Builders & Contractors Magazine, Issue #127

Issue #127 - 2021

GETTING AHEAD IN 2021

HOW TO DECIDE WHO YOU SHOULD BE CONTRACTING WITH

You can't just go with the flow

STAYING ON TRACK IN A PANDEMIC SCAN TO CONTINUE READING ONLINE

FREE

Steel construction

- the future of fabrication

The vital role of energy efficiency in building Water NZ's mission to protect our most precious resource

CANZ CONFERENCE 2021

World class in our own backyard

Southern Towers is new to the tower crane industry but managing director Graham Millar has worked the length of the country erecting and operating cranes for over 25 years and has a sound knowledge of what tower crane will suit your project the best.

Address: Queenstown, Otago, NZ Phone: 027 486 2460 Email: graham@southerntowers.co.nz www.southerntowers.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 3

Contents, Issue #127 - 2021 Page: 16

Issue #127 - 2021

Page: 69

Page: 27

GETTING AHEAD IN 2021

HOW TO DECIDE WHO YOU SHOULD BE CONTRACTING WITH

You can't just go with the flow

STAYING ON TRACK IN A PANDEMIC SCAN TO CONTINUE READING ONLINE

FREE

Steel construction

- the future of fabrication

The vital role of energy efficiency in building

Contents

CANZ CONFERENCE 2021

World class in our own backyard

Water NZ's mission to protect our most precious resource

6:

How to decide who you should be contracting with

42: Steel construction

100: The green building initiative that

8:

Caveat registrations against the developer

47: A new edition of the steel reinforcing

101: The vital role of energy efficiency

9: 9:

Staying on track in a pandemic

Welcome

- publisher's note This issue of Builders & Contractors casts an eye to the near future with articles looking at how to get ahead in 2021, how to decide who you should be contracting with and staying on track in a pandemic.

We also cast our eye over the vital role of energy efficiency in building, this year’s CANZ Conference, Water NZ’s mission to protect our most vital resource, and ask how will Building Information Modelling evolve in the year ahead.

Throughout the magazine, features provide insights into successful companies and organisations, and the people working in them, and 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.

How to turn good intentions into genuine commitment

10: To get ahead in 2021 you can’t just go

with the flow

14: How will Building Information

Modelling evolve in 2021?

16: Applying new technologies to an

old structure

17: The Queenstown company named

Master Painter of the Year

18: The heaviest lift in the construction of

any Anchor Project

20: Kiwi tradies remain optimistic and

on the tools despite COVID-19 challenges

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

FREE distribution maximises readership 4 | B&C - Issue #127

59: Maintaining masonry work’s

precious asset

36: Watercare contractors dig deep to

help boost Auckland’s water supply in record time

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.

102: ATL Group - a leading expert in 104: ARKCON completes its first

high standards

Auckland project using the Megaform Building System

62: Homeowners warned not to take the

105: Industrial Site Services - over two

66: How HydroTech is creating a

106: Te Waihanga releases report on

67: ITM Nelson keeps up with

108: How the landscape of vocational

68: With MBIE’s carbon regulations on

110: Taupō’s long-anticipated town

risk with illegal trade work positive change

decades of industry success energy infrastructure training is changing

high demand

the horizon, here’s what professionals in the engineered timber industry need to keep on their radar

72: Roofline Canterbury’s longstanding quality roofing

SARNZ member

New Zealand buildings

in building

asbestos removal

emissions reduction

28: Own a business, rent equipment 32: Water NZ’s mission to protect our most

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.

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

52: A concrete vision for

73: Metalcraft Roofing New Plymouth

Builders and Contractors, a national

Readers: Construction/building industry

standard AS/NZS 4671 is expected to be adopted in the near future

21: Sticking at it when you’re sick 22: Low carbon solutions for

Published Quarterly/Nationwide Distribution

ticks all the boxes

- the future of fabrication

centre transformation

113: Changes aimed at boosting Dunedin’s housing supply

Page: 102

favours quality over quantity

74: The benefits of being a 80: CANZ Conference 2021: World class in our own backyard

94: Making working at heights safer 96: Why weathertightness should always be in mind

Does your company have any exciting projects or products you would like to feature in an upcoming edition of Builders & Contractors?

Please contact us to discuss: Editorial:

Jonathan Taylor PO Box 1879, Christchurch, 8041 Phone: (03) 961 5098 Email: editor@markat.co.nz

Production:

Jarred Shakespeare PO Box 1879, Christchurch, 8041 Phone: (03) 961 5088 Email: jarred@markat.co.nz

Sales Manager:

Monice Kruger PO Box 1879, Christchurch, 8041 Phone: (03) 961 5083

Disclaimer This publication is provided on the basis that AMark Publishing NZ Ltd is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error or omission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby engaged in rendering advice or services. AMark Publishing NZ Ltd expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising Standards Authority Codes of Practice. Contents Copyright 2017 by AMark Publishing NZ Ltd. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission.

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Issue #127 - B&C | 5

News

How to decide who you should be contracting with Believe it or not, correctly identifying who your client, customer or Principal should be in your building contract is not always straightforward.

And it does matter, for the following reasons.

making power over whether you can access the property in the first place and what you can build there.

There are three main characteristics that you want in a client (apart from not being a psychopath). One is that they have the funds to pay you and the willingness to do so. The second is that they have the right to allow you onto the land and make changes to it. The third is that they actually exist (in the sense of being a legal entity that is recognised by the law).

Otherwise you run the risk that the owner takes a dislike to what you are doing, and stops you in your tracks. It’s often simpler to contract with the owner, and then get them to appoint the interested party as their project manager or underwriter of the project, if necessary.

As far as payment is concerned, you never want to contract solely with a $2.00 company or a destitute individual. It won’t be a problem if they own the land, because then at least they have an asset you can have recourse to if they default.

It is also important that you contract with a party that actually exists in the legal sense.

That is because you can’t sue a fictitious character. Most partnerships and most trusts are fictitious in the sense that the law doesn’t recognise them as separate legal entities.

Unless of course it is mortgaged up to the hilt and there is no equity left after the secured lenders have taken their share. If that’s the case, or your destitute customer doesn’t own the land, then you need a personal guarantee or a performance bond as security for their obligation to pay you.

Contracting with non-owners Interestingly, the party that wants to engage your services is not always the owner of the land.

It can arise, for example, where a son hires a builder to get repairs done on his elderly mother’s unit. Or the commercial tenant who has been authorised by the landlord to make structural changes to the leased premises. Or the young couple whose parents (or in-laws) have allowed them to build a residence on their property as long as they pay for it. Or the insurer of an earthquake-damaged Christchurch property who is putting up most of the money but wants to call all the shots so the builder doesn’t cut corners and the project doesn’t go over budget.

In those circumstances you might be tempted to contract with the party who first approached you, simply because they are more capable of making the decisions, or they are the most motivated to get the job done, or they are the source of the money that you are going to get paid with. And you can contract with them if you like, but it is messy.

That is because they don’t own the land, so they don’t have the ultimate decision6 | B&C - Issue #127

That power usually lies with the owner, so at the very least you need the owner’s written confirmation that the son, the tenant, the young couple, or the insurance company has their unconditional, irrevocable and unlimited permission to authorise you to go and build whatever they want.

Less common types of clients

If you contract with a partnership such as a law firm then you must contract with all of the partners, and if you contract with a family trust then you must contract with all of the trustees.

On the other hand, you can contract with a company, state-owned enterprise, crownowned company, incorporated society, limited partnership, registered charitable trust, or for that matter a sole trader, because those are separate legal entities that the law recognises.

You may be surprised to learn that if you contract with the Government, you are technically contracting with the reigning English Monarch. So if you are building a prison, for example, the wording you use when you describe your customer is “Her Majesty the Queen in right of New Zealand acting by and through the Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections”.

Of course, if you are a subcontractor then you will be contracting with the head contractor rather than the owner, and that’s okay. As long as they do have a building contract with the owner, then they have been given the right to allow you access.

And if it’s a big commercial contract, then chances are the owner will want a continuity agreement with you that allows them to hire you direct if the head contractor goes bust or gets thrown off site.

There are some individuals the law won’t allow you to contract with. People with severe mental disabilities, for example,

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

unless you are dealing with an agent who has special authority to represent them.

If you contract with someone under the age of 18 (officially known as a “minor”) you can’t enforce the contract against them unless they are working for you or you persuade a Court to let you. And not surprisingly, you can’t contract with your dog or a Disney character.

Contracting with multiple owners The situation gets more complicated when you are working on a building that has multiple owners, such as a block of flats or an apartment building. Who do you contract with then? That depends on what type of title the various owners have.

There are four main forms of title or land ownership in New Zealand. They are fee simple (commonly known as freehold), leasehold, cross-lease, and unit (or strata) title. The first two are relatively well-known but it is the last two that require some further explanation.

Cross-lease titles were originally formed as a way of getting around tough subdivision laws, but they don’t get around them any more so they are becoming less common.

Say there are three semi-detached units on a block of land, which share a common driveway. All the unit owners own the block of land jointly (whether it be freehold or leasehold). Then as owners of that land they all lease Unit A to the owner of Unit A, Unit B to the owner of Unit B, and Unit C to the owner of Unit C. Their leases give them the exclusive right to occupy their own unit, which is carefully defined on a registered plan. The rest of the block not covered by the leases is called common property. If the individual unit owners ever want to change the dimensions of their units, they need they permission of their co-owners to do so.

By Geoff Hardy, an Auckland commercial lawyer.

known as common property and is owned and managed by a body corporate, which is a separate legal entity like a company. All the unit owners are members of the body corporate and it is run on democratic principles.

The interesting thing about the common property is that it varies from development to development, and its boundaries are defined on the unit plan that is registered when the titles are first issued.

Typically the common property covers not only the grounds and outdoor facilities, the foyers, lifts, corridors and ventilation spaces between floors and walls, but also the exterior envelope of the building. The middle of the exterior wall is commonly the dividing line between the common property and a unit owner’s exclusive area.

What that means is that if you are going to work on the exterior of a unit title development, then (depending on where the boundaries of the common property are) you usually need to be contracting with the body corporate. However, if your work is also going to intrude into the private space of individual unit owners, then you need to contract with them as well.

That is a very common scenario in leaky building remediations, and occasionally they come unstuck because one or more owners won’t cooperate.

In that case what generally happens is that the body corporate applies to the High Court for an order under section 74 of the Unit Titles Act 2010 that requires all the owners to contribute to the cost of having one repair job done by the one contractor.

Technically if you are doing any building work that intrudes onto the common property then you ought to be contracting with all the unit owners as a group, although that tends not to happen in practice.

Unit titles Cross-lease titles are a bit cumbersome for larger multi-owned developments such as commercial buildings, apartments and retirement villages, so unit titles were developed to cater for them.

With unit titles you get exclusive possession of a principal unit (apartment or house) and various accessory units (carparks, storage spaces, etc.). The rest of the land is

Geoff Hardy has 45 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@martellimckegg. co.nz. This article is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice.

Total Site Supplies

New Zealand’s Chemgrout Specialists

Contact us today! 0508 88 5656 | caleb@totalsite.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 7

Viewpoints

Caveat registrations against the developer

By Marcus Beveridge and Tina Hwang

“Help! The principal developer owes me $500,000.

Please register a caveat against the developer’s property to protect me.”

This is a common query we get from many contractors who suffer from lack of (prompt) payment from developers/owners as cash flow becomes even more vital to survive the multiple storms ushered in by the Covid-19 pandemic.

What is a caveat?

A caveat is a Latin term which literally means “let the person beware”. It is intended to be a formal notice to all that the caveator has an interest against that land and forbids any dealings with it until the caveator’s interest has been accounted for.

When can you register a caveat?

It is important to distinguish between a claim against an owner and a claim against the owner’s land. The latter gives you a right to caveat, the former may not. Typical rights to caveat include for example only: • An unconditional purchaser under an agreement for the sale and purchase of land.

• A tenant with an unregistered lease (though certain ADLS standard forms expressly prohibit caveat registration).

The standard NZS 3910:2013, NZS 3916:2013, NZS 3917:2013 and NZS3915:2015 terms are silent on caveats.

Caveat process

The Registered Master Builder’s standard contract terms entitles the registered master builder to register caveats against the owner’s land, but only in circumstances where the builder is “entitled to demand a registrable memorandum of mortgage” and there is a further clause that obliges the owner to sign a registrable memorandum of mortgage at the demand of the builder, entitling the builder to register a mortgage and/or caveat based on that further signed document and not the construction contract.

When a caveat is registered, the owner is automatically notified by the Registrar General of Land.

An owner (or another interested party) can apply to lapse the caveat with the Registrar.

The caveator is then given notice of the application to lapse the caveat, and the caveat will lapse unless the caveator makes an application to the High Court for an order that the caveat does not lapse within 10 days.

A registered caveat will continue to be registered unless removed by the caveator, lapsed, or ordered to be removed by the High Court.

Section 148(1) of the Land Transfer Act 2017 obliges the caveator and its registering lawyer “who lodges a caveat against dealings without reasonable cause” to be “liable to pay compensation to a person who suffers loss or damage as a result” so there can be expensive repercussions to the client and lawyer in registering a caveat without base.

Construction contracts and caveats

• An express agreement to caveat against the specified land.

• A claim under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (though more commonly dealt with by registering a Notice of Claim on the title).

• An agreement to mortgage with security over the specified land.

• Agreed easement rights that have yet to be registered; and

Most standard construction contracts do NOT give a contractor a right to caveat.

Again, this is because the contractor’s rights will ordinarily be limited to the developer/ owner and there is no direct interest in the developer/owner’s land.

Unless there is express agreement by way of special conditions, there will be no inherent contractual right to register caveats.

Adjudication and charging order Instead of attempting to register a caveat without proper legal basis, a contractor who has issued valid payment claims (and where there have been no valid payment schedules or payments), may benefit from going to adjudication under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 (the CCA), to not only claim for the unpaid sums, but also seek an “issue of a charging order in respect of a construction site owned by a respondent” pursuant to section 29 of the CCA. A charging order turns the unsecured debt into a secured debt preventing the sale of the property by the debtor owner until the debt is fully repaid.

One must be vigilant in these turbulent, unprecedented times which will include checking all documentation to ensure all payment claims/payment schedules are validly issued and served, and always checking the construction contract as the starting point to review your rights and entitlements.

"

A caveat is a Latin term which literally means “let the person beware”.

It is intended to be a formal notice to all that the caveator has an interest against that land and forbids any dealings with it until the caveator’s interest has been accounted for.

"

If you have any construction, employment, or litigation queries, please feel free to contact Tina Hwang or Marcus Beveridge at Queen City Law.

We have taken care to ensure that the information given is accurate; however, it is intended for general guidance only and should not be relied upon in individual cases. Professional advice should be always be sought before any decision or action is taken.

WITH MORE THAN 50 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WE ARE WELL AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY.

your builder if they are using Securescaffold “ Ask – it will save you money.

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

“

www.securescaffold.co.nz | 0800 66 00 22 8 | B&C - Issue #127

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Viewpoints

How to turn good intentions into genuine commitment

Martz Witty Chief strategist at Shi Martz Chartered Accountants

Rob Clarke CEO of Learning Architects

So here we are again – getting back into gear at the start of a new year.

By now you’ve probably got your plan for the business year ahead mapped out and have held whatever meetings or planning retreats you use to bring your team together.

Looking back on changes made last year to this, maybe you’ve had to restructure your business, or change the way you work to navigate the uncertain landscape 2020 created.

Perhaps your business thrived amidst the disruption, or maybe you ticked on through as normal. Whatever your circumstance, uncertainty still exists in 2021, so the impetus to succeed will likely be stronger than ever!

What do you need to succeed?

It’s no secret that with all the good will and good planning in the world, it’s not good intentions that get results, but commitment and action.

And we can’t do it alone. To succeed, leaders need our teams with us, all helping to row the waka in the same direction. So how might you discern if this is the case?

Have you got a highly engaged, high performing team? Or a group of people who are totally lacking in commitment, or – as is often the case – a bit of a mix across the spectrum?

And perhaps more importantly, what can you do to make sure that you get or, if they are high performers, sustain, their buy-in?

Is your team with you?

How people approach 2021 is going to be different for every individual and it’s helpful to gauge where everyone is at as early on in the piece as you can.

Wherever they sit on the engagement continuum, how you enable them to achieve greater results is a key consideration for any leader.

A critical component of this is enabling people to adapt to change – whether it’s regular planned development in the organisation, or change influenced by external factors (e.g. supply chain interruptions or up- or down-sizing of the business).

Helping people become open to and embrace change is more of an art form than a science.

Staying on track in a pandemic

You need insight, strategies, tools and techniques to support you.

It’s important to understand what is happening for different people.

There are a range of options that can be used depending on your situation. Some involve refining how you share your vision and strategy, while others are useful for helping prioritise resources. Here are a few to get you thinking: If you are deciding how to implement a change and have a variety of responses across the team (e.g. from resistance through to acceptance and excitement), then applying a user-centric framework like the Concerns-based Adoption Model (CBAM), which provides a way of understanding how individuals respond to change as they undergo it can help. Thoughtfully applied, it will enable you to become more attuned to people’s needs and help you identify and apply practical strategies into your leadership practice to support them.

If you are unclear about what to do when, or where to put your resources, then a gridbased system such as the Impact vs Effort matrix can help clarify ideas with your team.

It is especially useful when people are able to openly discuss which issues are more or less important, as it enables you to prioritise resources and energy accordingly.

If you have a team that is struggling, then I suggest you first look at how engaged they are. One on one or group coaching or a team, departmental or organisation-wide engagement surveys are helpful to see how individuals are feeling.

If you have a high-performing team, it’s important to make sure that their commitment is sustained. So how to do that?

These are just a few of many useful tools that can help you support your teams to thrive as they adapt to change in uncertain times, and you may already have others.

So now the question becomes – what will you do differently this year to support your individual employees, teams and overall organisation to be resilient and adaptable, so that you can turn good intentions into genuine commitment and achieve better results? Over to you.

We are not afraid to use the “F” word. That’s right. The “F” word with the “u” and the “c” in it: Focus.

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic it’s understandable many are losing their focus given the constant barrage of stress, anxiety, fear, unknowing and even anger.

Trying to run a business and perhaps juggling child-care amongst all this brings on the most wonderful case of brain fog in years.

"

Zig Ziglar is quoted as saying that for him to get what he wants in life he just has to help enough other people get what they want. It’s rich and sage advice.

"

It follows that so many are likely feeling less than their usual productive selves.

We are hard-wired to deal with short bursts of stress. In fact many thrive on it. But months and months of unrelenting stress wears down even the most hardy soul.

Knowing there is an issue is half the battle.

How can we deal with it? Well that’s another story and potentially as individual as our fingerprints.

Nonetheless here’s a few well-known tips.

Give them a go and perhaps you will feel better as a result.

1. Take some “me-time” Care for yourself, care for the animal that is you. Get adequate sleep, exercise and eat well. It’s not that hard but it takes discipline.

Accept you aren’t at 100 percent and then just do your best thereafter.

We all cope with stress and the unknown differently. Respect the differences and embrace the diversity of alternative viewpoints. Just make sure you know what works for you and then make it happen.

5. Read the signs Know when you’re up and know when you are flailing. Be alive and aware to those around you and help them too.

Zig Ziglar is quoted as saying that for him to get what he wants in life he just has to help enough other people get what they want.

It’s rich and sage advice.

Just remember to occasionally put yourself first so that you are in a position to be able to help others.

2. Set some goals They are food for champions and set timelines that you can measure your performance. Maybe it’s just a goal for the day, the week or the month. It’s not important, just set some, test, measure and monitor your performance. Baby steps are better than standing still.

3. Take time out Take some breaks away from your desk or computer. Go for a walk (take the pup if you have one). Be one with nature. That tree or flower isn’t remotely bothered by a pandemic, learn from them. They carry on regardless. Embrace their energy and learn by their example.

About Shi Martz Chartered Accountants Shi Martz brings together the discipline of Chartered Accountancy with the creativity of business development, the accuracy of audit and risk management and the panache of professional speaking.

We take a hands-on role and we pride ourselves on knowing facets of a client’s business personally.

4. Focus on self-full rather than selfish

We take a particular pride and care in ensuring clients assets are protected as best they can be, and that clients pay only the minimum tax they are obliged to pay.

This is done through proactive advice and questions from us, we do not wait for you to ask the questions!

It’s perfectly OK to put yourself first for a change. You’re no use to your workmates burnt out (or your family). Breathe, rest, relax. It’s not OK to tread on others to get what you want but it’s fine to work together for a better, harmonious group.

We enjoy working with clients on the myriad of aspects that comprise a business where each part inter-relates with the others. In essence it’s all about a partnership that results in you the client, getting all your ducks in a row.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 9

News

To get ahead in 2021 you can't just go with the flow Going with the flow will only get you so far. If you really want to get ahead – and build a business that will thrive long term – that requires another level of thinking.

Here’s why:

Problem 1: Tradies are busy, but is it 'good busy'?

We are seeing high demand right now which is better than scratching around for the next job. But being busy brings another set of problems.

Problems like more mistakes, your team getting burned out, staff leaving, too many re-dos on jobs, upset customers, or disappearing margins.

You might be working big hours, missing out on family time, feeling overwhelmed, and neglecting your health.

If you are experiencing this kind of busy, that’s not the good kind.

If the price of building a successful business is your family then that price is far too high.

And let’s not forget: busy is only good if you can keep the extra profit.

Problem 2: Uncertainty is the new

all the parts running smoothly and not seizing up. Less friction, less stress, less harm.

Think of oil as the cash flowing through your day-to-day business. You need to have enough at all times. If you’ve ever been a little short to pay wages (and most tradies have at some point) you know how stressful it can be.

Problem is, when you’re taking on more and more work, cashflow gets a little harder to control with a lot more cash coming in and cash going out. The risk is you can easily run out of cash to keep operating.

This is a huge reason why tradie businesses get into trouble.

Make time each week to check cashflow.

Good cashflow makes it easier to handle surprises like clients not paying on time, unexpected cost blowouts on jobs, delays, and mistakes.

While things are good you should also be putting money aside every month in a separate account as a cash buffer.

This gives you options others won’t have, and the ability to move quickly to take advantage of opportunities to grow. Like buying more gear to meet demand and bringing on new team members and being able to pay them top rates.

2) Put supporting players in the game

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we don’t always know what’s around the corner.

Have you checked out that doco on Netflix The Last Dance? It shows the journey of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls winning a stunning six NBA championships.

Sure, things are good here in NZ. But you’re also probably noticing that prices are going up, it’s harder to get some supplies. Job scheduling is one big headache you’re never really free from. Not to mention Covid and lockdowns could pop up again anytime.

Michael Jordan is a superstar. One of the greatest of all time. But In the early years his team couldn’t win a championship until they had the right supporting players: Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, etc.

Predictability is hard to find these days.

However, the more you can control and anticipate the less exposed you’ll be and the more opportunities will be available.

One star can’t do everything. You need the best team to win the game.

norm – nothing is guaranteed

So here are some time-honoured principles that will help you keep your business moving forward and ahead of the competition regardless of what happens next.

1) Is there enough oil in the engine?

Check oil regularly Inside the engine of your business, there are a lot of moving parts, and oil is what keeps 10 | B&C - Issue #127

With the right team you can handle the extra workload, maximise the opportunities, and deal with whatever pressure comes your way.

Staff are the backbone of your operations.

You need them to be performing at their best, be reliable, accountable.

So, is your team meeting their full potential?

Do they have all the training and skills they need? Are they getting the right guidance and support from you?

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Daniel Fitzpatrick, business coach at Next Level Tradie.

How strong is your bench? From the accountant to your debt collector, do you have the right advisors to bring into the game when you need them?

What about the coach? Do you have a Phil Jackson who can show you the winning plays or are you trying to work it out on your own?

"

With the right team you can handle the extra workload, maximise the opportunities, and deal with whatever pressure comes your way.

• Your leadership skills and how to keep your team strong and on the same page • Getting a better handle on managing your time • Learning how to say no instead of overcommitting yourself.

Hard work is good. But when it gets out of balance, that’s when you’re going to struggle to show up like you need to. Burnout will send your business backwards, and you should have a plan to avoid it.

5) Watch the signs.

Stay ahead – stay flexible

"

3) Conduct temperature checks In this environment, staying in control is the key to a healthy business. The most effective way to do this is to take regular temperature checks.

It’s like this: The doctor uses temperature as an indication that you’re unwell. If you have a fever, it’s a sign something needs further investigation.

In a tradie business there are important indicators to check the temperature of the business. Like sales, gross margins, profit, cashbook balance (way more reliable than your bank balance), work booked ahead to name a few.

Keep checking your business to make sure it’s in good shape and fighting fit to take advantage of the opportunities – not sick and slow to move.

4) To have a better business, make a better you A business is always a reflection of the business owner/s. Their strengths and weaknesses, the way they think, good or bad, the business will magnify it.

So the better you are, the better your business is.

Sometimes people need accountability to work on a few hot button issues that would relieve pressure, and to become the best version of themself as a business owner.

Great things to work on with your coach would be:

• Your mindset and accountability to keep your eye on the prize

Tradies are some of the hardest working people around. This sometimes means they are so busy working that they miss the bigger picture.

Some signs are obvious like another lockdown. Others are more subtle like the market seems to be changing, clients are asking for different things.

If we’re not paying attention we’ll miss the signs and get caught by surprise with things we didn’t see coming.

As business owners we can’t afford to wing it. This is your livelihood, and you have a lot of people relying on you to do it well.

So be alert and watching for signs all the time. It won’t mean you get it right every time, but will help you stay control so that you can make the strategic moves.

If you are busy and growing, it’s even more important to find time for high-level thinking. Even 10 minutes a day can make a big difference.

If the captain is in the engine room, instead of where he should be, steering the ship, the chances of crashing are higher.

If you need a mentor to show you how to avoid the rocks then book a time and let’s chat: www.nextleveltradie.co.nz/nextstep. *If you need help - or just want someone to talk strategy with - hit me up for a free 45-minute coaching session here: www.nextleveltradie.co.nz/nextstep.

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Issue #127 - B&C | 11

Workdek

Introducing the complete system to eliminate falls from height Nets have been a familiar sight on building sites since 2012. But ultimately, they hinder productivity and aren’t the safety net they’re cracked up to be. This was a common frustration with the builders who developed Workdek, the new stable work mate for builders.

Workdek is a combined, solid working and safety platform that reduces stresses on builders’ bodies whilst eliminating falls.

These stable, modular platforms increase efficiencies and safety at any height, and builders can have their heavy-duty tools right beside them.

Feedback from the first builders lucky enough to build with Workdek is they’re working twice as fast, which means they can build more and make more money in the process. Workdek is an absolute game changer for builders.

“Nets rarely stopped items falling through to lower levels and hurting our team, causing all kinds of health and safety issues as well as building delays,” says David from Workdek.

by a complete system that’s as easy to put together as playing with Lego.

The Workdek team originally developed giant inflatable safety matts for the base of building sites. But they were still the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff and they did nothing for builder productivity.

Whilst Workdek costs more than nets to install, this fee pales into comparison with the increased performance and profitability from working like you’re always on ground level. The improvement to stresses on the body are immeasurable too.

“We wanted our teams to work at any height with the same speed they would when standing on firm ground. And we needed to eliminate costly falls and improve safety for our teams,” says David.

It took new thinking to change the game After searching high and low for alternatives, the team at Workdek discovered safety platforms in the UK. They had been used with great success for over a decade. This system prevents falls and allows builders to work safely at any height, as if they were on solid ground.

Level-up your building performance

Mission accomplished. The Workdek team then made improvements to this platform system and is launching Workdek to the building industry with great success.

The people behind Workdek owned a building company, and like other builders, have experienced the frustrations of working with nets and inferior fall protection systems.

Workdek’s modular platforms are made from injection moulded panels which snap together creating a stable work platform at any building height. The decks are supported

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Cost versus value

It takes very little time for builders to realise what an amazing performance upgrade Workdek provides. Now builders can build more, working on a stable work platform at any height. Working twice as fast as they

would with competing “solutions” Workdek ensures builders make more money whilst staying safe.

Workdek is on the same page as Worksafe NZ Worksafe NZ endorses Workdek’s view on the hierarchy of fall protection, which is that eliminating the fall is better than capturing the fall. Nets are outdated, unsafe, and counterproductive. And Worksafe NZ has issued safety alerts over the use of nets.

Workdek is the solution.

To learn more and get started with Workdek, visit: www.workdek.com.

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Increase building productivity to make more bank Complete work twice as fast by walking on a flat surface anywhere on site with your tools and machinery.

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www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 13

News

How BIM will evolve in 2021

Frank Weiss Senior director of new products, BIM and innovation, at Oracle Construction and Engineering

"

The disruption experienced by the construction industry last year was unprecedented, and ranged from ongoing projects being paused, to project starts being delayed, to stalled progress around the evolution of some construction practices such as Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Some organisations will move quicker than others because the industry is so fragmented. Either way data relevance will be key with employers (or exchange) information requirements (EIR) taking on even more importance in 2021.

"

So, we spoke with buildingSMART International’s technical director Léon van Berlo, and marketing director Aidan Mercer, about how BIM will fair in 2021.

BuildingSMART brings the industry together, facilitating discussions to make challenges, opportunities, and considerations around BIM more visible and driving standardisation across the industry.

buildingSMART producing a positioning paper entitled “Enabling an ecosystem of digital twins”.

Data relevance

The industry will look to identify the actual benefits of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to the organisation and/or project.

Léon believes a focus on BIM will be around data relevance with an increased effort to think about data and information exchange requirements with organisations identifying what project information they most need and why.

Some organisations will move quicker than others because the industry is so fragmented. Either way data relevance will be key with employers (or exchange) information requirements (EIR) taking on even more importance in 2021.

This relevance-based approach will be a key use of digital information to, say, speed up an automated cost estimation or for benchmarking.

Data quality and digital twins Digitisation will expand how we’re currently working with BIM, common data

environments (CDEs), and digital twins, bringing a greater appreciation of the value of digitising the physical world.

In construction, this means creating digital representations of physical assets to continually improve how we’re developing those assets.

Aidan believes digital twins will become more pervasive in 2021. However, assets need to be captured in their context alongside 4D simulation and time elements added to information in BIM to be sufficient to develop a digital twin In 2021, the success of digital twins will depend on improving the quality of data we capture, store, share, and analyse.

This will require two categories of solutions/platforms: • Those focused on operations, maintenance, asset management and/ or facilities management.

• Those focused on architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) solutions.

Modern platforms will use filters to enhance the quality of uploaded data and also apply rules for data that has already been captured, add criteria to the schedule and zoning of the data, as well as engage in more consistency checks.

We’ll even see model clashes being resolved in a cloud environment.

Standardisation and openness Aidan highlights advancements in standardisation in 2020, with the digital twin working group within 14 | B&C - Issue #127

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The next step will be to move to the “activity stage”, where the group will define activities or prototypes of digital twins in 2021.

We’ll also see moves to standardise across information exchanges with BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) 3.0 – supporting communication of modelbased issues between BIM applications; and Industry Foundation Class (IFC) 4.3 – depicting infrastructure constructions within railways, roads, ports and waterways.

The areas of deployment, transparency, and predictability of the standardisation processes initiated by buildingSMART will continue in 2021.

With tightening project budgets, the benefits of BIM such as cost reduction and optimisation of processes and resources will see BIM utilised for better designs as well as operations and maintenance.

A greater enablement of open-source software will see BIM become more open around movement and accessibility of data.

Finally, non-proprietary data standards will be given a growing push from asset owners and regulatory bodies that see open data as a much better way forward.

Overall, BIM in 2021 could see a growing push for a more open and accessible environment based on industry-agreed standards, with a greater focus on data relevance and quality.

Such changes should lead to broader adoption of BIM across project teams and paving the way for greater use of digital twins.

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Issue #127 - B&C | 15

News

Applying new technologies to an old structure Sustainable heritage building development set to be NZ’s largest construction reuse project A category one listed heritage building and artwork in Auckland’s CBD is set to become the site of the country’s largest-ever sustainable construction reuse project.

The potential project, while not yet confirmed, has entered the first stage of its planning process and has now been granted resource consent.

If completed according to projections, it will also be the first major commercial office development in the CBD designed for a postCovid working environment.

The 12,900 sqm building at 35 Graham Street set on an elevated acre of land in the Victoria Quarter of the CBD was the Auckland City Council service centre for over 20 years.

In what is believed to be the country’s largest construction reuse project, 1.8 million kgs of reinforced concrete will be retained within the building’s new design.

The projected CO2 savings from using the existing concrete structure is roughly the equivalent of planting 52 hectares of trees or over 13,000 flights between Auckland and Queenstown.

The development, which is targeting a 6 Green Star Design (world leading), construction sustainability rating will also have a climate adaptation assessment to ensure the building is resistant to the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

In addition to the extensive reuse of concrete, the new concept design will also preserve the heritage-listed 1959 Milan Mrkusich mosaic abstract artwork on the exterior of the original BJ Ball building.

Woods Bagot principal Bruno Mendes, who is leading the architectural design of the 35G project, says building practices in large scale projects are becoming increasingly sustainable.

Mendes says the first stage of construction under the current design concept will see seismic strengthening of the existing superstructure before the addition of three new floors.

“Internationally we are seeing more consideration of sustainability in construction planning, a welcome evolution from a process that historically was purely financially driven.

“Adaptive reuse bypasses the wasteful process of demolition and reconstruction, combined with energy savings and the

cultural benefit of retaining a place with historic value,” he says.

Mark Francis, Augusta Funds managing director, says while the resource consent marks the first step in the potential development, if completed in Q1 2024 as planned, the new building will add over 20,000 sqm of office space to the CBD. He says current projections show commercial office space of this nature has almost reached capacity.

“The western side of the CBD has developed rapidly in recent years and in contrast to the financial and legal centre around Queen St, is now home to several organisations which represent the ‘workhorse’ of the economy – such as Fonterra and Air New Zealand.

“The location of the development is expected to provide tenants with a number of geographical advantages ranging from unobstructed, panoramic harbour views through to a cafe with a landscaped outdoor area as well as secure car and cycle parking and premium end of trip facilities.

“35G is also designed to offer flexibility for businesses to design their workspace for a post- Covid environment – with the CBD’s most expansive floor plates at 3,000-3,500 sqm,” he says.

Mark says plans to make Queen St accessible only to pedestrians may also see more businesses move away from the centre of the CBD. “What we can expect to see with the closure of Queen St to vehicles is more congestion in the surrounding streets – an outcome which will increase the appeal of being on the CBD fringe, especially when commuting from the North Shore or west of the city,” he says.

Francis says the provision of resource consent for the inner-city development marketed by Colliers as ‘35G’ will see the next stage of planning and design commence.

Sam Gallaugher, commercial leasing director for Colliers, says the trend away

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The Victoria Quarter location of 35G provides easy access to local recreational spaces like Victoria Park and public transport hubs such as Aotea Station – as well as uninterrupted views over the Viaduct which can’t be built out, and a significant signage and branding opportunity on the exterior of the elevated building.

"

- Colliers commercial leasing director Sam Gallaugher

from the central CBD and into the now proven area around the Wynyard Quarter is set to continue.

“We are seeing a number of high-profile businesses migrate to this part of the CBD, companies like Tower Insurance have moved out of Queen Street and into Fanshawe Street.

“Similarly a recent exodus from Newmarket has also seen 2 Degrees and Fidelity join Southern Cross, Kiwibank, Genesis and Trade Me in the area.

“The Victoria Quarter location of 35G provides easy access to local recreational spaces like Victoria Park and public transport hubs such as Aotea Station – as well as uninterrupted views over the Viaduct which can’t be built out, and a significant signage and branding opportunity on the exterior of the elevated building.

“The building’s interior features which include a large outdoor deck space will also appeal to a range of businesses,” he says.

News

Exceptional decorating wins Queenstown company Master Painter of the Year award A Queenstown company was named Master Painter of the Year at the New Zealand Master Painter Awards in Rotorua after its portfolio of expert work in Central Otago won two other titles and four individual categories.

Mark Grieve from HiLo Decorating Ltd in Queenstown was named New Zealand Master Painter of the Year for 2020.

smallest detail that divides these experts and an untrained eye could not distinguish the difference.

Mark Grieve from HiLo Decorators Ltd

Mark also won the Residential Master Painter of the Year award and the Wallcoverings Applicator of the Year award.

“The customers have received a very, very good job so as we consider the rankings for each category we are looking for tiny points of difference,” Brian says.

The judges’ superlatives flowed for the exterior painting of the Government House in Mountain Road, Epsom – a faultless job on the Governor General’s Auckland home

by JR Webb & Son, owned by Peter Jolliffe and Jim Dennis.

HiLo Decorating won four individual categories at the awards: New Interior Residential Less Than $25,000; Rework Interior Residential Contemporary Home; New Residential Wallcoverings; and Rework Residential Wallcoverings.

The awards covered a portfolio of work at a home at Pisa Moorings, Lake Dunstan, a home on the shore of Lake Wakatipu and a Queenstown Marina apartment.

“Mark Grieve’s portfolio was some of the best quality decorating work the judges had ever seen,” Master Painters NZ CEO Brian Miller says.

“It was a mix of outstandingly good painting work and exceptionally executed wall coverings.”

All the master painters provided their customers with excellent work – it’s the

He says everyone thinks decorating is easy, but it is a skilled trade, especially at this level.

“The amount of creativity involved and the skilled attention to details required in painting and wall covering surprises people.”

The judges visited every nominated property to critique the decorators’ work – that’s more than 130 properties this year – and the quality is fantastic.

To determine the winners, the tiny differences in points are from a minute detail on the hidden areas in a room, such as the skirting boards, the top of a door, or architraves, or a variation in the brush work sets painters apart. It’s nothing a customer would ever notice, he says.

The best of the best

The firm won the Commercial Master Painter of the Year award.

“A significant variety of surfaces required attention, the work was executed at the highest standard and the presentation was immaculate,” Brian says.

The 2020 Master Painters competition attracted 160 entries – the most in the contest’s history.

with the accommodation and hospitality industries affected by borders being shut and consequent lack of tourists. Caution around future demand is a significant factor.

“At the same time, the residential part of our industry is hectic across the country as people reallocate money they would have spent on overseas holidays to renovate and decorate their homes.”

Top tips for home decorators from Master Painters New Zealand • Dust, dust and dust again. Dust is the enemy of paint and wallpaper so get rid of any dust.

• Preparation is 95 percent of the work – don’t start until your surfaces are pristine.

The effect of COVID-19 on the painting and decorating industry

• Don’t rush the process, drying times need to be adhered too.

As a consequence of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, Brian says there’s been a pause in commercial application projects, particularly in Auckland and Central Otago,

• Cheap paint is cheap for a reason – buy the best you can afford.

• Never use heat to dry wallcoverings more quickly, it’s a recipe for opening joins.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 17

News

Te Waihanga releases report on energy infrastructure The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga has released the latest in a series of discussion documents on key areas of New Zealand’s infrastructure, this time looking at the state of play in the energy sector.

Chief executive Ross Copland says this is part of Te Waihanga’s work toward a 30-year strategy for infrastructure and the Commission is seeking feedback on the document.

“We’ve looked at the existing literature and talked to experts in the sector to produce this state of play, but we want to hear whether we’ve got it right or if there are issues or information that we have missed.

“This is an important step in building our evidence base for the infrastructure strategy.

“By global standards, New Zealand’s energy infrastructure is performing well in balancing the competing demands of resilience, sustainability and affordability.

carbon emissions which is expected to double demand for electricity generation by 2050.

enable appropriate energy infrastructure to support aspirations for a low carbon, low cost, highly resilient future.”

“Renewables have an important role to play in the transition of both transportation and industrial process heat which are carbon intensive at present,” he says.

Te Waihanga has already published a state of play on telecommunications, as well as a discussion document setting out its framework for analysing infrastructure.

“But it has significant challenges ahead as we look to address our reliance on nonrenewable energy sources to fuel industry, transport and electricity generation.

“The challenges described in the state of play include how we address the risks to major energy infrastructure such as the HVDC link, the electricity transmission network, and the critical pipeline which conveys fuels from the refinery at Marsden Point to our largest city, the role of regulation, and the trade-offs we face and how to confront those.

“Renewable electricity will be at the forefront of efforts to reduce New Zealand’s

“By examining the current state we are better positioned to understand how to

During the coming months it will share reports on the water, waste and resource recovery, transport, and social infrastructure sectors.

These will inform a draft 30-year infrastructure strategy to be released for consultation in mid-2021, and then presented to the Minister for Infrastructure

by September 2021.

Heaviest anchor project lifts underway The heaviest lift in the construction of any anchor project to date has been carried out at Christchurch’s Metro Sports Facility, with the installation of the first 63-tonne roof truss section. Ōtākaro Limited chief executive, John Bridgman, says the 43-metre-long roof truss section weighs the same as 10 African elephants and is one of five sections that will span the facility’s competition pool.

“It takes two cranes working in tandem to manoeuvre some of these roof sections into place, within a tolerance of a few millimetres.

“The weather conditions need to be near perfect to move what is close to a steel sail, as safety is a top priority.”

With 11 pools and spas, it’s little wonder the roof over the aquatics side of the Metro Sports Facility is so large.

“With the roof trusses already in place for the neighbouring show court, you can now see why this is going to be one of

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The weather conditions need to be near perfect to move what is close to a steel sail, as safety is a top priority.

"

the most significant sporting venues in the country.

“This steel installation will continue along Antigua Street into the new year, alongside similar work around the six community courts, which extend towards Moorhouse Avenue.”

Construction of the Metro Sports Facility is expected to be completed towards the end of 2022.

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Issue #127 - B&C | 19

News

Kiwi tradies remain optimistic and on the tools despite COVID-19 challenges Despite the challenges of the past year, more than half of New Zealand tradespeople have a positive outlook for their business in 2021, according to a comprehensive new report.

Job management software company Tradify, surveyed tradies across the country to find out how COVID-19 had affected their business.

The February 2021 Pulse Report showed 53 percent believed conditions would improve over the next year, with Tradify’s user data mirroring this positive sentiment.

There has been little to no change in the average number of quotes, jobs and invoices generated by Kiwi tradies through the platform compared to this time last year.

Tradify CEO Michael Steckler says postpandemic building and renovation activity may be part of the reason why the trade industry doesn’t appear to have seen any significant drop in work due to COVID-19, while data from a previous Pulse Report showed an increase in new home consents following the first lockdown, providing more work for tradies.

“At this stage, the impact of COVID-19 on many New Zealand trade businesses doesn’t seem to have been as bad as initially feared last year, with the volume of job activity remaining at or above pre-pandemic levels.

“However, despite more than half of the tradies surveyed feeling positive about the future, the results show there are many who feel COVID-19 has had a high impact on their business, and they may take longer to bounce back.”

Of all the individual trades surveyed, roofers tended to have the least positive outlook for the upcoming year, with only 25 percent believing business conditions will improve in 2021.

The report also looked at areas where tradies felt they had least control of their businesses during uncertain times.

While the vast majority said they almost always or often felt in control, there were still headaches, including getting quotes out quickly and having confidence in finding new work.

Electricians, construction workers and landscapers were the trades that felt least in control of their businesses, while 14 percent of owner-operator electricians said they never felt in control of their business’ finances.

And when it comes to business efficiency, most Kiwi trades businesses are still spending up to a staggering 80 hours on administration per month.

This didn’t vary for different sized businesses, showing the basic requirements for organisation and administration in trades businesses can be similar for both smaller and larger operations.

“Trade business owners with 11 to 50, or even more than 50 staff, spend a similar amount of time on admin as businesses with 2 to 10 staff members,” Michael says.

“What this tells us is that it doesn’t matter whether you’re two people or 20 – getting your job management process sorted before you consider hiring your first employee will help keep your business running efficiently as it scales up.”

Michael says inefficient systems and processes mean many hours a month that could be spent on the tools or with family are being spent on administration.

“Tradies already work hard but going digital would help them work smarter too, so they are best placed to achieve their desired business and personal goals in 2021 and beyond.”

Even with a heavy administration burden still holding some tradies back though, the report found tradies seem to be getting paid faster, with 72 percent of trade business owners now spending just one hour a week on chasing payments, likely thanks to the impact and increased usage of automated payment reminders and online payments.

Those who switch from quote books and paper invoices to an end-to-end digital job management solution like Tradify can free up an additional day a week or more.

“Now is a great time for Kiwi tradies who are on the tools to get serious about using digital tools too, so they can get their nights and weekends back and drive their business forward.”

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News

Sticking at it when you’re sick New Zealand workers in the industrial and trades sectors are hesitant to take sick leave, with around two out of five workers (38 percent) saying it is unlikely that they would take sick leave if they felt ill.

“As we can see from the results, relationships matter. When these turn sour, they top the list ofbiggest mental health impacts. For employers this means that greater care should be taken to discover, mediate and deal with poor relationships between staff to ensure they don’t have wider negative consequences.

“For employees, especially managers, putting effort into your work relationships will pay dividends in your own and your team’s happiness,” Jonathan says.

A further third (34 percent) were unsure if they would, while only 28 percent say it is likely for them to take sick leave.

As a recruitment expert, Jonathan advises that “When looking for a job, your people skills and ability to work in a team really matters. We should be prioritising this in interviews, as hard skills can be learnt but personalities or soft skills are harder to change.”

These findings come from the What’s My Rate? Industrial and Trades Wage Report 2021 released in February by OneStaff, New Zealand’s largest provider of onsite staff for the industrial industries.

The report gauges work attitudes, experiences, and remuneration from over 6,000 New Zealanders in the industrial and trades sectors: manufacturing, production and logistics; commercial and hospitality; trades and services; construction and infrastructure; and engineering.

The report includes a wage index providing median remuneration benchmarks that are useful for businesses, employees, and jobseekers alike.

Sick leave

The reasons cited for not taking sick leave focus on the workplace being too busy with not enough staff or skills availability to cover an employee’s leave.

Wage rates OneStaff chief executive officer Jonathan Ives says, “The hesitancy to take sick leave was quite surprising, especially as there’s been so much public health messaging around staying home when unwell.

“However, the reasons cited for not taking sick leave were due to staffing shortages and heavy workloads, which shows that Kiwi workers are very dedicated to the success of their workplaces and to their colleagues.

“From a busines owner perspective, these results show that it’s really important to

have some contingency planning in place for staff leave – and to make sure you can provide cover for vital jobs to keep your operations going.”

Mental health The three largest workplace factors that impacted people’s mental health were: bad relationships at work (37 percent), too many hours at work (29 percent), and respondents’ immediate bosses or managers (25 percent).

Northland continues to offer the highest average wage in the country at $27 per hour, which is largely due to the strong on-site engineering sector in Northland.

Auckland and Christchurch remained stationary at $25 per hour, allowing Wellington and the West Coast to overtake them – showing stronger than average wage growth, bringing them both to $26 per hour.

To download the full report, including industry-specific summaries, visit: www.onestaff.co.nz/WMR.

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Issue #127 - B&C | 21

News

Low carbon solutions for New Zealand buildings Low carbon water heating systems and energy performance certificates for homes are two of the solutions BRANZ researchers are investigating to help reduce New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions.

They are part of an on-going BRANZ research programme which is leading the drive for a successful transition to a zero-carbon built environment.

Programme leader, Dr Casimir MacGregor, says that water heating contributes about 30 percent of a typical household’s energy output.

“We’re looking at some promising new residential water heating technologies with potentially much lower carbon and energy costs than traditional systems. The results of our work will help homeowners, suppliers, specifiers and developers wanting to reduce their energy and carbon footprint.

“Our study on energy performance certificates (EPCs) is looking at overseas schemes to provide the groundwork for the introduction of EPCs to New Zealand.”

EPCs rate the energy efficiency of buildings by measuring their heating and cooling

requirements, and (depending on the scheme) water heating and lighting needs.

They allow people to make informed decisions about the properties they buy or rent and they provide building owners with information to improve their properties.

They also provide data on the country’s building stock which can be used to guide government policy.

Other BRANZ zero-carbon research includes a recently completed carbon budget for New Zealand buildings. A carbon budget is the maximum total quantity of greenhouse gas emissions allowable to meet climate change targets, over a specified timeframe.

The results will help guide the industry and provide a baseline for measuring the carbon emissions from buildings.

Around 16 percent of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the built environment - from materials, the construction process and the operation of buildings over lifetimes of more than 50 years.

Dr Chris Litten, BRANZ general manager research, says the BRANZ zero-carbon programme supports the government’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“We believe this work will make a real difference for New Zealand, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and delivering a sustainable built environment.”

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contacted accordingly. Communication is key. We can help write your advert, screen and prepare for interviews. What takes your time and puts pressure on you; we can help manage. Building longterm working relationships is essential to us both, understanding your business and your recruitment needs.

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RESIDENTIAL SAFETY NETS SPECIALISTS ezinets is a Christchurch based company specialising in safety nets for residential properties.

All nets are certified in accordance with BS EN 1263 1-2.

All ezinets site supervisors have been FASET trained and certified.

mobile: 021 399 501 email: brent@ezinets.co.nz www.ezinets.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 23

Workplace Safety Solutions

Workplace Safety Solutions Asia Pacific Logistics Asia Pacific Logistics Ltd is a small transport service based in Rotorua and the East Coast, that offers services along with its subsidiary companies, GDF Limited Electrical Services and Workplace Safety Solutions – a Commercial Driver Training company.

Our friendly training provider, Beau has a wealth of experience working with industry specialists. Beau is accredited to deliver the following workplace training programs: • MITO Workplace assessor (NZ Road Transport Industry Training, NZQA Registered)

We provide a small transport service consisting of bulk, heavy haulage and civil plant hire backed by its own mechanical service.

• Competenz OSH accredited Forklift Assessor

We understand the importance of meeting scheduled deliveries therefore offer a timely transport service to meet customer demands as required, supply and train drivers in the environment to the expected standards required by the customer.

• Heavy Vehicle Licenses and Endorsements: Classes 2,3,4,5 F-Forklift and TWR-Tracks, Wheels and Roller

GDF

Beau Maru – Owner Operator / Director, has many years of experience in the industry and is supported by experienced drivers and operators:

GDF Ltd provides underground and overhead power line maintenance and services to network owners and private companies.

Our operations manager, Paul Douglas, has over 33 years of experience in the electricity industry, with 14 years in contracting.

His experience encompasses distribution & transmission, asset condition assessment, project, and contract management.

Workplace Safety Solutions Workplace Safety Solutions Ltd provides commercial driver licensing and driver training to the transport industry.

We have established ourselves in the marketplace as a leading provider of structured commercial driver training services based on Australian, New Zealand and ISO International Standards.

• Land Transport NZ Registered Provider for driver license endorsements

• National Certificate Goods Service, Log Truck Driver, plus many more.

• 20 years as a NZTA, MITO approved training provider • 7 years logistics safety and training operations consultant, off-shore mining, oil and gas exploration projects in, USA, PNG, Malaysia, Fiji, Laos and Thailand • 23 years combined in livestock, bulk, log, general freight, transport and forest roading contracting on the East Coast, North Island.

Our Health & Safety Compliance for all companies is of an extremely high standard.

All employees complete a pre-employment full workplace medical (this is not the LTA licensing medical) and applicants must meet a high standard of pre - post-employment

GDF Ltd, one of the vehicle fleet, and at work

inductions, medical, drug and alcohol testing, to qualify for a position, including ongoing random drug testing once employed, as part of our Health & Safety Policy.

• Management ensure that its employees are meeting all Health & Safety in line with statutory and individual company and customer’s compliance • Our vehicles are maintained to a high standard, repairs and maintenance costs are budgeted to ensure that there is no short cutting to maintenance • We are committed to ensuring that our transport operation is functioning to the highest level and are proud to say we have an NZTA (5) Star rating since the forming of the company

Beau Maru, Business owner

• Vehicle and driver presentation are of the utmost importance to us and our customers • All vehicles are fitted with E road GPS monitoring Systems. Accountability of driving behavior and productivity is monitored through this.

• All our companies are intertwined and able to utilise each other’s services – thus providing a unique business concept, which we are very proud of.

GDF Ltd, one of the vehicle fleet, and at work 24 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Workplace Safety Solutions Ltd, training

APL vehicles

Workplace Safety Solutions

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 25

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Efficient Bobcats

Efficient Bobcats From humble beginnings, Efficient Bobcats has grown to service the greater Auckland area and afar (from Pukekohe to Warkworth) with over a dozen employees, a considerable number of machines and an enviable client base.

wasn’t about the business. It was about the people, seeing Vaughan and Kendal taking no wages over this time but providing for the staff instead.

“I was conscious that most of the team have young families and rent/mortgage payments to make, I know the pressure those responsibilities have, and I wanted to keep as much stress off them as humanly possible.”

Testament to the strength of the business, the months since have never been better with existing clients all returning, and new business, commercial and residential adding to the mix. Hard work is a fundamental prerequisite for this team, with early starts and long days the norm. Despite the large team, Vaughan is still front and centre on location. It’s not surprising to see him on the tools, just like everyone else. Attention to detail and job well done is paramount, and Vaughan has all the tools for an efficient and professional finish. Consistency is key, with perfect finishes, accurate and cost effective results driving long term relationships for the business.

Founder and master of all trades, Vaughan Cox spent much of his youth as a concrete layer, before finding his true passion at a company – a Bobcat one of course – which he started up in 2010, launching his very own business Efficient Bobcats Ltd. With a truck and a bobcat to his name, Vaughan poured his heart and soul into the company, gradually building up his enterprise and an excellent reputation along the way. With the first employee, Stephen Petter (who is still with the company) coming on board in 2012, retention is strong and staff are treated and seen as an extension of Vaughan and his wife Kendal’s family. From the hardworking guys in the field, to the diligent office team, everyone is integral to the exceptional service provided.

From pool excavations and school sportsgrounds to drainage and retaining walls, the ‘can do’ attitude of the Efficient Bobcat team sees capabilities and expertise growing on a daily basis. Never one to rest on his laurels, it’s exciting where this company will go to next.

Like other small businesses, COVID-19 hit hard for the company but for Vaughan it

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Issue #127 - B&C | 27

Construction Equipment

Own a business, rent equipment There are many costs to owning a business including the tools and machinery you use every day. Yet how affordable is ownership really?

Full ownership translates to full responsibility for the maintenance, compliance and replacement of tools and machinery. Sure, there are often warranties available but warranties expire or become void.

Assets like vehicles and machinery can be claimed as expenses when it’s time to do taxes. Depending on the initial cost of the asset, it might be subject to depreciation.

Items that typically need to be depreciated can include items like office gear and work vehicles Depreciation loss can be claimed as a deduction each tax year. In 2020, the Government raised the threshold for depreciation from $500 to $5000 and allowed businesses to claim the full cost of equipment less than $5000.

This applied to low-value assets purchased in 2020 so businesses would continue to invest in themselves during the pandemic.

However, this temporary fix only lasted until 16 March 2021. From 17 March onwards the threshold will be set at $1000.

Furthermore, not only does ownership mean more money upfront but more time and administration organising the necessary upkeep.

28 | B&C - Issue #127

Nonetheless, ownership isn’t the only option when it comes to getting your hands on the equipment you need to get the job done.

There are a number of companies in New Zealand that can hire out equipment ranging from hand-held tools all the way to excavators and dump trucks.

Reasons to hire equipment Many construction companies are used to hiring sanitation equipment, temporary fencing, security cameras and event gear for their projects, but why not the equipment that’s actually getting the job done?

There is a lot to consider when starting on a new business venture or project. Hire Industry New Zealand (HIANZ) lists some of the benefits of hiring equipment rather than purchasing.

Access the latest and best equipment Very few of us can afford to keep up with the latest technology. However, hiring equipment gives you access to the latest technology and the best manufacturers without the commitment and price tag that comes with ownership while also ensuring reliability and efficiency.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Keep costs at bay When the job is done, you can return the hired equipment without worrying about repairs, maintenance, storage or depreciation of the equipment. Unlike purchasing equipment, hiring equipment is fully tax deductible.

Save time and space Ownership requires regular updates, maintenance, and time that hiring doesn’t.

Hire equipment companies take care of the equipment’s upkeep so you can use your time and energy elsewhere.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Government raised the threshold for depreciation from $500 to $5000. This allowed businesses to claim the full cost of equipment less than $5000 purchased in 2020.

However, this temporary fix and only lasts until 16 March 2021. From 17 March onwards the threshold will be set at $1000.

Like time and money, space is also a limitation to consider when owning equipment. Hiring means equipment is only stored for as long as it is required for the job.

To protect equipment users, hired equipment should be accompanied with written operating instructions, support manuals, warning decals and labels. Also, end users can be instructed in the safe use of the equipment before hiring.

Make the most of equipment

Have someone in your corner

Purchased equipment often sits unused for long periods of time. Hiring makes the most use of equipment by allowing the equipment to be used as much as possible, by as many people as possible, therefore making the most use of valuable resources needed to make the equipment.

When you own something and it breaks down, you’re essentially left on your own to pick up the pieces. When hiring you have the support of the hiring company to get you up and going again.

Ensure safety

Even if you could afford everything required to own tools and equipment, do you really want to deal with the hassle of it all?

HIANZ members are required to adhere to best practice and industry standards which means your hiring equipment is up to the highest standard of safety and compliance.

When you weigh up the pros and cons, you might just find yourself reaching for the phone and calling your local hiring company for your next big project.

Construction Equipment

John Deere Newly appointed New Zealand John Deere Forestry and Construction dealers AGrowQuip New Zealand Limited (North Island) and Drummond & Etheridge (South Island) cannot wait to get their hands onto New Zealand’s first 950K Crawler Dozer.

There are currently two of these impressive machines heading their way into the country, the first of which is expected to land into AGrowQuip’s Rotorua yard mid-April.

Built in the John Deere factory in Dubuque, Iowa, USA, the 950K Dozer has been equipped with all the highest quality componentry this formidable machine’s designers could throw at it. It will be equally at home handling New Zealand’s harsh Forestry roading jobs right through to fine grading or site development.

What differentiates John Deere Dozers from competitor machines is the dualpath hydrostatic (HST) transmission which will allow an operator to push a full load throughout a turn without losing material, unlike traditional torque-converter

transmissions. HST transmissions deliver smooth, yet very responsive power which will move an impressive amount of material without a lot of effort. The 950K Dozer will automatically sense the load and provide more power as needed.

“Even when running in Eco mode it will still move a heavy load whilst still optimising and saving fuel – that feature is going to be a big hit with the machine’s owner,” says Alex Kelly, GM of AGrowQuip’s Construction and Forestry division.

The Dozer’s operators haven’t been forgotten either though, as the fully enclosed cabin has all the bells and whistles that they could possibly wish for.

The ergonomically designed controls are very comfortable to operate yet remain very responsive and the large LCD colour monitor allows push button access to an absolute wealth of information. All that combined with the deluxe high suspension seat along with the great visibility that the machine offers, will make any workday seem effortless.

In typical Deere fashion, even servicing the dozer is easy. Access to a quick service bank for transmission, hydraulic and engine oil plus coolant levels makes very short work of daily checks or for any required servicing. The operator station also tilts a full 70 degrees within minutes

allowing for easy access to the machine’s drive train components.

Tristan Leov, Drummond & Etheridge Group Sales Manager adds, “I’m sure it won’t be long before the 950K’s even larger sibling – the 1050K Dozer will be available here in New Zealand. There’s already a huge following of Deere Dozers in New Zealand and the customers that did see the 1050K at ConExpo in Las Vegas are all asking when we will have one here.”

Watch this space. To view the (or order the first!) new 950K please call AGrowQuip on 0800 433 373 (North Island) or Drummond & Etheridge (South Island) on 0800 432 633.

POWERFUL AND EFFICIENT 950K CRAWLER DOZER Delivering exceptional reliability and performance, the John Deere 950K Crawler Dozer excels in high-production applications.

The 950K is the largest crawler dozer on the market to be optioned with a six-way power/angle/tilt (PAT) blade. Combine this with state-of-the-art controls and a host of production-boosting hydrostatic advantages, and the 950K dozer provides all the finesse you need to tackle precision work.

Stock arriving in NZ soon!

JOHN DEERE CRAWLER DOZER LINE-UP

NORTH ISLAND 0800 433 373 agrowquip.co.nz

SOUTH ISLAND 0800 432 633 dne.co.nz

• 9 models available • 60 KW / 80hp - 261 KW / 350 hp • 7,959kg - 43,100kg operating weights • JDLinkTM telematics and Connected SupportTM capability www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 29

Construction Equipment

Topcon Automated Excavator X-53x For excavators, a new edition of Topcon’s 3D modular control system, the X-53x automatic, adds hydraulic control for fully automated digging while otherwise using the same components from the original system.

The new system is designed to be easily upgradeable from the 2D and 3D systems.

“We are using our own IMUs (inertial measurement units) with the system,” says Kris Maas, director of product management machine control.

This includes four sensors, one each on the body, boom, stick and bucket.

Those combined with a GPS antenna on the back of the machine to give you roll and pitch enables your excavator to dig fully automated to a design loaded into the machine’s control panel.

To calibrate a GPS control system on an excavator requires that you take exceptionally precise measurements of the bucket, stick, boom and position of the machine.

Rather than pull a tape measure and typing in the measurements on a screen, on the

Topcon’s X-53x the calibration is done wirelessly using a total station and stored in an app on the machine.

You can also program the size and geometry of unlimited different buckets into the system and choose your bucket with a touch on the screen, or enter custom bucket values as well.

Another challenge to automating excavators is the complexity of these machines; Topcon’s solution was to build a self-learning capability into the X-53x.

“Our system looks at the RPMs and how the machine responds and how fast and what gets priority in the hydraulics,” says Maas.

“It figures out the best balance on the hydraulics settings to get the ideal performance out of the machine. It will keep learning and improving itself through the lifecycle of the system.”

With fully automated GPS excavator control even relatively inexperienced operators can cut trenches, slopes, embankments and complex contours often without the need for a finish dozer or grader to clean up the work.

Topcon, always one step ahead in technology and customer service.

For more information, visit synergypositioning.co.nz or call us on 0800 867 266.

Introducing an automated excavator solution so easy, fast and accurate.

It makes everything else seem like a shovel.

New Zealand’s AUTHORIZED TOPCON DEALER • 3/52 Arrenway Drive • Rosedale, Auckland • 0632 • 0800 867 266

30 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Construction Equipment

SMALL MACHINES BIG RESULTS JOHN DEERE COMPACT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT Machines built for versatility, productivity and technology.

With a look and feel like their larger siblings, plus amped-up specs and a wide variety of options, these re-imagined do-it-alls have what it takes to fit the way you work, wherever you work.

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NORTH ISLAND 0800 433 373 agrowquip.co.nz

COMPACT TRACK LOADERS

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• 6 models available • 42 KW / 56hp - 72 KW / 96 hp • 2,788kg - 4,495kg operating weights • 63 L/m - 156 L/m pump flow • 3,552 kgf - 4,218 kgf tractive effort • IT4 & FT4 Yanmar engines • JDLinkTM telematics and Connected SupportTM capability

SOUTH ISLAND 0800 432 633 dne.co.nz

It’s a New Day and a New Deere www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 31

Water NZ

Protecting our most precious asset Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngata – if the water is healthy, the land is healthy and the people are healthy. This statement is at the heart of everything Water New Zealand does.

Water New Zealand CEO, Gillian Blythe.

Mahuta talked about various costs of upgrading water assets.

Water New Zealand CEO, Gillian Blythe says, “We want our water to be safe to drink, we want the wastewater put back into the receiving environment to be in a healthy state. We ultimately want to manage our stormwater in the resilient fashion.”

As the industry body for the three waters sector – drinking water, wastewater and stormwater – Water New Zealand advocates for sustainable management of the water environment through supporting its members, as well as engaging with key partners and stakeholders.

She quoted the need to spend up to $575 million to upgrade drinking water plants to meet current standards, and a further three to four billion dollars for wastewater plants to meet current environmental standards.

Bores from Watercare, a member of Water NZ, come into operation.

Gillian comes from a strong background in infrastructure and regulatory reform, particularly in the electricity sector. In her role at Water New Zealand, she aims to guide and support the water sector in this time of regulatory change and transition.

to advise water professionals in this shifting landscape.

This is a time of reckoning for the industry – from the spotlight shining on Wellington’s aging water infrastructure to lead found in water across Otago – and it’s important that the not-for-profit organisation is able

“It’s too easy for all of us to turn the tap on or to flush the toilet, and then not to think anything else. We don’t see the pipes that are on the underground network because they’re out of sight.

“Across the whole of New Zealand there is a huge infrastructure deficit in terms of our water assets. We have had decades where there has been underinvestment.

“We need to allocate operating and capital budgets in a way that meets all of the needs, and it’s been hard for council staff to access what would’ve been required, given other competing demands, to ensure that the network of water infrastructure we have today is fit for purpose.”

There is a cost to upgrading, but it is critical.

During the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo in Hamilton last November, the Minister of Local Government, Nanaia

This is before we think about spend on upgrading stormwater pipes and networks, Gillian says, which could be several billion dollars or more. Across the country it has been estimated that the water infrastructure deficit could be as high as $30-$50 billion.

With climate change already starting to impact communities, it is a given that we will need to invest more because assets will be affected by sea level rise, as well as droughts and flooding from storm events.

In response to these concerns, the Government launched the Three Waters Reform Programme in July of last year, a three-year programme to reform how local government delivers three waters services.

Continued on page 34 >

Backflow prevention Whilst you’ll rarely hear a true Kiwi complain about long hot summer days, in recent years the soaring temperatures and lack of rainfall have resulted in the need to conserve water.

It’s easy to think of New Zealand as an island oasis swathed in lush green forests and pastures, however of late, this seems to be more romanticism than reality. With water at a premium in places like Auckland, Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay, the importance of protecting what we have has never been higher.

Backflow prevention is a key component of maintaining the availability of high-quality drinking water and fits neatly into the Governments Three Waters Review.

The main objective of a backflow prevention device is to protect drinking water from being contaminated.

There are two distinct types of backflow situations, back-siphonage and backpressure. When foreign contaminants are introduced into a drinking (potable) water supply due to back-pressure or backsiphonage, we call this occurrence backflow.

Back-pressure happens when the downstream (delivery side) of a water 32 | B&C - Issue #127

supply has a higher pressure than the upstream (supply side); this may be due to a downstream pump forcing water back upstream through the pipework.

Back-siphonage occurs when the supply pressure drops to less than the atmospheric pressure, inducing a siphon through the pipes.

Backflow prevention devices are classified as low (nuisance by colour, odour or taste), medium (potential to injure or endanger health) or high hazard (potential to cause death).

Some potential backflow hazards are obvious, such as leaving a hose inside a container with weed killer or manufacturing involving chemicals, others such as the Havelock North drinking water contamination in August 2016 are harder to foresee. Around 5,500 people were struck down with Campylobacteriosis, around 45 people hospitalised, and it’s possible the outbreak contributed to four deaths.

The obvious place to stop backflow from occurring is at the source, ideally as close as possible to the likely contamination point, vacuum breakers, double check valves or reduced pressure zone devices (depending on hazard rating) at known locations where any sort of processing or manufacturing occurs.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Current legislation for backflow devices connected to reticulated mains water supply requires testing every 12 months by an Independent Qualified Person (IQP) with all backflow devices needing to meet AS2845 or ASSE. Hydroflow distributes the Watts range of backflow prevention devices in New Zealand.

Watts is an American company with a long

history of supplying quality products to the plumbing industry, Hydroflow continues this approach with its breadth of products and depth of technical expertise.

A dedicated Technical Team supports the Hydroflow tag line “Leading with Knowledge”, if you’re in any doubt as to the best backflow solution for your situation, we are here to help.

Water NZ

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Any condition, device or practice which, in connection with potable water supply system, would constitute a nuisance, by colour, odour or taste, but not injure or endanger health

Any condition, device or practice which, in connection with potable water supply system, has the potential to injure or endanger health.

Any condition, device or practice which, in connection with potable water supply system, has the potential to cause death.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 33

Water NZ

Water New Zealand – a quick look Promoting sustainable management of the water environment is what Water NZ does, specifically through supporting members and engaging with key partners and stakeholders.

As the “go-to” three waters advisor, Water NZ provides independent technical advice and data, workforce training, and delivering and enabling knowledge-sharing across New Zealand and internationally.

Two of Watercare’s Pukekohe bores are being brought back into operation

Currently, 67 different councils own and operate the majority of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater across New Zealand.

our members to understand what the new regulatory body is all about and to support them as they engage with Taumata Arowai,” Gillian says.

In the face of challenges such as funding infrastructure deficits, complying with safety standards and environmental expectations, on top of building resilience to natural hazards and climate change, the Government decided the best solution is structural reform.

“Whether it’s climate change or back flow, stormwater or biosolids, Water New Zealand aims to support the water sector in their operations.

The new Water Services Regulator, Taumata Arowai, will administer and enforce the new drinking water regulatory system in the second half of 2021.

One of its key focuses will be improved environmental outcomes from wastewater and stormwater networks.

“We are doing a lot of work across many different areas. We’ll be able to support

“This might be the development of good practice guides, or through the work we are doing to identify a low carbon pathway.”

Another current focus for Water New Zealand is not only on industry advice but also on training and marketing the water sector as a viable career option.

“There has been a shortage of skilled water workers for a long time. There’s a need to make sure that the staff that are employed have the appropriate training.

“We need to recognise that water workers are an important part of the economy.

“For example, when you and I were at home during lockdown, they were out there making sure that the water networks, the water treatment plants, the wastewater treatment plants were operating.

“The sector has a really important workforce that we need to recognise. We need to ensure that we are promoting the many opportunities available so that school leavers consider water as an attractive career option and that people from other sectors regard it as a possible area to retrain in later in their career.

“What we’re wanting to do is to make sure that we are establishing and promoting clear pathways for people to enter the sector, to transition and to grow a career in the water sector.”

The organisation’s membership is made up of 2,300 decisionmakers and technologists from local and central government, industry, the academic and research communities, and consultants, as well as service/ equipment and supply organisations.

Water New Zealand works closely with members and partners to support Te Mana o te Wai and the Treaty of Waitangi.

Water New Zealand Ranchhod Tower 39 The Terrace PO Box 1316 Wellington (04) 472 8925 enquiries@waternz.org.nz www.waternz.org.nz

March Cato Established in 1997

by Richard March and Adam Cato with a staff of 10, Auckland-based civil engineering and infrastructure construction company, March Cato Limited has grown considerably while carving out a niche in a highly competitive marketplace. The company provides specialist services in pipeline installation by open cut and trenchless methods, tunnelling, shaft construction, dewatering and general civil contracting, New Zealand-wide.

Now with a team of 12 qualified engineers and over 100 staff, the engineering backgrounds have proven particularly beneficial to March Cato’s clients, asset owners and engineering consultants – not only understanding the ‘end outcome’ but being able to assist in identifying practicable, cost effective and long-term solutions.

This extends to offering alternative construction methods, particularly where 34 | B&C - Issue #127

(including a crossing under the Northern Motorway), at depths ranging from 13-17 metres with a grade of 0.5 percent for the Milldale Wastewater Tunnel. Other installs have been for two major road crossings (under SH1 / Avalon Drive Bypass) in Hamilton for the Western Wastewater Interceptor Duplication project and under SH18 for the Northern Interceptor: Hobsonville to Rosedale project.

the focus is on minimising disruption to third parties in the ever-expanding built-up environments.

Over the past 24 years, March Cato has delivered a number of significant projects.

Recent notable projects include: • The successful first stage of the Hunua 4 Watermain project – four consecutive years installing 28 kilometres of 2000mm and 1600mm diameter concrete lined steel (CLS) pipe by open cut, mainly in the road carriageway and up to 5m deep, from the Redoubt Road reservoir to Campbell Crescent in Epsom.

Currently March Cato has six crews installing large diameter CLS pipe in

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Milldale and Millwater, Titirangi, Mt Roskill, Mt Eden (for the City Rail Link project) and at the Waikato Water Treatment Plant.

• Wairau Pump Station – Eastern Rising Main Replacement (Wairau Road Section) – installation of 750 metres of 1000mm diameter glass reinforced plastic (GRP) pressure pipe by microtunnelling – a New Zealand first – under a main arterial carrying up to 12,000 vehicles per day at the time and in close proximity to one of the Northern Motorway’s major interchanges.

The new microtunnelling TBM has since installed 1,135 metres of 1050mm diameter concrete jacking pipe in six drives

• As one of four shortlisted pipe jacking/ tunnelling contractors, March Cato went on to successfully procure the Chelsea Estate Stormwater Renewals project which involved the installation, under Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations (MOQO) Regulations 2016, of 455 metres of 2100mm diameter concrete jacking pipe in two drives, up to 11 metres deep and under a closed landfill.

The original design would have required two TBMs to cater for the two pipe sizes specified but once again, March Cato offered an alternative and delivered the project with their newly acquired Earth Pressure Balancing (EPB) TBM. Completed recently was the installation, under MOQO Regulations, of 1,000 metres of 2100mm diameter pipe in six drives, ranging in depth from 8-12 metres for the Glendowie Branch Sewer Upgrade.

For further information or assistance on your next project, contact us on (09) 835 300 or email admin@marchcato.co.nz.

Watercare

Open Cut & Trenchless Pipe Installation | Tunnelling Shaft Construction | Dewatering | General Civil Contracting

CONTACT US 09 835-3800

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 35

Watercare

Watercare contractors dig deep to help boost Auckland’s water supply in record time Auckland’s water supply has been given a six million litre per day (MLD) boost after stage one of a new water treatment plant in Papakura was designed, consented, built, and commissioned in just six months as part of a $224 million drought response package.

of Tauranga and Hamilton together in less than a year is a big undertaking.

“It has been developed under Watercare’s new Enterprise Model so we could stand up a team faster. We are working with Beca for the design and the contractors and suppliers are all involved.

“We designed what needed to be done to get construction started. The early engagement of key suppliers like Suez, KSB, ABB, Asmus, Filtec and NDA was an important cornerstone for success. They came along on the journey from the beginning, allowing design around their gear and avoiding rework and adjustment later.”

The plant went live on February 5 and draws water from nearby Hays Creek Dam. The plant has a four-stage treatment process and supplies 50,000 Papakura residents with top quality water.

Between November 2019 to May 2020, Auckland experienced the driest six months on record.

Watercare project manager, Matt Tolcher oversaw design and construction of the new Papakura plant, which is located up a steep drive in the middle of the Hunua Gorge, with houses sitting on the boundary. He says the tight deadline demanded a radical approach to project delivery.

Matt says, “We designed and purchased most of the treatment plant equipment here, so by the time the main contractors, Brian Perry Civil arrived onsite, we’d done a lot of the prep work, including demolition of the old plant.”

Brian Perry Civil senior project manager, Kate Loveridge says Watercare’s design team and consultants made life easier.

Kate says, “Three of four months before we were even onsite, we were working alongside them, collaborating on how we were going to this. And that enabled us to hit the ground running.

“It just shows you what you can do in a short amount of time, on a small site, in the middle of nowhere when the right people are in the right seats and there’s a genuine collaborative effort going on.”

A project of this size would normally take about one year to design and two years to build, plus another six months of commissioning, he says.

Watercare head of operations excellence, Priyan Perera, left, and Watercare project manager, Matt Tolcher, right.

Aucklanders use around 400 MLD but that increases in hot weather. Last year demand peaked at a record-breaking 560 MLD. New water sources are helping to ease pressure on Watercare’s dams, located in the Hūnua and Waitākere ranges, allowing them to replenish.

In October last year, Watercare also built a new water treatment plant in Pukekohe, which provides up to five million litres a day from two bores about 270 metres below ground.

The new plant is located near a reserve and is surrounded by houses, in the middle of suburbia. It took just four months to build and once again, the design team came up with a system based around modular units to speed up the process.

Watercare head of operations excellence, Priyan Perera says the $11.5 million modular treatment plant is simple in design but uses sophisticated technology to produce the highest-quality water.

“We pump the water from an underground aquifer with two bores about 270 metres

deep,” he says. “We then dose it with chlorine and use ultra-filtration membrane filters to remove iron and manganese.

“While chlorine disinfects the water, we also use ultra-violet light dosing units to provide additional disinfection. This multibarrier treatment process means we will be producing crystal-clear water of the highest quality.”

The bores and old treatment plant, which Watercare inherited when the Supercity was formed in 2010, had been out of service since 2013.

The old plant, built in the 1970s, lacked processes to remove iron and manganese and was not up to standard. The new plant means that Pukekohe residents are now receiving water that is of an extremely high quality and looks and tastes great, Priyan says.

The Waikato river supplies around 30 percent of Auckland’s water. A new $145 million interim treatment plant is currently being built alongside the existing plant in Tuakau, to allow an additional 50 MLD of water to be produced, increasing the amount of water the city takes from the Waikato River from 175 MLD to 225 million.

The Waikato River is a more drought resilient source than the water storage dams, due to its large catchment extending all the way to Taupō and the new plant is due to be completed in May. The project consists of a treatment plant, treated water pump station, as well as a booster pump station in Papakura, which sends the water into the city. Design work began in July and earthworks began in August.

The mechanical fit-out of the pump station and Waikato 50 began in January and commissioning is due to start later this month (March).

Watercare infrastructure projects manager, Sven Harlos says building a treatment plant that could be used to service cities the size

Papakura WTP Jan 2021.

36 | B&C - Issue #127

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At the other end of the scale, the Onehunga Treatment plant is undergoing a $2 million upgrade to boost production by 4 MLD to more than 24 MLD. The plant is in Spring St and takes water from an underground aquifer. The project is due to be completed by the end of May. New pumps and pipes will increase the amount of water drawn from the aquifer. New filtration units and operational procedures will boost the plant’s ability to process the water.

"

While chlorine disinfects the water, we also use ultra-violet light dosing units to provide additional disinfection.

This multi-barrier treatment process means we will be producing crystal-clear water of the highest quality.

"

All this means more water not just for Onehunga residents but also for the central city, which can receive water from the Onehunga plant when aquifer levels are high.

Watercare infrastructure project manager, Giorgos Lourmas says the additional water will be an important boost to Auckland’s overall supply.

“The Onehunga aquifer and treatment plant is one of Auckland’s oldest water supplies.

The water it provides is as important today as it was when it first came into operation at the turn of the last century.

“Some of the buildings are very old and working in small spaces has presented an extra challenge for the 25 or so engineers and filtration experts working on the project.”

Continued on page 40 >

Watercare

H2O Engineering The H2O Group of companies began in 2007 with H2O Systems Ltd. providing specialist, customer focused service and maintenance support for municipal and industrial clients.

In 2010, H2O Engineering Ltd. was formed to carry out design/build and construction projects in the water treatment and chemical dosing industries.

Shortly after a third division, H2O Equipment Ltd was added to the group, primarily focused on equipment and chemical sales.

Our philosophy and commitment are based on our desire to be the best in our industry and deliver facilities designed and constructed to the highest level. We strive to be the contractor that clients and head contractors do not need to be concerned with due to good communication and consistently delivering on time.

We specialise in developing conceptual and process designs into detailed designs, then constructing those detailed designs to hand over to the client. Ongoing service support can then ensure that any system built can continue to operate as designed.

The wide range of industries that H2O operates in is a testament to the experience of the staff as well as the proven track record in delivering process systems which are out of the ordinary.

Over the last 10 years, H2O has been involved in multiple design, supply, fabrication, and installation projects with

Watercare Services Limited, building complete chemical dosing systems on several major Watercare water treatment sites in the region.

These include: • Pukekohe Wastewater Treatment Plant (chemical dosage system – sodium hypochlorite, aluminium sulphate, caustic, acetic acid, citric acid) • Albany Reservoir Pump Station (sodium hypochlorite dosage system) • Northern Interceptor Hobsonville (Odour masking chemical storage and dosage system) • Papakura temporary water treatment plant • Containerised Mobile Chemical Dosing systems • Ardmore water treatment plant (polymer dosing system, sludge de-watering system).

With our commitment to continuous improvement, reviews of lessons learned from previous projects and experience, H2O has worked on most of these projects in assistance with Watercare’s lead design

team to assist and optimize the build of these treatment systems to the most cost effective and maintenance friendly solutions.

treatment process and systems, please contact one of our team and discuss what we can deliver for you.

H2O has the skill and footprint to fully design and develop the detailed mechanical, electrical and control systems, ready for installation and commissioning in 2021.

Our team has expanded to meet the challenges and incorporate design and electrical engineers, as well as installation staff. The team combines a youthful approach with years of experience to carry the company into the future and beyond.

If you are looking for a contractor to deliver your concept design or optimise your water

SPECIALIZED OPERATIONAL INDUSTRIES:

Based in Auckland H2O Engineering Ltd specialises in detailed design and build solutions from Chemical Storage and Dosing, Industrial Water Treatment, Municipal Aquatic Centres, and Large Aquariums.

Primarily focused on Mechanical and Electrical systems, H2O have years of experience bringing clients conceptual designs to reality. From 3D Design, Mechanical and Electrical installation, Control System implementation through to System Commissioning.

Experienced in Powder Activated Carbon, Hydrated Lime, Sulphuric Acid, Sodium Hypochlorite.

H2O ENGINEERING LIMITED PO Box 84-105, Westgate, Auckland 0657 Ph 09-836 0999 • Fax 09-973 4769 Email: matt@h2oeng.co.nz / projects@h2oeng.co.nz

•

Thermal and Geothermal Power stations – Chemical dosing, Instrumentation and sample conditioning, filtration, and water treatment.

•

Dairy factories – Water and Wastewater treatment, Chemical dosing, Boiler water treatment and monitoring systems.

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Municipal Water and Wastewater – Chemical storage and dosing, Powder Activated carbon Systems, Instrumentation and sampling, filtration and UV treatment systems.

•

Industrial Clients – Wastewater pH correction, Demineralisation systems, Specialist Filtration and chemical systems.

•

Aquariums and Zoo’s – Enclosure life support systems, Water features, Ozone treatment, specialist pumping systems.

•

Municipal Aquatic Centres – Filtration and treatment systems design, build, upgrade and continued maintenance, Sauna heating, steam rooms.

•

Municipal Water features – Design and construction from concept development through to continued maintenance and all aspects in between www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 37

Watercare

McConnell Dowell

A Kiwi success story From the moment Malcolm McConnell and Jim Dowell sat down in 1961 with a vision to do things better, innovation and creative construction have been at the heart of a six-decade journey for McConnell Dowell.

It has consistently delivered high quality infrastructure to its customers, including several water infrastructure world records, and won multiple industry awards, by successfully delivering complex infrastructure with our customers and the community.

Mangere BNR WWTP

Proven across the Three Waters McConnell Dowell applies its considerable track record and expertise across the Three Waters spectrum, building assets to ensure that we are Providing a Better Life for communities in New Zealand and around the world.

Fraser Wyllie, Managing Director, New Zealand and Pacific for McConnell Dowell, says that delivering challenging, awardwinning and record-breaking projects to our three water customers runs through the centre of McConnell Dowell’s sixty-year story to date.

largest diameter pipe ever laid in New Zealand.

Wyllie says, “McConnell Dowell also played a central role in two of the largest most modern wastewater treatment plant upgrades in New Zealand, at Mangere and Pukekohe. Our work at Mangere BNR WWTP won fifteen industry awards and helped us secure the Pukekohe WWTP project.”

McConnell Dowell has also been constructing the biggest water project in the Cook Islands Te Mato Vai Stage 2 – which is delivering fresh drinking water for Rarotonga. “Providing a “We have delivered all but one of the major Better Life is the core purpose of McConnell outfalls across New Zealand over the past Dowell,” says Wyllie. “Enabling a potable 15 years. As the only southern hemisphere organisation to adopt Direct Pipe® technology, water supply for Rarotonga and taking away their reliance in imported bottled water we have also set numerous world records, delivers right to the centre of our purpose.” including the world’s longest Direct Pipe® drive; a 2,021-metre trenchless installation on Creating the stage for the 36th America’s Cup the Snells-Algies Outfall Project.”

As part of the Wynyard Edge Alliance, the company also delivered the infrastructure and public realm to support the success of the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland. In a constrained waterfront site with numerous important stakeholders, many innovations accelerated project delivery, such as those employed to design and install the Daldy Street Outfall - what is believed to be the 38 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Thriving on Complexity “Organisations approach McConnell Dowell for technical expertise on complex, multidisciplinary projects,” says Wyllie.

“Clients look for certainty of cost, time, and quality outcomes. We’re able to match methodologies and techniques to risks and client needs, giving a better view of the opportunity - thanks to our strong end-toend system understanding of engineering processes. It also means we can pull the right resources and people together to take on and value-engineer challenging projects”.

“We also bring significant experience to micro-tunnelling projects. On Hunua 4 Section 11 for example, disruption from an open cut methodology was estimated to

Watercare

Fraser Wyllie, Managing Director

Collaborating to achieve broader outcomes

“

“We particularly like collaborative environments where we can share our knowledge and passion to improve outcomes in terms of safety, quality, cost, and broader outcomes.”

“The Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT) Alliance gave us the ability to really ramp up the sector’s response to the 2011 earthquakes.”

cost $70m in lost time and productivity. Our trenchless methodology completely negated that risk. On the Army Bay Ocean Outfall Project we could have driven the pipe the full two-kilometre distance needed, but to mitigate risk we installed two utility shafts to enable pipe access and maintenance.”

“This is where we really excel: the nimble, adaptable and experienced people on our team who manage risk and generate overall better outcomes. This is particularly important on complex projects.”

Glen Eden Storage & Sewer Upgrade

“We are really excited by the potential of the Broader Outcomes, which are hugely important and align with our values. We embrace the initiatives we’re seeing from the government and our customers, and we fully support them”.

“We are also in the Water Framework in South Australia to deliver AU$1.6B worth of infrastructure,” says Wyllie. “It is good to see that these days the market is moving to more collaborative, value-based framework approaches, as we can deliver so much more for clients, stakeholders, communities and the environment under this model”.

McConnell Dowell is a founding member of the Akina Fwd Foundation focusing on social procurement and has also been awarded two “Leading” Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) ratings on the City Rail Link C2 contract.

Looking ahead “Our sixtieth anniversary provides a good opportunity to look at how far McConnell Dowell has come - and to turn to face the next horizon”, says Wyllie.

“Given the border closures, we are lucky to have loyal, local and highly experienced people in our business”. Wyllie is optimistic about the future of the industry for people looking for an exciting career which also leaves a positive legacy.

The infrastructure sector and water reform are key to the COVID-19 economic recovery and McConnell Dowell is well positioned to collaborate with its customers to support this vision.

“

As we look ahead, we are focused on our purpose of Providing a Better Life. The coming water reform provides significant opportunities to improve the lives of people in New Zealand.”

Army Bay Ocean Outfall

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 39

Watercare

Central Interceptor

Hunua 4 Watermain

The largest wastewater project in New Zealand history

Watercare’s answer to continue an uninterrupted, high quality water supply

Watercare is also working on a number of other projects, including the Central Interceptor, a super-sized wastewater tunnel aimed to reduce overflows.

The Hūnua 4 Watermain is one of the largest bulk water supply pipelines in Auckland.

The $1.2 billion Central Interceptor tunnel project is key to making Auckland’s waterways cleaner. The Central Interceptor will run underground from Grey Lynn to the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The large-scale wastewater tunnel links sewers and shafts along the route for collecting and transferring wastewater into the tunnel. Some of the project challenges include the design of a onepass tunnel lining system to ensure 100 years of design life, including the design of an earthquake-proof tunnel lining.

As Auckland’s demand for water grows more urgent, this watermain will ensure that Watercare can provide constant and quality water supply, as well as resilience in the event of a natural disaster.

The 31 kilometre pipeline runs from Redoubt Road in Manukau City all the way to Khyber Pass in the central city, costing $400 million.

The works originally started almost a decade ago in 2012 and are due to

finish in late 2021. The project was undertaken in 11 sections, with section 11 currently under construction. The final 3.5 kilometre section, which runs from Market Road to the Khyber Pass reservoirs, started in November 2018.

To minimise disruption, construction was mainly done through tunneling, although some sections required open trenching.

At its completion, the tunnel will be three metres in diametre, big enough to walk through. In some places, the tunnel is even 30 metres deep and as tall as the Hunua Falls. The tunnel-boring machine will bore 3 kilometres of tunnels.

The upgrades were given the go-ahead in June last year and construction teams began work in late November. The plant has five pumps: three large and two smaller ones.

One of the larger pumps was replaced. The new model can draw more than 460,000 litres of water per hour.

The upgrades don’t just mean more production capacity. They also make the plant more resilient and sustainable.

Onehunga is Watercare’s shallowest aquifer and lies within basalt and basanite lava. It resembles an underground river in that it rises and falls according to rainfall. In winter, the aquifer can be just 10m below ground level and is visible through the inlet point.

This compares to other aquifers within the Auckland region, such as Warkworth, which is more than 180m deep.

Auckland’s dams are currently 58 percent full, which is more than 20 percent below normal capacity at this time of year.

Water restrictions were introduced in May last year and an extensive media and advertising campaign asked everyone to reduce water use. Aucklanders listened and responded by saving more than 10 billion litres of water so far.

The project is expected to take six years, with expected completion in 2025. Once completed, it’ll be the longest tunnel in New Zealand, coming in at 14.7 kilometres in length.

As an aside, it will be high enough to fit a giraffe and wide enough to fit four rhinos side by side at 4.5 metres in diametre. With 200,000m3 capacity, it’ll store enough wastewater to fill 80 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Watercare Services Limited 73 Remuera Road Remuera Auckland (09) 442 2222 www.watercare.co.nz

It entered its first phase of major construction in February last year at the pump station worksite adjoining the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Papakura WTP was designed, consented and built in just six months.

Classique Landscapers Ltd/Border Fencing Services Classique Landscapers Ltd/ Border Fencing Services is proud to have achieved ISO45001:2018 accreditation.

For over twenty years the company has been providing top quality hard and soft landscaping, civil works, fencing and retaining in both the commercial and residential spheres. In recent years, many of the schools in the upper North Island have also taken advantage of the expertise offered.

International projects such as the Nadi Airport upgrade in Fiji and a quarantine station in Niue have also been completed on time and on budget.

Being pre-qualified for Auckland City Council work and rated ‘green’ on the Sitewise system serves to show the results of many years of rigorous adhesion to safety and quality systems as good as any in the industry.

Having a wide range of modern plant and equipment leads to the ability to consistently

complete projects to the highest standard and also, importantly, on time and on budget.

All of our staff and contractors are either ‘site safe’ or ‘constructsafe’ and in some case carry both passports.

Our fabrication plant in Papakura produces custom fences and gates of the highest quality. No job is too big, too small or too complex for our highly skilled staff.

The company is proud to have one employee recently complete his landscape apprenticeship, another almost completed

his landscape apprenticeship and a third just setting out on his welding and fabrication apprenticeship.

Overall, we believe Classique Landscapers Ltd/Border Fencing Services to be one of the leading companies in the landscaping and fencing industry in New Zealand.

3/100 Hunua Rd, Papakura, Auckland, 2110 EMAIL: classiland@xtra.co.nz TEL: 09-299 1335 – MOBILE: 027 278 2165

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Unit 3, 100 Hunua Road, Papakura 2110 | 09 299 1335 | classiland@xtra.co.nz | www.classiquelandscapers.co.nz 40 | B&C - Issue #127

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Watercare

Waikato 50 Project – FILTEC Since the start of 2020, the Auckland region has received significantly less rainfall than normal, resulting in a historic drought for the region. In response to the drought, Watercare has undertaken different projects to relieve the drought, one of them being the Waikato 50 project. It aims to increase the Waikato Water Treatment Plant capacity by 50 megalitres per day to support the water demand for Auckland and will be completed in 2021.

FILTEC is immensely proud to be part of this project being involved in the design, fabrication, and installation of the backwash recovery systems. This ensures water extracted from the Waikato River that ends up as backwash water is recovered and sent to Auckland as treated water, minimising wastage.

This process is undertaken through flocculation, which bonds together small particles or sediment into larger particles and then settles them through our proprietary Parkson® Lamella Settlers. There are three trains undertaking the process.

The flocculation tanks are three metres in diameter and six metres tall, with three bladed mixers installed to provide the mixing energy required for the flocculation process. The projected settling area in these Lamellas’ totals 720 m2 which is around 10 times smaller in footprint than traditional clarifiers. Moreover, with the patented plate design, Parkson® Lamella Settlers have a greater clarifying area allowing up to a 25

percent increase in capacity and an increase in settling efficiency. In addition to these vessels FILTEC will be supplying safe access with walkways and handrails.

From contract award through to the units being ready to deliver to site, has been just under 120 days. This has been made possible by using existing proven designs, this in turn minimised the programme risk of introducing bespoke elements. Moreover, with the input of our fabrication partners – NDA group for their expedited fabrication efforts.

Over the coming weeks these units will find their way to Waikato where they will be craned into place and our teams will be installing the interconnecting pipework and walkways to allow them to be ready for commissioning.

Thanks to Fletcher Infrastructure, Beca, Watercare Services Limited, NDA Group and others who were involved in the project to make water safer for Auckland.

Matt Ewen, managing director of FILTEC next to a Parkson Lamella Settler

FILTEC is committed to making water safer for drinking, safer for manufacturing, safer for our environment.

09 274 4223 info@filtec.co.nz www.filtec.co.nz

25+

years in the water treatment industry. www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 41

Steel Construction

The future of fabrication

By Claire Wright

As we’re now experiencing the fourth industrial revolution, a fusion of technologies blurring lines between physical, digital and cyber-physical, and a focus on the importance of data, it’s now more important than ever for today’s enterprises to embrace smart technologies that assist our human workers.

This has never been truer for the steel and metals industry here in New Zealand.

HERA has a range of long-standing research partnerships, both nationally and internationally. These include: • International Institute of Welding • University of Michigan • University of Auckland • University of Canterbury • Auckland University of Technology • University of Wollongong • Weld Australia • The Australian Steel Institute.

“Or, on the other hand, sometimes the technologies are ready for adoption but there has been ‘technology burn’,” says HERA CEO, Dr Troy Coyle.

HERA, or the NZ Heavy Engineering Research Association, drives innovation across the industry in partnership with institutions such as University of Auckland, University of Canterbury and University of Michigan.

HERA knows all too well how our perception of technologies differs from the reality of what they deliver.

On the shop floor, the difference is similar to the reality of criminal investigation vs what’s shown as reality in TV shows like CSI – what’s shown on television is far from what happens in real life.

When we talk about the future of fabrication, many of the ideas exist conceptually but have not yet been routinely applied in practise.

systems. Investing in this software, or at least streamlining processes between the office and the shop floor, could drastically increase productivity and efficiency. It can pay to try the next rounds of a technology, even if there has been “technology burn”.

of routine tasks and improved data transfer between activity steps.”

HERA Industry 4.0 engineer, Holger Heinzel says, “Our industry is at the beginning of the digital transformation journey.

“Automation is really a well-established technology, yet it is still not widely adopted in NZ,” Holger says.

“This is common in automation software, for example, where the next versions of product releases usually offer significant improvements over previous versions.”

“At present, most companies are operating in a very traditional way, with bundles of paper being handed backwards and forwards between the office and the shop floor.

In terms of software for automation, it has advanced much further than when many companies have last looked at these

“However, the use of 3D computer models is fast becoming a standard in the industry and there is a lot of opportunity for digitilisation

“In some workshops, you can see automated equipment being used that will cut a beam to length, machine holes for bolts, mark the location of connections and inscribe the item number all in one single process.

“This is where a company tries a particular technology in an early stage of development and gets burnt by the experience and then becomes wary to try the next versions of this technology.

“Data is routinely collected but not commonly analysed or used. This develops ‘data wastage’, like where data is collected for no real purpose,” Troy says.

Continued page 44 >

VANGUARD

Automatic CNC drilling, drilling and band sawing, drilling and coping line for sections ABC123

The CNC drilling machine Vanguard, uses unique steel fabrication technology to achieve industry-leading productivity for a drill/saw with three in line spindles. FICEP was the first firm to develop automation for three spindle-drilling lines in the early 60’s.

The welded steel frame guarantees maximum rigidity and stability while retaining the necessary dynamics. The spindle housing is made of high-quality cast iron for maximum vibration damping.

All models can be supplied with a large number of optional accessories, such as engraving and marking systems, chip conveyors (no adjustment to foundation), measuring systems and detection sensors.

FICEP Vanguard drilling and sawing line in Invercagill

Area Sales Manager Mr. Francis Lee Mobile: +64 (0) 21 448 568 E-mail: francis.lee@ficep.it www.ficepgroup.com

42 | B&C - Issue #127

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The linear shafts of the Vanguard are rack and pinion transmissions that reach speeds of 30 m/min, horizontally and vertically and the ISO 40 milling/drilling spindle has a power of 31 kW. This model is capable of multitasking beam for the steel fabrication industry with reasonably prices solutions offers great productivity and persistent strength for years to come.

FICEP congratulate JK’s Engineering for operating this model to achieve the highest standard of quality in steel fabrication.

Steel Construction

For Steel Professionals

PFERD is one of the leading brands in metalworking. Steel professionals around the world rely on PFERD and trust blue. If you are a steel professional looking for performance and cost effectiveness contact us.

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www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 43

Steel Construction

No composite steel flooring job is too

Big

Holger Heinzel, Automation and Welding 4.0 engineer at HERA.

Dr Michail Karpenko, GM of Fabrication 4.0 at HERA.

“Programming the machine is done by sending the 3D model to machine, very similar to sending a word document to a printer.

From there, it’s the connectivity of companies with different suppliers, like vendors of steel and the wider industry.

“There is also equipment that assembles several parts together with little human intervention. The parts are picked up from a conveyor belt by a robot, held in place by one robot while the other robot is carrying out the welding.

“You can also see QR codes, 3D scanners, augmented reality. Someone has recently 3D printed a whole steel bridge, although that has yet to come to NZ. “There is still a very important human element in this process and it will be vital to ensure that automation and robotics are used to support rather than to replace this.”

Or too small.

The human element, in conjunction with this technology, is key. HERA conducts automation and productivity assessments of its members, so it has a good understanding of what works and what doesn’t in regards to state of the art steel fabrication.

09 820 9133

09 820 9133

info@traydec.nz

sales@nelsonstud.co.nz

www.traydec.nz

44 | B&C - Issue #127

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When everyday people think of augmented reality (AR), they often think of the entertainment value that can be gleaned from this type of technology, such as the worldwide phenomenon Pokémon GO that swept the globe in 2016.

However, its practical applications are changing the way that manufacturers, specifically in the steel industry, solve problems encountered in the factory.

Digital transformation is in its infancy, Holger says. One of the crucial aspects of this is connectivity – how it connects departments, machines and processes within a company.

“Examples are in the quality inspection inside the factory, where the digital model can be compared with the fabricated part by looking at the part through augmented reality glasses. Are there parts missing?

www.nelsonstud.co.nz

Visit our website to get our Tray-dec floor design software

Augmented reality and manufacturing

“Augmented reality is one of the supporting technologies to connect the human to the digital world. Make the information held in digital format inside a computer available to the relevant person when and where it’s needed.

NELSON STUD WELDING

New Zealand Ltd

HERA is also developing an Industry 4.0 roadmap to identify how the industry more broadly can respond to the opportunity that Industry 4.0 represents.

“To date, humans are still outperforming robots in terms of flexibility. Take a welder as an example, the extensive job knowledge allows quick adjustment to new tasks and react to and counter unforeseen events.”

for a quote today!

Tray-dec

And most importantly, it is about connecting data between all these sources. HERA is in the process of developing a template digitilisation plan to help individual fabricators uptake Industry 4.0 technologies and prepare for improved use of data.

Copyright Callaghan Innovation.

Steel Construction

“Globally, the challenge is to ensure participation of small and medium size companies in these technologies.

New Zealand fabrication companies predominantly fall into this category.

Initial investment is one of the hurdles to overcome as is the availability of talent to support the transformation.

Dr Troy Coyle, CEO at HERA.

“Has everything been attached in the correct location? If not, this can be marked up in the model and on the part and scheduled for repair.

“Another example is site installation – the location of parts delivered to site is visible to the installer alongside relevant instructions for its installation,” Holger says.

On the global stage HERA has just created New Zealand’s first Fabrication 4.0 laboratory (fab4.0lab) for training, demonstration and research purposes.

This move will help prepare the New Zealand metal industry move up in its position on the global stage.

Fabrication 4.0 is the application of Industry 4.0 approaches to fabrication. Like Industry 4.0, it includes a key focus on the importance of data within a business model.

“In terms of current automation rates, New Zealand, and even Australia, fall well behind in the global stakes.

“Although it is often assumed that labour costs in countries like China are much lower than our domestic labour rates, the real threat is from their adoption of automation and the productivity levels that brings.”

What New Zealand’s steel industry is excelling in is quality management, with the Steel Fabricator Certification Scheme (SFC).

SFC ensures that participating fabricators have appropriate personnel and quality management systems in place, Holger says, representing international best practice.

HERA Certifications is accredited under the International Institute of Welding to audit under this scheme.

Delivering solutions to the metals industry, as well as developing and maintaining a skilled work force, are key drivers behind HERA’s research and innovation. Looking towards the future into how technology can aid the industry is key to keeping New Zealand companies sustainable and thriving.

Holger says, “Germany’s strategy is called Industry 4.0 and is used worldwide as a benchmark. The US is the worldwide technology leader and are working on cementing their position with their America First programme.

“China has a national strategy to become the leader in AI and associated technologies by 2030. Their investment in new technologies and their uptake is phenomenal. Other countries are also have their national policies.

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Issue #127 - B&C | 45

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Reinforcing Steel

New reinforcing steel standard A new edition of the steel reinforcing standard AS/NZS 4671 is expected to be adopted in the next year or so.

About Fletcher Steel New Zealand’s leading importer, distributor and processor of steel representing Fletcher Building’s Easysteel, Fletcher Reinforcing, Fletcher Wire Products, Dimond Roofing, Dimond Structural and Pacific CoilCoaters Brands.

We are the strength at the heart of New Zealand’s buildings and infrastructure.

According to Standards New Zealand committee member Michael Palmer, this will be the standards first major update since 2001.

Sustainability Fletcher Steel has undertaken a massive amount of work in the past two years around sustainability and product development and we feel that we’re now in a position to take on a leadership role in the steel industry, particularly as we move into 2021 and conversations begin to form around upcoming changes to the Building Code, particularly with respect to embodied carbon. We are very enthusiastic about being a part of those discussions.

“This standard dictates the requirements for the reinforcing steel to be used in all reinforced concrete structures in New Zealand.”

Fletcher Steel metallurgist Bruce Roberts says the company was currently supplying reinforcing to the current edition because of the requirements in the concrete construction standard and building regulations, which specifically refer to the 2001 edition of the reinforcing Standard.

“There’s been no changes as of yet in the industry but once the citations are changed, I’d expect the new standard to be adopted later in 2021, perhaps 2022.”

Home to 100 percent New Zealand-made reinforcing steel and mesh products; with our help, your concrete foundations and structures will benefit from the strength of our skilled team.

“We are still using the old version of the standard so nothing has changed yet and when it does come in, we shouldn’t see significant changes, there are going to be some tweaks to the requirements, but there are no actual changes to steel grades for New Zealand,” Bruce says.

From initial estimations and detailing, to manufacturing and onsite placement, our complete service is with you until the job is done.

Our reinforcing steel and reinforcing mesh act as the bones of concrete foundations and structures. We offer fabrication services from our nationwide branch network for constructions sites, precasters, contractors, and builders throughout New Zealand.

The biggest changes to the new standard are the addition of higher strength steel grades for Australia and increased product conformity requirements, Michael Palmer states in his STANDARD UPDATE: AS/NZS 4671 – STEEL FOR THE REINFORCEMENT OF CONCRETE.

Fletcher Reinforcing goes beyond simply fabricating and supplying stock – we also cut and bend reinforcing bar, produce cutting and bending schedules from construction drawings, and perform onsite placement.

Major changes include: • Introduction of type testing for new products • Change of batch conformance criteria • Shifting emphasis to long term quality (LTQ) as the main conformance mechanism • Products must be tested in accordance with AS ISO/IEC 17025 • Measuring of E class yield strength at 0.5 percent.

Fletcher Steel is home to 100 percent New Zealand-made reinforcing steel and mesh products.

The companies reinforcing steel and reinforcing mesh act as the bones of concrete foundations and structures.

Fletcher Steel have carried out a number of projects over the years where they have supplied the reinforcing steel.

"

From initial estimations and detailing, to manufacturing and onsite placement, our complete service is with you until the job is done.

"

One of their recent projects was a 65m high Waimea Dam project which was 30km South-West of Nelson, undertaken by a joint venture between Fulton Hogan & Taylors Contracting.

In November 2020 Fletcher Steel also worked on another lot of apartments with Scott Construction Nelson, supplying and fixing both the reinforcing and our innovative sacrificial formwork Pecafil, reducing excavation size and speeding up installation.

We recognise the value of reinforcing steel in a wide variety of projects, and we work with a wide customer base.

Our clients are mostly large construction and infrastructure contractors, but we also extend our services to anyone else who might be interested.

If you’re a building contractor with a small to medium-sized business, a handyman pouring a slab for a garden shed, or even an artist who wants to sculpt with reinforcing steel, we’re proud of our products, and we’re always ready to show you why.

Fletcher Steel 0800 327 9783 hello@fletchersteel.co.nz www.fletchersteel.co.nz

The Malthouse Lane apartments are sited in the heart of the CBD adjacent to a major supermarket and a stone’s throw from the city’s best bars, restaurants and cafes. www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 47

Reinforcing Steel

Your building could be put to the ultimate test.

So we do the same to our steel.

At Pacific Steel, we put all our products through a rigorous testing regime. Our dedicated laboratory has full IANZ certification and we’re the only local manufacturer of reinforcing steel to have third party ACRS certification. So when we say our SEISMIC® reinforcing steel is tested to meet the AS/NZS 4671 standard, you can be sure it’s been put to the ultimate test.

A steel bar about to be tested in one of five testing machines at our laboratory in Otahuhu.

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Reinforcing Steel

Innovative, collaborative and solutions focused We are a proud New Zealand company – locally owned by every day New Zealanders – and staffed with passionate people that really care for this country and all we stand for.

Our people are our greatest strength – the steel backbone of our company. We’re passionate, innovative, capable and proud of what we do.

We have expertise right across the construction industry – and love nothing more than helping our partners to create better projects and build better outcomes.

Like the rest of the country we have been through tough times – but we have worked hard to come out stronger and better equipped to create a positive future. Now we are in a great position and we believe that New Zealand is too.

CFDLREO is our Reinforcing and Composite Metal Decking business unit. It is focused on providing solutions that meet the needs of both the customer and the project.

Yes, that is easy to say, but we know what is required to deliver on that focus.

We understand that to achieve the right outcome there is significant work required to clearly comprehend the project and client needs, engineer and develop a solution, document and present the offer in a way that unmistakably outlines what is being proposed.

This requires a team effort, and collaboration, and innovative thinking but most importantly close customer engagement.

We have manufacturing plants strategically located throughout the country to be able to service all regions and have technical presence in six locations to meet local requirements.

We have an amazing team of people and truly believe that we are stronger when we all work together.

There is no project too big or too small or in a sector that we cannot service – be that large infrastructure, high-rise residential, commercial or small residential – we have the team and capability.

We have brought together a group of experts and capabilities within both the reinforcing and metal decking sectors that reach right across the country.

CFDLREO is also able to offer a combined solution for both Reinforcing and ComFlor Metal Decking. This provides a single point of accountability for both disciplines,

one common installation crew which helps reduce downtime and maintain continuity and common on-site health and safety and quality management.

We are experts in our field. We have the best locally sourced and manufactured

products, a diverse and integrated collaborative team that wants to work in close unity with our clients.

Give us a call. We will be happy to meet and take you through our approach to delivering an outcome that meets your needs.

BUILDING STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE. We’re focused on developing innovative solutions for your project, with a value added and collaborative approach.

Steel & Tube is a leading provider of reinforcing and floor decking. Through our combined CFDL / Reinforcing team we are able to provide a single point of supply for both solutions.

Every day, we are helping to build strength and resilience in some of the most important infrastructure & construction developments nationally and across many sectors of the economy.

0800 478 335 steelandtube.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 49

Reinforcing Steel

Steel company accelerates digital uptake to ensure post-Covid success Steel, manufacturing and construction are not sectors that usually make us think of whizz-bang technologies and cool ‘apps’, but COVID-19 has meant crunch time – regardless of the sector – with customer and employee expectations of a seamless pivot to working and transacting online.

With over 60 years of history Steel & Tube has not been immune – due to Covid-induced timelines, the company had to move extremely quickly to fully implement its new e-commerce platform to keep sales up when its 25 retail outlets temporarily shut-in lockdowns.

Steel & Tube was already on a digital transformation journey, with the hire of Mike Hendry, a digital change expert from Auckland Airport, in May 2019. But the lockdowns accelerated the process at breakneck speed.

Through 2019 it had become clear to Steel & Tube that to meet intense competition, respond to volatile prices, increase sales, and reduce cost - digital technologies had to be brought to the front and centre of its strategy. Meeting and surpassing customer expectations were at the heart of this, and with a new sense of urgency, the organisation focused on bringing these technologies to market.

The digital style of work and product development required a bit of a cultural shift for the company, but the changes were quickly recognised as exciting opportunities for both clients and employees, with new, convenient and efficient ways of doing things made available through using the cloud, chatbots, web stores and electronic transacting.

All was tracking well – then Covid hit and Level 4 lockdown changed things. It didn’t stop progress, in fact, it sped it up.

As well as having to enable 800 employees to work remotely, Mike and his team had to rapidly ensure Steel & Tube products were available to purchase online. During this lockdown, 13,000 products were made available for purchase.

By the time the second lockdown happened, 47,000 were offered.

“What we did as a team, and continue to do, in very compressed timeframes is to use the right technologies to enable the transformation of a traditional distribution business into a customer-led, solutionsfocused partner company to our customers across New Zealand,” Mike says.

“Employees have really supported the strategy and rallied around the specific digital initiatives because we all realised we had a window of opportunity to really lift our competitive game.”

But Steel & Tube did not traverse this journey alone. Before Mike set about transforming the digital side of Steel & Tube, he brought in Qual IT, New Zealand information technology and quality assurance company, to help.

“With the high levels of change in our industry – acquisitions, restructures, market pressures, etcetera – we needed to focus on our agility and the performance of our platforms,” explains Mike.

“I needed help understanding how the Steel & Tube environment performed, so

we could engineer a more contemporary architecture. We needed an honest, independent health check. That is when I brought on board Qual IT. Reg Prasad, general manager, Advisory & Northern Business at Qual IT, says, “Pe-Covid, Mike was talking about a pretty significant digital change at Steel & Tube, which would put huge demands on the existing systems.

We had to make sure the systems were up to it.

“Systems failure was simply not an option.

Moving from onboarding almost 50,000 products, ensuring a great customer experience, simple transacting, and delivery through the supply chain during lockdowns was a massive task.

“And I am happy to say, Steel & Tube hit the mark, and reinforced their position as a digital leader in the steel industry. “I feel confident that following a massive year of IT change – Steel & Tube are now positioned for the future and can take their clients and employees with them!”

DELIVERY AUCKLAND WIDE

We supply all of your reinforcing concrete needs Reinforcing steel mesh Reinforcing steel bars

Bar chairs Reinforcing tie wire

Our reinforcing steel is compliant with AS/NZS 4671 requirments. We work in the industry and wanted to bring you an alternative choice with competitive pricing.

Competitive Pricing

FREE DELIVERY ON BULK ORDERS Call Troy on 022 673 9877 or Jackson on 021 977 444 | www.qualitysteelsupplies.co.nz 50 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Fagan & Hannay

Fagan & Hannay Established in 1975, we have been providing reliable manufacturing and installation of metal products to industry throughout the North Island.

Operating from our factory in New Lynn, Fagan & Hannay has been proudly manufacturing quality products for almost 40 years for our many customers throughout the wider Auckland region and beyond.

We have highly skilled staff with many years’ experience, we recognise the value of these skills and we are committed to preserving the valuable knowledge through our on-going apprentice training program.

doors on Trans Rail passenger cars and art works for the Venice Bianali.

Architectural Fagan & Hannay manufactures and installs many custom architectural products.

We produce products from all metals including stainless steel, aluminium, copper and mild steel.

Our experience and expertise in sheet metal engineering as well as the building industry enables us to produce just about anything.

Dust & fume extraction Fagan & Hannay have vast experience in the world of dust and fume extraction and materials handling.

We pride ourselves on our service and quality and our mantra is to go the extra mile.

We are familiar with the more difficult products such as plastic and paper.

Our services

Fagan & Hannay design and build pulse jet and static bag filter units, rotary valves, spray booths, fans and all ducting components.

Fabrication Fagan & Hannay are specialist sheet metal fabricators and work with stainless steel, copper, aluminium, mild steel and galvanised steel.

We have a range of up-to-date machinery and our services include laser cutting and turret punching, bending, folding and rolling.

Our staff are certified and highly skilled and produce work of a very high standard and products that range from the everyday items to such things as the curved stainless steel

What we can build for you We make all of the following products: • Dust and fume extraction (portable or stationary units) • Flashings • Industrial silencers • Boat tanks and stainless steel fittings • Commercial kitchens • Handrails • Commercial range hoods • Commercial and residential ventilation • Cabinets • Mig/Arc/Tig welding • Tables and trollies • And all work in stainless/copper/ brass galv/Zintec metals • Factory maintenance.

If there is anything you need and can’t buy it off the shelf call us.

Machinery We have the experience, knowledge and skill to design and produce a range of machinery that require precision engineering and sheet metal work with a high standard of finish.

Some of our designs include a 3ph food processing grinder available in two different sizes, a centrifuge which is also a food processing machine and a residential two person lift. Homelift™.

Specialist sheet metal fabricators and work with stainless steel, copper, aluminium, mild steel and galvanised steel.

3 Fabrication 3 Architectural 3 Machinery 3 Dust & Fume Extraction

12 Portage Road, New Lynn | Ph: 09 827 3358 www.faganhannay.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 51

Cement & Concrete

A concrete vision for emissions reduction The Climate Change Commission recently issued its 2021 Draft Advice for Consultation, which offers guidance to the Government on how to implement an emissions reduction plan.

The consultation outcome will be key in helping New Zealand to play its part in reducing emissions under the Paris Agreement.

“In responding to the Commission’s Draft Advice, the concrete industry will be highlighting the fact that independent consultants – thinkstep – have confirmed the New Zealand concrete industry reduced its emissions from cement by 15 percent between 2005 and 2018,” says Concrete NZ chief executive, Rob Gaimster.

“Over the past several decades the concrete industry has been particularly conscious of its environmental impact and has implemented initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions.

“The 15 percent reduction in emissions was achieved through the use of alternative kiln fuels in cement manufacture and a general shift to more efficient cement manufacturing processes.

“Demonstrating continued commitment, the concrete industry, under the Concrete NZ banner, has developed a vision which states that by 2030 it will have reduced its emissions by another 15 percent to achieve a 30 percent drop from 2005 levels,” Rob says.

This vision will be enabled through: • Using efficient energy sources for manufacturing and delivery processes • Driving waste minimisation in manufacturing, delivery and construction • Developing recycling processes to minimise the use of virgin materials

• Adopting new technologies where appropriate • Being engaged with our local communities, and • Facilitating the increased uptake of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).

“The increasing global use of SCMs to replace cement and therefore directly reduce embodied CO2 makes sound ecological sense.

“SCMs are derived from lower embodied energy materials, and can result in environmental benefits, improved concrete performance, and long-term cost advantages.

“Typically, they are ground granulated blast furnace slag (waste from steel manufacture), fly ash (waste from coal combustion) or microsilica,” Rob says.

“These waste materials have been used in concrete for more than 50 years and the performance of blended cements in concrete is well understood.

“As too, will be the increased adoption of another type of SCM – natural pozzolans – or rather volcanic ash from New Zealand’s North Island Volcanic Plateau.

“The advantage of natural pozzolans is that there is a stable local supply, meaning they have the potential to be cost competitive.”

To help enable a better understanding and greater uptake of both industrial and natural SCMs in concrete construction, Concrete NZ is undertaking research to assess classification techniques along with the fresh and hardened performance of SCM concrete.

“Concrete NZ’s work in this area is important as the increased use of SCMs as a replacement for cement clinker will be important to the New Zealand concrete industry reaching its emissions reduction target of 30 percent by 2030,” Rob concludes.

Copyright Conslab Ltd. www.conslab.co.nz

Floor guidance is on the level Concrete floors may appear basic but all aspects of their design, construction and maintenance should remain top-of-mind to achieve long-term functionality.

“The requirements of building users have evolved considerably over recent decades,” Concrete NZ technical director, Dave McGuigan says.

“At the same time, construction methodologies have also advanced, meaning that some content of existing guidance documents, such as NZS 3114:1987 Specification for Concrete Surface Finishes, is not always suitable.

“At first glance a concrete floor may appear a simple structure, however there are many aspects such as surface finish, equipment and vehicle loadings, underlying soil conditions, structural design, concrete properties, construction methods and joint layout that all require careful consideration.

“One aspect that Concrete NZ, in consultation with industry experts, felt needed to be bolstered in terms of guidance was surface regularity – a floor’s ‘flatness’ and ‘levelness’.

“This is particularly important as inadequate surface regularity increases the risk of collision between materials handling equipment, such as forklifts, and high-level racking.

“This may mean the materials handling equipment needs to operate at slower speeds, reducing efficiency of operations.

“Materials handling equipment is also becoming increasingly automated, placing even greater emphasis to achieve flat and level floor surfaces.

“Working with industry, Concrete NZ has developed a Technical Specification 01:2021 - Surface Regularity Requirements for Concrete Floors document that can be applied to internal concrete floors that are either supported by the ground or are suspended,” Dave says.

“The document includes provisions that can apply to a range of building uses including industrial, warehousing, retail or office, where different tolerances are required for the specific use, such as high reach forklifts, and/or take account of final floor finishes that may be applied, such as tiles.

“We have also included guidance on methods for measuring surface regularity.”

The document will be introduced to industry via a Concrete NZ Learned Society seminar series across the three main centres in late March and early April.

“The seminar is targeting designers, specifiers, consulting engineers, local authorities, and contractors,” Dave says.

“We are interested in their response to the new document, but also their feedback on other areas of concrete floor design, construction and maintenance that may benefit from further Concrete NZ technical guidance.”

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The Space-IT pile pad is becoming the most widely used pile pad on the market.

It is the quickest and easiest way to install piles and posts for Decks, Retaining walls, House piles and any other form of timber or steel posts. It has recently been structurally tested to handle a massive 2 tonne plus of load on solid ground. This new design is simple to use. Just simply screw or nail to the bottom of your pile/post and you are ready to go.

It’s easy to use with large SED poles as well. Simply screw a 130x130x40mm packer to base of pole then attach the Space-IT to the packer as you drop the post in the hole.

Guaranteed to save Time, Effort, Money and every post installed to code every time.

Space-IT is available at most of your leading trade stores.

52 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

PHONE 09 212 8408 021 021 SPACE

www.space-it.nz

Cement & Concrete

New from MAX® – The RB611T TwinTier™ Rebar Tying Tool 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 4.0 Ah lithium ion battery will complete approximately 4,000 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).

"

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.

"

Its 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 32mm, up to 61mm, with 115 to 205 ties per coil, 4000 ties per charge, with the Max® 40 minute fast charger. The Max® RB611T TwinTier™ Re-bar-tier is lightweight, with a compact body. Made in Japan.

Battery operated re-bar-tying tool for: • • • • • •

Precast concrete products Building foundations Road and bridge construction Floors and walls Retaining walls Swimming pool walls

NZ distributors For a demo, contact sales@sifco.co.nz www.sifco.co.nz

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 53

Cement & Concrete Concrete NZ Conference 2021 After being forced to cancel the 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Concrete NZ is pleased to announce that its 2021 Conference is locked-in for 14-16 October at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua.

Rotorua is widely-considered to be one of New Zealand’s top tourist destinations – the city boasts a remarkable range of attractions and activities catering to diverse interests and abilities.

Positioned at the edge of Lake Rotorua, the Energy Events Centre is located within the picturesque Government Gardens and is also a short walk away from the retail precinct, accommodation, restaurants, cafes and spa facilities.

The annual Concrete NZ conference is an excellent opportunity for members and non-members to keep abreast of recent developments across a range of concrete design, construction, manufacturing, materials and innovation topics, which combine to make for a stimulating conference technical programme.

Professor Santiago Pujol, from the University of Canterbury, has been secured as the first keynote speaker for the 2021 event and will share his fascinating experiences testing concrete structures around the world.

As a modern venue, the Energy Events Centre offers plenty of room for trade stands, while ample space directly outside is ideal for displaying heavy equipment and vehicles, as well as conducting live demonstrations.

Update your diaries.

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Concrete NZ Level 4/70 The Terrace Wellington admin@concretenz.org.nz www.concretenz.org.nz

Concrete NZ Conference 2021 E concrete@bluepacificevents.com P 09 536 5410 W www.theconcreteconference.co.nz

Cement & Concrete

JPM Cement JPM Cement has been providing engineering services to the cement industry for over 60 years.

We pride ourselves on being large enough to tackle the big jobs but with the family values to still care about the little ones.

This philosophy along with trained staff, customer dedication and up to date technology ensures we continue to maintain our reputation as a leader in our field.

As a result, we bring a range of experience from repairs and maintenance to large scale fabrication/installation of cement silos, handling and batching equipment.

JPM Cement combines quality European equipment with local service and support.

We also supply a custom range of locally manufactured screw conveyors, belt conveyors, aggregate bins, de-baggers, precast concrete moulds, hoppers, vertical and mobile cement storage silos and more.

JPM Cement is proud to offer an extensive range of the best quality European batching and storage equipment.

JPM proudly represents: Euromecc – Batching plants, silo’s, mixers and recycling equipment.

SAMI – Batching plants, horizontal silo’s and de-baggers .

These brands coupled with our range of locally manufactured products and

service capability enables JPM can supply customised solutions to the concrete industry with the service and support to back them up.

With the industry trending toward a more mobile nature JPM has recently developed a twin bin mobile batching option.

This locally manufactured option can be tailored to the client’s specific requirements, which when paired with one of our Sami horizontal silos provides a complete mobile batching solution.

For more permanent storage JPM’s has a range of locally manufactured monolithic bulk storage silos.

These silos range from 20m3 to 100m3, they are locally engineered to the highest of standards and satisfy all seismic requirements set by NZ regulatory bodies.

They are transportable by road and require little site installation time so the disruptions on site are kept to a minimum.

JPM will work with you to find the right solution for your needs whether it be locally made or imported, turn-key or supply only.

If required JPM can take care of any or all aspects of the design and installation process, including engineering certification, foundations, auxiliary equipment supply and project management.

JPM Cement is part of the JP Marshall Engineering group. JP Marshall Engineering is one of New Zealand’s most experienced

steel fabricators and commercial/industrial engineering providers.

Originally founded by Jock Marshall in 1952, today JPM Engineering is still a

family owned and operated business with over 90 staff and 5 fully equipped workshops in Hamilton and Christchurch.

Call us: 07 849 2982 Storage, Batching & Conveying solutions with local support.

FABRICATION

MACHINING

GRAIN

CEMENT

SILO & CONVEYOR

MANUFACTURING

11 Bristol Place, Te Rapa, Hamilton, New Zealand | frankf@jpmarshall.co.nz | jpmarshall.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 55

Cement & Concrete

WORLD CLASS SOLUTIONS • FOR CONCRETE & INFRASTRUCTURE Engineering & Plant Services partners with both SANY and SIMEM to deliver exceptional global technology, local expertise and lifetime support to the concrete & infrastructure industries.

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Top Shelf Electrical

Top Shelf Electrical Top Shelf Electrical was established in 2015 with a single vision; to provide quality workmanship while keeping people and integrity at its core.

After returning from a European O.E., founder Dean Bieshaar felt compelled to start his own electrical business. As a qualified electrician, Dean had seen the corners some companies were willing to cut; the subpar materials and tools some electricians would use to cut costs and how some companies forget that their tradies are their biggest asset.

“In the years leading up to my decision to go out on my own, I bounced between a lot of these companies. I believe both client satisfaction and a healthy working environment can be achieved without sacrificing quality workmanship.”

Since the beginning, Dean has kept his vision in mind. The team at Top Shelf Electrical are client-focused and energetic while ensuring each job is completed to the highest standard. From dealing with the client at the start of a job, right down to the clean up afterwards, Dean (and his clients) will tell you the team from Top Shelf Electrical are electricians you can depend on.

• Deliver quality workmanship • Maintain strong attention to detail • Clean up once the job is complete.

When dealing with Top Shelf Electrical, Dean hopes clients will see how integrity comes first . Dean knows integrity is key to the success of any business and enjoys building strong, trusting relationships with his clients – whether the client is a homeowner, business owner or another tradie.

Dean and his team at Top Shelf Electrical can help you with: • LED lighting upgrade • Switchboard fuse board upgrade • Overhead to underground mains conversion • Full or partial re-wire • Small to large renovations • New builds • AV installation

The Top Shelf Electrical promise is to:

• Data wiring

• Uphold honesty and transparency within their pricing

• Home security installation.

• Provide a team of skilled and experienced electricians • Turn up to site on time

If you are looking for an electrical company who will provide quality workmanship with great customer service, contact Dean at Top Shelf Electrical; phone 021 027 04610, or email dean@topshelfelectrical.co.nz.

Providing the best possible quality of workmanship and service for any of your electrical needs.

ELECTRICAL • REPAIR DATA / PHONE • AUDIO VISUAL MAINTENANCE • SECURITY

021 027 04610 dean@topshelfelectrical.co.nz

www.topshelfelectrical.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 57

South Coast Scaffolding

YOUR SOLUTION TO ALL SCAFFOLDING REQUIREMENTS. COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

Dedicated to customer service, safety and quality.

We have a proven track record in delivering first class scaffolding solutions focused on safety and cost-effectiveness.

■ Platform Scaffolding ■ Safety Nets

■ Temporary Roofs ■ Edge Protection

■ Propping ■ Shrink Wrapping

P: 022 651 2629 | E: nfo@southcoastscaffolding.co.nz

19 MASON STREET www.southcoastscaffolding.co.nz 58 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Master Brick & Blocklayers

Maintaining masonry work’s high standards Master Brick & Blocklayers is an industry body and trade association dedicated to lifting the skills, knowledge and working environment of the trade and provides resources and support for brick and blocklaying members.

Previously named the Brick and Blocklayers Federation (BBFNZ), the association was established in 1966 and provided an umbrella for the New Zealand Masonry Trades Association, brick and block manufacturers and distributors, tool and safety gear providers and building companies that specialise in brick and block products.

Essentially, the federation’s purpose was to protect and promote the industry.

BBFNZ set those standards for the industry through its Masonry (Brick) Veneer Best Practice Guide (2015), CMA Masonry Manual, comprehensive apprenticeship training (leading to the National Certificate in Brick and Blocklaying) and its advice to masons on setting up their own businesses.

Now trading as Master Brick & Blocklayers (MBB), the association’s purpose is to keep

members up to date with legislation and trade information that affects them and to provide resources to assist members in making compliance easier.

The new logo was recently trademarked and MBB is in the process of registering the brand Master Brick & Blocklayers.

"

The association believes it is essential for members to stay up to date with the latest developments, to meet clients’ expectations while also protecting consumers in the residential market.

"

Quality assurance Without quality assurance, why would consumers choose to build with bricks and blocks if they aren’t assured that the workmanship is up to scratch?

Masonry brick veneer is a popular choice of cladding system in New Zealand. That’s why regular monitoring of members’ performance and early fault detection are important in upholding the cladding system’s reputation.

The association believes it is essential for members to stay up to date with the latest developments, to meet clients’ expectations while also protecting consumers in the residential market.

Through quality assurance, members are able to maintain the reputation of the trade.

Some time ago, BBFNZ introduced an endorsed veneer assessor network with a standardised reporting template.

Then this system was further refined into the Master Mason programme, a quality mark for brick and blocklayers still available through MBB. The Master Mason programme uses assessors to evaluate members’ work to acknowledge and identify members who are doing work to compliance and best trade practice standards.

To become a Master Mason, a brick and blocklayer must be a member of MBB. Assessments to confirm compliance and best practice are carried out onsite, sometimes on multiple sites, by an approved Master Mason assessor.

MBB believes that competency is demonstrated by meeting industry standards time and again, not merely once.

S U P P O RT T H O S E T H AT S U P P O RT U S

Email: info@masterbrickandblock.co.nz | www.masterbrickandblock.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 59

Master Brick & Blocklayers What’s ahead There has been a skill shortage in the brick industry for some time and the association has had to play catch up to recruit the next generation of industry professionals.

However, it doesn’t stop at recruitment.

The association is also looking for ways to retain workers and that also involves apprenticeship opportunities.

Some big changes happening within the association include: • Creating a new website for MBB • Introducing a code of practice • Developing a Best Practice Workshop • Introducing Master Mason Accreditation • Refining the Master Mason process All members will be encouraged to apply for Master Mason accreditation by undertaking the assessment and it will become a requirement for new members applications.

Simply put, becoming a Master Mason indicates to the public and the industry that those brick and blocklayers know what they’re doing.

The association’s collective knowledge means that it knows what a good veneer looks like; it knows when a block wall is constructed properly and what a safe worksite looks like

• Developing more resources for members Master Brick & Blocklayers believes that competency is the ability to repeat a standard again and again and by introducing the Code of Practice and Accredited Master Mason Rules the end user can be confident in their choice of member to carry out their project. for this trade. That’s why the assessors are the best people to judge whether someone is doing everything right.

• Integrating resources into the Skills Maintenance programme to present to MBIE • Developing the website Training Hub. Together, these changes create the path to providing quality assurance for the end users, and thus, credibility. Also, the changes

provide a skills maintenance programme that is superior to the MBIE requirements, as it is specific to the trade.

With the development of the online Training Hub, members will have unlimited access to the Skills Maintenance programme.

Easy access to knowledge is important in inspiring confidence in clients, manufacturers and distributors who use a MBB member’s services.

Trust in MBB members will encourage manufacturers and distributors to promote MBB members to their customers while providing the end user with confidence in the brand.

In addition, introducing virtual assessments will make the Master Mason process accessible to all members by reducing the cost and time of assessor travel.

These developments will be happening throughout the year, so be sure to follow Master Brick & Blocklayers on Facebook to stay informed and up to date – especially when it comes to exciting news items like the addition of Commercial, Residential & Group Home Builder categories at the popular Jim Matthews Awards.

Master Brick & Blocklayers PO Box 3178 Christchurch info@masterbrickandblock.co.nz www.mastebrickandblock.co.nz

• Easy to use , no mess no waste just add water • Comprehensive colour range • Quality control testing to meet NZ Standards

Phone: 07 888 4327 or 0800 399 649 Email: info@ezymix.co.nz • Website: www.ezymix.co.nz

Bowers Brothers Concrete has earned its position of leadership in the industry for over 90 years, through product superiority, technical expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction and service.

60 | B&C - Issue #127

Contact us to discuss your needs 0800 207 374 or www.bowersbrothers.co.nz

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

JG Plumbing and Gas

PLUMBING and GAS Professional Service & Quality Workmanship Guaranteed!

• Plumbing for New Builds • Plumbing – Maintenance • Bathroom Renovation • Commercial Plumbing

• Gas Fitting • Gas Maintenance • Heating • Water Tanks

JG Plumbing & Gas Services Ltd M (022) 013 3295 E admin@jgplumbing.co.nz www.jgplumbing.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 61

Plumbing, Drainage & Gasfitting

Homeowners warned not to take the risk with illegal trade work Infiltration of surface water into the foul water system

Property owners are being warned not to fall into the trap of using unlicensed people to conduct plumbing work on renovation projects.

Always ask to check for a NZ Practising Licence before any work begins.

On Tuesday, January 19 in the Christchurch District Court, Junbert Dagaas was sentenced to a $3,000 fine for carrying out restricted plumbing and electrical work without authorisation and was ordered to pay $1,500 in reparation to the homeowner.

Mr Dagaas carried out a plumbing and building renovation bathroom alterations at an Addington residence, which included replacing the toilet, running pipes for the shower mixer, moving the shower drain, and carrying out plumbing to the vanity, including the drain.

Sanitary plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are regulated industries in New Zealand, and it is illegal to do this restricted work unless authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB).

The health and safety risks are high – and you may be invalidating your insurance policy. Only authorised tradespeople who carry a current NZ Practising Licence can carry out this work.

Mr Dagaas was not a registered and licensed plumber or electrician, and not authorised to complete the work.

The complainant who paid Mr Dagaas $9,000 to complete the renovation found that work completed by was substandard.

62 | B&C - Issue #127

The toilet leaked around its base, the hot and cold water pipes of the shower mixer were the wrong way around, and the shower did not comply with the building code.

PGDB chief executive, Martin Sawyers says, “To stay safe and avoid the risk, it takes one simple action – ask to sight a licence card.

It states the credentials of a tradesperson and the type of work they are authorised to carry out.

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It is important for homeowners to know that plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying work undertaken by unauthorised tradespeople, not only risks their family’s health and safety – but may also invalidate their insurance policy.

- PGDB chief executive, Martin Sawyers

"

“It is important for homeowners to know that plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying work undertaken by unauthorised tradespeople, not only risks their family’s health and safety – but may also invalidate their insurance policy.”

The PGDB is the statutory body that regulates the trades to ensure those providing the services are competent and safe.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Surface water entering the foul water system through gully dishes can cause problems for sewer network utility operators in floodprone areas.

3.3.1: All gully traps shall be constructed to prevent the ingress of surface water and foreign bodies likely to cause a blockage, shall be located within the legal boundary of the land on which the building is erected, and shall have:

Several parts of the Building Code and its Acceptable Solutions relate to this situation.

Compliance with both E1 Surface Water and G13 Foul Water is required.

i) 25 mm above paved surfaces ii) or 100 mm above unpaved surfaces.

Building Code Clause E1 Surface Water The Building Code Clause E1 Surface Water covers what is commonly called stormwater.

There are two relevant parts: E1.3.1: Surface water, resulting from an event having a 10 percent probability of occurring annually and which is collected or concentrated by buildings or sitework, shall be disposed of in a way that avoids the likelihood of damage or nuisance to other property.

E1.3.2: Surface water, resulting from an event having a 2 percent probability of occurring annually, shall not enter buildings. Performance E1.3.2 shall apply only to housing, communal residential and communal non-residential buildings.

a) The overflow level of the gully dish no less than either:

Comment: It is imperative that the waste pipe connections to the gully trap remain watertight to prevent the ingress of ground/ surface water.

In summary All new building work must comply with the Building Code. In this case, both Clauses E1, Surface Water, and G13, Foul Water, apply.

To achieve this: • The floor level must be as given in E1/AS1, providing the location is not within a flood prone area • If in a flood prone area, E1/VM1 applies.

Depending on circumstances, this requires the floor level to be 150mm or 500mm above the one in 50-year flood level

G13 Acceptable Solution

• The top of the gully dish must be above the one in 10-year flood level to meet E1.3.1.

In addition, the Network Utility Operator may have further requirements to avoid damage to its network (see E1.3.3(e)).

G13/AS2 states the following about surface water entering the foul water system:

Information sourced from www.building.govt.nz.

Plumbing, Drainage & Gasfitting

Does your threshold drainage meet code compliance?

If you’re a builder or subcontractor, code compliant level threshold drainage is easier to achieve than you might think.

The design of a level threshold drainage system is not as simple as it first seems.

The E2 building code is very prescriptive in what will be allowed – is your solution code compliant? Let ACO help with choosing the correct product for your application.

E2 Building Code Clause 7.3.2.1 of the E2 building code lists the requirements for an acceptable solution for level threshold drainage: • A channel that is 150mm deep, 200mm wide

OnePour ThresholdDrain is perfect for concrete floor finishes. Both products do not require a rubber spacer or leg for structural integrity.

"

ACO’s Cantilever ThresholdDrain is fully supported by the cantilever arm, and ACO OnePour ThresholdDrain is a bolted bracket system that uses the landscaping concrete for its support.

"

• Maximum channel length of 3.7m

ACO Cantilever

ACO OnePourTM

• 1:200 minimum fall to outlet.

• The grating that sits over the channel must:

Alternative solutions

• Be able to be fully removed for maintenance

If site conditions allow, a precast grated channel or slot drain can be installed against the building as a level threshold alternative solution.

• Be supported independently of the door frame, without spacers • Have a continuous gap of 12mm.

To meet the letter of the E2 Building Code, a cast in-situ channel is required with a grate that does not rely on the channel base or door joinery for support.

Legs sitting in the channel base can impact on the quality of waterproofing, and will often obstruct clear flow of water to the outlet. A complete blockage of the channel can even cause water to back up into the cladding cavity.

ThresholdDrain ACO’s level threshold drainage products are designed to fully comply with the requirements of the E2 Building Code.

ACO’s Cantilever ThresholdDrain is fully supported by the cantilever arm, and ACO OnePour ThresholdDrain is a bolted bracket system that uses the landscaping concrete for its support.

Cantilever ThresholdDrain is ideal for tile and paved exteriors, and can be scheduled so the landscaping contractor is not interfering with the installation of the drain.

This option is often quicker and easier to install, and means outlets can be spaced up to 80m centres.

Product selections include ACO KlassikDrain or Brickslot, and PowerDrain for heavy duty traffic applications.

E1 Alternative Solution

Each alternative solution needs to be addressed on a project-by-project basis.

To meet consent requirements, most councils require manufacturer’s calculations to demonstrate the performance of the system. ACO offers a free hydraulic design service and can provide product details at all stages of the project.

Each council has different requirements, be sure to check with your ACO representative before choosing a drain to make sure it meets local requirements.

ACO Limited has unrivalled experience providing threshold drainage solutions throughout the country.

Ask ACO today to help with your project at info@aconz.co.nz or 0800 448 080.

Your problem? Our solution.

ACO leads the way with stormwater drainage in New Zealand. Fully E2 compliant level threshold solutions and AS1 alternative solutions are available off the shelf. Ask ACO for a no-obligation discussion and quote for your next commercial, educational or residential projects.

ACO DRAIN®

ACO SELF

0800 448 080 www.aconz.co.nz

QuARTz by ACO

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 63

Plumbing, Drainage & Gasfitting

Aqualine Products Aqualine Products Ltd has recently expanded its product offer to the plumbing and building merchant trade with the acquisition of the RELN range of drainage products in New Zealand.

However, the decision to work with RELN wasn’t simply based on the existing presence in the market.

Aqualine Products is a leading manufacturer and distributor to the wholesale New Zealand plumbing industry, developing, importing, assembling and manufacturing a range of products.

New product offering

Based in Henderson, Auckland and with a new warehouse in Christchurch, its products are distributed by more than 600 plumbing and building merchants throughout New Zealand.

Partnership with RELN Australia In 2019, Aqualine under the leadership of general manager Kieran Nally developed a strategy to diversify their product offer to market.

“Aqualine’s purpose is ‘To supply and support KIWIS to build New Zealand’. Our foundation for that purpose to deliver on our 3BP’s – Better People, Better Partners and Better Products,” Kieran says.

“It was critical that we established a partnership on mutual trust, hunger to grow, introduce new and innovative products and most importantly, work with good people.

Better People, Better Partners and Better Products can be applied in every aspect of our partnership with RELN,” added Kieran.

RELN and Aqualine have recently launched two new products to market. The Storm Drain 4-way adaptor allows for left or right hand extension, tee, corner and cross configurations all in one solution.

“In the new post-Covid business world where inventory management and working capital reductions are now happening, this product is the perfect solution for merchants, drainlayers and builders,” Kieran says.

Another addition to the market has been the RELN Storm Drain Pro channel. A larger capacity 150mm surface water channel.

It is suitable for domestic or light commercial, comes in 1m lengths, can be connected to PVC pipe via a multi size bottom outlet socket and grates are available in Class B classification.

“We remain highly committed to our valued merchants and this remains to be the core of our business activity. But we also want to grow through specification and being more involved in commercial, residential and industrial projects.”

The partnership with RELN began in early 2020 and despite the interruptions with COVID-19 and associated lockdowns, sales and growth have been steadily growing.

“The RELN range of products had been marketed in New Zealand for many years and was a proven performer within the surfacewater drainage segment. So when the opportunity arose for representation in the New Zealand market we were naturally interested.”

64 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

"

Aqualine’s purpose is ‘To supply and support KIWIS to build New Zealand’.

Our foundation for that purpose to deliver on our 3BP’s – Better People, Better Partners and Better Products

"

Aqualine is committed to helping Kiwis build with best in class product and will be releasing more new products in the coming months.

Aqualine Products’ growing product range includes: Plumbing – traps, wastes and plugs, hoses, clips, valves, tapware, pan connectors, joiners and couplers, insulation, consumables Gasfitting – brass fittings, compression fittings, regulators, hoses, manifolds, pilots, valves, cylinders, consumables Backflow – reduced pressure zone, doublecheck, repair kits, accessories Drainage – surfacewater and groundwater drainage, pits, grates, grease traps, pipe lagging, silt traps Heating – Central Heating solutions – Boilers, Radiators and underfloor heating Roofing – droppers, flashings silicone Water meters

Aqualine Products Limited 7 Winston Place Henderson 0610 Auckland 0800 889914 orders@aqualine.co.nz www.aqualine.co.nz

Piping – The most comprehensive range of single brand piping systems in the New Zealand market including PEX A, PEX B, Copper and Stainless Steel for Water and Gas.

Plumbing, Drainage & Gasfitting

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 65

HydroTech

Creating a positive change Since the announcement of New Zealand’s waste minimization goals, HydroTech Ltd has been working towards establishing their own measures.

The Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change says that we need to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030, if we are to avoid a range of climate change impacts.

The three waters maintenance industry is helping to make this happen by managing their waste differently.

In conjunction with the Government’s 2030 goals, we are looking at technology approaches to waste minimisation, HydroTech Ltd chief operating officers Dave Neru says.

We have developed and constructed a plant to recycle waste product from hydro-excavation activities.

“The plant separates solids and water that can be recycled and reduces the volume of waste to landfill.

“The large aggregates solids are separated and graded in useable sizes for drainage

Our people Staff are the most valued asset of any credible business – they are to us.

We presently employ over 190 staff nationwide and pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity and diverse employer.

filling and other uses. The fine solids go through a centrifuge and the water content is reduce to minimise the weight volume to be transported to landfill where it can be used as capping material.

“All water is recycled and around 95 percent is processed to a quality for reuse in our highpressure cleaning fleet and the remaining used as process water for the plant.”

There have been many benefits to this new measure including reduced transportation trips to landfill and reduced dependence on potable water supplies for the high-pressure cleaning fleet.

“We have also look at our procurement of products. We are the only pipe rehabilitation company that has a 100 percent recyclable PVC lining product.

"

Waste minimisation is the biggest thing we have been working on, along with reducing our carbon emissions, to meet the Government’s reductions.

We have also been working on diversity in the workplace by working with our team, local community groups and supporting government and local initiatives.

- HydroTech chief operating officer, Dave Neru

We are the go to service provider for all your light and heavy transport repairs.

We are your one stop shop for all trucks, trailers, motorhomes & horse transporters.

To ensure our clients benefit from skilled and experienced staff, we invest in continuous improvement in leadership technical skills and personal development at all levels of our team.

"

“Waste minimisation is the biggest thing we have been working on, along with reducing our carbon emissions, to meet the Government’s reductions,” Dave says.

“We have also been working on diversity in the workplace by working with our team, local community groups and supporting government and local initiatives.”

Taking pride in what our staff do is central to our monthly toolbox meetings.

We monitor staff performance by way of reports and conversations.

At HydroTech we offer an inclusive and supportive working environment focused on operational excellence, where our staff’s health and safety, and well-being is of paramount importance.

HydroTech provides services to local authorities and the three waters network and infrastructure, as condition assessment services, data management services, and operations and maintenance support services for the networks and pipeline rehabilitation.

“The company’s continuous improvement and innovation will continue through the talent of our team, sourcing and applying new technology, working with clients and applying past experiences and learnings of maintaining and operating three water infrastructure and networks.”

Head office 2 Piermark Drive Rosedale Auckland (09) 6000 888 www.hydrotech.co.nz

■ Engine service & repairs ■ Brake & suspension repairs ■ Battery testing & replacement ■ 24/7 after hours breakdown service ■ Electrical repairs Phone: 03 313 6361 | 307 Flaxton Rd Rangiora www.brooktrucks.co.nz

One hundred percent family-owned and operated, Kiwi company Waitomo Group’s been fueling Kiwi businesses across the country for over 70 years.

Our family business is proud to support another great New Zealand-owned and operated business like HydroTech. Our support includes regular and reliable onsite diesel deliveries to their three yards and Waitomo Fuel Cards for their fleet so the team can stay one step ahead as a leader in the three waters maintenance industry.

0800 922 123 | WAITOMOGROUP.CO.NZ 66 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Whatever your fuel needs, Waitomo can help.

As well as supplying diesel and petrol to our ever-expanding network of sites, we offer bulk fuel supply, onsite diesel supply and fuel storage solutions.

Seventy years on, our values remain the same – great people, top performance and a fairer price for fuel. Give the Waitomo team a call to discuss your fuel needs today.

ITM Nelson

Keeping up with high demand

Ezequote Pty Ltd was established in 2004 to deliver accurate, comprehensive and professional designs, drafting, engineering and detailing solutions in a cost effective and timely manner

ITM Nelson’s frame and truss factory had operated from its Nelson, Pascoe Street, sites for nearly 20 years. However, as clients’ projects got bigger so did demand.

To keep up with the region’s growth, the decision was made to move from Nelson to Richmond in 2019 – and all for the better.

The new Richmond frame and truss plant is fitted out with some of the latest automated machinery and technology.

The factory is a spacious 1,680sqm which houses two full assembly lines for both frame and trusses. Meaning that on a good day, a standard 200sqm house can be cut and assembled within a single day.

ITM Nelson commercial business manager, Rodney Woolf has over 35 years of experience in timber, building supplies and the frame and truss industry.

Built in 2019, the new Richmond frame and truss plant is fitted out with some of the latest automated machinery and technology.

The factory is a spacious 1,680sqm which facilitates two full assembly lines for both frame and trusses.

Therefore, when the conditions are right, a standard 200sqm house can be cut and assembled within a single day.

Rodney says that with the high influx of business and regional growth, the size of some of the construction has dramatically increased the size of the buildings they are doing.

Projects ITM Nelson has taken part in are some of the biggest Nelson has seen, including rest home care facilities and villages, multi-level apartments, an airport redevelopment and general commercial buildings.

Across the board, Rodney believes the construction of buildings has only gotten bigger.

However, no matter the size of your project, ITM Nelson deals with businesses and homeowners directly.

“We can deal directly with owners of other businesses to make decisions quickly and sort anything out as quick as possible without having to go back through general and head offices and things like that.

Ezequote is an expanding national and international network with over 350 employees worldwide and braches in:

AUSTRALIA (HQ) | USA PAKISTAN | VIETNAM | THAILAND

“We can make our own decisions and round things out pretty promptly,” Rodney says.

“We like to work pretty closely with those businesses. We like to understand the business so we can partner up with them, customise our offer if we need to. We focus on long-term and lasting relationships and partnerships.”

The frame and truss plant supports and supplies ITM’s four stores in the top of the South Island including Havelock, Motueka, Nelson and Takaka.

Together ITM offers the complete package from floors to roofs, windows and kitchens.

ITM staff spends a lot of time with designers and customers and their in-house team to understand what is actually needed and what the end result will look like – especially on large and complex projects.

For ITM it’s about working with clients at every stage of the project.

A member of the FTMA, you can trust ITM Nelson whether you’re a builder with a national company or a local builder.

ITM Nelson works with certified builders, master builders and BCITO through apprenticeships and training and industry support.

ITM Nelson 36 Pascoe Street Stoke Nelson (03) 548-5487 www.building-supplies.co.nz

Our Services Our highly qualified staff of Engineers, Draftsmen and Quantity Surveyors provide a comprehensive and professional estimation or quantity take off for the following: Prefabricated Walls + Roofing Systems Structural Steel & Shop Drawings Engineered Floors Drafting + Engineering Full Certification Available Eaves & Soffits

Shed Design & Certification Cladding Plasterboard Partiwalls Quantity Takes-Offs Estimation Design

Contact Us

www.ezequote.net.au Suite 9 The Boardwalk, Rialto Dr. Hope Island, Queensland 4212

Wayne Skulander

wayne@ezequote.com.au | +61 488 501 031

Andrew Hughes

andrew@ezequote.com.au | +61 418 775 507 www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 67

Engineered Timber Products

From cradle to gate With MBIE’s carbon regulations on the horizon, here’s what professionals in the engineered timber industry need to keep on their radar.

New Zealand is on the path to a low emission, climate resilient future – this means targeting sectors with a larger carbon footprint to try and reduce emissions.

consultation on how to ensure new buildings are energy efficient and low carbon.

The New Zealand Government has committed to being carbon zero by 2050, and that means all government departments are looking at how their sector can contribute.

Our built environment is responsible for 20 percent of the country’s carbon footprint, according to the New Zealand Green Building Council, with emissions from the industry at large increasing by 66 percent in the decade from 2007 to 2017.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has already started

MBIE is proposing the building industry initially counts the carbon in new buildings.

Stunning use of timber in Nelson Airport.

Green As a responsible NZ manufacturer, Techlam is dedicated to protecting human health, natural resources and the environment.

From there, companies will move to stay under a cap – a maximum amount of carbon – which will be set in the Building Act. Feedback from the first round of consultation endorsed this approach.

As residential buildings use predominantly timber frames, the industry expects to see steel frame, steel beams and masonry phased out at a steady pace in favour of timber.

The big shift builders and contractors will see more and more timber specified in medium to large buildings – that means engineered wood. You will see a mix of NZ grown and manufactured LVL, Glulam and CLT, plus familiar timber sheet materials, displacing the high carbon materials specified in the past.

Many WPMA members have produced EPDs – environmental product declarations – for designers to use when working out the carbon footprint of individual materials and building as a whole.

The EPD data includes forestry operations, harvesting, sawing, drying and the further processing operations for each product type as required, such as drying, surfacing, fingerjointing and face gluing.

Green School New Zealand Location Oakura, Taranaki Engineered Timber Techlam

0800 832 452 // techlam.nz

SUSTAINABLE MASS TIMBER SOLUTIONS email: info@woodspan.co.nz ph: 027 211 6490 www.woodspan.co.nz 68 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

WPMA’s next step is to get its Timber Design Centre, a timber advisory service in partnership with the New Zealand government, up and running to accelerate design innovation and provide a solid resource for builders and contractors’ pricing and building for large scale engineered wood products.

To support designers and builders, WPMA has published a series of design guides, available on the WPMA. If you are not familiar with how timber stacks up as a sustainable, low carbon building option, the TIMBER, CARBON AND THE ENVIRONMENT design guide is a great place to start. To find out more, visit www.wpma.org.nz Beyond its carbon credentials, timber is a gorgeous material that lends itself to captivating, large-scale buildings. From the local pine showcased in the Nelson Airport Terminal to the award-winning Te Pā Tauira|Otago Polytechnic Student Village, timber structures create warm, inviting spaces that aren’t easy to forget.

There are some big shifts ahead of us as we rise to the challenge of achieving carbon zero by 2050. Fortunately, we have plenty of homegrown timber, as well as NZ wood processors and manufacturers producing the products we need to meet the challenge.

The industry can make a huge impact just by doing our bit to rein in climate change and creating beautiful buildings at the same time.

WPMA PO Box 3551 Wellington (04) 473 9220 www.wpma.org.nz

Engineered Timber Products

Te Whare Nui o Tuteata: a feat in timber technology Te Whare Nui o Tuteata, Scion’s newly finished innovation hub for business visitors and the public alike, is a world first for a wooden diagrid structure of its size.

processing, backed up with our modern manufacturing equipment allowed us to utilise multiple CNC machines in tandem to complete this process with consistency and speed.”

The custom-designed wooden ceiling was inspired by the structure of radiata pine genome, with lighting reflecting the Matariki night sky. The subtle tones of timber battens and plywood panels depict the barcoding effect from the plant DNA.

The three-storey building was constructed in a diagonal grid (diagrid) timber structure to provide strength and stiffness with less material than traditional structures.

Te Whare Nui o Tuteata showcases Scion’s science and research by building a future from timber and creating tomorrow’s products – ones that step away from fossil-based materials and made from New Zealand’s renewable forests. TimberLab’s expertise with engineered timber design and products made it the ideal partner in its construction and design.

The engineered timber structure aptly encapsulates all that this Crown Research Institute stands for, as the organisation specialises in research for science and technology development for the forest, wood and wood-derived materials, as well as other biomaterial sectors.

TimberLab was involved early in the design phase of the iconic project under an ECI (Early Contractor Involvement) agreement.

TimberLab projects manager, Andrew Hewitt. assisted the design team using DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) principles to enable efficient manufacture processes and ensure the build process on site was optimised.

TimberLab managing director, Darren Stead says, “With no precedence in NZ, such an ambitious design meant that developing the diagrid node connections and understanding their ability to withstand the load demands was critical to a successful outcome.

“Diagrids are an efficient way to provide strength and stiffness and require less material than traditional structures. To make sure they were up to the job, the strength of the components was tested at Scion. An apex portion was subjected to 45 tonnes of downward pressure then pulled upward by a 31.5 tonne force.

“A node section, where diagrid components are integrated with a horizontal member, was subjected to 20 tonnes of compression to try to twist the horizontal component – it was ultimately unsuccessful.”

Scion science leader for wood processing, Doug Gaunt says that all the pieces tested,

The building is named “Te Whare Nui o Tuteata” gifted by Ngā Hapū e Toru who hold mana over the whenua.

The name Te Whare Nui o Tuteata acknowledges the mana of the tupuna Tuteata, from whom Ngā Hapū e Toru descend and the connection to the whenua, Titokorangi. passed with flying colours. “Both the elements tested, comfortably performed even at the maximum design loads the engineers had calculated.”

Darren says, “TimberLab’s skills in digital manufacturing made us the ideal supply partner for this project. Our draughting team completed an accurate 3D model of over 5,000 parts that made up the LVL diagrid, LVL floor and roof framing, Glulam entry beams and custom metalwork connections.

“The LVL diagrid alone required the rapid CNC processing of 4,248 parts of LVL to enable us to laminate the 88 finished diamond and triangle-shaped frames.

TimberLab’s expertise in CAM + CNC

TimberLab Solutions Ltd 9 Bostock Place East Tamaki Auckland (09) 253 9349 enquiries@timberlab.co.nz www.timberlabsolutions.com

The open frame diagrid structure was designed with seismic activity in mind – the connections between the diagrid units include a component that will collapse on itself to protect the building, similar to how certain parts of a car compact in a car accident.

Darren says, “Our experience in complex and bespoke manufacturing was instrumental in helping to resolve and refine the structural timber system. We worked with the project team to create the design concept, then to develop and test the components and systems used in this project.

“Early collaboration meant we were able to explore options at concept phase, which in turn ensured the final design was efficient to manufacture, both in time and cost and was suitable for rapid site assembly.”

The project used an abundance of different engineered timber products. The diagrid wall frame used laminated veneered lumber (LVL) technology while the floor beams and roof trusses are made from LVL as well. Cross laminated timber (CLT) was used for the floors, lift shaft panels, suspended staircases and meeting room bracing. Glulam was used for the stunning feature entrance and for the bespoke bench seating outside the building.

LVL Fabricator for The Scion Innovation Hub - Leaders in Engineered Timber Since 1958 09-2539349 | www.timberlabsolutions.com

In total, the building contains 454m3 of structural wood, storing approximately 418 tonnes of CO2-e for the life of the building. The number of emissions it stores is the equivalent of 160 return flights from Auckland to London. Choosing wood helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption during the engineered timber manufacturing and building construction stages. www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 69

Engineered Timber Products

Futurebuild® LVL From the early pioneering days to now, natural wood-based products have featured heavily in the New Zealand building and construction environment.

New Zealand builders are familiar with timber and this familiarity and comfort leads to innovation and confidence in the use of wood-products.

It is evident from the exponential growth nationally in the use of LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) that the preference for wood-based building products continues to grow, even today.

Futurebuild® LVL is the engineered wood product to take projects to the next level; made from multiple layers of wood veneer laminated together under precise factory conditions, combined using heat and pressure resulting in a solid, consistent material that delivers proven structural reliability along with design versatility.

New Zealand builders, architects and engineers are unlocking the potential of LVL as a building material as they come to realise this product has more uses than just as a beam.

With the next generation of LVL systems, including Timber Concrete Composite (TCC) Floors, LVL Portal Frame systems and LVL post and beam structures being used increasingly in the New Zealand Market – what better time is there to explore the potential of these systems?

TCC Floors represent a move to optimise the advantages of both Futurebuild LVL beams and a concrete screed/slab, combined using defined connection methods to provide a composite flooring system.

Introduced to New Zealand in 2012, concrete screeds/slabs have been added to timber floors for decades in Europe where the natural weight of concrete have been used to provide acoustic benefits.

A natural progression is to provide a structural connection between the screed/ slab and the LVL joists, allowing for an optimised structural solution with acoustic, fire and optimisation benefits.

In commercial applications, prefabricated LVL Flooring Cassette panels create efficiencies and can accelerate the speed of build on site.

70 | B&C - Issue #127

"

TCC Floors represent a move to optimise the advantages of both Futurebuild LVL beams and a concrete screed/slab, combined using defined connection methods to provide a composite flooring system.

"

Futurebuild® LVL TCC floors have several features and benefits for end users, builders, designers and building owners alike.

They include: • Concrete screed for enhanced acoustic attenuation

• LVL for strength, stiffness, and inherent fire resistance* • Established, tested, and proven performance • Lightweight when compared to reinforced concrete slabs enabling use of conventional timber framing support* • Easy to install, no specialist equipment required • Provides design flexibility for cost-effective floor layouts * • Made in New Zealand.

Futurebuild LVL TCC Floors have been used in New Zealand for multi-story educational facilities, apartment buildings, commercial office buildings, retirement villages and combined retail and office complexes.

Futurebuild LVL offers engineers the computeIT® for Beams software solution to enable engineers to develop design solutions for a range of engineered wood production solutions, including TCC Floor systems.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

The benefits of TCC Floor systems are subject to design considerations and with the use of the Futurebuild LVL software, technical guides and support, optimisation of design can be easily achieved.

Looking ahead In response to the constant changes and challenges in the building market, the industry needs to be innovative and utilise products that are both efficient and sustainable.

Futurebuild LVL is made from sustainably grown plantation pine, a naturally renewable material. All Futurebuild LVL products are available FSC® Certified (upon request) and

are Declare accredited, making them suitable for use in Living Building Challenge projects.

Want to know more about LVL? The Futurebuild LVL team offer CPD training, have a dedicated specification team and can offer personalised product, software and app training.

The design and specification of Futurebuild LVL products can be optimised using the free software solutions available from Futurebuild LVL. For more information on Futurebuild LVL or to download technical guides, apps and software visit: www.futurebuild.co.nz.

Engineered Timber Products

MAKE QUICK WORK OF LVL MIDFLOORS & ROOFS

Use the Futurebuild ® Residential Design Service to get your LVL engineered midfloors and roofing from concept to site fast and as easily as possible.

The service provides peace of mind by taking away the pressure and risk of designing complicated midfloors. Our design team use specialist software to design a structurally reliable, New Zealand Building Code compliant system using proven Futurebuild LVL products you can depend on.

DESIGN - PLAN - DELIVER

Why use the Futurebuild Residential Design Service?

•

•

•

• •

Free flooring and/or roof plans taken off or designed from scratch within 5 days or to the customer’s agreed terms (once all required information is supplied).

Detailed and precise take-off lists including all applicable flooring bracketry components.

Futurebuild LVL floor and/or roof members with individual pieces labelled, packaged and delivered to merchants, together with waterproof plans ready for site.

Nationwide merchant delivery within 2-6 days (pending region).

Working with straight, uniform and dimensionally stable engineered Futurebuild LVL which is lightweight and easy to install.

FREE DESIGN SERVICE Enquire Today For more information please contact us on: 0508 244 356 or email design@futurebuild.co.nz

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 71

Roofing Canterbury

Longstanding, local, quality roofing Roofline Canterbury is a family-owned, roofing and cladding manufacturer and installer. Serving the local community since 1977, the company has grown in many different ways to keep up with demand.

Canterbury earthquakes reaffirmed the versatility of lightweight roofing and cladding.

Colin says, “The old concrete tiles are a bit of a danger in earthquakes so we do a lot of concrete tile re-roofing.

That’s the main reason why lightweight roofs are popular nowadays.”

Roofline Canterbury’s longstanding history in Canterbury complements its desire to stay local with the products it uses to manufacture roofing materials.

In the last five years or so Roofline Canterbury has been gradually upgrading nearly all of its factory equipment. The company finds this process of modernisation necessary for efficiency and competition.

In addition to its new fascia and quad gutter machine being manufactured in Canterbury, Roofline Canterbury uses all New Zealand manufactured steel products including prepainted products.

Manufacturing updates

As a member of the Roofing Association of New Zealand and New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Association, you can trust Roofline Canterbury to manufacture and install the roofing materials for your next project – big or small.

One of the latest updates involves the adoption of Angus Robertson Ltd’s 185-milimeter fascia and quad gutter machine which is also manufactured in Canterbury.

This addition is especially exciting because Roofline Canterbury has never been able to offer its own manufactured fascia and quad gutter.

The quad gutter is popular on traditional and modern houses with swages for additional strength. It can be run in all of Roofline Canterbury’s standard colours and Zincalume.

The quad gutter uses a concealed clip system when attached to the 185mm fascia. This is quick and easy to install. It also has a concealed bracket for installation on a timber fascia.

Roofline Canterbury manager, Colin Megaw says, “It’s pretty popular right now. We use it on 90 percent of the new houses that we do. Users like a quad gutter.”

In the past, Roofline Canterbury bought fascia and quad gutter from other manufacturers. Although Colin and the team were generally satisfied with the quality of the products, it wasn’t the same as manufacturing in-house.

Along with fascia and quad gutter, Roofline Canterbury manufactures a whole range of steel roofing products such as corrugate and five-rib roofing, flashings, and ridging.

The company fills small and big orders, even if all that’s needed are window flashings.

Membership in both associations requires Roofline Canterbury to adhere to the Metal Roofing and Wall Cladding Code of Practice.

Furthermore, Roofline Canterbury’s workmanship is backed by a five-year warranty while its ColorCote prepainted metal products have warranties ranging from 15 to 30 years.

Withstanding the test of time, Roofline Canterbury is sure to stay with its desire to stay up to date with the latest technology, customer-centred service and reliability.

The family-business difference One of the benefits to being of family-owned business is that it’s team oriented. No matter how big or small your project may be, Roofline Canterbury’s service remains the same.

You will deal with the same person and receive the same care, attention and prompt service every time.

Most people on staff have been with the company for at least five years and some for up to 20 years. Along with rapport, customers appreciate how easy it is to involve Roofline Canterbury in their projects.

Edging Systems are pleased to support Roofline in the Canterbury Region.

We are delighted that they choose to use our products with their ridging and flashing materials.

N.Z.’s Premier soft edge supplier

Colin says, “We turn our orders around really quickly; we offer really good service. People like coming in so they can sit down and talk to the person who they’re going to be dealing with. Yeah, we just try and look after people.”

Trust in local know-how Back in 1977, the company was originally called Roofline Products Limited. However, about five years ago the name was changed to Roofline Canterbury to reflect the customers the company serves. The fact that the company is locally owned is a point of pride for the company.

Roofline Canterbury services extend as far north as Kaikoura and as far south as Rakaia; although the company occasionally does work on the West Coast.

www.edgingsystems.co.nz

Locally owned and operated, Roofline Canterbury experienced historical events like the Canterbury earthquakes alongside its customers.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

163 Shands Road Hornby Christchurch info@roofline.co.nz www.roofline.co.nz

Even though the company has been manufacturing steel roofing products ever since it was first established, the

Helping Roofline give their customers better roofing in the long run.

72 | B&C - Issue #127

Roofline Canterbury

In the roofing business, it’s ultimately quality and durability that matters most.

ColorCote® is proud to supply Roofline with premium pre-painted aluminium and steel roofing products and cladding, ensuring their customers get roofing that lasts longer.

For more information visit www.colorcote.co.nz or call 0800 279 979 ColorCote® is a registered trademark of Fletcher Steel Ltd.

Metalcraft Roofing New Plymouth

Quality over quantity At Metalcraft Roofing New Plymouth, the motto ‘quality over quantity’ is behind everything the branch has to offer like the products and customer service it provides.

great asset about being part of a national company: the sharing of knowledge.”

In regard to customer service, organisation and communication, Mark sees his branch as the ambulance at the top of the hill instead of the bottom – anticipating problems before they happen so the job is done right the first time.

However, of the two, the branch relishes in its quality customer service.

Metalcraft Roofing New Plymouth

Metalcraft Roofing New Plymouth branch manager, Mark Stewart says, “Customer service is what we pride ourselves on, especially in New Plymouth.”

Whether you’re working on a big commercial build or a smaller residential project, Metalcraft Roofing New Plymouth does its best to get good quality product out the door and onsite as efficiently as possible.

The New Plymouth branch often sends prospective clients to a Henwood Road residence which showcases Metalcraft’s Espan® 340 profile.

When you do a job well, you’re glad for it to be on display for everyone to see. That’s how Mark feels about Metalcraft New Plymouth and Farnsworth Roofing’s work on the New Plymouth airport.

During this build, Jason Williams Builders and Dean Soffee Roofing used this profile on the roof and walls. Using one of Metalcraft Roofing’s newest products, Espan® draws its aesthetic appeal from its high ribs and concealed fixing system.

Mark says, “Every time we drive past or fly in, it’s quite nice to know that our profile is on the building.”

Because of the lengths of the sheets, Metalcraft Roofing had its transportable rollformer on site producing 30-to-35 metre, Metdek 855 sheets which Farnsworth Roofing installed.

COLORSTEEL® provides various colours and finishes. For the Henwood Road residence, Metalcraft Roofing New Plymouth made the roofing and cladding in FLAXPOD® Matte.

FLAXPOD® Matte is one of the latest finishes available and a very popular choice offered

by New Zealand Steel.

The scale and nature of the project required high levels of coordination and collaboration from all parties, resulting in the project’s overall success.

To ensure your roofing and cladding lasts, Metalcraft New Plymouth relies on Thermakraft underlays and Konnect fixing systems.

Metalcraft Roofing brings the same enthusiasm into residential projects as well, especially since roofs are becoming more of a statement feature in homes.

No matter the size or demands of the project, Metalcraft Roofing New Plymouth is there to offer its knowledge and experience to meet your roofing and cladding needs.

"

We are scattered around New Zealand so we have those points of contact and we can share knowledge.

I think that’s a great asset about being part of a national company: the sharing of knowledge.

- Metalcraft Roofing New Plymouth branch manager, Mark Stewart

"

One benefit to being a part of a national company is Metalcraft’s support network.

Mark says, “We are scattered around New Zealand so we have those points of contact and we can share knowledge. I think that’s a

PO Box 3064 Fitzroy New Plymouth (06) 755 2113 www.metalcraftgroup.co.nz

Integrated total roof lining solutions for drier, safer and healthier buildings.

• Covertek – our premium synthetic roof underlay range has four options designed specifically for NZ standards and conditions.

• Bituminous Paper – highly water resistant and vapour permeable.

• Thermabar Foil – fire retardant, high strength foil underlay.

• Ausnet – galvanised steel hexagonal underlay support netting.

• Ausmesh – high strength roof safety mesh and underlay support.

We’ve got Metalcraft New Plymouth covered.

Thermakraft Ltd 0800 806 595

Konnect Fastening Systems are proud to supply Metalcraft Roofing’s customer base with New Zealand’s widest range of roof fixings and related consumables konnectfasteningsystems.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 73

Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand

The benefits of being a SARNZ member Scaffolding, Access and Rigging NZ Inc (SARNZ) is continuing to increase in membership numbers since the establishment of free apprenticeship training.

After coming into force over two years ago, SARNZ general manager, Jessica Pritchard says she has seen an extra 300 people sign up for apprenticeships.

It’s free to enrol, so that’s been a really big draw card and big incentive because there is no risk for the employers for the first couple of years because they are paid to train people essentially.

The people that are signing up for these apprenticeships aren’t all necessarily starting out from square one either, they are people that are continuing their studies as well, Jessica says.

“It’s really helped with the confidence of the employers making decisions.”

The Scaffolding Apprenticeship is designed to help apprentices learn the necessary skills they need during their training and helps them to keep up to date with industry requirements and it also means that graduates are competent to take on bigger jobs.

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.

“

“

Ask your builder if they are using Securescaffold – it will save you money.

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.

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!

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

www.securescaffold.co.nz | * Terms and conditions apply to the Secureguarantee

74 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

0800 66 00 22

Head Office - 38 Lowe Street, Addington, Christchurch 8011 Christchurch Yard - 72 Shortland Street, Wainoni, Christchurch 8061

Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand

Other apprenticeship benefits Businesses keen to take on new apprentices can mold them to do things the way they like and make sure the job’s done right the first time.

Join SARNZ today!

With SARNZ membership, your customers know they can rely on you to deliver on our promise of “Quality and Safety Every Time”.

Not only is taking on an apprentice a great way to grow your business, once they’re qualified, they can help free up your more-skilled scaffolders to grow their own capabilities.

Support

By encouraging your experienced scaffolders to gain more advanced qualifications, you’ll be making sure they don’t get stuck doing the same level of jobs; helping get your business to take the next step and pick up more of those complex jobs.

Industry Representation

Through the apprenticeship, SARNZ aim to work together with the industry to improve the quality and safety on all levels of the industry.

Scaffolding Recognition of Current Competency

Importantly, this will raise the professionalism of the industry, shifting views of scaffolding to be a more respected career choice for young Kiwis.

All over the country apprentices are meeting up to discuss what they’ve learnt and what’s happening in their industry.

The future of New Zealand scaffolding is in our apprentices and this is the platform for them to form those industrial bonds that will one day be the bones of the industry.

Membership body “As a membership body we represent about a third of the industry of scaffolding companies,” Jessica says.

“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,” Jessica says.

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

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.

Gain the NZ qualification using your experience/overseas qualifications.

There are very clear eligibility forms to determine whether this is for you.

If you have very little experience in scaffolding then this is not the right course of action and you need to look at the Apprenticeship (Levels 3, 4 and/or 5). Visit this website: www.skills.org.nz/ skills-recognition/scaffolding – and if you have any further questions feel free to get in touch with SARNZ. Key things to do: • Read through all the info on the above link • Go through the eligibility form, this may mean you need to look at the forms for courses below the one you are aiming for to build up to it • Only enroll with Skills once you can tick yes to everything, this means that you are able to produce the evidence of all the 'Yes' items • If you need to complete any of the individual Unit Standards, contact either Vertical Horizonz or Tai Poutini Polytechnic to complete these.

Continued on page 78 > www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 75

Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand

SafeSmart Access "

A New Zealand company providing scaffolding and height access solutions for use in construction worldwide is challenging traditions for financial efficiencies within the local scaffolding industry.

[In relation to] the workers, just by getting a lot more work out of them and them being happier at the end of the day, less fatigued, you’re making more money. It makes a lot of sense.

Northland based, SafeSmart Access is this country’s market leader in height access equipment.

"

SafeSmart Access has manufactured and supplied scaffolding and height access products since 1997 and is now New Zealand’s market leader in height access equipment.

At SafeSmart Access’s ISO9001 registered Northland manufacturing facility a range of high quality aluminium and steel height access products are designed and manufactured for use within construction, civil works, mining, defence, marine and aviation maintenance for use both here in New Zealand and around the world.

All manner of height adjustable portable platforms, self-levelling stairs and access stands, are available off the shelf. If your challenge cannot be solved within the range, the inhouse design team is here to provide a bespoke solution to suit.

While their worldwide distribution network caters for the height access requirements of construction, defence, mining, aviation, transport and pipeline industries around the globe, the primary focus in New Zealand is the scaffolding industry.

SafeSmart is the supplier of the popular Proscaf rosette style scaffold system, widely used for scaffolding of both residential and commercial construction developments.

Traditionally the components that make up rosette scaffold systems – including Proscaf – are made from steel for strength.

However, with a 20-year background and experience in the design and fabrication of aluminium access platforms, SafeSmart Access has challenged this norm, by

76 | B&C - Issue #127

lighter weight aluminium range, certified for medium duty up to 20m, often provides a greater return on investment and a speedier service for scaffolders’ customers when working on lower-level installations. engineering a full suite of components to match the original steel Proscaf system with an aluminium alternative.

The lighter weight of the Proscaf Aluminium system was originally met with scepticism from the largely staunchly traditional scaffolding industry in New Zealand.

However, operators using the aluminium equivalent are now realising the benefits to the ‘bottom line’ of the lighter weight Proscaf system.

Proscaf Aluminium is now proven to be quicker to erect, demanding less wear and tear on workers and allowing more components to be transported on a truck, all saving time and money.

Weighing 45 percent less than the steel equivalent, Proscaf Aluminium allows for 28.5 percent faster erection on residential house scaffolding – increasing margins for scaffolders.

Used by scaffolders across New Zealand and the globe, Giraffe Scaffolding owner, James Hunt has been blown away by the benefits of Proscaf Aluminium, particularly the lighter weight product which allows for more components to be carried on a truck.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

“Before, if it was steel, we’d only be able to take one stillage high. Now we can double stack our stillages the whole way through the truck, so we’re basically getting double the loads on the truck. Basically, with the transport alone you double the gear or halve the amount of fuel [required for a load], so the bottom line there on the saving is tenfold,” he says.

Further to the financial advantages of using Proscaf aluminium over steel are some less tangible, albeit significant benefits for the scaffolding practitioners, which Hunt has seen in his own team. “[In relation to] the workers, just by getting a lot more work out of them and them being happier at the end of the day, less fatigued, you’re making more money. It makes a lot of sense.”

Chris Wilkinson of Kingdom Hire echoes the sentiment, sharing that after trialling Proscaf Aluminium, his 66-year-old worker requested that he only use aluminium scaffolding moving forward.

While the hot dipped galvanised high strength steel range of Proscaf is approved for heavy duty applications up to 30m, the

However, despite the lighter weight, Wilkinson has seen the quality of Proscaf Aluminium for himself.

“I’m pleasantly surprised that they’re not wearing how I thought they would,” he says of the aluminium componentry” Imported to SafeSmart Access’s design, the Proscaf system is backed by SafeSmart’s in-house design and engineering team and tested in Australia and New Zealand by accredited independent testing laboratories to AS/NZS standards.

Ongoing efforts to add value to the scaffolding industry have realised further product innovations which provide opportunities for scaffolders to widen their markets with minimal additional outlay. SafeSmart Access has developed systems for temporary weather-proof roofing, event staging, and propping which allow scaffolding operators to utilise standard Proscaf scaffolding components for more applications.

Related products, used by the wider construction industry are also available from SafeSmart access, including rubbish chutes, debris netting, shrink wrap, safety netting, containment sheeting, acoustic barrier panels and ladders.

Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand

THE POWER OF

Scaffolding that is Safe, Smart + Efficient?

The Answer is Proscaf Proscaf Aluminium is ideal for those projects where the locking and load bearing properties of Proscaf Steel components are required, but you need the light weight and installation advantages that aluminium delivers.

Proscaf Aluminium has been designed and tested for optimum strength and durability in site conditions.

GET IN TOUCH WITH SAFESMART ACCESS TODAY TO FIND YOUR LOCAL PROSCAF CONTRACTOR

FREEPHONE 0800 000 448 sales@safesmartaccess.co.nz www.safesmartaccess.co.nz

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 77

Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand

Membership benefits One of the best benefits of being a SARNZ member is the Vertigo Insurance plan which we launched with Crombie and Lockwood.

This insurance scheme means that that no matter the variety of businesses and roles you have, as a member you have access to savings you would not be able to get individually and extensions only offered because of the power of our membership coming together for this program.

“The insurance benefits are definitely something that we’re trying to push because it’s probably the most tangible benefit that you get from being a member,” Jessica says.

“We have some members saving up to $30,000 in the scheme,” Jessica says.

“Some of the other benefits is the networking we offer our members.

“Often, I’ll get project managers saying to me that they’ve got this issue with this scaffolding company and what can I do, and it’s definitely because we have this wealth of knowledge that we are able to provide that advice.

“When the person is a member, I also have a lot more influence over helping them with what they need, than if they’re not a member,” Jessica says.

“I guess you could say we do a lot of that vetting behind the scenes for you because there are strong application and renewal requirements for our members, so if you’re using a SARNZ member there is a base line of guarantee that we like to provide.”

R

"

I guess you could say we do a lot of that vetting behind the scenes for you because there are strong application and renewal requirements for our members, so if you’re using a SARNZ member there is a base line of guarantee that we like to provide.

- SARNZ general manager, Jessica Pritchard

JOB. #

ACTION TAGS LTD

SAFE

GO SCAFFOLD ERECTED BY COMPETENT SCAFFOLDER (UNDER 5M) www.actiontags.co.nz

©Action Tags

TM

R

OUT OF

MONTHLY INSPECTIONS

SERVICE

SITE SERIES 3

SITE SERIES 3

R

JOB #

SAFETY CHECKLIST

BELOW COMPONENTS SHOULD BE CHECKED PRIOR TO ACCESSING SCAFFOLD: • Supporting structure/foundation • Standards Ledgers/transoms & putlogs • Ties and braces • Couplers • Working platforms • Planks • Guardrails and toeboards • Stairs and ladders If scaffold does not comply with this checklist, contact: Name ......................................................

Email ......................................................

Ph. ..............................................................

CLIENT: .........................................................................................................................

AUTHORISED BY: ............................................................................................................

DATE: ..............................................................................................................................

COMMENTS: ...............................................................................................................................

CONTACT: ........................................................................................................................

(Name)

INSPECTION SIGN OFFS ON REVERSE

SITE SERIES 3

R

JOB #

SAFETY CHECKLIST DO NOT USE EDGE PROTECTION & SEE YOUR SUPERVISOR IF:

JOB #

SAFE

SCAFFOLDING COMPANY: _________________________________________ BUILT BY: _________________________________DATE: _________________ SITE/CLIENT: _____________________________________________________ CLIENT APPROVED/HANDOVER: ____________________________________ CONTACT #: ___________________ ORDER/JOB NO: _________________

• Clamps are loose • Handrails positioned at incorrect height • Exposed area not properly handrailed • SWL exceeded • Access is unsafe • Toe/kick board required

LOCATION OF SCAFFOLD: ________________________________________ COMMENTS/LIMITATIONS: _________________________________________ NO. OF LIFTS: _________ BAYS: _______ WORKING PLATFORMS: ______ Light (225kg) Freestanding

Medium (450kg) Suspended

Heavy (675kg) Cantilever

Special Mobile

If scaffold does not comply with this checklist, contact:

ROOF EDGE PROTECTION

Name ................................................

Email ......................................................

Ph. .........................................................

CLIENT: .............................................................................. JOB: ..............................

SCAFFOLDER: .................................................................... SIGN: .............................

(Name)

Guardrails must be constructed to withstand someone falling against them. They must be able to withstand a load of 600N (62kg) in any direction without deflecting more than 100mm and withstand a force of 1200N (123kg) without failing.

Note: Scaffolding over 5.0m or more is notifiable work and the erection/dismantling or alterations including the movement of planks, can only be carried out under the supervision of a Scaffolder holding a current Certificate of Competency.

INSPECTION SIGN OFFS ON REVERSE

Scaffold Notifiable

YES

NO

SITE SERIES 3

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JOB #

SAFETY CHECKLIST DO NOT USE SCAFFOLD & SEE YOUR SUPERVISOR IF:

SAFE

• Scaffold is not on hard level surface • Check if counter weights required • Structure overloaded • Wheel locks not functional • Structure within limits of overhead lines • Slab edge/Step down unprotected • Always relocate by manpower If scaffold does not comply with this checklist, contact: Name ......................................................

Email ......................................................

Ph. ..............................................................

MOBILE SCAFFOLD

CLIENT: ................................................... DATE: ..................... JOB: ........................

SCAFFOLD DUTY per BAY: 225kg 450kg 675kg Special Duty ..............

SCAFFOLDER: .................................................................... SIGN: .............................

(Name)

INSPECTION SIGN OFFS ON REVERSE

Shop online at ACTION TAGS today | www.actiontags.co.nz 78 | B&C - Issue #127

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

"

Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand, Inc PO Box 30758 Lower Hutt (04) 589 8081 admin@sarnz.org.nz www.sarnz.co.nz

Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand

Scaffold tower with fully adjustable levels 12m long, 0.8m wide and a reach height of 7m.

Fully planked to two levels. Worksafe Compliant.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 79

CANZ

CANZ Conference 2021: World class in our own backyard

With nearly a half century worth of industry representation under its belt, the Crane Association of New Zealand seeks to cement itself as one of the country’s foremost industry bodies.

And there will be no better opportunity to raise the bar than during the association’s upcoming conference in Hamilton.

Following the postponement of the 2020 event, and the current COVID-19 environment the world finds itself in, CANZ hopes this year’s calibre of exhibitions, displays and speakers will be an attractive offer for potential attendees.

To be held at Claudelands Arena from 14-16 July, the CANZ Conference is themed – time for change: creating a world class crane industry in our own backyard.

“This is our opportunity to decide how we, the industry, want the outcome to look.”

On a lighter note, the event will also boast one of the country’s largest collection of cranes.

Sarah is excited for some of the machines that will be on display, a detail she can’t reveal until the day of.

“There’s one machine that will be really exciting to see up close and personal, but I can’t tell you because it’s a secret.

Let’s just say it’s the second of its kind in New Zealand.”

Therefore, this year’s event will be instrumental in getting some answers about the association’s future direction and the role it should play.

A crane simulator will also be on hand for those keen to try their hand at the latest virtual machinery.

“Our hands are being forced with RoVE and some key pieces of legislation coming our www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

way; we’re being asked to lift our standards and we need to change in order to prepare for that.

The industry’s landscape will change dramatically, due to the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) and the implementation of new Plant, Structures and Working at Heights regulations.

Therefore, it makes sense for the industry to look inwards to develop a world class industry here in New Zealand, CANZ executive officer, Sarah Toase says.

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CANZ executive officer, Sarah Toase.

While this year’s event will be slightly different compared with events gone by – due to the unavailability of international travel – the association will still present and incorporate international best practices in the conference’s programme.

Continued page 82 >

CANZ

Exceptional capabilities to streamline worksites. max. boom length 84 m max. boom length + max. crane jib length 75 m + 31 m Auxiliary sheave (2 sheaves) available as an option High functionality of the SCX-3 series

cableprice.co.nz | sales@cableprice.co.nz | 0800 555 456 Distributor of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Cranes Co., Ltd

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 81

CANZ

The Crane Industry Council of Australia’s chief executive officer, Brandon Hitch, will speak – via virtual link – to his respective industry’s challenges and their methods for overcoming them.

• Crane Trainer of the Year

For 25 years, the former Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman dangled from the helicopter’s winch to pluck people from seas, ravines, and paddocks in nearly 4,000 rescue operations.

• Project of the Year

The event will also serve as a venue for the association’s Annual General Meeting, where members will vote on and meet their new council members.

Monocrane 2010 is a one stop solutions shop that can design, manufacture, install and service the full range of standard and specialised, customer specific lifting solutions. Our team is committed to providing you with the highest levels of professional service to ensure you get the best solution for your application needs.

P: +64 9 426 7636 E: info@monocrane.co.nz

www.monocrane.co.nz

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• Crane Trainee of the Year

And while other details regarding speakers and workshops have yet to be finalised, one boon for eventgoers will be the chance to hear from keynote speaker, Dave Greenberg.

He will have you listening on the edge of your seat as he shares the life lessons from his time on the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

New Zealand’s Overhead Crane Specialists

There are seven award categories, so be sure to get your nominations in now:

• PTE Trainer of the Year • Training Company of the Year • Lift of the Year • Weighload Trophy.

For more information about registration, exhibition space, an outdoor crane display, conference sponsorship options or the list of awards, visit: www.cranes.org.nz/2021canz-conference.html.

CANZ

Continued page 89 >

Following this will be the chance for members to question the newly elected councillors about their strategic priorities in a panel, moderated by emcee Greg Ward.

“I don’t want this to be a conference where we just talk at you, our members. I want this to be an opportunity for you to have your voices heard, and have the council hear directly from you what your concerns and priorities are,” Sarah says.

While the programme continues to be finalised over the next two weeks, Sarah is seeking ideas from members about what workshops and topics they would like to see included.

"

Our hands are being forced with RoVE and some key pieces of legislation coming our way; we’re being asked to lift our standards and we need to change in order to prepare for that. This is our opportunity to decide how we, the industry, want the outcome to look.

- CANZ executive officer Sarah Toase

Should you wish to provide an option, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with event organiser James Chatterley at James@ eventdynamics.co.nz.

“This will be the industry’s only opportunity this year to have a large number of crane industry decision-makers under the one roof,” he says.

James says there is already a lot on offer this year, from a high calibre of plenary crane industry-specific speakers, several workshop sessions dedicated to technical and business advice, and ample exhibition space.

One crucially important component of the conference will once again be the opportunity to recognise the often unseen, hard graft within the crane industry during the Gala Awards.

"

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Ph 0800 274 911

Greg Dugmore - Email: greg76@xtra.co.nz PROUD MEMBER OF THE CRANE ASSOCIATION OF NZ

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 83

CANZ

Major Oak Safety Training Major Oak Safety Training is using simulation as an evidence verification and collection tool to be used for risk assessment, pre-employment, up skilling and towards gaining and getting ready for the final assessments in the workplace.

We are using a high-fidelity simulator, that is as close to the real thing as possible, it is an exceptionally reliable source of evidence collection and covers a wide range of applications.

By working with companies on what exact skills they require operators to possess rather than general assessment Major Oak believes that we can achieve several positive things.

• Less inexperienced operators in high-risk plant • Better validation of evidence • Lower cost to industry (plant kept working for longer not out for assessment and training) • Safer workplaces.

Major Oak is taking the lead and aiming to be the first in New Zealand to use this technology to benefit the wider industry and not just internal to one company.

We are already currently working with several areas and industry representatives all of which are looking to the future for the most efficient and safe way to improve training, assessment, and skills shortages.

This technology is not limited for our use.

We are happy to work with any assessor, training provider, company, association or department that is looking to help the industry through such technology.

To enable this access, our simulator is fully mobile in a custom-made enclosure, on a custom trailer, the unit can easily be detached and transported on 20ft iso twist locks or can be towed direct to location on the trailer.

This system fits with our thinking that training and assessment should supplement industry and not hinder by asking you to go off site to do generic training or assessment.

Equipment types available: • RT Mobile Crane (inc dual crane lift) • Flat Top Tower Crane • Luffing Tower Crane • Crawler Crane (inc dual crane lift) • Ship Pedestal Crane • Dogman communications and lift guidance • Hydraulic Excavator • Wheel Loader • Backhoe • Dozer • Motor Grader • Forklift • Equipment spotter and banksman.

Getting behind the controls of a crane or piece of mobile plant is one of the most sought after roles in the industry but also one that carries a great deal of risk in the workplace.

Employers (PCBUs) and directors have a primary duty of care under the Health and Safety at work act to take all reasonable steps to protect workers and others in the workplace from unnecessary risk or harm including injury prevention.

These directives can be assisted by clear policies and a comprehensive operator evaluation and education programmes, combined with the use of

the latest risk assessments and verification processes, simulators, and in machine/onsite evaluations. These risks can be identified, considerably reduced, and managed accordingly.

For insurance companies, simulators can be instrumental in terms of how they perceive an organisation’s training approach but also how they are mitigating risks or re occurrence of an incident.

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Our simulator provides full detailed competency reports from international competency tests to assist with this and hopefully ease the mind of potential employers/PCBUs to allow already skilled or newly skilled personnel to get into and support our industry efforts for closing the skill gap.

Experienced operators have the chance to show their current skills that may not be fully recognised, having access to very expensive equipment to prove that you have the skills required for a job in a new company or new country can be challenging, especially due to different qualifications and state of minds around compliance.

The environmental side of not having to sacrifice land, fuel and emissions enables us to effectively train candidates that may require longer periods in order to grasp the skills required. We can use simulation to place candidates in environmental and safety conditions that we would like them to be prepared for but not necessarily want them to come across in their everyday working life.

New operators can use the simulator to learn the skills, awareness, communication and gain the confidence to help with seat time and ultimately be less of a risk when they transfer into the real equipment, all without holding up the actual equipment onsite.

If you feel you, your company or even your trainees could benefit from the use of our simulator in co-ordination with your current methods please come and see us on our stand, give us a call or drop us an email. We look forward to working with you all.

CANZ

2019 CRANE TRAINING COMPANY OF THE YEAR

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING CRANE COURSES Knowledge of Slinging Regular Loads Safely Unit Standard 30072

Plan and Direct Complex Lifting Operations Unit Standard 3799

Crawler Crane Operator Unit Standard 27676

Sling regular loads and communicate during crane operations Unit Standard 3789

Tower Crane Operator Unit Standard 3794

Mini Crawler (Spider)Crane Unit Standard 26505

Overhead Gantry Crane Operator

New Zealand Certificate In Crane Operation

Unit Standard 3800

Levels 3 & 4

Sling complex loads for crane operations Unit Standard 3801

Self Erecting Tower Crane Unit Standard 20208

Truck Mounted Crane Unit Standard 16617

Mobile Crane Operator Unit Standard 3795

CONTACT US ABOUT EQUIPMENT SIMULATOR

FULLY FUNDED

CRANE COURSES

Pre-employment skills verifcation

Current operator up-skilling

International competency tests Task specific & post incident training

120+ SCENARIOS & SITUATIONS

For more details or to book: www.most.kiwi.nz info@most.kiwi.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 85

CANZ

Leverage Training Ltd It’s been just shy of three years now and Leverage Training is still making a strong contribution to the crane training and assessing industry.

Founded by first-time business owners Norman Kete and his wife Jessica, the business is already well on track with the aim to be “always lifting the standards” of safety within the crane industry.

Even with the set back of COVID-19, Leverage Training has still managed to provide an adaptable service to its growing client base throughout the country.

Being a small company, we can adapt to the needs of our customers; i.e., smaller group numbers.

Norman Kete and Leverage Training has also been fortunate enough to be part of the

Crane Safety Training and Assessing

first tier of assessors/companies to be able to provide the TTAF (Targeted Training and Assessment Funding) in the New Zealand Certificate in Cranes (Level 3 and 4).

This means the training and assessment for full crane and dogman qualifications are all government funded and totally FREE till the end of 2022.

“The goal has always been to make our crane industry safer; and now with the TTAF we can step it up a few more levels,” Norman says.

• • • • •

Norman Kete

2017 & 2018 Skills (PTE) Crane Trainer of the Year

Mobile Crane Truck Loader Crane Overhead Gantry Crane Cab Controlled Gantry Crane Mini Crawler Crane (Spider Crane)

• • • • •

Basic Slinging Loads Dogman Complex Loads Crane Lifted Work Platform (Man Cage) Crane & Dogman Refresher Courses

Enquire today about the FREE NZ Certificate in Cranes (Level 3 & 4) through the TTAF (Targeted Training & Assessment Funding).

So, if you have staff just starting out or longterm team members, now is a good time to affordably upskill.

TRAINING Ltd

“Always lifting the standards” Get in touch for all your crane training & assessing needs

norm@leveragetraining.co.nz

//

027 777 9944

Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club Welcome to the Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club The main features of the Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club include the restaurant and bar areas, 18 gaming machines, TAB facilities, pool and snooker tables and dart boards.

There are also function/meeting facilities, with full catering and bar options that can be supplied if required.

All club members can enjoy the leisure activities, sports, food and beverage facility which is only 100 metres from The Square, right in the heart of the city.

Become a member today and join the diverse group of 1800+ members.

The club offers a huge variety of activities seven days a week for members, affiliated members and guests.

Functions Club members and non-members can take advantage of our massive facility with their functions.

Should you require a large area to seat your 100-person birthday party, a cozy place for a family dinner or your work-do – then feel free to give us a call to book in your next function.

All functions are booked through the office.

Pirani’s Restaurant

Membership

Bring your family and friends down for a great night out while you enjoy our new delicious meals, free delivery Tuesday though to Saturday for takeaway meals or pop in and pick up a take away see our website for the menu.

Membership of the Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club is $45 per year single or $75 dual.

Pirani’s is the food hub of the Cossie Club facility. With competitively priced blackboard meals, chef’s specials, kids’ menu options, a Friday and Saturday night roast buffet, plus a Tuesday roast lunch buffet, there is something for everyone.

Associate Membership is $30 per year and the Intermediate Membership is $10 per year. Inquire at reception regarding joining or get more info on the Membership page.

Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club 22 Linton Street Palmerston North Manawatu-Wanganui (06) 357-6022 admin@pncossieclub.co.nz www.pncossieclub.co.nz

Phone 06 357 6022 E: admin@pncossieclub.co.nz W: www.pncossieclub.co.nz www.facebook.com/PNCossieclub

• Indoor Bowls

• Golf

• Fishing

• Darts

• 8 Ball

• Big Screen TVs

• Snooker

• TAB

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OPEN 7 DAYS

18 Gaming Machines

Housie Thursday afternoon / Restaurant Tuesday - Sunday Buffet: Friday evenings & Sunday lunch / Piranis Restaurant Free delivery on meals, Tuesday through to Saturday 22 Linton St, Palmerston North Affiliated members, guests & visitors welcome

CANZ

"

There’s one machine that will be really exciting to see up close and personal, but I can’t tell you because it’s a secret.

Let’s just say it’s the second of its kind in New Zealand.

- CANZ executive officer, Sarah Toase

" Continued page 90 >

Whatever the project, let us do the heavy lifting With over 20 years’ experience within the industry and an excellent safety record the specialist team at JD Rigging provides premium quality services and products ranging from: Crane and Hoist Hire and Sales General rigging and heavy lifting solutions including machinery shifts Servicing and Parts

Temporary Load Platforms Industry Related Training including inductions and refreshers Blokcam Safety Systems

So no matter how complex the lift, give the team a call today on 04 232 0930 or email admin@jdrigging.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 87

CANZ

Meister Solutions & Engineering Specialists in providing creative solutions to difficult tasks.

Meister Solutions & Engineering Ltd are specialists in providing creative solutions to difficult tasks.

Cranage & Lifting Solutions

Meister’s company model is geared towards remote site work and has existing supply chains, vehicles, freight capacity and tooling specifically designed to deliver key services to remote areas of the country.

• Expert Riggers • Helicopter Lifts • Restricted Access • Complex Lifts • Construction Diving

Complete end to end engineering & project management services • Quality Assurance • Engineering & Design • Health & Safety Auditing • Speciality Services

CALL US 021 767 719 admin@meister-solutions.nz

113 Gimblett Street, Invercargill

www.meister-solutions.nz

With the use of trusted contractors Meister Solutions & Engineering Ltd can also deliver key services throughout the country.

Meister Solutions & Engineering Ltd (formerly known as Hire Frankton Ltd) was rebranded in September 2020.

Owner/operator, Ross McFaul had been operating his cranage company in parallel with his busy position providing engineering services to heavy industry.

In August 2020, Ross made the decision to commit full time to Meister Solutions & Engineering Ltd, expanding the company’s offerings to include, specialist engineering services to pair with the growing cranage operation including working with dive teams and helicopter lifting.

The company has a proven record of dependable workmanship with a reliable

access to professionals and experts willing to get the job done right.

Meister Solutions & Engineering has experts in almost every field of heavy industry ready to make your project a success, from design, project management, planning, fabrication and installation.

Meister Solutions & Engineering Ltd knuckle boom cranes offer a variety of advantages over conventional telescopic cranes or mobile construction cranes.

Within an inner city or high-density built-up area, the flow of traffic or similarly restricted workspace means that a crane can often have its stabilisers extended on one side, partially, or not at all.

Swanson Transport

Swanson Transport’s proud new addition to their fleet is STL200, a Scania Mobile Crane, constructed by Palfinger in Austria with a massive PK200002L SH knuckleboom crane, flyjib and elevated work platform.

4 Wheeler

6 Wheeler

10 Wheeler

Trailer-Mounted

8 Wheeler

Mobile Crane

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STL200 is the biggest crane Palfinger makes and the first based in Auckland. It is perfect for precision lifts and with the third Jib attached it will lift 300kg out 50 metres and with the flyjib detached 17 ton at 7 metres.

STL200 is ideal for lifting construction materials onto floors of buildings which are being constructed or refurbished, as the main boom can extend up to 26 metres and then the flyjib can lift and place the load in

between the levels. To position loads on the other side of a building, depending on the height and weight involved, the unit can be set up to lift across the top using the main and flyjib and lowered down with the winch.

Alternatively there is also the capability for the load to be lifted through the openings between floors and out the other side then lowered down with the winch. This is something that is a point of difference to a standard mobile crane.

For those hard to reach remedial repairs on buildings STL200 also operates as an elevated work platform with a reach of 45 metres with battery and electric PTO backup to comply with all safety requirements.

To sum it up STL200 has the versatility of a knuckleboom crane and the reach capabilities of a large mobile crane.

CANZ

World leading materials handling solutions Palfinger New Zealand is dedicated to delivering a leading range of innovative lifting, loading and handling solutions to New Zealand industry.

Palfinger NZ provides local industry with the strength of a global leader in materials handling with Palfinger’s full range of lifting equipment available across New Zealand.

Palfinger has established itself as the world market and technology leader in truck mounted cranes, continually striving to provide customers with unique advantages that reflect in exceptional operational performance and long-term profitability.

Both globally and in New Zealand, Palfinger provides superior technical support, parts availability and after sales service.

Palfinger NZ is a trading brand of Sime Darby Transport (NZ) Ltd – New Zealand’s leading value-added solutions provider to the infrastructure, forestry, transport and materials handling industries. Sime Darby Transport (NZ) Ltd is a part of the Sime Darby Motors division.

Explore the New Zealand product range here: www.palfinger.co.nz/product-range.

Palfinger Cranes New Zealand’s leading range of truck mounted knuckle boom cranes delivered with exceptional service and support nationwide. Palfinger offers a full range of truck mounted knuckle boom cranes and mobile cranes from 0.8m/tonne to 150m/tonne.

Marine Cranes Palfinger offers a comprehensive range of knuckleboom and stiff boom cranes for offshore and on-shore applications. As a result of their sophisticated crane geometry, work is effortless for Palfinger marine knuckle boom cranes. They make full use of their strength and flexibility when loading and unloading equipment, material, tools and fishing equipment, including handling containers.

Due to their compact construction, they can easily be accommodated on small ships and docks, where space is at a premium

Tail Lifts Palfinger New Zealand delivers a product that is synonymous with the outstanding quality of the Palfinger name along with decades of experience in tail lift development and market leadership. Leading operators across many fields operate Palfinger tail lifts – this includes major food and beverage distributors, courier and postal, tyre companies, logistics and emergency services.

"

Palfinger has established itself as the world market and technology leader in truck mounted cranes, continually striving to provide customers with unique advantages that reflect in exceptional operational performance and long-term profitability.

Hookloaders

"

Hookloaders in the Palfinger telescopic series – with their balanced ratio of dead weight and lifting capacity – are the true payload champions, unique in their versatility and flexibility. The telescopic hook arm permits the use of containers in different lengths and therefore opens up a broad range of applications. Impressive thanks to its universal and economic performance, the Palfinger Telescopic series has become indispensable in many sectors.

Forestry & Recycling Cranes Lifting productivity and safety with worldleading Palfinger truck or static-mounted logging and recycling cranes. Palfinger offers a wide range of crane handling solutions for the logging and recycling industries. This includes specialised models for both off and/or on-road applications in a range of capacities.

Palfinger Equipment Centre Tailored handling solutions for operators manufactured to the exacting standards of the Palfinger brand. Palfinger New Zealand offers a significant range of complimentary equipment which delivers tailored handling solutions for operators.

This includes load attachments, mounting accessories, components and accessories all manufactured to the exacting standards of the world-leading Palfinger brand.

FIND OUT MORE: To find out more call us on 0800 725 346 or fill in our online enquiry form to discuss your ideal solution.

For industry leading solutions - talk to our team today.

LIFETIME EXCELLENCE is our promise. Delivering exceptional performance in the most delicate of situations, Palfinger provides economical, reliable and innovative lifting solutions supported by a national network of professional service partners - there for the lifetime of the product.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 89

CANZ

"

I don’t want this to be a conference where we just talk at you, our members. I want this to be an opportunity for you to have your voices heard, and have the council hear directly from you what your concerns and priorities are.

- CANZ executive officer, Sarah Toase

"

Leading Mobile Crane Hire

If you need a lift, call Hi Lift. A Family owned company established in 1982 with a highly experienced and qualified team. The combined industry knowledge within Hi Lift Cranes cannot be rivalled, so contact us with confidence.

CALL US NOW! 09 262 1387 11 Kellow Place, Wiri, Auckland 2104 Email: sales@hilift.co.nz www.hilift.co.nz

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Crane Association of New Zealand PO Box 12013 Wellington 6144 (04) 473 3558 info@cranes.org.nz www.cranes.org.nz

CANZ

Preston Hire New Zealand Specialist solutions with a smile

Preston Hire New Zealand is your go-to provider for specialised hire equipment needs across the construction industry.

The extensive fleet of equipment has been thoughtfully selected to deliver solutions for construction challenges. As a leader in the provision of specialist construction, infrastructure, civil and commercial equipment, the fleet includes the best range

of Spider cranes in New Zealand – from small spider cranes to large hydraulic cranes – each with unique capabilities, minimal impact and maximum load capacities suited to a variety of site applications.

The iconic Preston Hire SuperDeck retractable loading platform system is renowned across New Zealand and the world, with its ‘drawer-like’ system designed to enhance both the safety of workers and efficiency of material handling and transportation on-site, particularly on multistorey construction sites. The SuperDeck

saves hook time and rapidly improves productivity – vital for any build.

At the heart of the Preston Hire NZ business is its people. The team personify Preston Hire’s slogan COUNT ON US by delivering friendly, local, and reliable service each and every time. No task is too hard and no challenge too big for Kiwi-led and staffed team of skilled professionals who are known for their exceptional service, hard working attitude and family-like culture.

The New Zealand market demonstrated their demand for Preston Hire’s service, products

and local representation, ultimately leading to the team recently expanding to the South Island with a branch opening in Christchurch in November 2020.

Preston Hire is committed to being at the forefront of the industry, leading from the front and running its own race. Discover why they say you can “COUNT ON US for your next job!”

Find out more at www.prestonhire.co.nz or call 0800 440 558.

Retractable Loading Platforms | Spider Cranes | Hydraulic Crawler Cranes

Nationwide supplier of specialised materials handling equipment For help on YOUR site call Preston Hire - You Can COUNT ON US 0800 440 558 or visit www.prestonhire.co.nz

TRAIN

ASSESS

CONSULT

Do you Work at Height, in Confined Spaces, with Cranes or Asbestos?

Do you have apprentices or staff that are working towards ‘sign off’ or higher industry qualifications?

Are you responsible for staff or oversee contractors in a workplace?

Have a job coming up that requires your staff to be trained or hold qualifications to undertake the work safely?

Are you looking for relevant, no nonsense, interactive training that will bridge your current skills gap?

Overwatch Solutions can assist your company with one-off compliance sessions to ongoing staff training or Verification of Competency (VoC).

Need to determine whether you have the right people in the right jobs or if further training is required?

Overwatch Solutions is aligned with Industry Training Organisations (ITO’s) and endorsed to undertake workplace assessments.

027 682 9824

Are you an Officer or Person Conducting Business or Undertaking (PCBU) and not 100% sure of what duties you have under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015?

Overwatch Solutions has a comprehensive knowledge of relevant Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice, Standards and other Best Practice Guidance that may apply to your business. We will work with you and your staff to ensure that your Health & Safety systems are up to speed.

info@overwatchsolutions.co.nz

www.overwatchsolutions.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 91

CANZ Survey NZ pride ourselves in being a New Zealand owned company and therefore you can rest assured that your time and money spent with us stays in New Zealand and has not gone overseas to support someone elsewhere.

We provide active crane inspections, load testing, and other preventive crane maintenance programs. Ensure the safety and reliability of your operations and make sure you are complying with the latest standards and regulations by working with us.

We do testing on: • Elevating Work Platforms • Mobile • OHTC • Goliath

• Lattice • Scotch Derricks • Heritage • Ships lifting equipment (MNZ approved) • Port Container Lifters

100% NZ owned and operated 443c Nayland Road, Nelson

We are your No 1 company that conducts calibrations, inspections on hoists, lifting equipment, cranes, EWPS and other load testing equipment.

We offer unrivalled expertise, experience, and equipment to conduct professional service & inspection.

Whether you’re the owner or operator, safety & reliability need to be ensured before using the equipment. That is where our services can help.

MOBILE • OHTC • SCOTCH DERRICK • GOLIATH • CONTAINER CRANES • CONTAINER LIFTERS

ROGMAR LOGISTICS LTD.

RML is a New Zealand recognised and registered Training and Assessment Company based in Welligton. Operating since 2002 RML has been working with industry throughout New Zealand to provide flexible training and assessment services to Companies using cranes and lifting equipment. Our knowledge and expertise lays in providing training and assessment services in the safe use of the following:

• Wheels, Tracks & Rollers (US 16701, 16702, 16703) • Lifting, placing loads with mobile plant (US 20875) • Stevedoring Operations • Truck Mounted Cranes • Mobile Cranes / Non Slewing Articulated Cranes • Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes / Hydraulic Boom Crawler Cranes • Mini Crawler Cranes • Tower Cranes • Telehandlers • Remote Controlled Overhead Cranes / Cab Controlled Overhead Cranes • Slinging and Lifting of Regular Loads / Complex Loads • Elevated Work Platforms • Manual Handling Courses

RML Ltd Based in Wellington, RML Ltd offers training and assessment services for New Zealand’s crane industry. Specialising in training at the operational level, RML is the leading expert in all things regarding not only cranes but also construction, warehousing, ports and stevedoring industries.

RML was founded in 2002, but its expertise has been built up over 40 years of its staff working in and with these industries at both operational and management levels.

Practical onsite training and assessment packages include: • Wheels, tracks, rollers unit standard accreditation

For more information, Contact Roger Sullivan Mobile: 021 610 939 | Email: roger@rml.training

• U.S 31245 – Plan for and lift and place loads using mobile plant Proud Member of the Crane Association of New Zealand

• U.S 23637 – Operate a telehandler • All unit standards covering cranes/dogman courses to level 4 certification • Ports and stevedoring unit standards

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• Manual handling courses • Elevated work platform assessments.

RML guarantees competitive pricing and a safety-first approach on all courses and is an accredited assessor with MITO, Skills ITO and Connexis ITO. RML Ltd is a proud member of the Crane Association of New Zealand.

ROGER SULLIVAN 19 Argentine Avenue Miramar Wellington 6022 Mobile: 021 610 939 Email: roger@rml.training and/or rogmarlog@gmail.com

Working at Heights

VOIDECK WINS 2020 SAFEGUARD NEW ZEALAND WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY AWARD VOIDECK® won the award in the “innovation category” for its modular suspended floor system that fills in stair and atrium voids during the construction process, providing a safe working platform complete with a fixed ladder access for all trades to undertake their work without the stress of potentially falling down the void opening during construction activities.

It also won a Highly Commended Award at the 2020 New Zealand Building Industry Awards.

The system is modular and comprises of approx. 60 components that enable it to be fitted into any void opening including irregular shaped void openings and those with walls and other protrusions within the void opening. VOIDECK® provides an adaptable solution to eliminate falls through voids on the worksite. Patents have been issued for both New Zealand and Australia and other international patents are currently pending approval.

Because it is fixed to the building structure the platform provides unimpeded access for construction activities above and below the void being protected. This idea appears simple in principle, but requires a solution to many significant challenges depending upon the size and shape of the opening and the type of structure it is to be fixed to – whether it be timber, steel, concrete or masonry.

VOIDECK® is installed when the upper flooring is laid, protecting workers from falling through the void opening while standing frames and trusses on the upper level; it also provides ladder access to the upper level. It remains in place until the stairs are ready to be installed then it is removed to allow the stairs to be installed and the installation of the wall linings within the void from ground level to a point above the bottom plate of the upper level. It is then re-installed to provide a solid stable platform for lining the upper level of the void and for finishing trades to complete their works.

VOIDECK® is available for hire and is installed and removed by Licenced VOIDECK® Licensees leaving the building contractors free to concentrate on their core activities.

VOIDECK® is cost effective in that considerable savings are achieved in labour for trades working within the void area due to the solid safe working platform that VOIDECK® provides.

The VOIDECK ® modular system is manufactured in Lower Hutt and was introduced to the Wellington market in 2019.

VOIDECK® has been accepted widely by the industry in Wellington and plans are now in progress to expand the business throughout

New Zealand using licenced VOIDECK® agents in the main centres and partnering with scaffolding companies in regional areas.

Parties interested in being involved with the VOIDECK® expansion plans should register their interest at admin@voideck.com.au

TAKING VOID PROTECTION TO THE NEXT LEVEL • Cost-effective solution as an alternative to scaffolding in stairwells, and other voids.

• Provides fall protection to construction workers, clients, consultants & other visitors to site.

• Installed within the void leaving unobstructed access above and below the void.

• Provides fixed ladder access to a safe working platform through a closable hatch.

• Fast & efficient installation by Licensed VOIDECK® Installers.

• Modular system allows installation into voids of any shape & size.

• The aluminum panels can be easily removed & reinstalled to enable loading materials.

• Can be installed into timber, steel & concrete structures.

• Eliminates damage to surrounding surfaces on removal.

• Designed, engineered and manufactured in NZ.

VOIDECK® temporary void platforms are currently available in the greater Wellington region and will soon be available nationwide.

To register your interest in becoming involved in the growth of this innovative void protection system please contact us at admin@voideck.co.nz

0800 864 335 | admin@voideck.co.nz www.voideck.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 93

Working at Heights

The move to make working at heights safer Working at height is risky, but it should not be dangerous.

There are ways of managing the risks to ensure that everyone involved goes home safely at the end of the day.

Safe use of safety nets • By installing safety nets below a high-level work area, there is less likelihood that the person will be injured if they fall • Regardless of the time spent on a roof, the risk of falling is high. Any fall is likely to result in a serious injury • Safety nets installed below a high-level work area reduce the distance that a worker can fall. They absorb the impact of the fall and provide a ‘soft landing’ to reduce the likelihood of a person being injured • Safety nets are collective fall arrest systems, not fall restraint systems.

That is, they provide passive protection from falls while allowing people to work at height without restricting their movement • Collective fall arrest systems include safety nets, and soft-landing systems, or fall arrest mats • Safety nets installed below a high-level work area reduce the distance a person can fall • Safety nets are designed to deflect and absorb the energy of a fall so they reduce the likelihood of a person being injured • There must be enough clear space below the net so that as the net deflects, the person who has fallen does not strike an obstacle or the ground • Safety nets allow people to work at height without restricting their movement.

The duty to manage the risks onsite is not new, nor is the high rate of injury from people slipping and falling from height.

As an industry the construction sector has made some real strides to reduce the number of injuries, but it is clear that we all still have work to do.

The introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) put a renewed focus on health and safety for many businesses.

The challenge for the construction industry around working from heights is translating this into sustained cultural change that results in fewer injuries and helps your bottom line.

"

The cultural change has been rapid. It is great to see that it is no longer acceptable for a builder to walk the top plate without safety systems in place. That sort of cowboy behaviour is seen as unprofessional.

"

The act also introduced the concept of overlapping duties. This puts a duty on all parties involved on a site to work together to manage health and safety.

This boils down to having conversations with all players involved onsite and deciding which business should take the lead in managing the identified risks.

For example, as a sparky onsite, have you spoken to the gib stopper about keeping the floor clear so you can both use ladders or work platforms safely?

Essentially this is a return to the good old days when we used to talk to each other onsite, but now it includes a discussion about risk.

One of the key recommendations was that scaffolding should be used wherever possible, even on residential builds.

Today it is common to see scaffolding on sites and industry has largely embraced this shift in working, with many taking advantage of the onsite efficiencies that come with using scaffolding.

Of course, there are a lot of myths out there. Everyone’s heard them – you can’t use stepladders or you have to use a scaffold or a harness if you’re working a foot off the ground.

duration and low risk. That’s when it might be perfectly reasonable to use a step ladder or a safety harness instead.

Often people will say, “WorkSafe’s new regulations” or something similar. But the truth is that there are no new hard and fast rules and regulations. In fact, HSWA was deliberately designed to be flexible.

There’s a big difference between one worker replacing a few weatherboards in a couple of hours and building a new dwelling from the foundations up.

It is up to you how you manage the risk from working at height. While we recommend the use of scaffolding, there is no rule requiring you to do so.

But why wouldn’t you? Not only does a good scaffold improve worker safety – once it’s erected it can lift productivity on site, helping everyone from chippies to sparkies and painters.

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The cultural change has been rapid. It is great to see that it is no longer acceptable for a builder to walk the top plate without safety systems in place. That sort of cowboy behaviour is seen as unprofessional.

While industry has got behind improving the way that working from height is carried out, a fresh look at the risks is required if we are to reduce the injuries further.

For further information, visit: www.worksafe.govt.nz.

Safety Nets

The best in safety nets Safety Nets NZ is a preferred safety-netting specialist for supplying all your safetynetting 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 600,000sqm of nets available for use in different regions, which is the equivalent to more than 4,000 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 of 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.

• Safety industry pioneer Safety Nets NZ has developed a fall through protection system that has been independently tested and certified by Massey University.

• By using our system you have the comfort of knowing that as PCBU, you have taken all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that the system you are using is fit for purpose and capable of performing as expected without risk to the health and safety of your workforce.

• Are you re-roofing an industrial property? If so ask us about our bespoke debris and asbestos containment, fall protection system which enables your work processes to continue uninterrupted whilst the roof is replaced.

• Our nationwide network of local installers are dedicated to providing exceptional, customer focussed fall arrest solutions.

North Island 0800 NETSNZ (638 769) • South Island 0800 NETS4U (638 748) • WWW.SAFETYNETSNZ.CO.NZ

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 95

Future Proofing - Weathertightness

Building with weathertightness in mind Many factors contributed to problems with weathertightness. Poor design, poor project management and poor building practices played a role.

signs that water may be penetrating the building’s exterior.

The exposure of New Zealanders to international design trends and materials has led to a wider range of housing styles, but some house designs and materials are unsuitable to specific site conditions.

The words ‘leaky home’ may send chills up any homeowner’s spine, but HOBANZ makes the process straightforward and easy to follow.

Some house styles and features designed for dry climate locations have been used in areas of high wind and rainfall. Features such as parapets, decks and pergolas that penetrate a dwelling’s cladding contribute to weathertightness risks, as does monolithic cladding, low-slope roofs, membrane roofs, a lack of eaves and complex junctions, especially when these are used in wet and windy conditions.

House claddings do leak. That becomes an issue when the water is not dealt with effectively and affects the integrity of the house.

The Canadians developed the 4Ds philosophy of weathertightness – deflection, drainage, drying and durability. In New Zealand we have adopted those principles, but we now also consider airtightness, ventilation and insulation.

8. Interior Signs: These can include swollen or cracked skirting boards or architraves; mould on the inside of curtains and window liners; floor coverings showing signs of water damage; and swelling, cracking and popping of wall liners.

Steps to remediating a leaky home

Step 1 Call HOBANZ for independent advice and to discuss the options that are available to you.

The ideal is to achieve all four Ds. Deflection devices (such as cladding and window head flashings) intercept water at a building’s exterior and deflect it away from critical junctions.

Wall assemblies need to be designed and built with protected cavities to incorporate drainage to allow any water that may have penetrated the exterior cladding to drain down the back of the wall cladding and out.

The amount of drying that occurs depends on the cladding type and the way it is installed and all components of a cladding and wall assembly must meet the durability requirements of the Building Code.

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Leaky building basics Features of a leaky building 1. Ground clearance: Inadequate cladding clearance to ground, paving or decks or insufficient fall away from building perimeter. Clearance to solid ground (concrete, asphalt, paving, decking timber) should be 150mm, clearance to soil 225mm.

2. Cracking: Look for hairline cracks in the cladding, typically found close to windows and doors or discolouration of cladding around these areas.

3. Joinery: Check for cracks along the joinery seals which can allow water ingress.

4. Penetrations: Check all penetrations in the cladding, for example around pipes, vents and meter boxes, for gaps and lack of sealant. Also check to ensure meter boxes are flashed correctly – the lack of flashing or reliance on sealant may allow water to penetrate.

5. Pergolas: Pergola frame penetrating the cladding or direct fixed through the cladding may result in water ingress.

6. Windows: Check window flashings to ensure they are correctly installed. Round, shaped or corner windows are difficult to flash, increasing the risk of water ingress.

Check for staining below the window.

7. Enclosed balcony/Cantilever deck: Enclosed balconies and cantilever decks can result in a multitude of risks. (a) A lack of fall on the balustrade, (b) Handrailings attached through the plaster cladding, (c) Poorly applied waterproof membrane, (d) Insufficient drainage holes allowing water to pool after rain, (e) Lack of clearance between the cladding and the balcony floor – all are

Step 2 HOBANZ will provide an initial consultation where they will review any available reports.

In partnership with you, they will develop a tailored solution that meets your specific needs and circumstances. If required they can introduce legal experts for an overview of the likely success of any claim.

"

House claddings do leak.

That becomes an issue when the water is not dealt with effectively and affects the integrity of the house.

Step 3

"

Engage HOBANZ to put together a team of experienced independent professionals.

HOBANZ has a proven track record in creating successful solutions for leaky home owners, key to which is the organisation’s ability to link trusted professionals to form one cohesive unit.

Step 4 HOBANZ will guide and support you through the journey. The organisation’s in-depth knowledge of the issues leaky home owners face and its experience in resolving these issues means they will be on-hand to work in partnership with the professionals you engage, answer all your questions and keep things on track and moving to a successful and cost effective conclusion.

Future Proofing - Weathertightness

MWS System complete – all systems are go!

The external envelope of a building is often subjected to significant amounts of rain water – which needs to be dried off, deflected or drained away in order to prevent it from penetrating into the structure.

If water is able to penetrate through the exterior roof or wall cladding, it could potentially reach the structure and lead to mould growth, which would jeopardise the structural strength and integrity of the building.

Internal moisture is also a significant factor to consider when designing a building as there are many sources within a typical household such as showers, cooking appliances, and clothes driers, creating large volumes of moisture within the dwelling.

In using HYDRA breathable roof underlay this non-woven, synthetic, tri-laminate enables moisture to escape, by absorbing and removing dampness using HYDRY Technology, whilst preventing any growth of mould.

HYDRA is a heavy-duty roof underlay with excellent Flammability Index ratings, created to make design of warmer, drier, healthier living and working environments easier.

HYDRA Roof Underlay also incorporates the GripSpot™ technology which increases traction when working on roofs. The raised texture spots are the key, keeping traction high and funnelling away water.

Consider the complete system approach to secondary weathertightness in the next home or building you design or build:

• Marshall Weatherization System • New HYDRA Roof Underlay • Tekton or HYDRA Wall Underlays • Super-Stick flashing and construction tapes • Seam tape • Trade-seals.

For protection of your complete building envelope, the Marshall Weatherization System provides superior weathertightness of your building. This secondary line of defence, ‘all in one complete system’ from ‘one supplier’ offers up to 50 years durability.

HYDRA Roof Underlay is BRANZ appraised and suitable for most roofing types including pressed metal tiles, concrete or clay tiles, profiles metal roofing, and can be fixed to timber or steel framing.

Super-Stick is a flexible flashing tape used around framed joinery openings as a secondary weather-resistant barrier. It can be installed into and around framed joinery opening over the building wrap and exposed frame to cover both the face and edge of the opening framing. Not only that, but it’s used at joinery heads to seal flashing upstands to the building wrap.

This system, if applied in accordance with the supplier’s installation and maintenance requirements, assist with meeting the necessary provisions of the building code.

Please visit our website for more information www.mwnz.com or call 0800 776 9727. Working closely with architects and councils throughout the design phase, Marshall Innovation provides systems and solutions that deliver a weathertight building envelope.

ONE SYSTEM, ONE SPECIFICATION, ONE SUPPLIER Marshall Innovations can now offer the specifier a single point of contact.

The Marshall Weatherization System provides a complete weatherproof construction envelope, delivered by a single supplier.

The full Marshall Weatherization System consists of: [1] HYDRA Roof Underlay, [2] HYDRA/Tekton Wall Underlay, [3] SUPER-STICK Flashing Tape or ProSill Tape, [4] Tekton Seam Tape, [5] Trade-Seal.

BRANZ appraised, complete technical specification to simplify the design process, backed by a 50-year durability warranty.

Specifically developed for the New Zealand built environment, to stand tough against our unique weather conditions and meet all local code requirements.

0800 776 9727 | mwnz.com HYDRA Roof Technology www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 97

Future Proofing - Weathertightness

Impact of air leakage on the building envelope

BUILT FOR EFFICIENCY

Uncontrolled air leakage through the building enclosure can have a significant impact, affecting energy use, envelope durability, occupants’ thermal comfort and indoor air quality.

Despite its myriad impacts on building performance, air leakage is generally regulated through energy codes because the effects on consumption is the one most readily quantified. While a continuous air barrier is a cost-effective strategy for leakage control, the energy code has only recently developed quantitative requirements for these product systems.

DuPont Tyvek Building Envelope Solutions TM

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Build added durability, weather protection and energy efficiency into every home. DuPont Tyvek weather barriers provide superior air and water holdout while allowing the building to breathe. When Tyvek weather barriers are installed with DuPont Flashing Systems, you provide further protection against damaging and costly leaks from outside elements. That means greater confidence for you and lasting value for your customers.

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For more information about DuPont Tyvek Building Envelope Systems, please visit us at www.Construction.Tyvek.com TM

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GDF Ltd, one of the vehicle fleet, and at work 98 | B&C - Issue #127

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The indirect impact of air leakage on thermal envelope performance is the result of loss of insulation R-Value due to air movements and moisture transported by air currents. Air can carry significant amounts of moisture that can be deposited on cooler interior surfaces, leading to interstitial condensation.

Repeated condensation events, coupled with slow drying rates, could lead to significant moisture degradation of building materials.

Weather barrier envelopes with high vapour permeability give the wall and roof cavities the ability to dry

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New Zealand Toll-free: 0800-555-799

Copyright © 2018 DuPont. All rights reserved. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont , For Greater Good , Tyvek , Tyvek HomeWrap and Tyvek FlexWrap are trademarks of E.I du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.

Air leakage should not be confused with planned mechanical ventilation. It is never advisable to rely on holes in the building envelope to provide fresh air ventilation for occupants. For one reason, the wind is not guaranteed to blow when fresh air is needed.

Outdoor ventilation air is not intended to ordinate from cracks or holes in the building shell, but rather should be delivered through a well-designed and commissioned passive or active ventilation systems that meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in NZ Building Code G4 and E3.

RAB (Rigid Air Barrier) on its own appears to have the advantages of a solid substrate, durability, a bracing element, and some territorial authorities are allowing interior pre-finishing before cladding. However, For an NZBC Acceptable Solution, E2/AS1 Clause

9.1.7.2(c) requires; a RAB to; "Be over-fixed with a flexible wall underlay from Table 23 and installed as in Paragraph 9.1.7.1.

Questions to consider when specifying any RAB System: • Do you know the wall system vapour permeability?

• How much water will the sheet absorb, and how long will it take to dry out? Will this affect structurally sensitive building elements and insulation?

• Can you rely on the tapes and flashing to keep the wall weathertight for the life of the building?

• Can the window cavities and penetrations be effectively sealed against water and air penetration?

• Will the envelope penetration create water entry points?

• Is it air-tight?

The best-in-class Building Envelope systems incorporate a dry RAB over-sheathed with HomeWrap®, and flashed off with DuPont™ Flashing Tape and DuPont™ FlexWrap NF Tape.

Equally in low risk open frame building systems up to very high wind zones, RAB is not required.

These building envelope systems provides for an air and water resistant, highly vapour permeable and durable building envelope.

Pro Clean Taranaki

Pro Clean Taranaki Ltd We have extensive experience in the cleaning and asset management industries working for clients ranging from some of the largest companies in New Zealand through to small businesses and individuals.

Industry experience

Pro Clean Taranaki is a cleaning company that stands out from the competition in several ways.

• Schools

Firstly, the quality of the service we provide is second to none. We achieve these high standards of quality because we have a stable and reliable team of cleaners who are trustworthy and skilled at what they do.

We also work as a sub-contractor providing cleaning and other services to some of the largest asset management companies in New Zealand.

This is backed up by our quality control process which includes management involvement and regular checks.

Environmental sustainability At Pro Clean Taranaki, environmental sustainability is not a buzzword that we throw around. Instead, we take our responsibilities seriously. For example, we only use environmentally friendly products when providing our services. In addition, we are introducing a fleet of electric vehicles with the goal of being fully electric by the end of 2022.

Our team has experience working for a range of companies in a variety of industries.

This includes: • Oil and gas sites • Commercial buildings including offices • Retail and entertainment complexes and buildings • Council buildings • And more.

Flexibility of our service As we operate seven days a week, we can develop a cleaning solution that meets the requirements of your business.

Electrical testing and tagging in NZ While electrical testing and tagging is not yet compulsory in NZ, many companies choose to go through the process. They do so for safety reasons as well as to demonstrate their corporate responsibility and commitment to providing the safest possible environment for staff, customers, suppliers, and visitors.

Our team includes trained technicians who have the necessary skills and equipment to properly and effectively test any electrical equipment you have in your business. This includes standard equipment like computers, desk fans, televisions, and kettles, but it also includes any specialist electrical equipment you have.

Unger window cleaning We also provide Unger window cleaning services to our NZ customers in Whanganui, New Plymouth, and Taranaki.

Unger is the leading manufacturer of quality window cleaning equipment.

From our experience, Unger equipment produces better results than any other window cleaning equipment on the market, plus it makes the process of cleaning windows as efficient as possible.

To find out more about the services we offer, and to get a free, no-obligation quote, please contact us on 06 273 8489.

ELECTRICAL TEST & TAG

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www.procleantaranaki.co.nz www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 99

Green Building

Green building initiative ticks all the boxes A category one listed heritage building and artwork in Auckland’s CBD is set to become the site of the country’s largest-ever sustainable construction reuse project.

The potential project, while not yet confirmed, has entered the first stage of its planning process and has now been granted resource consent. If completed according to projections, it will also be the first major commercial office development in the CBD designed for a post-Covid working environment.

The 12,900 sqm building at 35 Graham Street, set on an elevated acre of land in the Victoria Quarter of the CBD, was the Auckland City Council service centre for over 20 years.

In what is believed to be the country’s largest construction reuse project, 1.8 million kgs of reinforced concrete will be retained within the building’s new design.

The projected CO2 savings from using the existing concrete structure is roughly the equivalent of planting 52 hectares of trees or over 13,000 flights between Auckland and Queenstown.

The development which is targeting a 6 Green Star Design (World Leading) construction sustainability rating will also have a climate adaptation assessment to

ensure the building is resistant to the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

In addition to the extensive reuse of concrete, the new concept design will also preserve the heritage-listed 1959 Milan Mrkusich mosaic abstract artwork on the exterior of the original BJ Ball building.

Woods Bagot principal Bruno Mendes, who is leading the architectural design of the 35G project, says building practices in large scale projects are becoming increasingly sustainable.

Bruno says the first stage of construction under the current design concept will see seismic strengthening of the existing superstructure before the addition of three new floors.

“Internationally we are seeing more consideration of sustainability in construction planning, a welcome evolution from a process that historically was purely financially driven.

“Adaptive reuse bypasses the wasteful process of demolition and reconstruction, combined with energy savings and the cultural benefit of retaining a place with historic value,” he says.

“The western side of the CBD has developed rapidly in recent years and in contrast to the financial and legal centre around Queen Street, is now home to several organisations which represent the ‘workhorse’ of the economy – such as Fonterra and Air New Zealand.

Mark Francis, Augusta Funds managing director, says while the resource consent marks the first step in the potential development, if completed in Q1 2024 as planned, the new building will add over 20,000 sqm of office space to the CBD.

“The location of the development is expected to provide tenants with a number of geographical advantages ranging from unobstructed, panoramic harbour views through to a cafe with a landscaped outdoor area as well as secure car and cycle parking and premium end of trip facilities.

He says current projections show commercial office space of this nature has almost reached capacity.

“35G is also designed to offer flexibility for businesses to design their workspace for a post- COVID environment – with the CBD’s

Nelson, Greymouth and Timaru. With an overall team of 90 staff Davis Ogilvie works on a wide range of land development projects throughout the South Island.

• Civil engineering design • Contract administration and construction observation • Structural design for residential and commercial projects • Resource consents for subdivision and land use, including earthworks • Geotechnical investigations • Contaminated land investigation and assessment.

most expansive floor plates at 3,000-3,500 sqm,” he says.

Mark says plans to make Queen Street accessible only to pedestrians may also see more businesses move away from the centre of the CBD. “What we can expect to see with the closure of Queen Street to vehicles is more congestion in the surrounding streets – an outcome which will increase the appeal of being on the CBD fringe, especially when commuting from the North Shore or west of the city,” he says.

He says the provision of resource consent for the inner-city development marketed by Colliers as ‘35G’ will see the next stage of planning and design commence.

Davis Ogilvie Davis Ogilvie provides a complete range of multidisciplinary engineering, surveying and planning services.

By covering structural, civil and geotechnical engineering, land surveying, resource management and environmental science Davis Ogilvie are able to simplify construction, design and development using collaborative processes to create better solutions for our clients.

Davis Ogilvie is an established development consultancy which originated in Christchurch in 1932, now with offices in Christchurch,

Staff within each of our offices are experienced in providing high level engineering, surveying and planning serveries to a large part of the South Island, from Central Otago to Golden Bay, Nelson and Marlborough.

Davis Ogilvie can offer expertise in the following areas: • Topographical surveys • Cadastral surveys • Subdivision design

Environmental management and carboNZero Davis Ogilvie is committed to sustainable development, and appropriate resource management. It is important to Davis

Proud to be carboNZero certified

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Ogilvie to minimise our impact on the environment, while still carrying out our day-to-day business.

In additional to being carboNZero, Davis Ogilvie has taken on a number of initiatives to help minimise our impact on the environment including installing a solar power system in our Christchurch and Nelson offices, the use of Biofuel in all vehicles, promoting waste minimisation and partnering with the Department of Conservation on various environmental management projects.

In all projects we are involved with, Davis Ogilvie is working towards more efficient land development, high water quality and low impact design solutions.

Passive House

The vital role of energy efficiency in building International Passive House Association launches “Efficiency: The First Renewable Energy” campaign The International Passive House Association (iPHA) and its partner organisations have launched the global “Efficiency: The First Renewable Energy” campaign.

Te Tōpūtanga o te Whare Korou ki Aotearoa, Passive House Institute New Zealand (PHINZ) is the iPHA partner organisation in Aotearoa NZ.

IPHA is a global network uniting both Passive House experts and enthusiasts alike. Together with its 22 partner organisations all over the globe, including PHINZ, iPHA works to spread knowledge about the Passive House standard worldwide and foster a greater public understanding of its benefits and achievability.

Using the hashtag, #EfficiencyFirst, the campaign aims to raise awareness for the vital role energy efficiency in buildings plays in meeting our climate goals.

The campaign also demonstrates that Passive House buildings provide a comfortable, healthy and sustainable built environment.

The launch includes a competition for social media followers.

The International Passive House Association (iPHA), founded by the Passive House Institute in 2010, launched its campaign with the social media competition #ExplainPassiveHouse.

"

Here in Aotearoa NZ, our electricity grid already comprises a high level of renewables and is relatively green compared to most of the world. But compelling evidence still shows that cutting emissions through efficiency is vital to achieve our climate goals.

- PHINZ CEO Amy Tankard

"

Social media followers of the network were asked to post descriptions of how a Passive House building works using everyday household objects.

The Passive House Institute of New Zealand The Passive House Institute is an incorporated charitable trust that, using extensive research, is ultimately educating New Zealanders about improved health and energy efficiency within our buildings, as well as promoting the passive house standard.

Their website boasts a list of passive house professionals, resources and all the latest news and information surrounding this concept.

For more information go to: www.phinz.org.nz IPHA is a global network uniting both Passive House experts and enthusiasts alike. Together with its 22 partner organisations all over the globe, including PHINZ, iPHA works to spread knowledge about the Passive House standard worldwide and foster a greater public understanding of its benefits and achievability.

substantial action needed to limit global warming.

Currently, 35 percent of global energy consumption stems from the building sector alone. The operational stage is the largest contributor to carbon emissions. The majority of this stemming from heating and cooling demand.

The past decade has seen increased awareness of the need for renewable energy and reducing embodied energy.

Using the slogan “Efficiency: The First Renewable Energy”, the #EfficiencyFirst campaign aims to inform the public on a foundational aspect of sustainable buildings that is too often overlooked: Energy efficiency.

PHINZ CEO Amy Tankard says, “Here in Aotearoa NZ, our electricity grid already comprises a high level of renewables and is relatively green compared to most of the world.

“But compelling evidence still shows that cutting emissions through efficiency is vital to achieve our climate goals.”

During the course of 2021, PHINZ will be promoting the iPHA network’s series of activities and events.

These will promote the significance of an efficiency first approach to building design; wherein buildings are planned, constructed and retrofitted to have an extremely low heating and cooling demand.

Planned activities include a range of talks and informational sessions; explanatory materials for print and online publication; the International Passive House Open Days and more.

The campaign is expected to run until the end of 2021.

The network makes information available and facilitates active exchange among industry professionals, policymakers and the media and public.

The United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 101

ATL Group

Leaders in the field "

ATL Group has been a leading expert in asbestos removal since it was established 30 years ago.

The monitoring of the controls implemented onsite demonstrated that actions at the work face were so effective that the air coming out of the enclosure was cleaner than the general environmental conditions for the area; a very successful result.

Originally known as Asbestos Treatments 1990 Ltd, the company changed hands in 2014 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

ATL Group has been recognised with multiple wins at the NZDAA awards (New Zealand Demolition & Asbestos Association), including Asbestos Contractor of the Year in 2019 and Health and Safety Best Practice in 2017, among others.

But the company’s recent $1M Asbestos Best Practice Project award has been the latest highlight for the team.

The project was an “especially sensitive, high profile and extremely complex project that was managed from end to end,” ATL Group commercial director Mike Sommerville says.

“Our role was to assist with the consulting, initial testing and scoping, which we managed with key stakeholders including the client and WorkSafe, and we created a tailor-made solution for the asbestos removal, the likes of which has never before been seen in New Zealand.

“The project had its challenges, as it required specialist equipment which was

"

- ATL Group commercial director Mike Sommerville

specifically built and imported from overseas, and we had to work in split shifts over the year to complete the project to the satisfaction of both the client, and within the parameters that WorkSafe had set,” Mike says.

being created and needing to be monitored and managed.

The operational and environmental conditions onsite presented an additional challenge for ATL.

This necessitated ATL developing management tools and controls to distinguish between client operational dust, and any asbestos fibre particulate that could be an additional health hazard onsite, and to preemptively plan for mitigatory controls should any high fibre readings be encountered.

The nature of client’s operations resulted in large amounts of dust and particulate

“The monitoring of the controls implemented onsite demonstrated that actions at the work

face were so effective that the air coming out of the enclosure was cleaner than the general environmental conditions for the area; a very successful result.”

While ATL continues to build on their strengths, Mike explains that the pathway to get to where they are hasn’t been without its challenges.

“We have found that the industry has been hesitant to adapt to the changes in the new regulations, which has made

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ATL Group

As a company, we can always be doing better, so our focus is to keep on achieving and to keep focused on pushing industry best practice.”

Mike’s advice for people wanting asbestos removed on their sites to a high standard is to give it proper consideration.

“The last thing anyone wants is an asbestos related issue on their site.”

Do your research about the contractor prior to engagement, and ask some questions about any differences in methodology if you have asked for more than one quote.

tendering for projects sometimes challenging as there have been major disparities in how the asbestos removal methodologies have been approached and the removal practices employed onsite removed, depending on the tendering parties in the process.

“While the regulations should have meant an even playing field, and a higher level of asbestos remediation practice, that hasn’t always been the reality with some slower adapting companies completing work to a low, non-compliant standard with little fear of repercussions.

"We have seen these subpar operators able to continue to deliver work to a dangerously low standard for years, often intentionally for competitive advantage. We have had to approach too many ‘clean up’ jobs over the past few years, where a supposed asbestos

professional makes a mess of the asbestos removal on site and has either picked up a prohibition notice, or has been removed from the site."

Ideally, have the scope outlined by a reputable, competent third-party consultant so that the contractors are required to approach the project consistently, with a compliant methodology and to a high standard. Then you will be able to be certain that you are comparing like for like and getting quality performance.”

ATL Group specialises in Asbestos Removal, Demolition and Contamination Management and Remediation across New Zealand.

Safe

Our absolute focus is on protecting staff, client stakeholders and all New Zealanders with a safety-first approach. Our professional approach is built on a culture of best practice and compliance.

ATL Group 0800 272 378 www.atlgroup.co.nz

This puts the lives of not only their workers at risk, but also the public and potentially their families.

“Looking ahead we are wanting to continue building on our strengths – and continue to develop our best asset – our people.

We are satisfied with where we sit in the industry that we are operating in, and are very satisfied in the breadth of customers across all sectors, Government, Health Care, the private sector, public sector, residential, commercial, but still believe there is a long way to go to get our removal industry on par with the best in the world.”

ENSURE THE SAFETY OF YOUR STAFF With over 36 years in the business of Asbestos Removal and Demolition, we are the industry experts with a focus on keeping New Zealanders safe where they LIVE, LEARN, WORK and PLAY. CHOOSE THE FOUR TIME NZDAA AWARD WINNERS FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT.

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Issue #127 - B&C | 103

ARKCON

Experimenting with Megaform ARKCON has completed their first project in Auckland using the Megaform Building System.

Through extensive international research studying building systems Megaform provides high structural integrity, high insulation value, excellent design flexibility and overall, an easy-to-use system that results in faster construction times.

Megaform is an advanced technical building system which offers advantages in acoustics, cost and construction time.

Advancing the fast growing and innovative building technique Megaform building system meets and exceeds all the stringent building standards of today.

The project comes off the back of the company’s main aim – to build homes that everyone can afford.

We have been very happy with the result with Megaform, ARKCON managing director Rob Kilpatrick says.

This is the first bigger scale building that has used Megaform and it has been a bit of an experiment for us as well.

We have found that Megaform is relatively cheap to work with in comparison to tilt slab and block, all of which require cranage, so from a speed and cost perspective it’s been really good, Rob says.

“We were just lifting polystyrene manually and then we pumped the concrete, so from a speed and cost perspective it was really good.

“Our Cardigan Street site was our first experiment which didn’t require a crane at all because its only three stories high. Over a course of a build with 50 units we worked out that we could probably save tens of thousands of dollars just by having a minicrane,” Rob says.

Further studies into acoustic transmission, fire ratings and structural performance lead to the increased benefits that Megaform has over other major conventional building systems.

“In terms of the R-value, the performance of these things is also superb, along with a reasonable acoustic rating, the speed of erection and the polystyrene blocks is second to none.

“The whole reason we are experimenting in the first place is that we’re wanting to build affordable homes for people.

“I cannot understand why we’ve got people and, in particular, children that are living in cars in this country – it’s ridiculous and that’s what we’re trying to change, Rob says.

“The problem we still have with affordable housing is that while we can build cheaper houses, they are single level on the edge of the city and so it means people are having to spend hours every day commuting and this isn’t great for building family or community life.

will ultimately have a model for successful and useful affordable homes near where people work.

“So, we have been working closely with churches and other community groups in terms of saying to them ‘hey, you guys could redevelop your site, in such a way that you produce a community on site’.”

“We’re not at all interested in keeping this technology to ourselves; if we come up with techniques that save thousands of dollars, we’re quite happy to share that. Our entire focus is getting people into well located, affordable homes.”

“Many churches are near town centers so can build six-plus stories in Auckland, then maybe the church could maintain the land and do lease to own or rent to buy so that we can actually get people into homes at a level that they can afford,” Rob says.

“We believe that with our focus on building upwards near where people work and the use of Megaform blocks means that we

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104 | B&C - Issue #127

ARKCON

MEMBERS:

Industrial Site Services

Industrial Site Services’ latest developments Perfecting the art of using software and IT systems to enhance our service supply and productivity for our clients.

“The use of computer aided design software has enabled our clients to get a better picture of what they are buying before they buy it. The development of a JV company in Vietnam to deliver wind farm installation and maintenance projects in the APEC region have been our latest developments.”

Delivering quality, working within budget constraints and delivering on time are the hallmarks of Industrial Site Services project management skills.

Over two decades of industry success Industrial Site Services began as a small rigging and scaffolding business in Kawerau and has grown to have multiple businesses in New Zealand, Australia and Asia.

A specialised contracting company, Industrial Site Services is a recognised achiever in heavy industrial maintenance and construction shut work at major installations, such as power stations, refineries and pulp and paper plants.

“We are well known as the go to company for the ‘hard stuff’; we love to solve our customers’ problems and we thrive on being innovative in how we help our customers,” Industrial Site Services Co Ltd executive assistant Nicky Forsyth says.

People are Industrial Site Services’ biggest asset – as part of the company’s commitment to invest in its people, ISS creates and sponsors training programmes with industry specialists for its employees.

Industrial Site Services employees make up an extremely skilled, reliable and efficient workforce which translates into efficiency, quality and cost saving for all clients.

With over 25 years in the industry, the company has worked on various projects and has achieved outstanding results.

Some of our greatest achievements have been the transition from first generation to second generation ownership, the cadetship programs which we have run over the

years which has seen some fantastic new scaffolders introduced to the industry and we have won multiple industry awards, including training company of the year, rigging, scaffolding and rope access jobs of the year and each year we nominate a trainee to be evaluated for trainee of the year in both the disciplines of rigging and scaffolding, Nicky says.

One of our biggest key projects that we worked on in the past was our container removal on Astrolabe Reef.

In October 2011 cargo ship MV Rena hit Astrolabe reef off the coast of Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, carrying 1368 containers and 1700 ton of heavy fuel, it was to be New Zealand’s largest ship lost in New Zealand waters.

"

Our values To deliver diverse and innovative height access services to the construction and heavy maintenance industry for our customers by adopting best practices, putting safety first with uncompromised service and engaging the best people.

We are well known as the go to company for the ‘hard stuff’; we love to solve our customers’ problems and we thrive on being innovative in how we help our customers.

Family Always doing your best; being honest and trustworthy; taking personal responsibility.

- Industrial Site Services executive assistant, Nicky Forsyth

Reliability Industrial Site Services strives to perform and maintain a high standard of quality. ISS has been delivering innovation for its clients in the competitive environment it operates in.

International salvage company Svitzer Salvage B.V. quickly engaged ISS to prevent pending environmental disaster.

Industrial Site Services was responsible for container removal by using specialist rigging, rope access and scaffolding skills on the listing ship. All work was carried out efficiently, without delay or incident, due to Industrial Site Services quick reactions an environmental disaster was avoided.

"

Employee wellbeing Having a genuine care for each other.

Hard work Putting your client, customer and colleague first, and being accountable.

he last 30 years, ISS has worked on various big projects with outstanding results. Delivering quality, working within budget constraints and delivering on time are the hallmarks of ISS’s project management skills.

"Along with this project we have also just completed our fourth New Zealand wind farm at Waipipi in South Taranaki, a 31-turbine farm, with some of New Zealand’s biggest erected turbines at 160M to the tip of the blade, this farm will produce power to over 65,000 homes." Nicky says.

Industrial Site Services Head office 13/15 Bristol Place Te Rapa Hamilton 0800 800 679 info@iss.co.nz www.iss.co.nz

"This is the 15th wind farm that we have been involved in, with the others being in Australia, Thailand and Vietnam."

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Issue #127 - B&C | 105

Insights

Te Waihanga releases report on energy infrastructure

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The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga has released the latest in a series of discussion documents on key areas of New Zealand’s infrastructure – this time looking at the state of play in the energy sector.

By examining the current state, we are better positioned to understand how to enable appropriate energy infrastructure to support aspirations for a low carbon, low cost, highly resilient future.

Chief executive Ross Copland says this is part of Te Waihanga’s work toward a 30-year strategy for infrastructure and the Commission is seeking feedback on the document.

“We’ve looked at the existing literature and talked to experts in the sector to produce this state of play, but we want to hear whether we’ve got it right or if there are issues or information that we have missed.

“This is an important step in building our evidence base for the infrastructure strategy.

“By global standards, New Zealand’s energy infrastructure is performing well in balancing the competing demands of resilience, sustainability and affordability.

“But it has significant challenges ahead as we look to address our reliance on nonrenewable energy sources to fuel industry, transport and electricity generation.

“Renewable electricity will be at the forefront of efforts to reduce New Zealand’s carbon

- New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, chief executive, Ross Copland

"

Te Waihanga has already published a state of play on telecommunications, as well as a discussion document setting out its framework for analysing infrastructure.

Over the coming months it will share reports on the water, waste and resource recovery, transport, and social infrastructure sectors.

The Clyde dam power station.

emissions which is expected to double demand for electricity generation by 2050.

“Renewables have an important role to play in the transition of both transportation and industrial process heat which are carbon intensive at present,” he says.

“The challenges described in the state of play include how we address the risks to major energy infrastructure such as the HVDC link,

the electricity transmission network, and the critical pipeline which conveys fuels from the refinery at Marsden Point to our largest city, the role of regulation, and the trade-offs we face and how to confront those.

These will inform a draft 30-year infrastructure strategy to be released for consultation in mid-2021, and then presented to the Minister for Infrastructure

by September 2021.

“By examining the current state, we are better positioned to understand how to enable appropriate energy infrastructure to support aspirations for a low carbon, low cost, highly resilient future.”

The Energy State of Play, along with information on how to have your say, can be found on the Te Waihanga website: www.infracom.govt.nz/strategy/state-ofplays/energy.

Panel and paint specialists As one of the longest standing panel and paint mechanics in Christchurch, Shepherd & Kime has a no-nonsense approach to handling demand.

Their motto, “the best for panel and paint”, has garnered them a stellar reputation and a bigger following.

When young panel beaters Gary Shepherd and Errol Kime joined forces to create a collision repair centre, they quickly made a reputation for high quality panel and paint repairs.

There have been huge advancements in the motoring industry since then, but Shepherd & Kime continue to step up to the challenge, recently relocated to 440 Selwyn Street to help cater to the spread of demand.

Quick, quality work What sets Shepherd & Kime apart from their competitors is their ability to work efficiently and without compromising on quality.

Each branch offers a full complement of services to keep people moving, from car park dings to major collision repairs, full body re-sprays and even free loan vehicles.

We work closely with all insurance companies and are a preferred repairer for several of them. We all work together to

minimise a client’s concerns and make their experience hassle free.

As members of the NZ Collision Repair Association and the Motor Trade Association, Shepherd & Kime remains at the forefront of the industry and up to date with the latest industry knowledge and developments.

Shepherd & Kime’s skilled technicians know exactly what you want and aim to get you mobile as soon as possible.

Shepherd & Kime Ltd www.shepherdandkime.co.nz

Collision Repair The Best for Panel & Paint Shepherd & Kime Ltd 440 Selwyn Street, Addington, Christchurch Phone: 366 8256 Email: admin@sandk.co.nz 106 | B&C - Issue #127

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Shepherd & Kime 2008 Ltd 35 Sheffield Cres, Burnside, Christchurch Phone: 348 4448 Email: sheffield@sandk.co.nz

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Issue #127 - B&C | 107

Education

Shifting perceptions How the landscape of vocational training is changing

By Gillian Dudgeon, deputy chief executive delivery, Tertiary Education Commission Tertiary Education Commission deputy chief executive delivery, Gillian Dudgeon.

Vocational education is booming. The government’s focus on trades, particularly the construction industry, has grown and it is investing significantly in training the next generation of workers.

At the local level, Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs) will offer a perspective on skills and labour market needs. They will primarily be made up of community and regional employers, along with iwi/Māori.

At the national level, Workplace Development Councils will set standards, develop qualifications and help shape the curriculum of vocational education.

Construction and infrastructure will have its own WDC.

We think that now may be one of the best times for you to employ an apprentice, and it is a great time to be an apprentice because of two schemes introduced in 2020, Apprenticeship Boost and the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF).

It will provide advice to the TEC on investment in vocational education, and determine the appropriate mix of skills and training for the industry.

WDCs will endorse programmes that lead to qualifications, will moderate assessments against industry standards and, where appropriate, set and moderate capstone assessments at the end of a qualification. The aim is to work towards establishing the WDCs in the first half of 2021.

We know that taking on an apprentice or a trainee is a big commitment for any business.

It requires a significant investment of your time and money to bring someone on, and give them the supervision and training they need. And it can be hard to retain good staff if times get tough.

Apprenticeship Boost is a subsidy that took effect in August, aimed at helping employers retain an apprentice or take on new ones.

It will pay employers up to $1,000 a month (plus GST) per first year apprentice and $500 for second year ones, for up to 20 months.

The demands and costs of training can also make it hard for staff to stay in the game, especially if they see a less demanding job is paying similar rates.

That’s where TTAF can help you keep them on track. It’s not just aimed at apprenticeships. Because the construction sector has been identified as a priority industry, TTAF is available for dozens of Level 3-7 sub-degree programmes outside of apprenticeships.

This includes certificates and diplomas in subjects such as infrastructure works, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying, stonemasonry, landscaping, surveying, and painting and decorating. The full list is on the TEC website.

It’s already having an effect with about 100,000 learners signed up for courses, about one third of which are in construction.

It’s not just young people and school leavers; many are mature, reliable workers affected by COVID-19 who are taking the opportunity to do something new and so looking to retrain.

We are not just changing the support we give to employers and apprentices, changes are well under way on how vocational training will be delivered through the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE).

108 | B&C - Issue #127

"

The aim of these reforms is to create a unified, strong, sustainable vocational education system that is fit for the future of work, and delivers the skills that learners, employers and communities need to thrive.

"

The aim of these reforms is to create a unified, strong, sustainable vocational education system that is fit for the future of work, and delivers the skills that learners, employers and communities need to thrive.

The new system will have a stronger focus on employers, delivering the skills you need, providing more support for your employees, and ensuring greater consistency in vocational education across the country.

Longer term, this will increase the number of employers who are engaged in vocational education.

Work-integrated learning will become an increasingly important part of the vocational education system, giving people the opportunity and flexibility to earn while they learn and gain a qualification that is more directly relevant to the changing needs of the workplace.

One of the biggest changes to have occurred is the creation of Te Pūkenga-New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.

It has brought together all the institutes

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of technology and polytechnics into a single vocational education and training organisation – New Zealand’s largest tertiary education provider.

Te Pūkenga will ultimately have the national and regional reach to become a long-term skills training partner for many firms and industries, enabling learners to move seamlessly between workplaces, other educational offerings and geographical locations as their needs change.

Over time, transitional ITOs will transition their role for arranging training for learners in the workplace to either Te Pūkenga, a private training establishment or a wānanga.

For the construction sector, the opportunity for you to be directly involved in RoVE and help shape the direction of vocational education for your industry continues.

Feedback from industry – from both representative groups and individuals – will help to ensure the reforms are practical and effective.

Our aim for all of this work is to put the needs of learners and employers at the centre of vocational education. This will ensure a pipeline of skilled, productive staff, helping businesses to thrive, and give employees productive jobs that offer them the chance to grow and improve their lives.

The Government is also moving to change perceptions of trades and encourage more people to consider vocational education and training (VET).

Research done by the TEC shows that many in the community still don’t think of VET as a tertiary choice and there is a lack of understanding of the full breadth of options.

That means that VET is lower down the preferred list of school leavers and career changers and their families. That’s part of the reason we continue to see skills shortages in industries such as construction.

The research shows there has been a small shift toward positive perceptions so, to build on that momentum, the TEC has launched a four-year marketing campaign to raise the profile of VET. We want to start meaningful conversations about vocational education and training in the community and make it a higher priority for those looking to increase their skills and build a career.

Hopefully you’ve been seeing and hearing the stories on TV, radio, print, online and in social media of people taking part in VET to improve their lives. You can learn more on the VET campaign on the TEC careers website.

Education

More Kiwis are choosing a career in construction The Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) increased investment in residential and commercial construction. The housing and skills shortage, as well as COVID-19, are key factors contributing to the increase in Kiwis choosing a career in construction.

Norman Mailer, programme delivery manager at Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist provider of online and distance learning, says they are currently experiencing record enrolments in their construction programmes.

“Open Polytechnic had a regular five to ten percent increase in the number of enrolments in construction programmes every year; however, this year our building construction management enrolments are up by 150 percent on the same period in 2020 in the entry level courses.

Norman Mailer, programme delivery manager, Open Polytechnic

“The TTAF has allowed people to pursue their study goals where before, further study would not have been possible,” says Norman.

Dr Iman Khajehzadeh construction programme leader at Open Polytechnic, says he was interested to see more diverse learners than ever enrolling in construction.

“Subsequent investment in the construction sector and new government initiatives like TTAF and campaigns promoting vocational education and training, are boosting Kiwis’ interest in the sector,” says Norman.

“The ongoing effects of COVID-19 on employment situations may or may not be the reason, but among our new construction learners, we have teachers, building consent officers, recent high school graduates, mothers of young children and airline and supermarket staff looking for a change in career,” says Iman.

“Learners are aware of the potential opportunities within the construction industry and see it as a viable long-term career option.

Iman says the COVID-19 situation has made the flexibility of studying through a distance provider like Open Polytechnic even more attractive.

"

Learners are aware of the potential opportunities within the construction industry and see it as a viable long-term career option.

"

“Learners predominantly select the Open Polytechnic to study construction for the flexibility it provides and the reach we have nationally. Learners can access our course

content almost anywhere, study at a pace that suits their life and work commitments and can do so without relocating or committing to classes at predetermined times,” says Iman.

For those thinking about a career in construction, Norman says, “Make sure you understand your motivation to enter the industry. There is work and subsequent reward for those willing to make a difference for themselves and their families. Speak to people in the industry and get an inside appreciation of what is involved; you won’t be disappointed.”

For more information about Open Polytechnic’s construction programme visit our website or call us on 0508 650 200.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #127 - B&C | 109

Taupo District Council

Long-anticipated town centre transformation Concept drawings by Boffa Miskell

As a part of the Taupō District Council’s strategic planning, the plans for the Taupō Town Centre Transformation project have been tucked away since 2004 until last year, when the project was awarded a $20.6 million government investment.

"

Our community has told us that they’re wanting it more pedestrian friendly, cyclist friendly and more shared spaces. We are proud to have the support of the government to try and deliver on our community’s aspirations.-

Like many other towns and cities, Taupō was built with cars in mind. That’s why you see four lanes running alongside the CBD, down to the main lakefront.

According to the Taupō Town Centre Transformation project sponsor, Kevin Strongman, the project has been a part of the Council strategic plan since 2004. It aims to create a quality urban environment which takes advantage of the outstanding natural assets that the town is blessed with.

“Thanks to the $20.6 million government investment we’re seeing this project come to life. We made an application as part of Crown Infrastructure Partners’ call for ‘shovel ready’ projects on the basis that the community needs to have an attractive, livable place to attract a skilled workforce and people to Taupō.”

Taupō Town Centre Transformation project sponsor, Kevin Strongman

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern touring the Taupō Town Centre Transformation project.

Kevin says, “At the moment you could argue that some of the streets are very vehicle friendly only. We’re wanting to move away from this and really wanting our community to come on the journey with us.

“Our community has told us that they’re wanting it more pedestrian friendly, cyclist friendly and more shared spaces.

We are proud to have the support of the Government to try and deliver on our community’s aspirations.”

Considering the organisation and coordination necessary to finish the project on time, it will all be worth the effort when it’s all done and dusted. Kevin says, “We’re saying there’ll be some short-term pain for long-term gain and we really want to thank the community and those affected for coming along on the journey with us.”

Even with its years of planning, the Taupō Town Centre Transformation project is an ambitious programme that requires early contractor involvement to stay on track and deliver outcomes with as little disruption as possible.

Phase One began in August 2020 and involves revamping intersections along Ruapehu Street so that they are safer for pedestrians and drivers. Phase One will finish up soon with the Ruapehu/ Horomatangi intersection upgrade.

After Phase One, both Phases Two and Four will begin. To explain, Kevin says, “It’s a bit interwoven. I think when we first initially put the programme together, it was nicely ‘1, 2, 3, 4’ but then we realised that we need to work on multiple fronts to finish this on time.

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During Phase Four, Tuwharetoa Street will be converted into a space which promotes alfresco dining. The purpose of this phase is to produce a shared space and to draw commercial investment.

Phase Three, the last of the phases, will focus on creating pedestrian friendly access from the CBD to the Tongariro Domain, the event space in town.

Change of plans, same goals

This fast-moving project entails four phases that will take place over two years.

Each phase falls in line with the overall goal of the project which is to encourage continued and sustainable growth of the town centre while addressing the community’s needs and aspirations.

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Once the project is complete, Taupō residents will enjoy shared streets, easy pedestrian and cyclist access to the town centre, and attractive spaces that utilise the town’s natural beauty.

To stay up to date on the project’s status go to taupo.govt.nz/ towncentretransformation. There you’ll find regular updates broken down phase by phase.

Concept drawings by Boffa Miskell.

“You know, we’ve pulled in contractors early and we’ve now got the design teams looking at what we call the constructability and methodologies we will use to do those. It has lent itself to tweaking the programme and ensuring more flexibility in our approach to delivery."

“Our contractors have done a phenomenal job to date, ensuring these projects have flowed pretty seamlessly so far. Importantly, they are also employing locals, with up to 92 jobs being created as part of this programme, which is really supporting our local economy.”

Having two main contractors for the programme, Camex and Downer, has allowed for more flexibility. Kevin says, “With two main contractors we can work on different fronts at once without interrupting the other as such.

In order to finish the project within the twoyear timeline, Phases Two and Four will be done simultaneously. Phase Two consists of the reorientation of the street network so that the flow of traffic will allow pedestrians and cyclists to easily access the town centre.

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Taupo District Council Private Bag 2005 Taupō 3352 (07) 376 0899 info@taupo.govt.nz www.taupodc.govt.nz

Taupo District Council

Land development excels with collaboration On the outskirts of Taupō township nestled amongst rolling hills, made famous

by New Zealand artist Colin McCann, lies a new type of Kiwi masterpiece.

Lochinvar Estate is a country-style community carved into the luscious Waikato countryside just 10 minutes’ drive from Taupo CBD. There you’ll find 18 generous lifestyle lots of a minimum 5000sqm that were masterfully crafted into the landscape across two stages.

The brief for the development was visionary in comparison to many other high density, fast turn-around developments that are popular today.

“John is a wonderful developer. His high standards to achieve the best outcome possible for potential purchasers, coupled with his practical approach to all parts of the project, makes working alongside him and with the Taupo District Council team a highly enjoyable exercise.”

And the results speak for themselves with both stages selling out.

Formerly known as Central Surveys before being bought out seven years ago, the McKenzie & Co office has been operating in the Taupo district for more than 30 years.

“One of our stalwart planners has been with us more than 10 of those years so when we say we know the Taupo District Plan by heart, we mean it.

“And, thanks to increasing local demand, we welcomed a new planner to the team only

LAND DEVELOPMENT AND SURVEY SPECIALISTS Let us bring your development dreams to life: • Topographic, hydrographic, mining and engineering surveys • Site investigations • Concept and detailed design • Resource consenting • Project management • Land transfer

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While complying with Council requirements, the strong working relationship we fostered with council engineers and planners enabled us to adapt our plans and find the best sustainable solutions for the development.

• Maori land

"

The developer, John Anderson of Lochinvar Developments, wanted something that honoured the landscape with space and sustainability at the fore. In short, he wanted something special.

Local land development experts McKenzie & Co were contracted to provide surveying capabilities, as well as the engineering design, supervision and contract management components of the project.

A collaborative approach to land development was needed to deliver this project on time and to budget, says McKenzie & Co’s Central North Island Manager, Jerome Feuillade.

“While complying with Council requirements, the strong working relationship we fostered with council engineers and planners enabled us to adapt our plans and find the best sustainable solutions for the development.

a few weeks ago who also has extensive understanding of Council requirements and policies.”

Expanding on their collaborative approach with councils, McKenzie & Co has longstanding relationships with the local Tangata Whenua of the district. Their cadastral surveying services includes knowledge and experience with Maori land tenure.

McKenzie & Co’s mission is to develop great places and people by offering end-to-end land development services – including professional development advice and project management to civil engineering, surveying, and planning services.

With four office locations including Taupo and a newly opened Rotorua office, McKenzie & Co cover the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Northland regions.

Developing great places and people

Taupo@mckenzieandco.co.nz Rotorua@mckenzieandco.co.nz 07 378 8635 mckenzieandco.co.nz

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ting n i a P r o i r Exte & r o i r e cial t r e m 3 In m o l&C a i t n e d i s 3 Re able l i a v A e c 3 Finan ed n w O y l i 3 Fam uote 3 Free Q

Focus on Dunedin

Changes aim to boost Dunedin housing supply The Dunedin City Council has unveiled proposed new greenfield development sites and the detail of other key changes to allow for up to 3,000 additional homes to be built across the city.

The changes to the planning rules in the Second Generation Dunedin City District Plan (2GP) aim to boost housing development across the city in a variety of ways.

Zoning changes for some sites which will result in: • New greenfield sites for development in areas that were zoned rural or rural residential • More areas of medium-density zoning (where the density of housing can be increased).

The 16 new greenfield sites in Brighton, Green Island, Abbotsford, Fairfield, Concord, East Taieri, Wakari, Normanby, The Cove and Portobello will provide 101 hectares for up to 600 new homes.

The sites have been identified based on criteria including access to services, transport options and whether new or upgraded infrastructure can cope with extra housing.

The changes are known as Variation 2: Additional Housing Capacity.

The proposed changes include: Rule changes for most of suburban Dunedin that will: • Remove the restrictions on who can live in family flats • Allow smaller site sizes and provide for duplexes • Create more flexibility for development through changes such as making it easier to average out site sizes in subdivisions • Improve how the plan manages the development of areas rezoned for new houses (greenfield sites) to encourage good urban design and well-managed infrastructure • Make better provision for social housing.

A further 14 new medium density areas in Mosgiel, Green Island, Concord, Corstorphine, Musselburgh, Tainui, Wakari, Mornington, Belleknowes, Roslyn, Māori Hill and North East Valley will provide 267 hectares for up to 770 new homes.

Mayor of Dunedin, Aaron Hawkins, says Variation 2 includes a mix of development options, including in-fill and greenfield sites, to address the city’s housing shortfall.

“As a city, we need to be smart and look at greenfield sites that work to our advantage as a city, while also finding alternatives to urban sprawl. That means identifying areas for further development within our existing urban environment, which these changes seek to do.

“This is an important step forward in addressing our city’s housing shortfall.”

DCC City Development Manager, Dr Anna Johnson, says information on the key changes is being delivered to all ratepayers, including those in areas that are directly affected by zoning changes.

Now that the Council has approved the public notification of Variation 2, more information – including the exact locations of the new development sites – is available.

People can visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/2GP to read more about what’s proposed and when any changes would apply.

Dr Johnson says people are also encouraged to make formal submissions on the proposals. Public consultation runs from today to 4 March 2021.

An information session is also being planned to provide further information to stakeholders, and a community engagement space will be open on the ground floor of the Civic Centre, to provide more detail.

Dr Johnson says Variation 2 focuses on “quick wins” to encourage new housing development in the short to medium term, over the next decade, in response to the pressures of increasing growth on housing supply in Dunedin.

It has been shaped by an analysis of housing needs and development feasibility, community views and the expertise of several key people involved in development in Dunedin. A more comprehensive plan for growth out to 30 years will be completed as part of a review of the Dunedin Spatial Plan (future development strategy) in time for the next 10-year plan.

The 2,500 to 3,000 new homes enabled by Variation 2 is in addition to the 3400 homes the 2GP already provides for. Additional housing capacity will also be added as appeals on the 2GP are resolved.

Information sourced from www.dunedin.govt.nz.

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Issue #127 - B&C | 113

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