021.

“Access to accurate safety data means a company can identify what injuries are occurring and put measures and policies in place to help reduce the occurrence of these instances.”

There are significant opportunities for Kiwi companies in the construction industry who become earlyadopters of evolving technology to help increase productivity, drive higher quality work, and make work sites safer for their teams.

For example, Ben says data about the prevalence of hand injuries can highlight to employees the extent of the problem, provide greater awareness of how to prevent these injuries, and encourage updated policies to bring about change.

Barriers to change

There are numerous barriers to technology uptake in the construction industry, from reluctance by tradies and sub-contractors to adopt new technology through to limited budgets to implement new tech tools.

Ben says other industries are moving and harnessing new technology, and construction needs to do the same.

“AI tools like ChatGPT are highly disruptive and can be seen as a threat to many industries and peoples’ livelihoods. Whilst there are significant opportunities and benefits from this technology, what we need to focus on instead is much simpler and doesn’t involve job loss, but rather simplifying existing burdensome processes like paperwork burden.

“This gives time back to everyone plus safety and construction experts can focus on improving standards through training, coaching and analysing trends.”

Deloitte’s State of Digital Adoption in Construction Report 2023 found the main barriers to technology uptake by companies was lack of digital skills in the workforce

(44 percent) followed closely by budget limitations and lack of confidence in skills.

“With the growth in vertical construction in New Zealand due to the move towards higher density precincts and neighbourhoods, there is an opportunity as construction employees upskill to adopt technology and provide those entering the workforce with the opportunity to utilise new ways of working and new technologies.

“This is what will attract the tech-native younger generation.”

Insight, capability, and change

“Having more accessible information allows managers to analyse health and safety and operational performance in real-time which enables better risk and operational management,” Ben says.

HammerTech’s digital platform and its reporting capability provides insights that help to significantly reduce the time and expense of handling occurrences such as incident reports, ACC claims, and client disputes.

“Having everything to do with safety and site operations in one place saves the hassle of multiple systems because too many apps and platforms restrict growth and takes up valuable time.

“Producing quality data for reporting purposes is essential and going digital is the easiest and most efficient way to do it.”

Worksite injuries, labour costs and a skills shortage are just some of the challenges the construction sector could overcome if the industry was more open to embracing technology.

Temporary Traffic Management & Site Traffic Management Specialist Training

Career opportunities in the construction and roading industry are growing consistently in the Nelson and Tasman regions. Learn TTM based in Nelson runs Waka Kotahi approved Traffic Management workshops creating traffic management specialists with training and workshops delivered by our qualified trainers and assessors. If you are looking for a new career in Traffic Management our workshops are for you.

P: 022 081 6329

E: info@learnttm.nz

1/10 Tokomaru Place, Whakatu Estate, Stoke, Nelson

www.learnttm.nz

If you are looking for a new career in Traffic Management our workshops are for you.

COURSES

• TTM Worker

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Being better with energy

Increasing your efficiency and cutting costs

Historically, helping the environment generally meant hurting your business, and vice versa. Today, in our changing world, this is no longer the reality – both business and the environment can win.

For one, businesses can minimise their environmental footprints by grading the energy efficiency of their offices. Regardless of whether a business is looking to cut energy in an existing space or planning a new build, there are many ways to save both money and the planet.

Here is a basic guide to getting your foot in the energy efficient office door.

Lighting

Considering its entire lifespan, the most energy efficient lighting is often the least expensive. Using LED or CFL lightbulbs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs is a great start.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority is the government agency behind Gen Less – dedicated to turning Kiwis into leaders in clean and clever energy use [genless.govt.nz].

Gen Less says, “LED light bulbs use up to 85 percent less electricity than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and can last 15 times longer. They cost more upfront –but the long-term savings are worth it.

“If every New Zealand household installed LED lighting, we’d avoid 82,000 tonnes of

greenhouse gas emissions every year – the emissions of almost 34,000 petrol cars.”

Businesses should optimise their lighting use where possible. Segment large workspaces with zone lighting to create spatial separation and cut costs.

Maximise natural light and install light shelves, skylights, or light tubes. Measure light levels and install daylight sensors to manage brightness levels. Use occupancy sensors and automated controls to ensure lights are only used when and where needed.

No energy efficient office ignores its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Utilise programmable thermostats to regulate room temperature based on working hours and use.

Keep your HVAC systems clean and maintained to ensure they are running at peak performance.

Businesses could also consider using energy efficient HVAC technologies like energy recovery ventilation and smart controls to truly get the most from their HVAC systems.

Monitoring

It is incredibly hard to change something that you don’t measure. A business can control its energy consumption through regular monitoring and benchmarking.

Tracking progress, identifying problem areas that need improving, and setting energy saving targets are all great ways to do this.

Installing energy management systems into your workplace will help to monitor and control consumption further.

Airflow

Improving airflow starts with controlling it. Fix and upgrade insulation in walls, roofs, and windows to reduce heat gain or loss in those spaces. Seal gaps, cracks, and air leaks to prevent drafts and maintain temperature control.

Make the most of energy-efficient windows with low-emission coatings and proper shading devices to minimise the transfer of heat.

These systems provide real-time data on energy usage and waste, and are an excellent way to finetune energy efficiency. Investing in energy audits is another option for businesses, although it is an investment. Make sure any reporting is accurate, clear, in context, and finalised by a professional.

Equipment

There is a wide range of energy efficient office equipment out there. Look for Energy Star certified products such as computers, printers, copiers, and other appliances.

These items meet strict energy efficient standards, with the number of stars showing you at a glance the emissions and costs each produces.

Sites such as eepl.co.nz, environment.govt. nz, consumer.org.nz, and the previously mentioned Gen Less have great resources to help you compare appliances and find energy efficient products for your workplace and beyond.

Culture

Staff are your superpower. Encourage employees to get involved in energy saving initiatives through education, workshops, and awareness campaigns.

Promote energy conscious behaviour like turning off lights when leaving a room and reporting energy waste. Inspiring employees to use power saving functions on computers is a simple sustainable daily measure.

The collective actions of your workforce add up quickly, so the more people you have working to reduce your business’ environmental footprint the better. Everything boils down to people.

Making your business and its offices more energy efficient starts with finding your unique purpose – your why.

Getting behind sustainable work practices can lead to a positive business reputation, new market opportunities, an engaged talent network, upped brand value, and a head start on future environmental regulations and compliances.

Prove to the world that your business cares about the planet and embrace the climate challenge in your office today!

If every New Zealand household installed LED lighting, we’d avoid 82,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year –the emissions of almost 34,000 petrol cars.

Kindness, compassion and expertise

Seddon Park Funeral Home located in Frankton, was established in 1993.

Seddon Park Funeral Homes have services available in Hamilton and Morrinsville.

The funeral home has modern comprehensive facilities and on-site parking.

An arrangement room is available for funeral arrangements with an additional room where family and friends may spend time with the deceased.

A chapel is also available to use which can seat 170 people with plenty of room.

A reception area, complete with a fully equipped kitchen is adjacent to the chapel foyer and opens onto a private courtyard providing full after-funeral reception facilities.

Seddon Park Funeral Home can also provide catering with the best quality food, they can cater for most dietary requirements and groups sizes.

Your catering service can be held in the funeral home’s lounge or at any other venue.

At Seddon Park, they have a wide range of eco-friendly caskets and services which ensure the least impact on the environment.

The Hamilton Park Cemetery have a natural burial area called the Forest Grove.

Seddon Park Funeral Home will listen to your needs, creating a personal service tailored to your requirements.

They treasure their own beliefs and values, but also move with the times, create and embrace new ideas, and keep up with a changing generation.

At Seddon Park Funeral Home the different services available to you include funerals, cremations, memorials, catering and more.

For kindness, compassion and expertise, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Seddon Park Funeral Home team.

You can call them on 07 846 1561 or email them on seddonpark@seddonpark.co.nz.

They are also able to give you access to:

• Funerals arranged at your church, our chapel, your home or an alternative venue of your choice

• Funeral services to reflect the individual wishes and needs of each family

• Sensitivity to specific ethnic needs, customs and beliefs

• Personalised service sheets with high quality photo imaging

• Modern and traditional casket selection (including eco-friendly)

• Introduction to funeral celebrants

• Full on-site embalming service

• Visual and audio recording of funeral services

• Ashes interments and ordering of memorial plaques and personalised thank you cards

• Photo show presentations can be displayed in our chapel during the funeral service

• Educational seminars for community groups and schools

Seddon Park Funeral Home will listen to your needs, creating a personal service tailored to your requirements.

Washing your house regularly means that dirt, grime, salt and mould don’t have a chance to build up and damage your paintwork and your cladding. Keeping on top of the buildup reduces the chance of costly repairs to your asset. Washing the exterior of your home not only extends the lifespan of your paintwork, but it keeps it looking new and saves you money in the long term.

We strive to deliver outstanding results that leave our clients delighted. We have over 20 years’ experience in the exterior cleaning industry and in that time, we have developed very effective methods such as our soft washing technique which loosens and removes any build-up without using harsh pressure for cleaning all surfaces and all types of properties, with the smallest environmental impact possible.

We know how important a well-maintained roof is. Using our soft wash technique, we can remove all build-up without damaging your home and will get your roof sparkling. Finishing with a preventative treatment which slows down the growth of mould and dirt in the future and keeps your roof cleaner for longer.

Whether you have a deck to clean, a family home or a multi storey commercial property, we have the equipment and the know-how to complete the job to the highest standard.

Integrity, honesty, reliability and punctuality are at the forefront of our business philosophy and as testament to that, much of our work now comes by way of referral or repeat business.

We would love to work our magic on your home or commercial property and can provide you with a free quote. Visit our website www.absolutehousewash.com and fill out the quote request form. We will be in touch quickly to talk about what you need. Alternatively, call us on 027 572 0091.

Unearthing the truth

Founded in 2007, originally based in Greymouth, but now based in Invercargill, Southland, Helidrill prides itself on their client-focused business practice, owner operated to offer clients only the best in drilling services.

Although their core business was explorational drilling for the likes of coal, lignite, gold, and platinum, this has grown over the years to encompass water bores, anchor bars, pump retrieval, bore redevelopment and coring.

Helidrill own and operate four heliportable top drive rigs. They have two main rigs that are currently track mounted, with one easily removed from its tracks so that it can be flown, craned, and manoeuvred into place as desired.

If you are looking to reach a location inaccessible by road, the rigs can be shifted by helicopter. The rigs only require a 10 x 6m platform once they are on site. Fourwheel drive vehicles mean easy access and less damage to paddocks. These rigs can be broken down into several parts for clients’ ease, able to be flown to remote locations inaccessible by road.

Helidrill is owned and operated by well-known and respected driller Grant Brotherston who has over 34 years’ experience in the drilling industry.

Grant and his partner Mandi are hardworking and safety conscious, both working to ensure the client’s job gets completed in a timely manner every time.

Grant and Mandi make sure the operation is safe for both staff and site visitors, so clients know there is no added downtime due to accidents or safety issues. They maintain a comprehensive understanding of every

worksite to stay on top of problems as they arise.

Regular maintenance and upkeep of the equipment also keeps unwanted downtime for the client to a minimum.

Grant’s expertise is extensive. His drilling experience includes having drilled on the Clyde Dam power projects, drilling for gold at Macraes flat and in the Bullendale Valley, drilling for platinum on the Longwood Ranges and work on the Manapouri Tail Race Tunnel. He has also spent time drilling in Australia and has done two three-month long stints in

Antarctica. The first of these trips was on the Andrill project where Grant joined a team drilling for global warming signs and information.

Experts in heliportable drilling and site investigation, have a chat with the team at Helidrill today at 021 543 816. Visit their website for more information at Helidrill.com and get in touch with Grant at grant@helidrill.com.

Helidrill is based at 304 Drysdale Road, RD 2, Invercargill, 9872, New Zealand.

Grant and Mandi make sure the operation is safe for both staff and site visitors, so clients know there is no added downtime due to accidents or safety issues.

Trucks, Trucks, Trucks

Blackwells Isuzu is the largest dedicated truck sales location in the South Island. They offer sales, parts and service for one of New Zealand's largest selling brands of heavy trucks - Isuzu. Isuzu represents a range that stands for quality, versatility, reliability and performance.

They sell over 100 new Isuzu trucks every year with over 80 different models available. From cab to chassis to spec units, Blackwells Isuzu can offer a huge range of products for all their clients trucking needs.

Blackwells Isuzu is proud to be involved with Isuzu’s Dealer of the Year awards. They won the prestigious Grand Master – Metro Isuzu Dealer of the Year award in 2022 thanks to the hard work and dedication of their amazing team. One of their skilled technicians Jonathan Ward won the 2023 Isuzu NZ Technical Competition held in Auckland, an outstanding result that has

advanced him to represent New Zealand at the upcoming 18th Isuzu World Technical Skills Competition.

Blackwells Isuzu features three new Isuzu trucks - the N-series, the F-series and the Giga series. Whatever the price, mileage, year or engine size you require, Blackwells can supply just about anything.

Recently, Blackwells Isuzu became appointed as the South Island electric truck specialists. They’ve partnered with the Australian based company, SEA Electric Ltd, to carry out EV conversions on Isuzu N-Series and F-Series trucks. Electric trucks mean producing no emissions and significantly reducing running costs. Blackwells Isuzu are excited to move into this area as electric trucks are a great alternative as an around-town delivery truck or other means.

The new partnership with SEA Electric Ltd allows Blackwells Isuzu to work to provide high-quality electric parts for future after sales support. They now also have the

capabilities to support the conversions with EV-trained staff and on-site EV chargers that will soon be available for electric camper vans, heavy trucks plus other heavy and light commercial vehicles that are also a South Island first.

Blackwells Isuzu is excited to feature the first 100 percent electric truck in the South Island. The NPR325 is the first fully electric Isuzu truck in the South Island built by Blackwells Isuzu in conjunction with SEA Electric, EECA and Foodstuffs/Trents.

Blackwells Isuzu also offer a suite of service options, from repairs and COF’s to panel, paint and engineering, washing facilities and more. They make sure your truck is road safe, looking good and feeling comfortable. For the very best in Isuzu trucks, get in touch with Blackwells Isuzu today.

Visit www.blackwellsisuzu.co.nz or call the friendly team on 03 344 5733. You can also pop in and see the trucks for yourself at 9 Waterloo Road, Sockburn in Christchurch.

Lightening the load Managing workplace stress

However, stress was caused by nature as a quick response to difficult situations due to stress affecting people’s physical and mental selves. According to research and personal experiences, stressing frequently as a quick response can cause long-term effects like a weaker immune system, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Other effects of work stress include losing self-confidence and self-esteem - thinking we’re not good enough in our role - feeling isolated, scared of making mistakes, and being ashamed about messing up.

keep up with their workload if expectations are unrealistic.

Stress at work can happen often, but when we feel stressed in our personal lives, this can impact our work lives too.

Doctor Adrienna Ember - who has a double doctorate - is a clinical psychologist specializing in therapy, personal development, and supervision and is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society. She covers many areas such as work stress.

Stress is generally accepted as an evolutionary response from the body and the nervous system, which can potentially cause dangerous triggers, as it’s seen as a survival instinct, she says.

“The physiological and nervous system changes in the body during a stress response, such as increased blood flow, the ability to mobilise energies we at times are not aware of and sustain goal/task-orientated focus help us to overcome challenging situations or achieve to the best of our abilities (e.g. at a competition).”

Overly stressing can cause insomnia, feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, hopeless, anxious, depressed, irritated, and shorttempered, which can lead to unhealthy habits like drinking, substance abuse, or emotional eating.

Everyone can react to similar situations differently based on their past experiences, responses to stress, and state of mind, Adrienna says.

“It is important to do a reality check when facing potentially stressful situations and ask ourselves: what is at stake?”

Some red flags when it comes to work stress becoming a reoccurring problem occur when people see changes in their behaviour, daily routines, and emotions, which can last for two or so days.

For instance, insomnia or oversleeping, skipping meals or binging, headaches, foggy brain, continuously making mistakes at work, disorientation, forgetting things, muscle pain, irregular bowel motions, fatigue, getting angry/overreacting, negative thoughts, and not feeling like your usual self, she says.

It also does not feel good to pretend you’re feeling fine. This kind of reaction appears before we know it and often leads to unhealthy ways of dealing with stress.

This reaction can “undermine our relationships with our loved ones, and their physical and mental health,” Adrienna says. She also provides tips on how employees working in stressful environments can relieve their stress via the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand toolkit.

“You will find information beyond basics such as healthy eating, regular exercise and time spent outdoors, socialising and talking about problems, various forms of mindfulness and relaxation, move around and step out of the building between meetings, watch that you drink enough, prioritising tasks, leaving work at workplace and using your home to truly “recreate” yourself, be it gardening, reading a book, taking a bath, having a nice meal, watching funny movies, engaging in hobbies, and laughing a lot.”

Here’s a link to the toolkit: mentalhealth. org.nz/resources/resource/five-ways-towellbeing-at-work-toolkit.

Lastly, Adrienna advises employees to tell their managers/bosses they’re struggling to

People should not feel bad for making their bosses/managers aware of their stress, as it is their bosses’/managers’ role to make sure the workload is manageable for employees and must have a Plan B when Plan A does not work.

“Familiarise yourself with whom you can turn to for help in potential worst-case scenarios at your work.

“Also, don’t hesitate to ask for days off for stress release if you need to and make sure your work won’t pile up to cause you extra stress upon your return but will be allocated to stand-in or support staff, or re-prioritised,” Adrienna advises.

Next time you think you’re going to stress about something, take a breather, think about the positives in your life and think about how far you’ve come to get to where you are now.

You’re not alone. Need to talk to someone? Get in touch with a psychologist or counsellor via these links:

www.psychology.org.nz

www.cab.org.nz

www.talkingworks.co.nz

www.therapycounselling.net

www.familyservices.govt.nz

www.familyservices.govt.nz

Stress is normal. We can feel stressed because we feel overwhelmed with work, feel under pressure, are experiencing new challenges, worried about something, and the list goes on.

Country Sales to Count On – Ian Buchanan

Bayleys professional Ian Buchanan is a trusted and reputable agent specialising in lifestyle and country sales. Over the years Ian has offered countless clients his unparalleled expert real estate perspective, achieving the best outcome possible.

Ian knows the lifestyle property market in the Auckland region like the back of his hand. He knows what people want when searching for their dream lifestyle property and can effectively identify each property’s unique selling points.

Ian’s unmatched network shines bright in rural areas where connections mean everything. In the course of his long career, Ian has established a strong community of relationships that today allow him to help his clients present to the market in the best way possible. Ian has a special ability to not only work with clients to determine their goals, but then also help them achieve them.

Born in Wales, Ian first got a taste of the rural life when his family moves to the Channel Islands. After moving to New Zealand in 1987, Ian found a very successful 30-year career in building and project management. He soon came to own a high-profile commercial interiors company in Auckland. After something new, Ian then seamlessly shifted to real estate. Today, the list of clients that would testify to the fact Ian is a real estate pro is immeasurable. Astute, honest, and most of all an absolute pleasure to deal with, Ian Buchanan has rural property services you can trust.

Diligent and driven, Ian goes above and beyond in his efforts to obtain a premium for his client’s property, providing his signature exemplary customer service along the way. Although executive lifestyle properties are Ian’s specialty, he is more than happy to support clients with all forms of real estate. The chance to benefit from Ian’s exceptional skills and knowledge base is one not to be missed. Ian Buchanan – an Altogether Better experience!

Get in touch with Ian at +64 021 647 192 or flick him an email at ian.buchanan@bayleys.co.nz

• Residential New Builds

• Architectural New Builds

• Alterations & Renovations

• Design & Planning

• Project Management

• Commercial Construction

• Commercial Maintenance

• High-End Interior Fit Outs

• Custom Timber Joinery

• Metal Fabrication

• Insurance Work

• Morgan Glass & Glazing

• Steel & Fabrication

Our skilled & dedicated fabrication team is headed by Michael Field. Michael has been in the trade for over 20 years, working in all areas of metal fabrication, and has worked on projects such as The Christchurch Convention & Exhibition Centre, Christchurch Hospital & Riverside Market.

We provide a level of service that is unmatched, and we ensure that we exceed our clients expectations by meeting deadlines & budgets.

Countdown to the Concrete NZ Conference

Registrations are now open for Concrete NZ’s Conference 2023, set for Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton from 28-30 September.

The organising committee encourages delegates to take advantage of early bird registration rates which close on 14 August.

The conference is open to all those interested or involved in the concrete industry as well as the construction and infrastructure sectors.

This year’s conference promises to be a calendar highlight, offering an intriguing technical programme, entertaining social activities, and extensive networking opportunities.

An expected 350+ delegates will be attending, in addition to a host of exhibitors that have already reserved their stands.

Proceedings commence on Thursday afternoon and conclude at midday Saturday, with the formal conference dinner and Awards being held on the Friday night.

Claudelands Events Centre

Claudelands – the centre hosting the conference – is widely considered one of the country’s best venues for the event because it offers trade exhibitors an excellent opportunity to display heavy equipment and, more importantly, to present live demonstrations of the equipment during the session breaks. These are always hugely popular.

Interestingly, the number of exhibitors has increased significantly in recent years, and an analysis of the post-conference feedback suggests many find it an ideal platform for building relationships with existing clients/ customers and gaining new ones. Note that exhibitor space is filling up fast.

Of course, it’s not all work! The conference’s social programme includes activities such as golf, a brewery tour (with tasting) and visits to the Waitomo glow worm caves and Ruakuri Cave.

All in all, the conference is a tremendous occasion for networking, mixing with old friends and making a few new ones. Visit the website for more information: www.concreteconference.org.nz

Concrete canoe competition

This year’s conference will see the universities of Auckland and Canterbury go head-to-head in the return of the concrete canoe race.

To be held on the Friday afternoon on the Hamilton Lake, the event requires

engineering students to design and build a concrete canoe, successfully float it –and race.

Conference organisers says similar events are held in the US, UK and South Africa, and this one is to become an annual event in New Zealand

Keynote Speakers Announced

This conference is a key date in the calendar for keeping abreast of advances in the industry, and presenting a paper is an excellent opportunity to contribute to this knowledge sharing.

The technical programme includes a combination of international and local speakers covering a range of topics relating to construction, design and materials. The programme this year also includes what promises to be a fascinating panel discussion and a lightning talks session.

The organising committee have an exciting line-up of speakers planned for the Concrete NZ Conference 2023, including three high-profile international guests.

Romilly Madew - Engineers Australia

Romilly Madew is the current CEO of Engineers Australia, before which she led Infrastructure Australia (IA), where she was responsible for overseeing the organisation's critical role in helping governments prioritise projects and reforms that best served communities.

Prior to IA, Romilly was CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia for over a decade. In acknowledgment of her contribution to Australia’s sustainable building movement, Romilly was awarded an Order of Australia in 2019.

Andy Taylor - American Concrete Institute (ACI) Chair of 318 Building Code

Andy’s specialties include design of advanced seismic protection systems. He has extensive experience across structural engineering research and practice, including time with the Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the U.S.

Andy is the Chair of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318 Building Code committee, which will complete the next edition of the national concrete building code in 2025. He serves as an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington, where he enjoys teaching structural analysis and reinforced concrete design.

Concrete NZ

Level 7 Panama House

22 Panama Street Wellington (04) 499 8820

admin@concretenz.org.nz

www.concretenz.org.nz

Maria Juenger- American Concrete Institute (ACI) Vice President

Maria Juenger is a Professor of Engineering in the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin, where her teaching and research focuses on materials used in civil engineering, with an emphasis on chemical issues in cement-based materials.

Maria received her B.S. degree in Chemistry from Duke University and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University. She is Vice President of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and a fellow of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS).

Celebrating our history, and legends in the making.

We began as a service to Fletcher Construction in the early 1920’s. Today, we continue to grow from strength to strength, turning lessons learnt into the pillars of our success.

100 years later we’re New Zealand’s leading importer, distributor and processor of steel representing: Fletcher Building’s EasysteelTM , Fletcher Reinforcing®, CSP, Fletcher Wire ProductsTM, Dimond® Roofing, Dimond StructuralTM and Pacific CoilCoaters® as our brands.

Cheers to 100 years of growth, legends driving our success, and to the next 100 years.

fletchersteel.co.nz

Celebrating 20 Years of pumping prowes

Concrete Pumping Equipment NZ Ltd (CPENZ) is proud to celebrate its twentieth year as the leading provider of concrete pumping equipment and spare parts for New Zealand. It’s been quite a journey!

The business was formed in 2003 due to a shortage of spare parts and machinery unable to be sourced locally. In time, CPENZ transitioned from a concrete pumping service to an independent concrete pump and spare parts distributor. 20 years on and CPENZ have delivered over 250 concrete pumping related machines across New Zealand’s construction industry, including placing, spraying, conveying, and mixing machines.

Over the past 20 years CPENZ has built a strong network of relationships. Some of these key agencies and their machines include Putzmeister for concrete and mortar machinery, SANY concrete machinery, Aliva Shotcrete equipment, and Baron epoxy mixers and conveyors. CPENZ also works with other leading industry manufacturers such as Continental concrete hoses and Inotec plaster and grout machines.

New Zealand is a small country where reputation, knowledge, and integrity take precedent. Concrete Pumping Equipment NZ Ltd appreciate this. CPENZ pride themselves on providing the best sales, service, and support, striving to keep their name as the best in the business.

CPENZ employees collaborate to form a melting pot of expertise from several industries – concrete pumping, ready mix, automotive, hydraulic, sales – you name it. CPENZ’ family-based business philosophy has never wavered. The CPENZ team may be small, but it is strong, focused, and ready to tackle any challenge it may face.

Putzmeister sole agent for 20 years

Concrete Pumping Equipment NZ Ltd are proud to have represented Putzmeister in New Zealand for 20 years.

A member of the SANY Group, Putzmeister has long been the preferred choice for construction related concrete pumping equipment. CPENZ and Putzmeister work as a collective to develop, produce, sell, and serve customers. They provide high quality, reliable machines for pumping, distributing, and placing concrete and mortar. They also can prepare, temporarily store, process, and transport these materials, which only speaks to the quality of their services.

CPENZ carries an inventory of over 25,000 spare parts at any given time. CPENZ meet urgent deadlines by placing weekly shipments all across the globe. They offer genuine OEM spare parts and accessories that you know will deliver a long-lasting, high-quality performance. That means greater savings and less downtime in the long run.

Staying up-to-date with the latest in Putzmeister machinery, technology, and maintenance has its benefits.

From improved safety and machine lifespans to lower costs and inefficiencies, CPENZ sees and adds value to Putzmeister products. CPENZ also make the most of their network of peers, instructors, and other companies, offering shared industry knowledge.

Point of difference

CPENZ has its finger on the pulse of technological innovation. They stay constantly updated per the latest and greatest research and development.

CPENZ strive to meet the ever-demanding requirements of the changing market by continually surveying, upgrading, and outsourcing the next best tech. CPENZ have the ability to customize their equipment to the exact needs of the customer. They provide effective, long-term, simple solutions to complex problems thanks to their hardy and versatile machines.

CPENZ are active and effective in their partnering with clients on projects, helping

them to deliver on their promises without fail. CPENZ have access to a vast range of expertise, pulling from their close-knit network of partners from around the world.

Looking into the future

Supported by SANY, Putzmeister have been successfully working to reduce carbon emissions within the international concrete industry. Putzmeister was the first manufacturer in the world to launch a zeroemission concrete pump with the iONTRON Hybrid – a game-changing innovation.

Now joining the list of electric vehicle options is the iONTRON E-Mixer, a readymix truck and mixer combination. The iONTRON E-Mixer is 100% electric and is ideal for inner city, urban deliveries. It’s the next generation of world-class machinery.

Thank you

Concrete Pumping Equipment NZ Ltd wishes to thank all of their loyal customers who have supported them since their conception. They offer a massive thanks to all those who have remained loyal to them and the brands that they represent.

CPENZ intends to remain focused by keeping their promises and delivering above and beyond their customers’ expectations. The future looks bright for CPENZ, and its only getting better.

For more information, visit CPENZ’ website: cpenz.co.nz. Contact the team at 06 368 4044 or email them via their website. Concrete Pumping Equipment NZ Ltd operate 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday from 47 South Road, Levin.

We offer a superior level of support with experienced technicians locally & worldwide. Plus, a range of training programs tailored to our customers' needs.

New from MAX® – The RB611T TwinTier™ Rebar Tying Tool – Now with 5.0Ah Batteries

The MAX® TwinTier™ RB611T is reportedly the first battery powered tool in its class with the ability to tie D29 x D32 rebar.

TwinTier™ technology’s special attributes include faster tying speed, which further increases productivity; reduced wire consumption, increasing cost savings; and, for end-users, a wire tie that is shorter in height, requiring less concrete to fully cover it.

The MAX® TwinTier™ simultaneously shoots two x 1.0mm wires around rebar intersections, wrapping once to form a tie equivalent to the strength of a hand snap tie. The TwinTier™ uses TW1061T series tie wire, available in black, poly coated, and stainless steel options. The tool’s new 5.0Ah lithium-ion battery will complete approximately 5,000 ties before needing to be recharged.

The MAX® TwinTier™ RB611T’s large jaw allows users to tie D16 x D16 up to D29 x D32 rebar (varying by manufacturer). Its

EAR-TAIL COMPARISON

The MAX® TwinTier™ simultaneously shoots two x 1.0mm wires around rebar intersections, wrapping once to form a tie equivalent to the strength of a hand snap tie.

enclosed design offers greater protection against debris and moisture entering the tool. Like other MAX® rebar tying tools, the simple operation of the MAX® TwinTier™ helps reduce muscular skeletal injuries when compared to manual alternatives — a position supported by NIOSH in USA. Overall, no matter the application, the MAX® TwinTier™ reduces the time it takes to complete a job, saves businesses money by cutting man hours needed for each project and increases the productivity of its workers.

Double the Speed - Double the Ties - Larger Capacity

Simple to operate - fast to use - wraps 2 x 1.0mm tie wires, tensions and ties tight, with a 50% shorter tie height than other models. Ties a combined size of 20mm, up to 44mm, approximately 240 ties per coil, 4000 ties per charge, with the MAX® 40 minute fast charger. The MAX TwinTier™ Re-bar-tier is lightweight, with a compact body. New 5.0Ah Lithium-ion battery.

Made in Japan.

Battery operated re-bar-tying tool for:

• Precast Concrete Products

• Building Foundations

• Road & Bridge Construction

• Floors & Walls

• Retaining Walls

• Swimming Pool Walls

www.sifco.co.nz

New Slab Edge Insulation technology

the H1

that outshines

Standards

Whether you need retrofit or in-situ concrete edge insulation, EXPOL has got you covered with these two industry leading systems.

MAXEDGE comes pre-coated for clean, fast and easy slab insulation.

Pre-made L Shape Perimeter Slab Insulation

designed for in-situ applications

MAXEdge is a simple solution for your concrete slab perimeter that exceeds H1 requirements

Fast and Easy: Pre-made L-shaped perimeter insulation that fits inside the formwork

Standard heights: 305, 320, 385, 400 & 420mm to suit any raft slab, bespoke heights are available

MAXEdge perimeter insulation comes in lengths of 2.4m

Suitable with any frame size

THERMASLAB/ EDGE the product of choice for specifiers and the construction industry.

THERMASLAB SLAB EDGE INSULATION

THERMASLAB/EDGE increases the thermal performance of a building - suitable for retro-fit applications

A simple, cost-effective slab edge insulation system

Designed to meet new H1 standards

No painting required, saving time and money

Exceptional insulation values

High water resistance

Construction R-value 1.0

Lightweight and easy to handle

Learn more about THERMASLAB/EDGE & MAXEdge products go to www.expol.co.nz

If you would like to talk to somebody about these products then please call our Technical Team on 0800 86 33 73 or email tech@expol.co.nz

ACO Infrastructure KerbDrain

ACO KerbDrain for efficient Stormwater Management.

There are a couple of characteristics that make ACO KerbDrain the best choice for Stormwater Management for when the sun’s not shining:

• High robustness and durability due to high quality polymer concrete.

• Unique design allows for effective collection of surface water.

• High hydraulic capacity, means it can handle large volumes of stormwater runoff during extreme weather events.

• Easy maintenance with a removable grate that allows for easy access to the drainage channel, ensuring that it continues to function effectively.

Concrete NZ Readymix members place onus on quality

Concrete NZ’s Readymix

The Group’s areas of activity include representing the industry before Government, disseminating technical information, participating in standards development, offering health & safety advice, and first and foremost ensuring members maintain a high standard of quality control.

Concrete Quality Scheme

The Group’s members can choose to have their concrete plants audited by the Plant Audit Scheme as defined in NZS 3104:2003 Specification for Concrete Production.

The Plant Audit Scheme provides a thorough audit of a ready mixed concrete plant’s own quality system.

Audits are carried out by the Plant Audit Committee of five or more registered engineers. The committee is resourced to conduct reviews to a high and consistent standard throughout New Zealand. The Scheme’s operations are carried out under a quality assurance programme certified to ISO 9001 and audited by Bureau Veritas (NZ) Ltd.

Without the scheme, purchasers and specifiers would be faced with a costly and time-consuming audit of concrete quality for each construction project.

What the scheme requires

Compliance with NZS 3104 and the relevant parts of related documents is mandatory under the Scheme, along with an appropriately qualified employee to perform concrete testing at each plant, as well as a plant engineer who is either a chartered professional engineer or a registered engineering associate.

Records must be maintained, with the following original records retained on-site to provide an audit trail confirming the test records analysed are correct and complete:

• The original day sheet compiled by the batcher showing each load sampled

• The original technician’s record of tests carried out on samples referenced to the batch record

• The original summary of results forwarded to the plant engineer, referenced to the above test and batch reports

• An annual report from the plant engineer to the Plant Audit Committee (and at other times should they require it) on the performance of the plant, and quarterly reports on the frequency of sampling and testing of concrete

• On-site audits of plant performance by an auditing engineer appointed by the committee, some without prior notice.

Specific benchmarks audited

Plants report quality performance data to the Committee annually and are subject to an annual review of data, together with an on-site audit every second year. Among performance criteria audited are:

• Mean concrete strengths and coefficients of variation

• Aggregate quality by testing and monitoring

• Weigh scale calibration and accuracy

• Mixer efficiency tests

• Laboratory equipment calibration

• Production and testing record keeping

• Technician training

• Plant operator performance.

Maintaining an audit certificate

In addition to the specific benchmarks audited, the frequency of testing within each quarter year must be submitted to the Plant Audit Committee.

Failure to maintain testing requirements can result in the withdrawal of an Audit Certificate. Certificates of Audit are issued for a period not exceeding 12 months.

Where plants fail to meet the criteria, their Audit Certificate is removed. It is necessary for such plants to resubmit to an

initial reassessment with at least 30 results indicating compliance with NZS 3104. When using concrete from unaudited plants, the purchaser is responsible for the implementation of the audit process required by NZS 3104 to ensure compliance with the NZ Building Code.

A full list of audited plants is available on the Scheme’s website: www.rmcplantaudit.org.nz

Concrete NZ

Level 7 Panama House 22 Panama Street Wellington (04) 499 8820 admin@concretenz.org.nz www.concretenz.org.nz

Sector Group strives to research, develop, promote and protect the interests of the ready mixed concrete industry by implementing a range of targeted initiatives.

QUALITY SOLUTIONS

Asphalt and Construction Ltd have the resources and expertise available to complete any size project when it comes to subdivision, surfacing, drainage and milling. We are proud to be a solutions based company working with clients to deliver projects to a high standard. We pride ourselves on delivering quality projects whilst working with the client to deliver within their budget.

Is it time for you to get a property manager for your investment?

In New Zealand, property investment has consistently shown its potential, with values usually increasing over the long-term. As time passes, many investors build extensive property portfolios, helping to secure a regular income, especially in retirement.

However, managing properties and handling repairs can become overwhelming. Neglecting maintenance can lead to depreciation and compounded issues. So, it might be worth considering hiring a property manager to ensure your investments are well-maintained and thriving. A professional property manager can handle tenant interactions, upkeep, and help ensure your properties retain their value and continue to yield a positive return on investment.

By enlisting a property manager, you can alleviate the stress of day-to-day property affairs, granting you more time to focus on other ventures. A skilled property manager will conduct thorough tenant screenings,

maintain the property's condition, and promptly address repairs and emergencies. They will also keep you updated on the rental market trends, enabling you to adjust your strategy accordingly. Choosing the right property manager can safeguard your investment's long-term growth and safeguard your financial future.

What exactly does a property manager do?

In essence the role is meant to protect your property, reduce and eliminate any potential liability and secure the most income possible from your property that the market will support. Your property manager would handle all of the day-to-day management and maintenance on your behalf. They also answer tenants' questions; queries, oversee maintenance quotes and manage tradespeople. When you have the right company and person looking after your investment, the experience should be worry- free. Handling any uncomfortable situations such as evictions and nonpayment of rent, is a major benefit. Most importantly, they vet tenants checking their ability to meet bond and rent requirements. a skilled property manager conducts regular property inspections to identify

and address maintenance issues promptly, ensuring the property's value is preserved. They maintain comprehensive records of financial transactions and handle lease agreements, renewals, and terminations. Effective communication and negotiation skills are essential as they liaise with tenants, contractors, and other stakeholders. Ultimately, a competent property manager strives to create a harmonious landlordtenant relationship and foster tenant satisfaction, leading to long-term tenancies and stable rental income.

Not all property management companies are created equal

What do the fees include?

Not all companies offer the same services, but a typical package should look like the following:

• All costs related to finding the ideal tenant. This includes signage, print and digital advertising and also the letting fee.

• Online listings on the most high traffic sites in the industry such as realestate.co.nz, Barfoot.co.nz and Trademe.co.nz

• Tenant selection and vetting processes including interviews, reference and credit checks- Regular routine inspections with a full report including photos

• Monthly and annual financial reports

• All Department of Building and Housing documentation and legislative compliance guidance

• Representation at Tribunal hearings, if required

• Regular rent reviews and consultation.

It may surprise most people to know that the property management business is unregulated in New Zealand. This means that anyone can set up shop and begin to solicit clients to care for their properties. This often happens without the expertise and knowledge necessary to properly protect a landlord’s precious investment. It can also leave tenants with inadequate service and without even basic maintenance. It is clear that without proper vetting and regular inspections, the wrong tenants can damage your investment. It is critically important that the company you choose is one with a proven track record and a commitment to best practice. Ask for references and for information about their property portfolio so you can be sure that they are already handling comparable properties. Get a list of services and ask about their reporting schedule. Good communication will give you peace of mind. With the industry being unregulated in New Zealand, due diligence becomes even more vital. You want a company with a proven track record and commitment to best practices, ensuring your property is in capable hands. Requesting references and details of their property portfolio will provide insights into their experience and competency.

Want to know more?

Barfoot & Thompson is the industry leader in the Auckland and Northland regions and now Tauranga for property management, with over 18,000 properties in our portfolio. We have an impeccable reputation and operate with the principles of honesty and transparency. Call us today for more information and for an obligation-free chat about all that we offer. You can also visit Barfoot.co.nz/propertymanagement to find out more.

Choosing the right property manager can safeguard your investment's long-term growth and safeguard your financial future.

Solid solutions with Concretec

Building a sustainable and resilient future with precast concrete

Concretec NZ are leaders in Auckland’s precast concrete industry for their innovative and sustainable construction solutions. You need look no further than Concretec NZ for expert service and quality concrete. Their extensive range of precast concrete products have helped over 850 construction projects come to life.

Concretec have cemented themselves as a leading manufacturer of precast concrete, underpinned by a sustainable and innovative business ethos. An industry leader that you can trust, Concretec operate to ISO 9001 quality standards and are a certified supplier under the Concrete New Zealand Precast Sector accreditation system.

Based in South Auckland within 40 minutes of Auckland’s CBD, Concretec New Zealand is one of the North Island’s largest suppliers of precast concrete. Their Pokeno site is perfectly positioned to facilitate projects across the greater Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Northland regions.

Concretec always go the extra mile to offer unmatched precast concrete services, having competitively completed projects reaching as far as Rodney and Coromandel. Concretec are typically involved with the most prestigious construction projects in greater Auckland, but are equally as comfortable with smaller, one-off projects.

Concretec started building strong foundations with their inception in 2005. Since then, the company has grown rapidly to become a major player in New Zealand’s construction industry with over 150 employees and contractors on their purposebuilt Pokeno site.

Concretec NZ’s management team have decades of collective building industry

experience, bringing together their production, project management, concrete product construction, and draughting skills. Their exceptional head office and production team work tirelessly across three specialist factories.

The last few years have seen Concretec embrace sustainable manufacturing practices and reduce their carbon footprint. Their Pokeno site has a light environmental and services footprint and is self-sufficient in water supply and sewage treatment. 2020 saw Concretec adopt a 102kW solar array, becoming 70 percent self-sufficient in electricity supply.

2021 saw Concretec introduce carbon footprint reducing methods by way of their concrete products, with, new low carbon concretes using supplementary cementitious materials such as natural pozzolans and slag, which is a bi-product of the steel industry.

As cement is the highest carbon component of concrete, any reduction of cement reduces the overall carbon footprint of concrete. Their strong focus on continuous improvement continues to drive quality systems to higher levels of detail to improve performance over time. By embracing the continuous improvement philosophy, Concretec is always ahead of the game. In 2020 Concretec established a purpose-built, on-site reinforcing cut and bend processing

business. This is seamlessly integrated into Concretec’s existing supply chain, reducing critical lead times and improving their ability to raise quality standards once more.

Then, in 2021, Concretec built a dedicated factory for offsite finishing. The factory has 2250m2 of covered area and 1800m2 of non-covered area for finished product. This is where the window openings are waterproofed, the window suites are installed and paint/stain gets applied.

The panels are then stored ready to be transferred to the site. As the panels are completely finished, this means there is no need for scaffolding on-site and reduces the likelihood of subtrades getting in the way of each other, making the site more efficient.

Precast concrete products have so many advantages. Precast is extremely durable and resilient to whatever weather is thrown at it. Especially now with the changing climate. Precast is fire resistent and of course noise proof.

Gone are the days of liminal, grey concrete structures too – precast provides you countless aesthetic options by way of shape, colour, aggregate, and finish. With a little creative flair, precast concrete offers looks and strength. Precast concrete can withstand years of wear and tear yet remain as strong as the day it was made. Concretec – masters of precast concrete – would love to make your vision come to life, so please don’t hesitate to come and see us.

As a New Zealand owned and operated business, Concretec takes pride in its local roots and understands the unique

challenges and requirements of the nation’s construction market. Concretec have built a solid reputation for delivering durable, reliable, and innovative precast concrete products to various sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

Concretec works closely with architects, engineers, contractors, and developers to give tailored solutions to clients. They continue to contribute to the growth and development of the construction industry within greater Auckland, and the rest of the North Island.

Visit concretec.co.nz or call their main office at 09 275 9906 to get in touch. For more information, visit concretec.co.nz. Concretec’s Pokeno site is at 587 Ridge Road, Pokeno, New Zealand.

As a New Zealand owned and operated business, Concretec takes pride in its local roots and understands the unique challenges and requirements of the nation’s construction market.

Manufacturer of a comprehensive and diverse range of Precast Concrete products. Specialising in Architectural Finishes with dedicated offsite finishing facility.

Building a sustainable and resilient future with precast concrete

COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL | INFRASTRUCTURE | APARTMENTS | EDUCATION

P: 09 275 9906

E: sales@concretec.co.nz

www.concretec.co.nz

Fighting fire with steel Industry-leading fire research with useful implications for steel structures

This investigation is one part of wider research to support their focus on reviewing structural fire performance to develop advanced technical solutions that improve structural fire steel building design best practices in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Structural Fire Research Engineer, Fanqin Meng says, “In accordance with the New Zealand design guide, a minimum fire resistance rating (FRR) of 30 or 60 minutes is required for structural components in sprinklers or unsprinklered buildings, respectively.

“These requirements are based on the assumption of a uniform-burning fire scenario within car park structures.

“However, research conducted by Linus Lim and Martin Feeney (reference1) suggests this assumption may not hold true, as it is far more likely for a fire involving a single vehicle to occur in a car park structure with a sprinkler system, resulting in a localised fire scenario.

This is further supported by statistical data from New Zealand (reference 2), which suggests “In the case of car park buildings equipped with sprinkler systems, a class three-vehicle fire (a singular vehicle with a combination weight [GCW] of more than 12,000kg but less than 25,001kg), may be a

more

“To evaluate the structural response, two representative vehicle fire scenarios were investigated using ABAQUS (software for advanced engineering simulations). The overall results from the simulated structures

demonstrated that although the structural beams experienced plastic deformation in both fire scenarios, none of them reached failure during the simulation.”

Fanqin says the research indicates the main reason for the limited deflection of the beam is the utilisation of a more realistic

the

beam.

fire scenario, which significantly reduces the amount of heat transferred into the structural elements.

As a result, fewer fire protection materials are required.

He says, “Moreover, the research indicates that the localised fire put the compartment under a non-uniform fire scenario, where only one beam was directly exposed to the vehicle fire.

“Beams away from the fire centre were under a less severe fire scenario, or even at ambient temperature.

“As a result, the neighbouring steel beams are at a lower temperature and exhibit greater stiffness and are able to sustain the load from the directly heated beam.

“Thus, the overall vertical deflection of the steel beam was not that significant in the simulation.”

This advanced structural design methodology applies to both new buildings and retrofitting existing car park buildings with sprinkler systems safely.

Recently, researchers at HERA have been looking into the robustness and response of steel car park structures in the event of vehicle fires.

As a result, the neighbouring steel beams are at a lower temperature and exhibit greater stiffness and are able to sustain the load from

directly heated

It also enables more cost-effective designs of steel-framed car park buildings by reducing fire protection material requirements.

This reduction in fire protection demand improves the environmental sustainability of buildings by lowering their carbon footprint and minimising the use of chemical materials to meet fire safety standards.

It is research like this that sets HERA apart and allows the organisation to continue to pursue its vision and mission.

This is supported by its strategy to deliver solutions, develop and maintain a skilled workforce, and connect and inspire to future-proof the heavy engineering and steel industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.

To achieve this, HERA has a range of key activities and areas of focus, including research panel projects, knowledge transfer through training, and improvement of construction through Industry 4.0 transformation, quality assurance and productivity audits, sustainability, mātauranga Māōri, certification and verification offerings, and more.

HERA CEO Dr Troy Coyle says, “Using our formula for success, HERA makes it our mission to secure tomorrow’s industry by innovating today.

“We do this through research, training, standards development, design guidance.

We want our members to be employers of choice and to be optimising cost effectiveness through productivity and efficiency.”

For more information on the structural fire design for steel framed car park buildings and to read more of this report authored by Structural Fire Research Engineer, Fanqin Meng; Finite Element Analyst, Nandor Mago; and General Manager Structural Systems, Kaveh Andisheh. You can visit here: www.hera.org.nz/numerical-validation-ofstructural-fire-design.

References:

1. L. Lim, M. Feeney, Structural fire design for steel framed carparks, in: Steel Construction New Zealand Incorporated, 2019.

2. Li, Y. Assessment of Vehicle Fires in New Zealand Parking Buildings. Fire Engineering Research Report 04/2, University of Canterbury, May 2004.

HERA House

17-19 Gladding Place Manakau City Auckland (09) 262 2885 www.hera.org.nz

In accordance with the New Zealand design guide, a minimum fire resistance rating (FRR) of 30 or 60 minutes is required for structural components in sprinklers or unsprinklered buildings, respectively.

sheetmetal services

Cost-effective sheet metal solutions

Established

The team at Sheet Metal Services have a modern, well-equipped plant that, combined with the expertise of staff, delivers innovative cost-effective solutions for numerous engineering applications.

SMS offer precision cutting and folding, work with ducting and extraction systems as well as flashings, cappings and rainwater components, welding services, and building and trade support.

With the capacity to manufacture and complete large scale commercial and industrial installations alongside customised designs, individual projects and engineering objectives, clients can be assured they are receiving a high-quality service whichever way the project unfolds.

With this in mind, no job is too big or too small for the folks at SMS. They work with you to schedule the production of large project components, working with and advising time frames for manufacture,

delivery and installation. They are just as effective in taking your small job straight to the floor for completion too.

Quality is the key outlook for every metal fabrication task – Sheet Metal Services understand this. The systems and processes they have in place ensure efficiency and precision during manufacture a nd installation.

Their expertise in cutting, folding, welding, fabrication and assembly of all metal products including mild, galvanised and stainless steel in addition to aluminium is sure to inform and meet your every fabrication need.

Sheet Metal Services are lucky to host a number of passionate employees who are committed to continually achieving high levels of productivity and performance. High levels of engagement unlock success, and SMS have the metal key.

Contact Ben at 07 577 6688 or email info@smsltd.co.nz to get in touch. For online resources head to their website at smsltd. co.nz or facebook.com/smsltd.co.nz. Sheet Metal Services is located at 15a Amber Crescent, Judea, Tauranga, 3110, New Zealand.

Roofing Iron

Understanding mass timber use in construction

A survey in late 2022 of design, construction and building professionals into the perceptions and barriers to mass timber use in construction has highlighted the growing awareness and adoption of mass timber, but it also revealed that more can be done.

The survey was distributed to manufacturers, builders, architects, designers, engineers, building officials and quantity surveyors. It was commissioned by the Mid-Rise Wood Construction Programme and carried out by BRANZ.

The analysis report of the survey noted that recent years have seen a significant global increase in the use of timber products within the built environment.

A major portion of this increase being attributable to engineered wood products (EWPs), from large-scale structural elements through to non-structural and decorative components used on the interior and exterior of buildings.

This includes materials such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL), cross laminated timber (CLT), plywood, particleboard, and other composite products utilising wood as a base material.

The report concluded that there was a general impression that barriers do exist to increasing the uptake of EWPs in the New Zealand construction industry.

These barriers, as well as perceived advantages of using EWPs, manifested themselves in different ways and could be summarised into four categories: cost, availability, regulation and standards, and information/education.

Increased and thorough understanding of the environmental impacts of EWPs is also seen as necessary in order to determine the effects of including these products for building projects, particularly in light of the recently introduced climate change objectives from the Ministry for Building, Innovation & Employment (MBIE).

This combination of information and education would need to include the carbon benefits of using more timber, but also the potential detriments of manufacturing processes, treatments and adhesives used and end-of-life impacts.

New Zealand’s largest mass timber office building coming to town

The recommendations of the report for supporting greater uptake of EWPs were to develop more data on the economic and environmental impact of using EWPs including Life Cycle Analysis, to continue to provide detailed case studies of buildings using EWPs, to provide more education on EWP’s to building sector players, the public and at tertiary level and to provide more design and product information on specific EWPs.

These suggestions are considered a starting point for developing a deeper knowledge and understanding of the potential for increased use and acceptance of EWPs across the New Zealand built environment.

Two further surveys are planned for 2024 and 2026.

The future home of Tauranga City Council’s administration staff at 90 Devonport Road is being constructed by property development and investment company Willis Bond with construction partner LT McGuinness, in collaboration with architects Warren and Mahoney, Council, and mana whenua. Once complete, Council will lease the building from Willis Bond.

The building is leading the way in environmentally sustainable design and in addition to the use of mass timber, will feature rainwater harvesting, electric vehicle charging, and facilities that encourage active transport options.

Using engineered timber in place of more traditional concrete and steel elements will reduce embodied carbon – carbon emitted through the manufacturing, transportation, and installation of building materials and components – to its lowest possible point.

At a recent ground-breaking ceremony on site, Commissioner Bill Wasley credited the collective efforts of everyone involved in reaching this exciting milestone.

“We’ve teamed up with some of the best in the business to lead the way in the sustainable and innovative design of this building, so we can all look forward to see it taking shape over the next two years,” he says.

“After years of indecision, it’s great to see these visible signs of progress being made so our community can feel confident that we’re delivering on our commitment to transforming our city centre in a way that

supports environmental sustainability, and revitalises downtown Tauranga.

“It’s also a nod of confidence for council’s administration staff who’ve been waiting to be back under the same roof since 2014 when they had to vacate their previous home on Willow Street.”

Willis Bond managing director of Funds and Finance, Wayne Silver, says Willis Bond is committed to continuing to evolve how they develop projects to ensure they’re walking with a light carbon footprint.

“The incorporation of mass timber building components is going to become a fundamental part of our development toolkit for constructing environmentally sustainable and exceptional buildings, both now and in the future,” Wayne says.

“At over 10,000 square metres, 90 Devonport Road will be the largest mass timber office building ever built in New Zealand and will set a new standard for projects of scale that can be delivered with this environmentally sustainable methodology.

“That it will become an integral part of Tauranga’s city centre and serve the council and the community of Tauranga for years to come, is a very exciting prospect.”

The building is targeting the highest 6 Green Star – Design and As-Built NZv1.0 – Design Review Rating, demonstrating world leadership in sustainability. It also has a strong emphasis on mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems) and connection with the surrounding natural environment.

The crane has arrived, and piling is underway – visible signs of progress in Tauranga’s city centre on what’s set to become the country’s largest mass timber office building.

The report concluded that there was a general impression that barriers do exist to increasing the uptake of EWPs in the New Zealand construction industry.

The importance of planning

The preparation process of any building project lays the foundations to successful outcomes, whether it be small interior upgrades, restorations of ornate timber joinery or significant timber joinery renovations.

Why you should use a Registered Master Joiner

Registered Master Joiners provide full consultation and design services for all joinery needs and work closely with other design professionals to ensure that the finished product looks and functions at its best.

A national and regional fellowship of members ensures that all are kept up to date with the latest trends both in craft practice and business developments.

Through its members, the New Zealand Joinery Manufacturers’ Federation is also a prime mover in the introduction of innovations and standards to the joinery industry.

Master Joiners belong to one of the world’s oldest trades, dating back to Europe between the 12th and 15th centuries.

Wooden and kitchen joinery is often what sets one building or home apart from another. It is an area of professionalism and craftsmanship.

Master Joiners ensure high standards of workmanship and guarantee the warranty required under the Consumer Guarantee Act.

Exterior and interior joinery are premium products, which require a level of protection to enhance the properties of the products. It is therefore important that you take your time in selecting who designs, manufactures and advises on care and maintenance.

In New Zealand, joinery is one of the few industries that has retained its apprenticeship tradition.

The New Zealand Joinery Manufacturers’ Federation and local associations work together with training providers to provide pre-training courses and also sponsor youth skills competitions and events aimed at promoting excellence in trades training. Registered Master Joiners bring innovation to the joinery industry. They encourage competition and the pursuit of excellence between and from its members, their employees and apprentices.

All your joinery needs

The Joiner Shop is a one stop shop for all of your joinery needs. We do everything from kitchens, laundries and wardrobes through to glass showers, internal doors, stairs, custom joinery pieces and more.

We can help from concept to completion and can offer expert helpful advice and recommendations on all aspects of your project. We are able to design all of your joinery with you, we can make your vision into a reality and work within your budget. We create beautiful joinery to suit all budgets. The Joiner Shop is known for its exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

With a team of skilled artisans, we ensure that every joinery piece is crafted to perfection. From traditional to contemporary designs, we cater to diverse preferences, always delivering stunning results. Our dedication to quality, along with a client-centric approach, makes us a trusted partner for clients seeking topnotch joinery services. With The Joiner Shop, you can rest assured that your project will be handled with professionalism and creativity, resulting in a truly exceptional space.

Fraser a qualified joiner and carpenter with over 25 years’ experience in joinery along with staff Lizz, Dave, Michael, Kevin, Aaron,

Andrew, Andre and Suzanne offer all of the benefits of dealing with a friendly local company in a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

From design to installation we work with you every step of the way. Using the latest technologies along with the experience and expertise of our staff you can be assured our work is of the highest quality. Our joinery is not made on a production line but handcrafted in our workshop in Kaikoura.

We are members of New Zealand Registered Master Joiners and award winners so you can be confident in the products we produce and provide.

For more information visit www.thejoinershop.co.nz or call us on 03 319 5562. Alternatively, you can reach the team on info@thejoinershop.co.nz or stop by at 19 Beach Road, Kaikoura.

While in the planning stage with your designer, architect or builder, you can visual what you want to achieve, but do you visual who your timber joinery provider will be to bring your vision to life?

While in the planning phase; ask your designer, architect or builder to work with a Registered Master Joiner.

When you work with a Registered Master Joiner you are working with an experienced timber craftsman and practitioner whose connectedness through the Master Joiner network brings so much more to the planning stage of your home renovation project.

Registered Master Joiners keep up with trends, innovations, product capability and technology advancements. Many are trend setters yet trusted ‘old world’ techniques are still available.

This is exactly what you need to tap into when planning a home renovation.

You will find Registered Master Joiners around New Zealand providing a diverse range of timber joinery products and services, from kitchens, geometrical stairs, doors, and windows, shutters and cabinetry. If you are looking for doors and windows, ask for a JMF Registered Master Joiner affiliated member.

specific needs of your exterior timber joinery to meet local environmental conditions and will tag your timber joinery validating its compliance.

No matter what your needs, don’t throw the dice on your timber joinery needs, no matter what those needs are, turn to a Registered Master Joiner and have confidence they work to ethics and standards and maintain a commitment to the Master Joiner pursuit of excellence.

Your timber joinery needs should be a collaboration between you and your joiner. Don’t roll the dice, renovate with confidence!

Visit www.masterjoiners.nz/find-a-masterjoiner/ to find a Registered Master Joiner in your region, or check out www.jmfnz. co.nz/approved-manufacturers/ for a JMF Registered Master Joiner affiliate member.

Registered Master Joiners

Together we're building Nelson

Nelson is home to a thriving community and economy, so it stands to reason there are plenty of builders and DIYers in the area. PlaceMakers Nelson has everything you need for all your building and construction requirements. The friendly team in store have a great knowledge of the area so can help you find anything you need.

From heating and power tools to timber and retaining materials, PlaceMakers Nelson can do it all. If you’re a DIYer looking to renovate your kitchen, bathroom or laundry, PlaceMakers Nelson can get you inspired with tools and information such as their 3D design planner, articles, catalogues and more.

Nelson PlaceMakers also has a wealth of information, products and resources for builders. Their quality, online services ensure that tradies can have PlaceMakers in their pockets, at home or in the office. They have some great E-tools and excellent trade deals. At Nelson PlaceMakers, if you need it, they’ll find it.

If you’re wanting to know more about energy efficiency and understand Clause H1 of the New Zealand Building Code, PlaceMakers Nelson can help with that too. This code regulates the energy efficiency of buildings and is undergoing its biggest changes in more than a decade. The updates aim to help make new

buildings warmer, drier and healthier and therefore reduce energy useage. With vital information available for tradies and homeowners alike, PlaceMakers Nelson can ensure you have all the knowledge you need before embarking on your next project.

They know that with the possibilities available in today’s building industry, it’s becoming more common to have obscure products specified or tricky requests from clients but that’s not a problem for Nelson PlaceMakers. If you’re a tradie, PlaceMakers is there to support you from start to finish.

A PlaceMakers Trade Account gives you access to the dedicated trade team plus PlaceMakers E-tools. From dedicated delivery service and live order tracking to saving time and money, reducing admin and so much more, Nelson PlaceMakers is able to make your next job super simple.

PlaceMakers is New Zealand’s leader and largest supplier of building material and

hardware. Whether it’s regular products, or those extra tricky items, sourcing is their ‘thing’.

They’re 100 percent committed to their customers and have 62 stores from Kaitaia to Invercargill. PlaceMakers sells over 74,000 product lines from concrete to timber and plasterboard. They manufacture frames and trusses through eight manufacturing plants nationwide. For more information, visit www.placemakers.co.nz or call the friendly Nelson team on 03 547 9111.

With features such as live order tracking, quote creation and easy ordering, E-Tools can help you save time and money – reducing admin so you can get home quicker. PlaceMakers Nelson is here to help streamline your next project.

Home solutions

Central Plateau Home Solutions is a company owned and operated in New Zealand, they are a supplier of top-quality insulation, ventilation and heating products suitable for both residential and commercial properties.

They have full property services in the Taupo and Central Plateau area.

Central Plateau Home Solutions uses ecofriendly products for all their services!

Central Plateau Home Solutions provide a number of services including:

• Insulation

• Roof Installation, Repairs and Maintenance

• Property Painting

• Comprehensive Property Maintenance

• Ventilation

• Heating and Cooling

• New Builds

• Commercial

• Healthy Homes

• Renovation and Retrofits.

Central Plateau Home Solutions believe that effective communication is the key to any new and existing relationship.

They will ensure you know what’s going on throughout every stage of your project.

The team surrounds themselves with the best in the business from their staff to their subcontractors.

Central Plateau Home Solutions are creative masterminds, continually considering new ideas and alternatives to get you the desired outcome.

The team will take care of properties as if they are their own. All of their tradesmen and staff take pride in what they do, so you can be sure that you will be happy with everything that Central Plateau Home Solutions do.

A Licensed Building Practitioner oversees all of their projects and all tradesmen are qualified professionals who love what they do. So if you are after a service for your next project that requires property painting, renovations and more, Central Plateau Home Solutions can help you with your new build or commercial needs today!

They can reach your needs for any healthy home services required and will work with you every step of the way.

To get in contact with the team at Central Plateau Home Solutions, contact them on 0800 726 882 or visit their website at www.cphs.co.nz

We are a privately owned small business that is passionate about all things in the building industry that involve a trowel. We carry an extremely broad variety of tools, compounds, trims, additives, sealers, paint, repair systems and so much more! We can also back this up with expert knowledge and service, here at Trowel Trades nothing is a problem....

SUPPLY IN HOUSE DESIGNERS

WINDOW PROTECTION

GLAZING

INSTALLATION

CONSULTING & PROJECT MANGEMENT

INTERIOR FITOUTS

EUROWOOD CLADDING

www.aisgroup.co.nz

CANOPY’S

Unlocking the full potential of wood

remained relatively stable while log volumes available to be processed have doubled.

“Investment in wood processing infrastructure has declined and we are missing out on the potential benefits that processing wood here in New Zealand offers. This fund will support feasibility projects through a ‘catalyst fund’ and provide capital support through an ‘accelerator fund’ to turn this around.

Speaking at the Wood Processers and Manufacturers Association conference in Rotorua, Peeni Henare said the $57 million fund would enable the Government to partner with wood processors to co-invest in wood processing capacity to create products like sawn structural timber and engineered wood.

“We want to process more logs onshore, help move our forestry sector from volume to value, lift our economic performance and resilience and create high-wage jobs in our regions,” he said.

In 2021 wood product manufacturing plus pulp and paper contributed around $3.8 billion to New Zealand’s GDP and wood processing manufacturing alone makes up around 40 percent of this figure. It is estimated that this funding support will see $500 to $650 million of additional GDP over the life of the fund’s investments.

The fund will support:

• Greater domestic processing of wood to help meet our climate change goals as wood products store carbon and delay CO2 being released back to the atmosphere

• Increased onshore processing that produces sawmilling residues which are a feedstock for low-carbon biofuels and bioproducts

Low carbon building benefits

Building with renewable engineered wood rather than concrete offers a significant win for the environment and the finances – a recent study has revealed.

The study, conducted in late 2022, used Clearwater Quays luxury apartments in Christchurch as a test case. Clearwater Quays was constructed as a part of Mid-Rise Wood Construction, a public-private programme, a public-private partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries and Red Stag Investments.

The programme objective is encouraging greater use of New Zealand-engineered timber in multi-story, prefabricated buildings.

Logic Group director Barry Lynch and senior quantity surveyor for the Clearwater project, Eoin McLoughlin, say “Calculations show that using wood in place of concrete to build this five-storey demonstration building is removing over a million kilograms of carbon dioxide from the environment”.

Barry says carbon calculations for the Clearwater building show its timber construction saved 87,400kg of carbon dioxide (CO2), compared with a CO2 release of 952,600kg if it had been built of concrete, and 794,600kg if built of steel and concrete.

The $3.37m price to design, develop and construct the apartment block would have

been $3.89m for concrete construction or $3.59m for steel and concrete. The calculations include financial impacts of a reduced construction time.

The Clearwater case study is now freely available for construction professionals.

The project has been deliberately designed to be open source, with all project information being made available to showcase the advantages of the new building materials and methods.

The Clearwater demonstration building is funded jointly by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Red Stag Investments Ltd.

Funding for the programme is part of the ‘Mid-Rise Wood Construction’ partnership between Red Stag and MPI. The programme aims to accelerate and increase the use of mass timber and prefabrication in a range of public and commercial building types.

‘Mid-Rise Wood Construction’ complements the Government’s initiatives to encourage high value domestic processing and manufacturing from New Zealand’s plantation forests, and deliver a zero-carbon construction sector, by designing to increase low carbon materials used in construction.

Programme projections suggest if engineered timber is widely adopted, this construction method could save the country $330m annually by 2036.

• A boost in producing high-value wood products in New Zealand that will help us achieve our climate change goals.

“The forestry and wood processing sector is central to many of our regional economies and it is past time we capitalised on the opportunities available,” Peeni said.

“Over the last two decades, New Zealand’s overall wood processing capacity has

“By producing more high value products onshore, the sector can support New Zealand’s goals and commitments to decarbonise the economy. Wood processing produces residues that can be turned into a range of biofuels to support decarbonisation which contributes to reducing emissions.

“These investments will deliver better outcomes for workers, whāanau, communities and regions to support a more productive and sustainable economy. Current projections will see hundreds of jobs generated from the additional capacity created by the fund,” Peeni Henare said. The fund will also help achieve the objectives of the Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan and support the Government’s Economic Plan to build a high-value, high-wage, lowemissions economy.

Unlocking the potential of the wood processing sector, growing our economy and contributing to New Zealand’s climate change response is the aim of a new fund announced by Forestry Minister Peeni Henare.

Tricon Construction Services

As the use of mass timber products like Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), Glulam (GLT), Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), has gained momentum in the construction of commercial buildings in recent years, Tricon Construction Services has forged an enviable reputation for its professionalism, knowledge and experience using mass timber materials throughout New Zealand.

Tricon Construction Services’ journey commenced in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes and has steadily evolved its sphere of operation, subcontracting to building companies like Naylor Love, Armitage Williams, and LT McGuinness and engaging in major commercial projects throughout New Zealand,

“We undertook construction of the first Mass Timber structure in New Zealand,” says Tricon Services’ Managing Director Jon Taylor. “This particular structure consisted of XLam’s CLT floors and walls and at the time the hostel was the biggest project in Australasia using XLam’s product. Because much of the CLT was left exposed, care was taken to protect the visible surfaces, and oversized skirtings were used to cover the fixings.”

Christchurch’s Arvida Park Retirement Village was another of Tricon Construction Services’ early projects and consisted of eighty apartments, all built from XLam CLT.

“From the concrete podium up to the 9th floor, the Auckland City Mission building was

the largest Mass Timber structure we have built using XLam CLT and Timberlab LVL,’ says Jon. “This building is still New Zealand’s tallest timber building and was completed about a year after Covid.”

Other current

in Christchurch and the Sion Te Papa Tipu Innovation Hub. The Sion Te Papa Tipu Innovation Hub has won numerous architectural awards nationally and internationally. A more recent project was AgResearch’s new laboratory in Lincoln which included twelve CLT shear walls, a first in New Zealand, along with stairs, balustrades and elevator shaft supported by LVL and GLT.

Exhibition Centre and Auckland University of Technology A1 building.

Leading up to the Auckland City Mission project, Tricon Construction Services successfully completed the Mass Timber installation of the Hornby Workers Club

“The project commenced in August last year and we completed our part of the project early this year. Everything inside the building is visual, including the CLT panels. It has a much warmer feeling over steel and concrete, in my view. Other current projects we are involved in that deserve to be recognised, include Queenstown Country Club, Dolomite Exhibition Centre and Auckland University of Technology A1 building.”

Jon says the use and accuracy of Mass Timber, needs a collaborative approach between the client, the design consultants, the supply chain and the main contractor to achieve the best installation and program efficiency.

“With Mass Timber, each component is CNC cut to measure, sequentially numbered and delivered to site, ready for installation. It’s also has benefits for follow on trades. Once the floor and walls are installed and structurally complete, the sub-trades can go straight in and do their work without having to wait for concrete curing.”

With all Mass Timber projects, knowledge and experience is vital. This is what provides confidence to the industry, especially when the use of Mass Timber is on the rise.

projects we are involved in that deserve to be recognised, include Queenstown Country Club, Dolomite

Standardising advice about timber use in construction

Engineered wood turns softer timbers into beams, columns, trusses, portal frames and more that can deliver superior strength, resilience and fire resistance to other materials in the market.

The 2011 Canterbury earthquake series and the 2016 Kaikoura events showed that such modern timber construction techniques will allow the built environment to withstand major events including earthquakes and fires comparatively unscathed.

Such events have also helped raise awareness within the design community of just how creative it’s possible to be with such a “traditional” construction material;

something supported by the regular NZ Wood-Resene Timber Design Awards.

“New Zealand is a leader in timber construction,” explains Andy Van Houtte, CPeng, Manager for the series of 16 Timber Design Guides.

“New Zealand has a lot of intellectual property around designing in timber,” he explains, “and the WPMA is keen to provide a one-stop-shop for developers, architects,

engineers and the wider construction industry, with freely available peer reviewed information.

“That way, we believe we can provide a clear framework for everyone to understand the relative advantages of different aspects of timber construction, and how to maximise a project’s structural integrity and cost effectiveness while still complying with NZ Standards and the NZ Building Code.

“To be most useful, we need this to be a trans-industry project that provides a clear path to consenting and construction.” Industry surveys and market research has confirmed which aspects of timber design professionals were most interested in learning more about. Each Timber Design Guide was then written by a recognised expert in the field and peer reviewed through a highly qualified working group.

As a primary advocate within the industry, the Wood Processors and Manufacturers’ Association (WPMA) has long recognised the need for standardised, good quality information to help the wider construction sector confidently design with and approve timber structures using the many new engineered timber solutions available today.

Mass timber solutions for the planet

specialist New Plymouth CNC fabrication workshop. By manufacturing panels offsite, you get what you need when you need it. This slashes installation times, lowers labour costs, and minimises onsite waste.

Woodspan know that costs can add up quickly, and so work hard to keep construction costs as low as possible. Their PLT panels are simple to install, made to measure, and are safe to walk and work on immediately after install so other trades can get on with it.

The team at Woodspan PLT Solutions make providing mass timber solutions simple. Owned by Taranakipine, Woodspan are specialists in providing mass timber solutions for residential building and construction projects throughout New Zealand.

Proudly Kiwi owned and operated, Woodspan are experts in all things PLT panels – made from finger jointed or whole timber structural boards that are then laminated into large panels. As all grain runs in the direction of the primary span, a strong, structurally sound panel is produced. Woodspan also manufacture mid-size glulam posts and beams following the same methodology.

Building with mass timber like PLT can result in a significantly lighter framework than other construction materials like concrete or

steel. This results in many benefits which includes reduced foundation size and cost, particularly for areas with difficult ground conditions.

Woodspan process local New Zealand Radiata pine logs with their own sawmill. With a constant supply of timber available they have complete control of feedstock availability. Woodspan ensure fast lead times by using their full wood processing manufacturing capability, and with their high-volume automated laminating production line you know you’re never going to be caught short.

From design to production, Woodspan are there to help. All of their PLT panels are custom manufactured offsite at their

JOIN THE BUILDING REVOLUTION

There is growing awareness across the construction industry of the benefits that mass timber and off-site manufacturing provide. Particularly, by using more sustainable building materials in their structures, such projects work to combat climate change.

Wood naturally stores carbon. Woodspan are committed to combating climate change by promoting a clean environment. By using 100 percent NZ pine from sustainably managed plantation forests, Woodspan take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, thus minimising their environmental footprint. Woodspan reduce their emissions by prioritising low carbon building materials, and reducing construction waste that gets sent to landfill.

Contact Woodspan at 027 445 5313 or visit their website, www.woodspan.co.nz for more information.

When choosing any supplier for your building project, you’ll want to be sure they can best meet your project needs. Whether that be keeping costs down or ensuring enough supply, it’s critical to understand exactly what you’ll be getting from your chosen supplier both now and into the future.

Proudly Kiwi owned and operated, Woodspan are experts in all things PLT panels – made from finger jointed or whole timber structural boards that are then laminated into large panels.

SUSTAINABLE MASS TIMBER SOLUTIONS ENGINEERED BY WOODSPAN BACKED BY TARANAKIPINE.

Over 10 years of mass timber

XLam leads the New Zealand market in the supply of Cross Laminated Timber Panels (CLT).

EMAIL enquiries@xlam.co.nz

Exceeding Expectations

Red Stag TimberLab is New Zealand’s leading engineered timber design and manufacturing company. Operating from the greater Red Stag 93 Hectare site in Rotorua, a two hectare site in Hamilton and a 3,500 square metre plant in East Tamaki, their team of over 100 are delivering local excellence.

The company has been providing complete design, manufacture, supply and installation supervision packages for engineered timber structures since 1958, with more than half being for international projects. In 2022 Red Stag purchased TimberLab, combining the Auckland manufacturing with a new scale Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Engineered

Wood Product (EWP) plant in Rotorua, frame, truss and light timber panelisation in Hamilton and the Southern Hemispheres largest structural saw mill.

Red Stag’s aim is to be the best provider of innovative, cost-effective, and customised engineered timber solutions throughout New Zealand. Red Stag TimberLab are committed to ensuring the highest quality of service and solutions are provided to their clients. Emphasising sustainability in their work, they use timber from sustainably harvested plantation forests. Red Stag offers environmentally responsible construction options, backed by FSC Chain of Custody Certification. They are passionate about reducing the dependence on high carbon emitting, non-renewable resources such as steel and concrete by converting logs into beautiful and efficient timber structures. The team at Red Stag TimberLab place utmost importance on attention to detail and desire to be the best in the business. Heavily valuing customer relationships and fostering

solid business partnerships, it’s no wonder they are a multi award winning company. Red Stag TimberLab have been manufacturing engineered timber for over 60 years and are the most vertically integrated EWP producer in New Zealand with internal feedstock manufacturing, drying and treatment, CLT and GLT manufacturing, LVL processing, and light timber/frame and truss design and supply integration. In parallel, Red Stag offers advice and guidance, door to door delivery, prefabrication manufacturing, 3D computer modelling, and total package solutions and education.

Red Stag TimberLab have the most advanced EWP CNC capabilities in the country with three scale machines, including the world’s largest timber CNC processor based in Rotorua. Investment is ongoing, and in October 2023, two more large scale CNC’s will be commissioned in Rotorua providing more capacity and capability with New Zealand’s largest beam processor.

Website: www.redstag.co.nz

Email: info@redstag.co.nz

Tel: +64 9 253 9349 | 0800 733 784

Address:

Rotorua : Waipa State Mill Rd, Whakarewarewa

Auckland : 9 Bostock Place, East Tamaki

Hamilton : 53 Ingram Road, Rukuhia

Looking to the future, Red Stag TimberLab is continuing to review expansion opportunities to support New Zealand meeting its 2030 emissions targets. Unlike all other traditional construction materials, timber provides a mechanism to lock up carbon, reduce the foundation requirements and significantly increase the speed of construction with light, large scale panels

CLT is a proven solution abroad, and the scale of Red Stag’s plant allows for 75 m2 panels to be manufactured. This allows projects to install 300 – 450 m2 of floors or panels per hour.

Red Stag TimberLab is proud to be the supplier of choice for the most iconic mass timber buildings in New Zealand. They maintain close relationships with clients to ensure their products and services add value and are an investment for all projects. Get in touch with the team by sending an enquiry to ewp@redstag.co.nz, alternatively you can call them on 09 253 9349.

Red Stag Guides available to download from www.redstag.co.nz or scan the QR code.

CLT (Cross Laminated Timber)

GLT (Glue Laminated Timber)

LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)

F&T (Frame & Truss)

Specialists in ESI (Early Supplier Involvement)

Specialists in ECI (Early Contractor Involvement)

CAD Draughting & CNC Processing Technical Design Assistance

The best in the business

The New Zealand plumbing industry plays a vital role in this country’s health, housing, and infrastructure.

Each year, the New Zealand Plumbing Awards recognise and honour outstanding contributions and achievements in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying sector.

2023 Kava Cup

The Kava Cup Award celebrates community projects by regional Master Plumbers Branches and Associations. Canterbury Master Plumbers secured Hospital the 2023 Kava Cup for volunteering labour on a muchneed extension to the Canterbury Charity, supported by donated products from Master Plumbers’ Business Partners. The Association say it was a privilege to be able to help the hospital look after their Canterbury and West Coast patients.

MEET THE 2023 WINNERS:

2023 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year

Napier-based Devine Plumbing, led by Cam Devine, received this year’s supreme business award, which recognises exceptional business acumen, professionalism, and commitment to excellent service. Devine Plumbing stands out for its drive for growth, dedication to customer service, great workplace culture, and local community engagement.

2023 James Douglas Medallion

Tyson Kihi from Advanced Plumbing HB in Hawkes Bay was the plumbing finalist and overall winner of this prestigious award, presented to a newly qualified apprentice. Tyson came to plumbing as an adult apprentice, having previously been employed at a freezing works. He thrives on exceeding expectations and takes great pride in his work. Cameron Ryder from HiFlo Plumbing in Oamaru and Max Porter from Evergreen Plumbing Group in Hawera were recognised as finalists in the gasfitting and drainlaying categories.

2023

Outstanding Project of the Year

This year’s outstanding project award went to McBeth Plumbing & Gas in Taupō for their special effort to make life more comfortable for victims of Cyclone Gabrielle. Around 200 people contributed to the company’s Cyclone Response Project, which provided portable, off-grid hot showers to remote, cut-off communities in desperate need.

2023 New Zealand Plumber, Gasfitter, or Drainlayer of the Year

Darren Smith of Hutt Gas and Plumbing in Lower Hutt was acknowledged for his high level of technical expertise on complex projects. Co-founding the business in 1992, he has helped grow it to one of the largest plumbing companies in Wellington. His current focus is on sharing his technical know-how with the company’s 15 apprentices.

2023 Jackson Women in Plumbing Award

Mandy Burgess, operations manager at Devine Plumbing in Napier, joined the business in 2022 after 10 years with Plumbing World, where she developed a wealth of knowledge in all things plumbing. Mandy is known for going the extra mile for staff and customers. Passionate about plumbing, she gives 100 percent to all her projects.

2023 Plumbing World Scholarships

Plumbing World awards annual scholarships to promising Masterlink plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices. The deserving 2023 winners were Sebastian Sekene from Heron Plumbing in Auckland, Andrew Smith from EG Glennie & Co in Wellington, and Emma de Salis from McBeth Plumbing & Gas in Taupō.

2023 Master Plumbers Business Partner of the Year

Having delivered over 40 training courses in collaboration with Master Plumbers, Rinnai New Zealand is dedicated to ensuring practitioners have access to the latest knowledge and expertise. The company’s focus on research and development, particularly in the area of renewable gas appliances, is testament to its forward-thinking approach.

2023 Graeme Victor Smith Contribution to the Industry

Julena Phillips, General Manager of JT Carter Plumbing in Hamilton came to the business after several years with plumbing merchants in the region. She has created multiple efficiencies, developed a strong social media presence, and organised a staff recognition programme—taking the company to another level.

2023 Product of the Year

This coveted award was presented to MM Brands for their revolutionary K-Valve: a fast, safe and revolutionary inspection test opening solution for sewer and wastewater pipework. The fitted test plug can be easily located and removed in seconds, with no injury risk or chance of the plug dislodging. A truly innovative product for the industry.

2023 Training Leader of the Year

Dave Henderson, from Quix Commercial in Auckland, was recognised for going above and beyond to educate and support people entering the industry. It takes technical expertise, good communication skills, patience, empathy and flexibility to teach apprentices successfully—and Dave demonstrates these qualities in all he does.

Master Plumbers

PO Box 6606

Marion Square

Wellington 6141 0800 502 102

admin@masterplumbers.org.nz www.masterplumbers.org.nz

Hot Stuff

RT Heat Pumps and Electrical

RT Heat Pumps and Electrical are a Whanganui based company ready to provide you with a solution to all your heating, cooling and electrical problems, no matter how big or small. Ryan Thomas, the owner of the company, gained his qualifications and picked up skills by working for larger companies before deciding to branch out on his own.

His strong work ethic and attention to detail means his customers are getting great service and results with a person touch. Ryan has made RT Heat Pumps and Electrical a real one stop shop and is able to complete all electrical and heat pump related work. Ryan offers free quotes on all types of jobs which allows you to make an informed decision about your job.

RT Heat Pumps and Electrical offer a wide range of services from heat pump installs, smart vent ventilation to heat pump servicing/repair and aircon re-gassing. Ryan also deals in electrical works from new house wiring and switch board upgrades to outdoor lighting and spa pool installations. He also works with healthy homes upgrades and can help you meet the standards. From heating and bathroom extractors to range hoods, Ryan has everything you need.

With winter well and truly here, it might be time to look into getting a new heat pump. If that’s the case, Ryan can provide expert guidance on selecting the perfect heat pump for your heating and cooling needs. He knows that not all locations are the same and can make sure you get the right size and install for your home. If your heat pump just needs a bit of TLC, Ryan can do that too. Regular servicing of a heat pump can reduce operation costs, increase lifespan of the unit and ensure healthy air.

RT Heat Pumps and Electrical can supply heat pumps nationwide and install locally. They work with any heat pump brand too. From Mitsubishi Electrical and Panasonic heating and cooling solutions, Ryan makes sure you’re getting the very best for your home or commercial project.

RT Heat Pumps and Electrical don’t just do residential jobs, Ryan also lends his skills and expertise to the commercial sector of Whanganui. From rewires and lighting to motors/pumps and panel upgrades, he can do it all. RT Heat Pumps provides a comprehensive rewiring service to ensure the safety and efficiency of electrical systems.

Whether it’s an older building in need of an upgrade or a new construction project, know that you’re in safe hands. Whatever your electrical needs, RT Heat Pumps and Electrical have got you covered. For more information, visit www.rtheatpumps.co.nz or call Ryan on 027 565 6734.

Whether it’s an older building in need of an upgrade or a new construction project, know that you’re in safe hands.

CANZ conference discusses matters at hand

From the July the 24th to the 26th, the Crane Association of New Zealand (CANZ) gathered at Te Pae in Christchurch for its annual conference.

It’s the first time since 2019 that CANZ has taken its conference to the mainland.

Prior to the event, CANZ CEO Sarah Toase said Te Pae (the venue) and its state-of-theart facilities would provide a truly seamless experience where exhibitors and machinery would stand side-by-side inside Te Pae’s purpose-built indoor exhibition hall.

She said this type of indoor exhibition is a first for the conference and as such, was expected to greatly improve the experience of delegates and visitors throughout the event.

“It’s the same set-up as the CICA conference held last year in Adelaide which worked so well – I’m glad to replicate it in Christchurch for the kiwi industry. You can’t escape the variety, complexity and the sheer number of issues affecting global economies right now.

“New Zealand is no exception and we’ll address how these are playing out for the crane industry through the insights from a range of keynote speakers at the event. The well-used leadership mantra ‘working on the business not in the business’ always sticks in my mind when I think about putting the programme together.

“The aim is to offer real benefit to our delegates by selecting expert and engaging speakers to present to our audience.

“This year, Kevin Biggar opens our conference as the keynote speaker. Kevin has more adventure stories than even the ‘above average’ kiwi. Coupled with his business acumen, Kevin’s charisma and life experience offer a unique and spellbinding story which will provide the perfect start to our event.

“The crane association will also present on its current and future activities; and will be seeking guidance from members and conference delegates on what its key focus should be for the coming year.

“The AGM offers members the opportunity to formalise their direction for the association and this year we’ll be presenting a remit to seek a change to the membership structure.

“We’re lucky to have such an engaged group of life members and they’ve been very generous in providing their expertise as we work through the options.

“I’m hopeful also that there will be a chance to celebrate the achievements of CANZ over the last 12-months.

“A notable moment was in late December when I received a call from a Ministerial Advisor, giving me an hour’s notice that an announcement would made about skilled crane operators being added to the green list.

“It was such a great win for our industry to be able to recruit from overseas with the offer of a future residency pathway for international operators.

“When I attended the CICA conference in Adelaide last year, it was notable how common the issues where between Australia and New Zealand.

Staff shortages were a clear commonality as was training pathways and staff retention.

“One speaker in particular stood out for me –Lou Sapio of Max Services. I have asked him to deliver his presentation to our delegates here in New Zealand at this year’s crane conference and he’s agreed.

“I am excited to see the response Lou gets from our members, as the Australian audience wouldn’t let him wrap up his session as so many people wanted to make use of the time with him.

“Of course, this wouldn’t be an industry conference without participation from key manufacturers providing cranes and other machinery here in New Zealand.

“Once again, we will host the manufacturers panel where delegates will hear directly from manufacturers about their perspective on the key issues facing the crane industry.

“They’ll also provide commentary on new machinery, technology and solutions being provided by their brands.

“Our generous sponsors make all of this possible of course and it’s heartening to see so much investment in this industry event – and the association. A sign that business is still going well despite the much spoken of recession.

“The association tries to ensure this oncea-year event really does meet the needs of everybody attending and that the conference provides a real return on investment.”

But it’s not all work and the conference would not be complete without the opportunity to socialise network and celebrate success.

A quality social programme provides informal networking opportunities and a chance to catch up with peers. Partners are well catered for with a well-considered partner’s programme available on both days.

Ensuring safety in its industry

Established in 1975 by crane owners to represent their interests, the Crane Association of New Zealand (CANZ) has never had more relevance or currency in a climate where its leadership and advocacy are offering members strategic direction and representation at industry and policy level. The voice of the crane industry, CANZ is recognised by the New Zealand Government and the general public alike as the official representative on all matters relating to the safety and operation of cranes.

Membership benefits are multitudinous - from receiving up-to-date information on changes or additions to legislation, regulations and Approved Codes of Practice, to providing input on consultations regarding national, regional and local policy matters. There’s also the Association’s major flagship event – the Crane Association of NZ Conference, its discounts for the Crane Training NZ Shop, access to extensive industry resources, and advice on crane and business issues.

The association places a great deal of importance on training and safety, and has succeeded in raising the standards of operation and efficiency across the face of the crane industry.

By supporting our members in these and other operational objectives, the New Zealand crane industry has become an international benchmark of success in these areas.

SafeCrane has been created by the Crane Association of New Zealand to provide guidance on how to create a safe workplace for cranes.

Moving forward, the Association will be firmly focused on its current lobby and advocacy work, as lobbying forms an important part of the association’s role in representing the New Zealand crane industry. As construction is a large contributor to the national GDP, the value of cranes to the nation means that we punch above our weight as the building and infrastructure sectors are totally reliant on cranes.

CANZ objectives

The main objectives of the Association are:

• Provide an organisation through which members may coordinate their efforts solving problems of common concern to the industry

• Take appropriate action to raise standards of efficiency within the industry, thus enhancing its national prestige and status

• Represent and act for the industry vis-a-vis organs of Government, public and private organisations and activities of which concern the crane industry

• Procure and disseminate information that may be helpful to members

• Promote, oppose, or press for, the amendment or repeal of any legislative enactments, by-laws or other rules or regulations affecting the interests of members

• Represent the industry in any training programme aimed at increased safety and efficiency in crane operation and to this end, cooperate with other persons and bodies as far as lawfully possible and expedient.

PO Box 12013

Wellington 6144 (04) 473 3558

www.cranes.org.nz

We’re lucky to have such an engaged group of life members and they’ve been very generous in providing their expertise as we work through the options.

Capabilities expected of a heavy-duty machine

• Powerful 13.5 t rated line pull winch with free-fall function. (15.5 t option also available)

• Additional hydraulic oil cooler (optional) for more reliable continuous operations.

• Hydraulic system with outstanding synchronized operation for high-precision excavation work.

• Newly designed cab to significantly improve usability and comfort.

Keeping a close eye on safety procedures

Scaffolding is an essential component of most construction projects.

Not only does it provide support to workers and their tools while on the job, it also makes it easier for personnel to access areas of a structure that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

As important and as widely used as scaffolds are, scaffolding risks exist on any construction site. This is especially true if important safety steps are neglected. Scaffold risk is a reality in the workplace.

National organisation Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand (SARNZ) has worked since its formation in 1994 to advocate for higher standards for safety and quality within the access industry.

Today SARNZ represents more than 200 practitioners working in the manufacturing, distribution and installation of access and rigging (approximately onethird of the market).

Ranging from multiple stories high, to working with complex structures, scaffolding needs to be robust, safe, and designed with the building and health and safety in mind. It requires skill and a safety conscious approach to working on scaffolding and in rigging. It became apparent that there needed to be oversight of the quality and regulations that companies operated under.

That’s when Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand Inc (SARNZ) was formed, in 1994.

A like-minded group formed SARNZ to ensure there was a unified voice for concerns and improving regulation.

We are a nucleus for companies of all sizes in scaffolding and rigging to join.

SARNZ is one centralised place for voicing concerns or feedback on regulations, getting help with training and applying Unit Standards for apprentices or overseas applicants, and having the backing of an organisation that exists to raise industry standards in quality and safety.

We work with government agencies like WorkSafe and CHASNZ to ensure that rules and regulations are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the industry.

What SARNZ does

SARNZ supports members in training staff on best practice, health and safety, and even business development.

This support provides our members with the knowledge and expertise to be the best in the industry, and to raise the standards of construction.

If companies are interested in being further quality assured, they can apply for Gold Accreditation.

Safety and standards are important to us and we hold our members to a high standard, so we are always continually working on options and projects to protect the industry.

Our board members, Vadim Spice and David Sopp, have teamed up with CHASNZ, and other industry experts, to work on

improving Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) recognition and prevention in the industry. With the rapid growth of technology in the industry, processes and awareness have not kept pace to ensure that staff aren’t being injured during its use.

This project aims to increase awareness of MSDs and its prevalence.

SARNZ is excited to help the industry build more robust communication and reporting methods for staff around injuries or discomfort, and design processes that acknowledge and account for risky work.

As a membership body SARNZ represents about a one third of the industry of scaffolding companies.

To scaffold over five metres, you have to hold a certificate of competence and from our numbers we know that most ticket holders – so most people in New Zealand that hold these tickets - are our members.

So, while we might not represent all of the members, we hire and employ most of the qualified scaffolders in the country, which means we know that our members are truly above the line because they have the qualified workers with them.

SARNZ supports members in training staff on best practice, health and safety, and even business development.

Benefits of SARNZ membership

• SARNZ office as a single point of contact

• Yearly membership certificates

• Platform newsletter, distributed quarterly

• Input into industry training through SARNZ involvement with Tai Poutini Polytechnic

• Able to provide input into setting industry standards

• Publisher and distributor of Best Practice Guidelines in Scaffolding

• SARNZ has representation on the Australia/New Zealand standards group

• Unified voice promoting and speaking on behalf of the industry

• Networking with other members throughout the country.

SARNZ membership services

• CSC member benefit card

• FnF fuel scheme

• Group insurance scheme – statutory liabilities defence and penalties insurance and employer liability insurance

• An improved perception of the professional nature of your company by the public through being a member of the national trade association Scaffolding, Access and Rigging NZ.

Membership support

Members have support from our office for a wide range of needs including training, health and safety and business development.

Industry representation

SARNZ works closely with government agencies to ensure that standards and regulations are fit for purpose. Be part of the organisation that regularly lobbies government for our members.

We work with government agencies like WorkSafe and CHASNZ to ensure that rules and regulations are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the industry.

Leveraging Credibility - Drug Testing Enhances Contractor Success

As New Zealand businesses navigate uncertainty and rising costs, maintaining a competitive edge and establishing reputational credibility are crucial. In construction trust is a critical element for success and one powerful tool that contractors can use to enhance their credibility is drug and alcohol testing.

By implementing a comprehensive and robust testing programme through accredited testing providers, contractors can showcase their commitment to health and safety and reap further internal and external benefits.

Prioritising Safety

An effective substance testing programme assists with the identification and reduction of impairment risk in the workplace. Implementing a comprehensive testing programme demonstrates a serious commitment to Health & Safety in the office, on site and in public and provides support for compliance with HSWA 2015. An effective programme is one that is legally robust, is managed by an independently accredited provider, covers a broad range of substances including prescription and emerging drugs, outlines reasons for testing, methods and

procedures, and is effectively communicated and actively engaged.

Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing assists employers to identify those who are a potential risk from entering the workplace. Random, reasonable cause and post-incident testing helps to maintain a drug-free workplace. A fit for purpose testing programme acts as a deterrent and helps foster a culture of responsibility that is recognised externally.

Reliable and Efficient Project Delivery

Substance use can significantly hamper productivity, lead to project delays and cost overruns. Regular testing instils confidence in businesses, assuring them of the focus and reliability of a contractor’s workforce.

The effects of substance use can persist for extended periods. For example, the psychoactive substance in cannabis has hangover effects that can affect psychomotor performance, cognition, and reaction times for over 24 hours after consumption. Team members taking unplanned time off or being sent home due to substance detection can detrimentally affect project timelines and even team morale. Contractors who prioritise an effective testing programme can position themselves as dependable partners capable of delivering projects on time.

Standing Out in a Crowded Market

Contractors are constantly striving to differentiate themselves from competitors. By highlighting their drug and alcohol testing policies and programme, they tangibly demonstrate their commitment to professionalism, accountability and maintaining a safe work environment. This helps attract like-minded, high-value clients and talent.

Building Long-Term Relationships

Clients who see a contractor’s commitment to substance testing and observe its positive impact on project outcomes are more likely to become loyal customers. A reputation for

reliability, a safety-conscious approach, and consistent on-time project delivery will foster repeat business and generate referrals. Building long-term relationships with satisfied clients is instrumental to sustaining success.

In today’s competitive market, contractor credibility and your business’s reputation are key drivers of success. Drug and alcohol testing programmes ensure a safe and productive work environment and help you stand out from the crowd.

The ever-present threat of asbestos

WorkSafe has recently raised concerns of asbestos, directed at businesses that have recently or are currently refurbishing, as it puts the company and their customers at risk.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral containing strong fibres invisible to the eye. When asbestos is disturbed or removed, the fibres can become airborne and inhaled, posing a significant health risk.

While assessing or removing asbestos, personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to ensure you have the best protection while handling the dangerous mineral.

PPE is required when around asbestos, including respiratory protection which is necessary to avoid inhalation, overalls which decrease the risk of carrying fibres away from the work area, and appropriate non-laced footwear, alternatively disposable foot covers When renovating your business or home, the best option is to hire a surveyor to ensure you or any other workers in the building during refurbishment are not harmed by asbestos.

To identify if asbestos is present in a building, contracting an asbestos surveyor to assess the area is the best approach. The surveyor will need to be trained and knowledgeable in asbestos and, if need be, the removal process.

Before removing asbestos, it is necessary to find a safe disposal site. Your local council can advise you where to find the best place that takes asbestos waste.

For safety purposes, when disposing of asbestos, it is advised to double bag any materials that have come into contact with asbestos and firmly seal the bags with a tight knot and adhesive tape. Clearly name the bag identifying the asbestos materials.

General Inspectorate head from WorkSafe, Simon Humphries, says “It’s not ok to assume there is no risk and you are in the clear. Businesses have a duty to identify and manage risks associated with asbestos, and management plans are required for workplaces where asbestos or asbestoscontaining material has been identified or is likely to be present.”

Businesses need a management plan for when the case arises if asbestos is detected. Such a plan sets out where any identified asbestos or asbestos-containing material is present and how it is managed.

A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must make sure a copy of their asbestos management plan is accessible and understandable to workers.

The PCBU in a business must review and revise (if needed) the asbestos management plan every five years or when:

• Asbestos controls are reviewed

• Asbestos is removed, disturbed, sealed or enclosed

• The plan needs to be revised to manage the asbestos risks. For example, if new asbestos is identified or a previously inaccessible area is now accessible.

Representatives and workers of the business may request a review of the asbestos management plan if needed, and they can raise their concerns with the PCBU.

Worksafe says buildings built before the year 2000 are more likely to contain dangerous materials such as asbestos. Therefore, businesses within these buildings are advised to prepare an asbestos management plan.

If a business or worker is concerned they may have come into contact with asbestos, they must monitor their health.

When in contact with asbestos, there is a risk that you may develop related diseases. However, there is a long period of time between exposure and the possible diagnosis of a related illness.

To monitor your health after exposure to asbestos, you should get a physical

examination, including the respiratory system, a chest x-ray and a lung function test. Medical practitioners should also research your demographic, medical and occupational history. Then, if needed, your doctor may need to do further testing.

You must get tested four weeks within exposure, and ongoing testing must be carried out every five years after exposure. Cancer and asbestosis are related diseases that may appear during a medical examination.

“WorkSafe has comprehensive information on its website to help businesses and people understand the risks of asbestos and how to manage them,” Simon Humphries says.

Businesses can head to the WorkSafe website for a business management plan template. For more information, visit: worksafe.govt.nz.

Safe demolition and asbestos management

The New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association (NZDAA) represents New Zealand’s premiere demolition and asbestos companies.

It works with industry members and clients to promote best practice and high working standards for the industry. It also acts as an advisor to members of the public regarding their asbestos concerns.

The NZDAA is recognised for driving excellence in the demolition and asbestos industries, and secretary Terry Coleman says “We act as a bridge between industry regulators and our members to help address issues and concerns with regulations and legislative requirements in order to deliver the best working practice for our industries”.

Asbestos management plans

New asbestos regulations came into effect in April 2016, affecting all PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or an Undertaking).

PCBUs now have a duty to identify and manage asbestos exposure risk in the workplace.

Along with the expected definition of a workplace, such as offices, business premises, or factories, a workplace is anywhere a person is likely to go or is likely to conduct work.

A workplace may be a home or a property that is undergoing renovations, maintenance or demolition.

From April 2018, a PCBU that manages or controls a workplace must make sure that an asbestos management plan is prepared and kept up to date.

Failure to comply with these requirements could result in heavy penalties and fines.

All workplace PCBUs that have identified or assumed asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACM) should keep records of their location and condition.

Asbestos records should list all asbestos in a workplace that presents or is likely to present a risk of exposure to respirable asbestos fibres.

Records should also describe all identified asbestos or ACM including; date identified, location, type and condition, estimate

of area or quantity, analysis results confirming whether a material is asbestos or not, date of identification, details or inaccessible areas.

These records will help people in the workplace who do not need to work in asbestos containing areas avoid exposure.

In addition, people working in these areas must know what to expect and what precautions to take to keep safe.

An asbestos management plan sets out how the workplaces identified asbestos or ACM will be managed.

An asbestos management plan must include the identification of asbestos and ACM, decisions and reasons for decisions, about how the asbestos risks are managed.

The workplace must make sure that a copy of the asbestos management plan is readily accessible and available to: workers who have worked, are working or plan to work at their workplace; any PCBU that has worked is working or plans to work at the workplace; or any PCBU required or intending to carry out work at a workplace.

The workplace PCBU must review, and if necessary, revise the asbestos management plan every five years, or when asbestos controls are reviewed, asbestos is removed or disturbed, or if the plan is no longer adequate.

Types of asbestos

There are two types of asbestos found in New Zealand building materials - friable and non-friable.

Non Friable Asbestos - is any material (other than friable asbestos) that contains asbestos. Non-friable asbestos cannot be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry.

Friable Asbestos - is any material containing asbestos in the form of a powder or can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry.

Non-friable asbestos can become friable if damaged through renovation work, or if it is unsealed or exposed to weather elements.

The only way to know if a product or material contains asbestos is to have it tested by an accredited laboratory

Who can remove and dispose of asbestos containing materials?

There are two types of asbestos removal licences – Class A and Class B.

Class A Licence holders can remove all types of asbestos, including friable (crumbling).

Class B Licence holders can only remove non-friable asbestos (solid).

How dangerous is asbestos?

• #1 cause of work-related deaths globally

• #1 cause of work-related deaths in NZ

• 200 Kiwis a year die from asbestosrelated diseases

• 100 new cases are diagnosed in NZ each year

• 1960s - 1970s: use of asbestos containing materials (ACM) peaked

• 2016 was the year asbestos was banned in NZ

• Customs don’t test for asbestos at the border, so ACM may still be in use

• Most asbestos exposure occurs from breathing air containing asbestos fibres

• Before undertaking renovations, get an asbestos test.

New Zealand Demolition & Asbestos Association

39 Jellicoe Road Panmure

Auckland 1072 0800 469 322 nzdaa@nzdaa.com www.nzdaa.com

About the NZDAA

As construction techniques advanced to create todays modern and complex structures, so too the deconstruction industry has evolved so these can be safely and efficiently demolished.

The “ball and crane” method has now made way for multi discipline, highly expertise engineering methods involving man, machinery and explosives.

Similarly, as the serious health hazards associated with exposure to substances hazardous to health such as asbestos become more known, so too the asbestos industry (involving removal, transportation and disposal) has advanced in recognition of these.

The New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association (NZDAA) (formerly the New Zealand Demolition Contractors Association) is a national body that represents both the demolition and asbestos industries.

The universal benefits of responsible demolition

One key factor in this sustainable development process is the demolition of old, obsolete structures, which has numerous environmental benefits.

For more than 25 years, DKL Construction, demolition specialists in Auckland, has been offering exceptional demolition services and here the company outlines the benefits responsible demolition to the nation as a whole.

Demolishing old buildings creates space for new ones. As the population grows and urbanization continues, it is essential that cities have enough space to accommodate the needs of their inhabitants.

However, in many cases, cities are constrained by old, outdated buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.

By demolishing these structures, developers can create space for new buildings that are designed to be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. This results in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a decrease in water and energy consumption.

Secondly, demolition is a key factor in reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Many old buildings contain materials that can be reused or recycled, including timber, bricks, and metal.

By carefully dismantling these structures and salvaging the materials, developers can reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills, and create new buildings that have a smaller environmental footprint. This contributes to the circular economy and minimizes the negative impact on the environment.

Thirdly, demolition can help to improve the safety and resilience of cities.Many old buildings are not designed to withstand the forces of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods or hurricanes.

By demolishing these structures and replacing them with new, safer buildings, cities can reduce the risk of damage and loss of life in the event of a disaster. In addition, new buildings can be designed to be more resilient to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and more extreme weather events.

Demolition also creates job opportunities in many areas, from manual labour to engineering and architecture. As more

buildings are demolished, developers require specialised skills and knowledge to design and construct modern, sustainable buildings that meet current building codes and standards. This leads to increased demand for professionals in these fields, providing opportunities for architects, engineers, and construction workers to gain new skills and develop their careers.

In addition to the above benefits, demolition also contributes to improved air quality and the reduction of water pollution. As old buildings deteriorate, they release harmful particles into the air and can contaminate nearby water sources.

Demolishing these structures and replacing them with new, modern buildings can

significantly reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Finally, demolition can help to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. Older buildings tend to have a higher carbon footprint due to their outdated design and technology. Demolishing these structures and replacing them with modern, energy-efficient buildings can significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with buildings. This is especially important as buildings are responsible for a significant portion of global carbon emissions.

New Zealand is a country that has always been at the forefront of sustainable urban development, with our government taking innovative steps to create cities that are both livable and environmentally friendly.

Demolishing old buildings creates space for new ones. As the population grows and urbanization continues, it is essential that cities have enough space to accommodate the needs of their inhabitants.

The best in safety nets

Safety Nets NZ is a preferred safety-netting specialist for supplying all your safety-netting requirements.

Workplace falls are one of the most common causes of injury within the New Zealand construction industry and the easiest thing you can do to mitigate that risk is to choose a trustworthy provider of safety net equipment.

From large commercial and industrial sites to residential home builds, Safety Nets NZ’s fall protection systems are suitable for a range of circumstances to meet your every heightsafety concern.

Supported by a nationwide network of installers, the company is able to offer its solutions to businesses nationwide.

It has over 750,000sqm of nets available for use in different regions, which is the equivalent to more than 5,000 house-lots of nets.

As an industry leader the company has been instrumental in developing and improving industry standards. This includes assisting in the writing the Code of Practice, and together with a team from the Massey University School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, developing a facility to test its safety nets and engineer the only fully independently certified and compliant safety net fall protection system for use on residential construction projects in New Zealand.

The Health and Safety at Work Act (2015) states that all PCBUs have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others. The act requires all PCBUs to ensure that any system that they are using is without health and safety risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

There is a “duty to test” placed on all PCBUs to ensure and verify that they are certain that the systems, materials, and more that they use are fit for purpose, and capable of performing as expected, without risk to health and safety of the workforce.

By using the systems developed by Safety Nets NZ, which have been independently tested and certified by the team at Massey University, the company’s clients can rest assured that they have discharged their duties in regards to their obligations of the Act.

The company has continued to develop the stable of services that it offers to include a bespoke protection system for use with the removal/replacement of existing roof sheeting on large warehouses.

The combination of safety net, debris net and plastic sheeting forms a “sandwich” that is proving very popular with clients who are looking to replace aged roofs on their properties.

The system has successfully been established on numerous projects throughout the country with minimal disruption to existing factory processes, meaning that our clients’ business processes have been able to continue on unaffected as their roof has been replaced.

The system has subsequently been further developed to deal with the removal of asbestos contaminated roofing materials.

It is the aim of Safety Nets NZ to offer the most professional, practical and efficient safety net installation solution in the country, with delivery of the highest possible level of customer service being its main focus.

SPECIALISING IN RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL FALL PROTECTION, DEBRIS & ASBESTOS CONTAINMENT

• The country’s largest independent safety-netting specialist.

• Our fall through protection system has been independently tested and certified by Massey University.

• Our system ensures that as a PCBU, you have taken all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the safety of your workforce.

• Bespoke debris and asbestos containment, fall protection system for uninterrupted work processes during industrial property re-roofing.

• A nationwide network of local installers providing exceptional customer-focused fall arrest solutions.

From large commercial and industrial sites to residential home builds, Safety Nets NZ’s fall protection systems are suitable for a range of circumstances to meet your every heightsafety concern.

Our clients’ business processes have been able to continue on unaffected as their roof has been replaced.

Wanganui Towing

roadside assistance or rescue anywhere across the Wanganui region and beyond.

They were originally based in a smaller location in Wilson Street, moving to 1 Liffiton Street in 2018 to a much larger and more suitable premises. Rowan began his career in towing and salvage at a young age of 17 with Wanganui Towing so pretty much knows all there is to know about the industry.

Rowan is supported by a great team of suitably qualified towing and salvage drivers and office staff who are at the ready to help, whether you need a vehicle towed, a vehicle stored, or

They are key providers to the AA, NZ Police and Roadside Rescue (First Assist) as well as virtually every major Insurance Company. No one wishes for an accident or a car breakdown, nevertheless, when it does happen, Wanganui Towing 2019 are available 24/7 to help whenever you need us and offer a fast and reliable service, if you have a flat tyre, need a jumpstart or a tow and ensures that the whole process is smooth and hasslefree. Both you and your vehicle will be well looked after.

Wanganui Towing has a full fleet of slide deck trucks capable of carting up to 5 and a half ton and transporting up to three cars at a time in the central North Island. Our specialised crane truck can be used for lifting heavy machinery, immobile vehicles or for serious crash recoveries, It also has an under lift allowing us

to lift vehicles from the rear. Our Ute is fully kitted out with everything we need whether you have a flat tyre, need a jumpstart or have locked your keys inside the car.

We can handle breakdowns and recoveries of all vehicles in all situations and specialise in the towing and transport of all types of vehicles from classic cars to caravans, crash and accident recoveries, and a wide range of plant and equipment.

We strive to be a leader in our industry and go above and beyond what is expected of a towing company. Our team are fully licensed and trained to handle all aspects of towing and vehicle recovery, we put a lot of pride and care into making sure our trucks are clean and well–equipped with high-quality gear, this ensures vehicles are safe and secure whilst being towed and we are always ready to handle any situation you find yourself in, from flat batteries to post-accident towing and more!

Give us a call and let us take the hassle out of your misfortune!

Office: 06 241 7266

24 hours: 027 443 5449

E: info@wanganuitowing.co.nz

www.wanganuitowing.co.nz

Rowan Massey has been the owner and operator of Wanganui Towing since May 2019, taking over from Tony & Carolyn Swain who established the business back in 2004.

We strive to be a leader in our industry and go above and beyond what is expected of a towing company. Our team are fully licensed and trained to handle all aspects of towing and vehicle recovery.

Taking quality seriously

Established in 2015, Paton Civil Ltd is a versatile earthworks company based in Auckland, servicing the greater Auckland area. Owner and director, Cam Paton has over 25 years of industry experience both overseeing various projects as well as hands on. Cam’s team is made up of a diverse and experienced workforce enabling them to provide clients with a wide range of construction skills and services.

Paton Civil work closely with clients to assist with projects big or small, they have the experience and knowledge to offer effective advice and provide practical solutions to any issues which saves on time and money. The team take quality seriously because they understand that clients depend on them for personalised service with competitive pricing. The team at Paton Civil have a modern

are focusing on sustainability and reducing their environmental impact as a business. They pride themselves on being a familyowned, local business who offer reliable and trustworthy services, ensuring that every job is completed to the highest quality.

Paton Civil will complete your job from start to finish, on time and within your budget. Their focus is on excellent preparation to

Rent a scaffold!

Duncan’s Scaffolding is a rental service for scaffolding in Onehunga, Auckland, they also offer services in repairs and cleaning.

With over 50 years in the industry Duncan’s Scaffolding has erected scaffolding for many projects from domestic repair jobs to large scale commercial projects.

They specialise in tube and coupler scaffolding due to its versatility and their expertise in architectural buildings.

The team at Duncan’s Scaffolding are able to deliver and set up your scaffolding onsite whether it’s for your home project or your company’s highrise building.

They have competitive prices, believing that the lowest prices give the highest quality, working well with their incredible customer service.

At Duncan’s Scaffolding they believe the sooner they get to work the quicker you’ll be impressed by their quality as a company.

Duncan’s Scaffolding Ltd they have been committed to customer satisfaction since the moment they opened in the year 2000, ensuring they provide exceptional customer service.

Great service begins with great people. Their staff have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to rentals. They are a team of dedicated professionals with a genuine desire to ensure that your experience with them is easy, convenient, and satisfying.

They will provide a great work ethic, amazing customer service and quality products. Duncan’s Scaffolding is your one stop shop for everything scaffolding and you will be satisfied with the commitment they put into their jobs..

For all your scaffolding needs, contact the team at Duncan’s Scaffolding today, reach them by phone on 021974777 or by email at karmon.duncan@gmail.com

The team are also more than happy to have a chat with you in person, pop into their shop at 6 Pukemiro Street, Onehunga.

For more information check out their website: www.duncansscaffolding.co.nz

HIANZ - putting clients’ safety first

For over 40 years, the Hire Industry Association of New Zealand (HIANZ) has been advocating and supporting businesses in the hire and rental sector.

HIANZ CEO, Rodney Grant, says hiring companies have a duty of care and they take their responsibilities seriously.

“The hire company has a duty to ensure the hirer is safe and that all reasonably practicable steps are taken to identify and control hazards.”

He says the hire industry works hard to provide high quality, safe equipment that is fit for use and gives the hirer uninterrupted use of the hired plant and equipment.

“Of course, there will always be a breakdown or fault that cannot be predicted. However, the equipment is maintained to the highest standards to ensure you get a good run with it,” Rodney says.

Product quality is a huge part of the hire industry. “The industry has a range of very reputable suppliers and manufacturers that support the industry through quality gear, safe equipment, training and after sales support to ensure the equipment is at its best,” explains Rodney.

“The industry suppliers don’t cut corners and they ensure they offer a duty of care to our members. There’s a reason to see more hire companies with the same brands of equipment; these are recognised as the best brands in ‘whole of life’ supply and operation.”

The association has put together a range of Equipment Safety Data sheets (ESDS). These forms are available for all hirers of the most commonly used equipment hired in the industry.

The sheets provide generic safe operation instructions, hazard identification and warnings. They are invaluable to supporting you in your work. Make sure you ask for one on your next hire.

Another way to ensure clients are getting the best and safest equipment is the Ready to Hire Tag programme(R2H).

Rodney says the programme is about providing visual proof that the hired equipment is ready for use.

He says it shows that the hire company has carried out a thorough inspection and pre-hire check meaning it is in safe and sound condition.

A green tag should be on all equipment hired. Rodney says a tear off tag will be attached to the hire contract for evidence.

“You should only remove the green tag if it is intruding on your safe operation of the equipment.

“This is your verification that the item is safe to use and, in the event of the regulator carrying out an inspection of your site, this tag shows the equipment was ready to hire at the time of collection,” Rodney says.

“At times, the hire company may ask for evidence from the hirer of the operator’s competency,” he says.

YRCO.CO.NZ

Quality equipment. Built on trust.

“We need to be sure the operator can use the equipment safely and has the skills and experiences to do so. Evidence of training is an easy way to do this. Don’t be insulted if we ask, we just want to ensure you are safe and our equipment is looked after.”

To assist with this, HIANZ provides training via its Silvercard Programme for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms and Forklifts.

“Make sure you have your Silvercard at hand when next hiring this type of equipment,” Rodney says.

He also understands that going through the hiring process can feel long and arduous. Everything from the paperwork and sign-over, test run and walk around, familiarization and more can seem like a long time.

“However, it’s really important we do our processes to protect you, the equipment and us. Please tolerate this as we look to support you as best we can.”

Rodney wants clients to understand the hire industry just wants to keep people safe and ensure they have a productive and enjoyable experience hiring any plant and equipment.

“We do this by providing a duty of care through quality products, ESDS sheets, R2H programme, verification of competency and thorough handovers,” Rodney says. Next time you’re thinking of hiring a piece of equipment, whether it be teaspoons to tents, generators to graders, use a HIANZ member for a low risk, supportive and fair value proposition. For more information, visit: www.hianz.net.nz

A GREAT RANGE FOR ANY LEVEL OF WORK

JCB TELEHANDLER RANGE

JCB has been pioneering the telehandler concept since 1977. Since then, the JCB telehandler range has come to epitomise the very highest levels of performance and productivity, with competitive running costs, world-renowned build quality, enviable versatility and top residual values. JCB Construction offers a comprehensive range of telehandlers, with maximum reach ranging from from 6.0m to 17.5m. It’s never been easier to get into a JCB. Check out our website for branch details, we have 21 throughout New Zealand so there’s bound to be one near you, or call 0800 998 916 to find out more.

Visit out website to view our complete range

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Never idle - John Deere construction equipment

John Deere have always been focused on making machines that benefit the customer – developing solutions to increase efficiency and productivity. The John Deere range of construction equipment, offered exclusively by Drummond & Etheridge in the South Island, takes those concepts and moves forward – offering intelligent, connected machines specifically designed to help their customers succeed in the increasingly more challenging and dynamic construction industry.

All new John Deere Construction machines (apart from compact excavators) are supplied with a lifetime subscription to the JDLink fleet management system. This provides real-time data and alerts to help maximise productivity and efficiency while minimising downtime. JDLink’s remote diagnostics enable Drummond & Etheridge to monitor the machine’s health and react quickly to alerts, often before the operator even knows there is a problem.

John Deere excavators provide exceptional digging power, smooth operation, and optimal fuel efficiency. These machines range from 13,000 to 50,000kg and are designed to excel in all applications, from digging trenches to handling heavy materials, offering unmatched versatility on construction sites.

Smaller in size, but not in impact, are the John Deere compact tracked and skid-steer loaders. Available in models ranging from 65hp to 100hp, these pocket rockets can rise high, master heavy loads and deliver impressive boom and bucket breakout forces. When paired with precision technology such as the Topcon 3D or QuadGrade 2D laser systems, John Deere’s compact construction machines become even more invaluable, giving you the ability to create perfect platforms in the smallest of spaces.

John Deere Motor Graders have been smoothing the roads throughout New Zealand for years. Boasting exceptional balance, improved performance specs, and more maximum capability, John Deere Graders help you do your level best — whether you’re a major contractor, working around the country, or running a land-leveling crew. Swiftly becoming the

operator’s favourite, the combination of state-of-the-art technology and a choice of control options means that once you’ve worked in a Deere grader you won’t want to drive anything else.

If you need to move dirt around then look no further than the range of John Deere dozers. Easily described in two words: powerful and efficient, these titans make short work of everything that’s put in front of them. With machines ranging from 92hp to 350hp - and boasting grademanagement technologies like EZGrade and Slope Control - whatever your needs, there will be a John Deere dozer to suit.

"John Deere has a rich legacy of engineering excellence, and our latest construction equipment lineup continues to build on that tradition," said Peter Holton-Jeffreys, Construction Product Manager at Drummond & Etheridge. "We understand the demanding nature of the construction industry, and our machines are engineered to deliver unmatched productivity, fuel efficiency, and operator comfort, enabling our customers to tackle their projects efficiently and effectively."

In addition to the exceptional performance, John Deere construction equipment incorporates advanced technology and connectivity features. The machines are equipped with intelligent systems that provide real-time data on machine performance, fuel consumption, and maintenance needs, empowering customers to make informed decisions and optimise their operations.

To ensure customers receive the best support and service, Drummond & Etheridge offers

a South Island wide network of authorised dealers, backed by a team of highly skilled professionals who are dedicated to customer satisfaction. With this comprehensive support system, customers can rely on John Deere not only for industry-leading equipment but also for ongoing assistance and expertise.

For more information about John Deere construction equipment and to explore the complete lineup, please visit www.dne.co.nz.

John Deere has a rich legacy of engineering excellence, and our latest construction equipment lineup continues to build on that tradition.

Insulating kiwi homes for the future

The Insulation Association of New Zealand Inc. (IAONZ) advocates for quality of installation, training and product within the insulation industry.

Through its continually developing objectives, it is helping to raise the standard of practice industry-wide and the quality of living in homes throughout New Zealand as a result.

IAONZ has trained more than 2,500 insulation installers through its courses since its inception in 2009 and today its members represent more than 90 percent of the industry.

An often overlooked and underestimated aspect, insulation accounts for approximately only five percent of the cost of a build, but its impact on the comfort of a home is far greater.

The Healthy Homes Standards together with the Residential Tenancies Act, Building Code and AS/NZ standards aim to raise the standard of living in New Zealand, in particular in rental housing.

Nearly 600,000 households rent in New Zealand and research tells us that that rental housing is of poorer quality than owneroccupied homes.

The implementation of the Healthy Homes Guarantee’s Act is the next big step and a really positive one. It is probably the first time that the “whole house” is being considered with heating, ventilation, drainage etc, all important along with insulation.

Again, there are changes that landlords will need to make to their properties and approved installers can advise on these.

When you have a retrofitter or industry professional that’s a member of the Insulation Association of New Zealand (IAONZ), you can have peace of mind that the job will be done the right way that will insulate your home for years to come.

IAONZ was founded to provide industry professionals an advocate for quality installation, training and product, specifically established for the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart retrofit programme.

IAONZ works with the Government and the industry toward an agreed standard of quality; it’s proud to offer training courses

that are in accordance with the most up-todate Standards in the NZ Building Code and the AS/NZ Standards for installing insulation. Having a trained expert with industry experience and qualifications, as well as upto-date knowledge of current legislation and code, ensures that your investment into your health and home is the highest quality.

Insulation regulations for rental homes

It’s been compulsory for all rental homes to have ceiling and underfloor insulation since the 1st of July 2019.

All rental homes also must be fully compliant with the Healthy Homes Standard by 2024.

All rental properties covered by the Residential Tenancies Act need to meet the new regulations, and insulation must meet the correct standards and be installed safely. Wall insulation isn’t mandatory.

Landlords beware: if you don’t have the correct insulation installed, you can be in for a big fine. You may be liable for exemplary damages of up to $4,000.

Checking with a professional is crucial to see if you’re in compliance, an exception or are in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act.

Building for climate change

Probably one of the biggest impacts insulation can have is around New Zealand’s carbon zero targets and effecting positive climate change.

The Insulation Association of New Zealand fully supports the recent report released by the Building for Climate Change Commission and is encouraging the NZ Government to go further as we need to deal with all the existing housing stock.

Engaging in a Government subsidies deep renovation programme has the potential to be the single biggest change towards achieving our climate change goals – which could be brought forward to 2030.

What are the benefits of IAONZ membership?

• Being part of a progressive organisation focussed on ensuring that quality insulation products are correctly installed throughout NZ

• Recognition of being an association member and the credibility it brings

• Installation training course upskills members’ employees

• IAONZ website listing including media campaigns

• Technical help and advice including with legislative requirements

• Newsletters keeping you up-to-date with industry issues

• Regional meetings connecting members.

About IAONZ

• Works with Government and industry toward agreed standards

• Offers different levels of membership depending on level of experience, training and work previously completed

• Provides uptake and technical information to MBIE and EECA from its members

• Has trained over 2,000 insulation experts through its training courses

• Represents over 90 percent of the industry.

Advocates for the industry

The Insulation Association of New Zealand is committed to ensuring the industry and its members install insulation correctly as it has a major impact on houses and buildings. With over 4,000 people working for our members, IAONZ is also proud to have trained over 2,000 insulation installers through our training courses.

Snuggy insulation

Snug Insulation is a locally owned and operated company based out of Waipukurau, running since 2014.

Blair Smith, director and creator of Snug Insulation, has been in the industry since 2012 and has a wealth of knowledge and experience.

All of our team members are trained to meet NZS4246:2016 standards and comply with all Health and Safety requirements.

Snug is the most recommended installer for Earthwool Glasswool products in Hawke's Bay and the surrounding areas for their expertise in delivering a quality install with knowledge of what they are installing.

They install retrofit homes, renovations, new builds and commercial sites.

They predominantly use Earthwool Glasswool, however, they can supply and/ or install any product you prefer, such as Bradford Gold and PinkBatts.

They are one of the most modern brands on the market, and is the only major insulation brand which is not manufactured locally.

Earthwool is made all over the world, and New Zealand’s insulation is sourced directly from England and USA. It looks and feels different to other brands. In fact, many customers who are using this superb product for the first time can’t believe that it’s actually made from glasswool.

Snug Insulation can insulate residential homes and commercial businesses.

Their team of highly skilled staff are experienced with new builds.

Builds are equipped with the best products to match site location and sound transmission whilst adhering to

the minimum requirements specified in the plans.

The company's acoustic products are rated R2.6 and R2.8 for exterior walls. These hold a higher rating than most other products available on the market for performance.

All products are installed within best practice guidelines as per insulation standards NZS4246 and NZS4243 at time of installation.

Insulating your home or new buisness is the single most effective measure you can take to keep your home warm and to save money on energy bills.

Installing or even improving your insulation will increase the amount of heat kept inside your home.

This means your home or building heats up quicker and requires less energy to stay warm. As a result, saving you money. A poorly insulated home uses up to 30 percent more energy to heat than one with insulation installed correctly.

This makes insulation one of the smartest investments you can make in your home.

The team at Snug Insulation are located on 18 Cook Street in Waipukurau and are open Monday to Thursday, 9am till 5pm and on Fridays until 4pm.

For your next insulation, don’t hesitate to use Snug Insulation, give the team a call today on 0800 Snuggy (0800 768 449) or for more information visit their website at www.snuggy.co.nz.

Storage systems to keep freight safe

Warehousing is the process of storing inventory for sale or distribution. They are used by all different types of businesses that need to temporary store products in bulk before either shipping them to other locations or individually to consumers.

There are multiple ways to store product in a warehouse facility, from stacking pallets on the ground to placing them in storage systems. Having a functioning storage system is the most efficient, maximises warehouse space, as well as maximising operational productivity.

In a warehouse where a range of products are managed, having a functional system is ideal. The correct choice of system comes down to variables such as, the type of goods, size, and turnover rate. Most warehouses have more than one type of storage system in their operation.

Combining multiple methods increases the facilities ability to handle high volumes of freight. Choosing a storage system can be difficult because of the multitude of options available; each option offers its own advantages or disadvantages and it’s important to know what works best for your facility.

Manual order picking is still the most common warehousing system. In the majority of facilities, pallet storage systems and high-density flow-rack storage systems are used simultaneously within the same warehouse.

Mangers face various challenges including the handling of orders and the hiring and maintenance of qualified staff. To improve workers’ well-being, it is necessary to consider mental, physical and psychological factors in the design of the work system. It’s standard practice to fit a facility with industrial pallet racks- structures that are generally fixed to the warehouse floor, but what type of rack is best for your requirements?

Things to consider are whether you prefer compact storage or direct access. The latter providing full accessibility to products, facilitating picking and packing tasks. On the other hand, compact storage optimises space to accommodate a large number of goods.

Mobile racking systems consist of racks installed on mobile bases. These bases slide over rails on the floor and incorporate motors and control devices to make sure the movement is smooth and safe.

This type of mobile pallet racking minimises the number if isles you may need to store a larger number of pallets, without sacrificing direct access. These sliding racks are specifically good for freezer warehouses or cold storage; therefore, they are often used by food companies.

A more expensive and less common option is mezzanine flooring. This solution essentially utilizes platforms that are installed between the ceiling and the main floor of a warehouse.

Mezzanine floor systems are semipermanent, typically free standing, and in most cases can be dismantled and relocated. The high ceiling of a warehouse facility is ideal for this system, allowing unused vertical space to be utilized.

Many businesses will use one level for one purpose such as storage, and then have an office on the second level.

Push-back racks fall within the compact rack group. Along with flow-racks, this system provides more agility in goods management as well as better accessibility to the products.

The storage channels are set up on a slight incline so that the pallets can be pushed in. As the front part is lower than the back, when a pallet is removed, gravity moves the ones in the back forward toward the front. The push-back rack system is a great option for products with few pallets and a high turnover.

For a high-tech option, there are automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS). By automating your warehouse, you’ll increase productivity and safety in your facility, in addition to reducing costs.

A large percentage of businesses are looking towards becoming more environmentally friendly and an automated system is a great first step toward this.

While the cost advantages are fairly obvious, the long-term sustainability of warehouse automation is also a big plus.

Advanced automation systems ensure reduced and efficient use of energy, resulting in lower energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint, as well as operating costs. At the same time, by improving accuracy,

the chance of damage is greatly reduced, which helps reduce the amount of waste the warehouse needs to manage.

There is clearly a wide range of warehousing storage systems available and as we move forward, these options will only advance, becoming more technologically advanced and efficient.

The best storage system will always be the one that meets the needs and limitations of your warehouse, in the most cost-efficient way.

A more expensive and less common option is mezzanine flooring. This solution essentially utilizes platforms that are installed between the ceiling and the main floor of a warehouse.

Where style meets affordability

Shelving Solutions has over 30 years of experience selling new and second-hand furniture. The friendly team supplies to offices, churches, factories, clubs, and schools across all New Zealand and the Pacific Rim.

The team is based in Onehunga, Auckland and supplies their clients throughout New Zealand and Pacific Islands.

If you’re searching for sliding storage systems, or shelving of any sort, look no further. Shelving Solutions can provide good as new Lundia shelving, Hydestor systems, Dexion, and many other prime brands. The Lundia, Hydestor and Dexion brands are resourceful, so they can be made to fit and often they can save you money and provide lots of storage space.

For example, the Lundia Rotadrive is a helpful personalised, and mechanical system, which allows you to move heavy shelves easily. Each shelf can hold up to 200kg with a massive size of 5000kg per Rotadrive carriage.

The team has a wide range of second-hand and ex-hired shelving systems and office furniture in great condition to supply.

SALE &

They also buy and trade in shelving and all types of office furniture.

The team are regular suppliers to the major infrastructure contractors for the temporary or long term office fitouts of tender offices and onsite staff facilities.

Make a free call today to discuss your next project with Shelving Solutions. They will be happy to help out and will tell you the various options available and the discounts on offer.

Being a small tight-knit company means the team is able to tailor to your needs and desires. The team also offers affordable services on time, every time to meet your deadlines. They even get last-minute calls and are still able to provide anything you need on the same day.

The company works hard as a team to deliver exceptional services and satisfy its clients. If there are any issues, they can prove they are fast and efficient at finding ways to solve any problems.

Head to the website for more information about the company, testimonials, photos of previous supplies, contact information, and more here: www.shelvingsolutions.co.nz

Furniture can also be hired from their hire division through their website www.advancehire.co.nz.

Furniture available for hire includes office chairs, stacker chairs, desks, bookcases, whiteboards, shelving, mobile drawers, a changing room, workstations, bar stools, and more.

Get in touch today and the team will be at your service without any delay.

Call for free at 0800 42 42 47, enquire online, or email info@cabrafurniture.co.nz or info@advancehire.co.nz

Alternatively head to the office at 69/71 Maurice Road, Penrose in Auckland.

We supply near new Lundia shelving, Hydestor systems, Dexion and many other leading brands. We have a large variety of used and ex-hired shelving systems in excellent condition to sell. We also buy and repair.

On Target Accounting, Point Blank

Target Accounting deliver specialised accounting, taxation, business consulting, and financial advisory services to clients across New Zealand and beyond. 100% locally owned, Target Accounting gets results by building strong and meaningful client relationships. By understanding each client’s unique business and financial goals, Target Accounting truly grasp each situation’s real possibilities and potentials.

Starting a business? Need help managing your cash flow? No matter the problem, Target Accounting have the solution. By taking the time to learn about you, your business, your customers, and your goals, Target Accounting runs the business race in lockstep beside you. Always there for you, you can rest easy knowing an expert group of minds is there to tap into at any time.

Large or small, Target Accounting wants to help your business. They act as an extension of your business to provide you with the wisdom and confidence to help you make informed, timely decisions. Get your business right with Target Accounting, who can be there from the jump to see your start-up into a major company. Unwavering in their growth mindset, Target Accounting is all about teamwork; their success is measured by yours.

Target Accounting assist international clients with their New Zealand based operations. Their goal is to build long-term partnerships with clients by offering practical solutions. The team at Target Accounting prove just how small our world is every day, supporting those looking to move to or invest in New Zealand with trustworthy financial advice. Nothing is out of the ordinary for Target Accounting, who will even assist New Zealand residents in arranging their tax return overseas if need be.

Whether they are solving business problems or advising clients on accounting issues, Target Accounting take the same approach – cutting through the complexity to find the best possible way forward, every single time. The business world is an ever-shifting, competitive landscape; Target Accounting get this. They’re here to provide realistic and timely solutions to your business, helping you seize opportunities and mitigate risks with passion and integrity.

It all starts with good people. Target Accounting exemplify excellent communication, working with your lawyer, banker, broker, or business coach to achieve greatness. Target Accounting understand that relationships are key. With this, the team forms around you – the client – ensuring the best results for everyone.

The friendly team at Target Accounting are more than happy to talk you through their range of services in detail, helping you decide if they are a good fit. Target Accounting operates in Auckland, Queenstown, and from their head office at 7 Gladstone Road South, Mosgiel. Visit their website www.targ.co.nz for more information, blog posts, and more. For accounting services you know will hit the bullseye, look no further than Target Accounting.

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Weathertightness and our uncertain future

It goes without saying that weathertightness is an essential part of any construction. New Zealand is a nation that routinely experiences four seasons in one day, so our homes must be weathertight.

In our changing world where addressing sustainability and climate change issues is more important than ever, it’s crucial to integrate environmentally friendly practices and materials into weathertightness practices.

Whether it be by investing in high-quality weather barriers or embracing renewable energy, futureproofing your build with sustainability in mind not only benefits the environment, but also means healthier living spaces and reduced long-term costs for homeowners.

New Zealand’s unique climate and geography offer special opportunities for sustainable design. There are many passive design strategies that can be used to take advantage of natural resources like sunlight, wind, and rainwater.

Plan to orient your build in a way that maximises natural light and heat gain in the winter and minimises it in the summer.

Regulate indoor temperatures naturally with optimised window placements, effective shading, and enhanced ventilation systems.

Finally, designing your home with adaptable spaces and flexible layouts will allow for future modifications without the need for major structural changes, maximising the longevity of the building.

The bottom line to weathertightness is keeping water out.

First-rate building wraps, sealants, and membranes all prevent water penetration and minimise leaks and further damage. Implement efficient water management systems in your build to reduce water waste and manage stormwater correctly.

Consider using rainwater harvesting systems that collect and reuse rainwater for the likes of irrigation and toilet flushing, and think about permeable paving and rain gardens, which allow for natural drainage and work to prevent water pooling as well.

Insulating your home effectively is easier said than done. Pay close attention to air seals and manage any gaps and cracks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and pipes.

Create airtight seals that retain conditioned air and prevent further moisture from getting in by using high-quality materials when weatherstripping and caulking, saving on future maintenance costs.

Another idea is to insulate walls, roofs and floors with eco-friendly materials like natural fibres and recycled materials that have low embodied energy levels to achieve both weathertightness and energy efficiency.

Maximising a build’s energy efficiency works to reduce a build’s environmental impact while cutting future costs.

Beyond insulation and efficient heating and cooling systems, environmentallyconscious resources like recycled materials, local and sustainable timber, and other low-impact waterproofing solutions can be used when futureproofing a build. These all help to reduce the environmental footprint of construction.

Futureproofing your home is an ongoing process as only effective maintenance ensures the constant weathertightness of a building envelope.

Make sure you regularly inspect and maintain your home and perform routine checks for any water damage, possible air leaks, or signs of moisture intrusion. Don’t stop general

maintenance tasks like cleaning gutters, checking the seals of windows and doors, and ensuring insulation integrity.

Futureproofing when we don’t have a solid understanding of our natural world’s future is incredibly challenging.

Climate change will likely impact building and urban planning requirements in time, as leaders seek greater energy efficiency from the construction industry.

Buildings will require increased structural integrity, durability, and weathertightness as we face more extreme weather events each year.

There’s also the threat of rising sea levels and increased numbers of storms and surges which mean new restrictions on coastal developments are likely.

Local governments are more likely to refuse consent applications for changes and additions to existing builds in low-lying coastal regions as the days go by. The best day to prepare for the future impacts of our natural world on our buildings is today. The future doesn’t have to be so uncertain. By using these strategies, we can create homes that are environmentally responsible, durable, and comfortable for generations to come.

New Zealand’s unique climate and geography offer special opportunities for sustainable design. There are many passive design strategies that can be used to take advantage of natural resources like sunlight, wind, and rainwater.

The consultant’s champion

In September, New Zealand’s leading consultants will flock to Wellington for ACE New Zealand’s annual conference, Futurespace.

A stalwart in the conference circuit for professional engineers and consultants working in the built and natural environments, Futurespace promises to invigorate and energise even the staunchest of introverts with its speaker line up and key themes like disruption, tech and innovation

ACE New Zealand chief executive, Helen Davidson, says consultants must adapt and evolve to keep pace with the changing demands of the market, clients and regulatory environment.

This includes keeping our eyes on trends and how innovation will continue to reshape our work, and this is what the speakers and themes at Futurespace promise to deliver.

‘’We’ve got New York Times best-selling author Johann Hari dialing in from the UK to talk about human attention and focus and what this means for our productivity, Michael McQueen will talk

about the key trends that will shape the coming decade, as well as proven and practical strategies for staying ahead of change and remaining relevant.

“And Maureen Thurston from Melbourne will lead a masterclass on skills of the future and how to dance with disruption,’’ Helen says.

‘’As well as enhancing their professional consulting skills, people come to conference to connect and reconnect with industry peers. We’ve capped the event at 200 people to ensure people can network effectively and have time to build and strengthen relationships.’’

Other presenters and topics at Futurespace include a ‘chief chat’ with c-suite executives like Jodie King, Siobhan Procter and Carrie Hurihanganui who’ll discuss disruption and adapting to change and change, and strategy expert Alicia McKay will help the audience’s public sector and client audience turn good intentions into powerful impact.

The ACE Awards are also held on the last night of Futurespace where ACE members are awarded gold, silver or merit for their contribution to consulting on projects.

If you don’t know already, ACE New Zealand is a non-profit member organisation for engineers and consultants here in Aotearoa.

They’re making headway in this space by being the ‘consultant’s champion’ raising the profile of its members in the built and natural environment and ensuring their preparedness for the future and professionalism.

More than 256 firms currently make up ACE’s membership (and growing) which represents around 15,000 people ranging from engineers, architects, project managers, CAD operators, planners, surveyors and more.

Helen says the responsibility on professional consultants has never been more present, where governments around the world and here at home, have identified investment in infrastructure as being key to rebuilding and revitalising the economy in the face of

growing economic instability and the everpresent challenge of the climate crisis.

‘’Cyclone Gabrielle was a wake-up call that climate change is here and it has and will continue to change where and how we live. Our sector is facing immense challenges ensuring our infrastructure is as resilient as possible to mitigate future damage.’

“In this complex environment, we must be prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow such as making sure there’s a clear pathway for skilled migrants to help us with the rebuild.

“And that’s only one of many conversations we’re having in our sector. We’re also looking at big issues like diversity and inclusion, mental health in workplaces, HR and good business practice, and embedding environmental and social outcomes into business,” explains Helen.

ACE is excited about the year ahead and proud to be building influence and credibility for professional services consulting in Aotearoa. Register for Futurespace, visit: www.futurespaceconference.nz.

Association of Consulting and Engineering New Zealand Level 11, 79 Boulcott Street Wellington (04) 472 1202 www.acenz.org.nz

comes in many forms; don’t let your lawyer be one of them.

Grand designs

Auckland’s Te Whau Pathway

A new pathway in Auckland will connect 33 parks reserves, esplanades and roads along the Whau River and Portage Road.

The project involving the Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust, Whau and Henderson Massey local boards, Te Kawerau

A Maki and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Auckland Transport (AT) and Auckland Council has been called Te Whau Pathway.

The length of the pathway will be 15 kilometres in total, where 11.8 kilometres is the main path and the remaining 3.2 kilometres are connecting pathways.

Te Whau Pathway will connect Manukau Harbour to Waitematā Harbour, accessible for both pedestrians and cyclists. The pathway will be a recreational route for all locals and tourists, connecting suburbs such as Green Bay, Avondale, New Lynn, Kelston, Glendene and Te Atatū.

Te Whau Pathway is being built in multiple stages. From 2015 to 2016, sections of the path at Archibald Park, Ken Maunder Reserve, Olympic Park and McLeod Park were completed.

In 2018 the section of the pathway at Roberts Field and Tirona Reser was also completed.

Design for section two, from Wingate Street to Ken Maunder Park, and section five from Roberts Field to the northwest cycle connection was finished in 2021 and 2022.

Public consultations and workshops were held at the end of 2021. However, in November 2022 the project was paused due to investigations of additional funding options.

The project has continued to be paused until the second half of 2023, this will allow time to review the proposed designs and find extra funding.

Before the Te Whau Pathway project was paused the governing body invested in:

• Resource consent

• Designs for the three boardwalk sections

• Materials for the longest section of boardwalk

• Construction of some concrete path sections

• A storage yard

• A yard for the project site office.

If funding is not found for the project, the governing body will cover all costs to date. However, they will: find funding for building the pathways, remove the project site at Bridge Avenue Reserve and sell construction

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materials or use them for other projects. To get the community involved with the project, there are several events and ways to donate to make the new pathway happen, including donating, planting a tree or designing a t-shirt.

Te Whau Pathway will be a great way for commuters to travel between work and

home. The pathway is a great way for cyclists to bike safely without having to transit on busy Auckland city roads. For more information on Te Whau Pathway, visit the project website: www.tewhaupathway.co.nz, or the Auckland Council website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Cover your pool

Covers 4 Pools offer a massive range of pool covers that assist with safety, heating and aesthetics.

Covers 4 Pools understand that swimming pools are dangerous for young children and want to help clients avoid tragedy. Their swimming pool covers work as a horizontal fence, so clients can rest assured their pool is completely covered and there can be no intrusion. If a child did get on to the cover, the cover would hold the weight and prevent the child from drowning.

Pool covers from Covers 4 Pools help keep costs of running a pool down. During the day, a pool cover will absorb solar energy that thermally conducts the water below. At night, the pool cover will eliminate evaporation and insulate the pool.

Clients can expect water temperatures up to six degrees warmer during the swimming season, as well as pool heating costs reduced by up to 70%, swimming pool chemical costs reduced by 70% and swimming pool pump service costs reduced by 70%.

Covers 4 Pools swimming pool covers can be custom manufactured to the exact specifications of the pool that is being built – or can be retrofitted to any sized pool. For more information, visit www.covers4pools.co.nz

Pool covers from Covers 4 Pools help keep costs of running a pool down. During the day, a pool cover will absorb solar energy that thermally conducts the water below. At night, the pool cover will eliminate evaporation and insulate the pool.

Stunning harbourside views at the Edgar Centre

The Edgar Centre has two great lounge spaces to hire and is a hidden gem in Dunedin’s function and conference scene.

With panoramic views over Dunedin’s iconic peninsular, city and harbour the Harbour, View Lounge and House of Travel Lounge provide a million-dollar view, comfortable modern surrounds, a high-quality food and beverage service designed to meet your preferences, as well as friendly and expert event management to ensure every detail is attended to.

The Harbour View Lounge is highly adaptable; it can be set up to provide an ideal setting for a group of 30, or can comfortably accommodate up to 180 people for a larger meeting or social event.

The House of Travel Lounge is the smaller of their two upstairs lounges and can accommodate groups of 10 through to 50. This is an ideal meeting room with modern AV and furnishings.

The Edgar Centre also has smaller multi use meeting rooms that can be hired in the More FM Arena, for smaller meetings, or additional break out rooms for conferences.

As locals know, the Edgar Centre provides ample free car parking (400 parks) for the

convenience of your guests or clients giving you one less thing to worry about.

Our highly experienced and talented chefs can cover all culinary options. They will be delighted to offer a contemporary fine-dining menu, exotic cuisine or special culinary

requirements, but will also be happy to meet more traditional ‘Kiwi’ tastes, with working lunches or tasty platters. Either way a menu will reflect your wishes and your budget.

The Edgar Centre is taking the business of functions and conferences seriously. They

are driven to provide you with the best experience in every respect, but with a genuine focus on providing the best value in town.

They have recently invested in a 65” multifunctional television that provides for conferencing opportunities – invite your key speakers (or friends) via ‘Teams or Zoom’ to join you - for your key meeting or moments.

The Edgar Centre is delighted to show off their facilities and they are particularly proud of the in-demand Harbour View Lounge. Feel free to come in and have a look and discuss availability and options with the passionate and experienced events and functions staff and hear first-hand how you can have the million-dollar view and a highly satisfying experience without the corresponding price tag.

Give them a call today on 03 456-1200 or email functions@edgarcentre.co.nz

The Edgar Centre is taking the business of functions and conferences seriously. They are driven to provide you with the best experience in every respect, but with a genuine focus on providing the best value in town.

Building an Antarctic research station in Timaru

It will be

one of the most technically challenging builds

Aotearoa New Zealand has seen in years.

A large-scale construction project in the most extreme and remote environment on the planet.

But while the new Scott Base will see out the next 50+ years on Antarctica’s Ross Island, its first home will always be Timaru.

Last November it was announced the Scott Base Redevelopment would be built on available land at Timaru’s PrimePort, before being shipped to Antarctica.

Antarctica New Zealand project director Jon Ager says the redevelopment is a great opportunity for the region and the team has received a warm welcome from local residents and schools.

“People living in or visiting Timaru will literally be able to watch our Antarctic research station being built right here. We can’t wait to bring them along for the journey and educate everyone on the important science these buildings will support once they are in Antarctica.”

A pōwhiri was held at Te Arowhenua’s Te Hapa o Niu Tireni marae in August, officially welcoming the project to the community before construction begins onsite next year.

Antarctica New Zealand estimates the redevelopment will generate up to 700 jobs for the region over the four-year life of the project.

Recruitment for people to build the new base will be led by the main contractor Leighs Construction.

New Zealand has a rich history on the continent. It was one of the 12 original

signatories of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty dedicating it to peace and science.

These days New Zealand scientists conduct research there that shapes policies and legislation across the globe.

The Scott Base Redevelopment will provide a sustainable base to continue that legacy for another 50+ years.

Why Aotearoa needs a new base

Scott Base has supported science and championed environmental protection since Sir Edmund Hillary and his team established it in 1957. But the deteriorating buildings are inefficient to run, difficult to maintain and costly to repair.

The redevelopment will see the base’s existing 12 buildings replaced with three two-storey buildings connected by two link-bridges.

The wind turbines that supply electricity to Scott Base and the United States’ neighbouring McMurdo Station will be upgraded to meet the higher energy demand of the new base.

Over to you, Timaru

Strong winds, sub-zero temperatures, storms, and 24-hour darkness in winter don’t make for ideal building conditions. Working in Timaru allows us to sidestep these health and safety challenges and work all year round without being slowed down by bulky extreme cold weather gear. It also means equipment and materials won’t be affected by the cold, and staff won’t have to down tools because a colony of penguins decides a loader is a great place to camp! Construction at PrimePort is due to start in 2023 after the team of architects and engineers have finished the design.

The new Scott Base will be fully constructed, tested and commissioned at PrimePort, and then separated into eight modules for the journey south in the 2026/27 season.

Across the Southern Ocean

All of the building modules, including the two link-bridges, will travel on a single shipment with an icebreaker clearing the way. Selfpropelled modular trailers will roll the building sections on and off the ship and into place at Scott Base.

The team will need to build a temporary offload platform by the foreshore and a haul road at Scott Base to move the modules safely from the ship and into place. Each module will be lowered and connected to pile foundations. Once the new base has been commissioned and up and running, the existing base will be deconstructed and shipped back to New Zealand, along with all waste, equipment and materials.

Shipping large buildings between continents and polar environments is not new, but

it takes years of planning. The logistics companies involved are world-renowned for providing safe solutions for complex tasks.

In the meantime

Work is already underway to get the site at Scott Base ready for the new base to arrive in 2027.

This summer, the team will clear the site around the existing base so it’s ready for the earthworks to begin the following season.

The science experiments, which would have been impacted by the rebuild, are being relocated to new homes around Pram Point.

Next winter, the existing base will be repurposed to house the construction workers and additional infrastructure will be brought in to ensure New Zealand’s Antarctic science programme can continue throughout the rebuild.

More information can be found at: www.scottbaseredevelopment.govt.nz.

Photos kindly supplied by Scott Base Redevelopment.

The Scott Base Redevelopment will provide a sustainable base to continue that legacy for another 50+ years.

New Whare Runaka office build gets the green light

Port Otago and The Otago Regional Council (ORC) have finalised redevelopment plans for the Council’s Whare Rūnaka at the former central Dunedin Warehouse site on Maclaggan Street.

Port Otago acquired the building in 2021 to re-purpose it as the new home for the ORC. ORC Interim chief executive, Pim Borren, says the redevelopment will have long-term benefits for the region.

“The building is an important step together with the decisions made three years ago in increasing the investment in our Regional Council to ensure we’re fit for purpose and can achieve the ambitious work programme in front of us.”

“Currently our team of more than 300 staff are spread across multiple sites in the city in three different, temporary, offices which is less than ideal,” Pim says.

Port Otago chief executive, Kevin Winders, says the $54.5m building redevelopment would utilise much of the infrastructure on the site to create a modern work environment which would cost considerably less than new-build options.

“We’re pleased this solution has been approved by Council. Several options were considered over the past 18 years. This option will create a modern workspace for council staff at lower cost and lower risk to the ORC and ratepayers, and will help revitalise this area of our city,” Kevin says.

The Whare Rūnaka was a priority in ORC’s Long-Term Plan 2021-2031, which has a commitment to relocate its Dunedin staff to a single head office site within the first three years of the plan.

Pim Borren says delivering on this commitment will not have any impact on rates that was not already anticipated in the current long-term plan.

Bringing staff together in a fit-for-purpose site that is also future proofed will be important for ORC’s ability to deliver its work programmes for Otago’s communities in an efficient and effective way, he says.

The cost to Port Otago to redevelop the building has risen from $38m, estimated in 2021, to $45m (which is borne entirely by Port Otago), which includes recent increases in the cost and supply of construction materials costs, inflation and rising interest rates.

While Port Otago pays for the core building redevelopment, ORC pays tenant-specific fit-out costs; which are later depreciated as leasehold improvements.

The agreement with Port Otago is for a 40-year lease; initially for 20-years then two 10-year right-of-renewals. Construction is expected to be completed Christmas 2024.

The building is an important step together with the decisions made three years ago in increasing the investment in our Regional Council to ensure we’re fit for purpose and can achieve the ambitious work programme in front of us.

- ORC Interim chief executive, Pim Borren

Queenstown looks ahead

Queenstown Lakes District councillors have voted to adopt the 2023-2024 Annual Plan which includes the proposed investment in infrastructure and community services for the coming year, as well as changes to user fees and Council rates.

Its adoption confirmed an average increase in Council rates across the district of 14.2 percent.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) general manager Assurance, Finance and Risk, Stewart Burns, says it had been particularly challenging to minimise the rates increase while maintaining an effective capital expenditure programme and protecting levels of service on behalf of the community.

Key changes from the draft annual plan include deferring irrigation and field improvements on Pembroke Park for a year to allow the next stage of the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan to be completed sooner; reducing the scope of the Arthurs Point to Queenstown active travel route to reflect what is more realistic to deliver within the funding period; and increasing the budget for QLDC Planning and Development to improve service levels.

In addition, grants to the district’s Regional Tourism Operators have been increased to reinstate funding reduced in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic. The increases will enable Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism to implement their destination

management plans based on regenerative tourism and a carbon zero visitor economy by 2030.

Councillors also confirmed a total of $180,000 in grants, plus an additional $177,000 funded from existing Council budgets, to community groups that applied as part of the consultation process.

“We’re delighted that 25 individual notfor-profit groups – nine more than last

Clearwater Stone

year – will benefit from Council grants to support their incredibly valuable work in our community,” Stewart says.

Business support organisation Startup Queenstown Lakes receives the largest combined grant of $175,000 with other recipients including Citizens Advice Bureau Queenstown, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, Volunteer South – Central Lakes, and Queenstown Harvest Community Gardens.

In addition to a breakdown of budgets, rates allocation and community grants, the Annual Plan highlights the progress made on major capital projects such as the recently completed Queenstown town centre street upgrades, the new Luggate Memorial Centre, Wānaka’s highly anticipated Schools to Pool active transport route, the purchase of Mount Iron as a community reserve, and district-wide investment in three waters infrastructure.

We’re delighted that 25 individual not-forprofit groups – nine more than last year –will benefit from Council grants to support their incredibly valuable work in our community.

- Stewart Burns

Designing and building a critically important facility

Tuataras are one of the oldest and endangered animals in New Zealand, they are the last survivors of a species of reptiles that thrived at the same time as the dinosaurs according to the Department of Conservation New Zealand.

The tuataras of Invercargill, Henry and friends, will soon have a new home to live in.

The demolition of the Queen’s Park Museum, which is part of Invercargill’s City Council’s Project 1225, started early in March 2023. Which means the tuataras have had to relocate during construction; this means the tuataras won’t be on display to the public for the time being. The tuataras were moved on the 26th of February 2023.

However, the council will be providing regular updates on the tuataras during this time for those who are wanting to follow.

Project 1225 lead councillor, Nigel Skelt, says, “Henry will be missed while he’s taking some

time out of the public eye, but we will share regular updates on how he’s going”.

The tuataras new location will be at the animal reserve near the playground car park, they will be alongside many other animals that also live at Queens Park.

Invercargill City Council Mana Whenua representative, Evelyn Cook, says “Tuatara are a taonga and their presence in Waihōpai provides us with an opportunity to understand their importance in Aotearoa New Zealand as a remnant of a bygone age.

I have absolute faith that Studio 4 and its consultants are the right team to design the perfect home for our tuatara, given the work they have already done for Christchurch’s precious gorillas at the Great Ape Centre in Orana Park.

- Evelyn Cook , Invercargill City Council

Whenua representative.

“It is a privilege to care for them and provide them with the best living area possible.”

Christchurch-based firm Studio 4 has been chosen to design the new facility where the tuataras will be housed and the Council’s Programme director, Lee Butcher, has faith in the studio.

“I have absolute faith that Studio 4 and its consultants are the right team to design the perfect home for our tuatara, given the work they have already done for Christchurch’s precious gorillas at the Great Ape Centre in Orana Park,” Lee says.

“An enclosure of this calibre will be the first in the South Island and likely even Aotearoa.”

The design concepts for the tuataras’ news home became available in July 2023.

The new tuatara facility will be a great way to bring local and international tourists to the south to view the New Zealand endangered reptiles.

The tuatara facility will be home to Henry, one of the oldest tuataras alive at over 110 years old.

The new museum is expected to open officially to the public late 2026, however the base of the museum is aimed to be completed by December 2025.

The new Queens Park Museum and tuatara facility will be a great attraction in Southland, and it will be the perfect opportunity for families and those who want to see the tuataras in action.

For more information on Henry and his friends’ new home, visit the Invercargill City Council’s website: www.icc.govt.nz

Engineering excellence

Their facilities are equipped with state-ofthe-art technology and operated by skilled professionals. JK’s Engineering is the largest and longest serving engineering workshop in Southland.

They’re very active in the heavy fabrication and structural steel industry and have Southlands largest machine shop. The team believe in building long-term relationships with their customers by continuously manufacturing the highest quality products. From fabrication and metalwork to machining and general engineering, JK’s Engineering offer a wide range of services. They offer lintels, portals and frames, work

on new builds, house steelwork and site installation. JK’s Engineering can also manage seismic strengthening, lifting and shifting, profile cutting and much more.

JK’s Engineering pride themselves on their quality craftsmanship and working in an environment of continual improvement. Their large premises mean they keep more stock on hand for clients. For excellent services and skills in Southland, get in touch with JK’s Engineering.

For more information, visit www.jks.co.nz or give the team a call on 0800 200 522. You can visit the team at 190 Mersey Street, CBD, Invercargill.

For over 100 years, JK’s Engineering has been offering their wealth of experience and history to Southland. They manufacture high quality products and regularly exceed their customers' expectations.

Two new pump tracks appear in Southland

Two new pump tracks have appeared in Southland, one being a portable pump track, and the Balfour Track which is permanent in Balfour.

A brand-new way to actively bring Southland kids together by introducing a mobile modular pump track. Active Southland, Southland District Council and other organisations have come together to provide the community with the new portable pump track.

The 64-metre-long track will be installed in five different communities in the district over the first years of operation. The mobile pump

track will be first seen in Argyle Park in Bluff, planned to officially open on the 16th of July 2023.

Stunt rider Levi Goodall will be one of the main attractions to the Bluff opening as well as other activities planned.

Every time the pump track is moved to a different community, there will be an official launch which will be used to introduce each community.

The Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT) are supporting some of the funding for the project and are excited to support the community project. ILT Chair Paddy O’Brien says the project held a lot of promise for helping to promote active recreation within communities.

“We’re pleased to support this innovative community project. The track will ensure a quality piece of infrastructure that is accessible for the wider community to experience and in turn, be a catalyst to improve community wellbeing.

“There’s a lot of potential for how this initiative can benefit the community, and we’re looking forward to seeing it pop up in different locations so people can enjoy it, particularly our tamariki and rangatahi,” he says.

The Southland district community of Balfour is also excited to have had their new pump track opened by Southland District Council Mayor Rob Scott on the 4th of March 2023.

Designed and built by Graded Earth Ltd, the pump track has been a great attraction for all ages, including Matthew ‘Milty’ Coultas from Graded Earth Ltd, who had the honour of being the first to test ride the track.

Balfour Lions Club and the Ardlussa Community Board have worked incredibly hard to launch the project and are thrilled to have been part of the community - led development project.

“We are so happy to be able to provide a safe and fun facility for our people to ride their scooters and bikes,” Balfour Lions Club representative John Van Vliet says.

Ardlussa Community Board chair Richard Clarkson says, “The board are pleased to be able to support this community led project

and provided a grant of $80,000 from the Balfour general reserve”.

The two new pump tracks will be an exciting and active way for children to get out and have fun in the community.

The Southland district will be thriving with these two new pump tracks and the locals will have a great time riding them!

For more information on both new pump tracks, visit the Southland District Council website: www.southlanddc.govt.nz

There’s a lot of potential for how this initiative can benefit the community, and we’re looking forward to seeing it pop up in different locations so people can enjoy it, particularly our tamariki and rangatahi.

Southland’s time to shine

Southland is stepping into a more diverse and sustainable future, thanks to the hard work of Southland Just Transition.

The government’s Budget 23 included $100 million to support early adoption of green hydrogen, starting in Southland; building skills, industry knowledge and supply chains. Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods spoke in Invercargill this morning and announced an additional $8 million

in funding for the Southland Just ransition package.

This initiative includes the establishment of a Southland Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster, designed to help local firms diversify their clientele and seize new economic opportunities, while still supporting key existing industries.

Minister Dr Megan Woods announced the package also promised continued backing for the COIN-Southland Start-up and Innovation Ecosystem. This further boost for Southland Just Transition will help future-proof the region and build its economic resilience.

The Just Transition initiative is a comprehensive plan developed in collaboration with government iwi, agencies, councils, community groups, and businesses and is in place to ensure the region continues to thrive regardless of decisions regarding Tiwai Aluminium Smelter.

The initiative aims to propel economic development, foster innovation, and establish sustainable communities in Southland. The government is also investing

in supporting the growth of Southland’s aquaculture industry.

Southland Just Transition Enduring Oversight Group (EOG) co-chair Aimee Kaio said she welcomed the governments continued support of Southland aquaculture. The government has already invested $4 million in several regional initiatives, including E tū’s job match programme, thriving Southland’s Food and Fibre Investment Accelerator project and the development of the region’s new LongTerm Plan, Beyond 2025. Additionally, the development of a new community collaboration programme, Connected Murihiku, is underway.

Southland Just Transition Enduring Oversight Group (EOG) co-chair Neil McAra said the government’s support for early adoption of green hydrogen in Southland was a good development.

The commitments present an opportunity for Southland to establish new industry while also creating a stronger, more resilient community.

No project too big or small

The company uses Colorbond Steel, which is manufactured in Australia and has been tested in the harshest weather conditions in Australia for the last 50 years.

with a range of private and commercial projects.

No project is ever too big or too small, clients can count on the team to give them the best design solutions to suit their needs.

The team is knowledgeable, experienced, and gives great advice on fencing and property boundaries; they sell premium steel fences with a 10-year warranty and offer a free no-obligation quote!

The company offers many products which are all long lasting and can provide gates to match the fence of your choice.

These premium products are rot and termite resistant, as well as fire-resistant, and neighbour friendly by delivering noise control. The range of products can be customised to ensure you have the colour, height and width you need.

Mainland Steel Fencing services a wide area including: Gore, Twizel, Invercargill, Te Anau, Kingston, Cromwell, Mosgiel, Balclutha, Wanaka and Lake Hawea.

The team is knowledgeable, experienced, and gives great advice on fencing and property boundaries; they sell premium steel fences with a 10-year warranty and offer a free noobligation quote!

Check out the facebook page and website to find more about the company, their work, products, and contact details and to receive a quote here: www.mainlandsteelfencing.co.nz, call at 0275546631, message at mainlandsteelfencing@gmail.com or facebook page.

Mike Morus is the founder of Mainland Steel Fencing Limited and offers highquality professional services

Distinctive doors

Central Plateau Doors located in Taupo offers a wide range of front entrance, internal and external doors in many styles, colours and applications.

They offer an extensive range of affordable doors for every home. From classic and traditional to contemporary and innovative. They offer a wide variety of quality materials to suit different tastes and budgets, and offer an array of design and finish options so that your doors look right at home.

Central Plateau Doors are committed to personal service and to taking care of everything from consultation to delivery.

They pride themselves on helping every customer find their dream home improvement solution and then making that dream a reality with quality products and expert advice.

Central Plateau Doors offers:

• Free Consultations

• No-Obligation Quotes

• Best Quality Products

• Free Delivery.

Whether you’re looking for a bulk load of doors for commercial purposes, or a single door for a DIY job, Central Plateau Doors are here to make sure you get the best door for the best price, every time.

Their team of highly skilled builders, craftsmen and tradespeople enjoy the opportunity to provide a curated selection of tried and tested door products to all clients.

They will ensure you receive fit for purpose doors that are well-designed both inside and out.

The team only recommends products that are of exceptional quality, the type of doors that they would use in our own homes.

As the owner is a member of the New Zealand Master Builders Associaton, Central Plateau Doors know about highquality building practces end-to-end.

If you’re looking for a new door for your next home or DIY project. contact the Central Plateau Doors team today! Call them at 027 2484 269 or email them: admin@cpdoors. co.nz. Or for more informaton visit their website www.cpdoors.co.nz.

Committed to creating high quality masonry products

At Bloc Group we manufacture and supply masonry bricks, blocks, pavers, and retaining products throughout the North Island. We have the ability to create unique made to order architectural masonry products in a wide range of attractive colours, styles and finishes.

With onsite Honing and Bush Hammering facilities available we produce high quality architectural masonry products different to any where else in the country.

Check out our product range at www.Highway1.co.nz

Road safety products

Cones, cone arms, flexiposts and bollards, reflectors safety fences, vests, sandbags.

Car park & workplace safety Speed humps, wheel stops, channel cable protectors, Safety mirrors.

Construction products

Bunting, marking tapes, line marking.

Signs

We manufacture all temporary warning signs & personal protective signs (PPE) for all Sizes for hazards & safety requirements. Enquire & we will make it for you

Asphalt & Concrete

Maintenance

Bitumend range - Coldmix, Crackfix, Top seal, joint filler, Rejuvenate, E-release and applicator equipment.

Electronic signs

AWVMS, Arrow boards traffic lights, Variable message Signs (VMS) and Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMA)

We have office’s in both Auckland and Christchurch, where you can visit and pick up or we freight through out New Zealand, and we cover insurance for free on deliveries.