Builders & Contractors Magazine Issue #149

THE STATE OF OUR BUILT FUTURE

Q&A with NZCB CEO Malcolm Fleming

Empowering women in structural steel

The inaugural WISS event

How well is your organisation tracking?

It's all a matter of perspective

Using AI in project management

Bearing the brunt

What’s fair when it comes to paying for infrastructure?

Strategies to help get stress under control

Experience the Progress.

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This issue of Builders & Contractors features a conversation with New Zealand Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming discussing the state of our built future.

We look at what’s fair when it comes to paying for infrastructure and reveal that how well you think your organisation is tracking is a matter of perspective.

There are pieces on the inaugural Women in Structural Steel event, using AI in project management, the key changes to the NZS3910:2023 contract and an overview of the H1 Building Code update.

We reveal strategies to help get stress under control, look at weathertightness for medium-rise dwellings, connecting design and manufacturing workflows, getting to grips with steel corrosion, the benefits of low-carbon concrete and using timber for quake and fire safety.

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.

Key changes to the NZS3910:2023 contract

By Tina Hwang and Marcus Beveridge

After 10 years of the construction industry using the NZS3910:2013 terms, the NZS3910:2023 was released in November 2023.

However, the sector is not yet familiar with the changes and many parties in practice are still opting for the old, accustomed contract base.

Standards New Zealand said the new terms “lessen the need to add special conditions of contract, thereby improving consistency, familiarity and efficiency in construction contracting,” but that is what they said 10 years ago with the 2013 terms when it was “revamped” from the 2003 terms saying it “resulted in clearer wording and a reduced need for extensive special conditions”.

Extensive special conditions continued to be included nonetheless. In any case, here are the major changes this time:

1. Contract Administrator and Independent Certifier

The role of the Engineer to the Contract (which has always been challenging) has been formally split into two distinct roles of “Contract Administrator” (acting as the Principal’s agent in a project management kind of role), and the “Independent Certifier,” who is to make determinations and issue certificates independently.

2. Variations

Amendments have been made to the variations clause to incorporate contract price adjustment mechanisms and to highlight the split roles of the Contract Administrator and Independent Certifier. The variations clause which will inevitably cause many disputes will therefore require careful review by all.

3. Cost Fluctuation

The presumption that cost fluctuations will not apply to the contract price has been reversed, and the default terms now stipulate that a cost fluctuation adjustment shall be made unless the parties specifically agree otherwise in the Specific Conditions.

This may reflect the changes in the market after Covid-19 where parties were frequently agreeing to cost fluctuations where contractors held bargaining power, but in the current market where many “fixed lump sum” prices are fixed without cost fluctuations, this will create a further amendment to the “current norm”.

4. Target Price Contract Option

A new “target price” contract price option has been added in addition to the previous types of contracts which included lump sum, measure and value, and cost reimbursement. The new “target price” will allow parties to share the benefits of savings or the burden of exceeding the “budget” when the actual price is below or above the target price based on pre-agreed percentages. It will be interesting to see if there is an appetite for this in the market.

5. Bonds

The form of a Principal’s bond and Contractor’s performance bond has been amended to remove the reference to joint and several liability for the bond amount. It will again be interesting to see whether parties will commonly opt for bonds in lieu of retentions, given the recent changes to the retentions regime in October 2023 that generally made retentions management and obligations very onerous in practice.

6. Extensions of Time

A two-stage process for notification of an extension of time claim has been introduced now which could catch people out if they are not accustomed to this new change, requiring the Contractor to provide initial notice of the circumstances relied on as grounds for the extension and a subsequent notice detailing the period of the extension sought.

This may be onerous for smaller Contractors who may simply send two notices at once or may opt to amend this back to the old terms, but we will have to see.

A new clause has been added to ensure the Contractor takes all reasonably practicable steps to prevent any act or omission that could harm the environment, or breach any relevant law or consent.

roles of the Engineer) to set out the Contract Price, along with all variation claims and other adjustments.

11. Dispute Resolution

7. Contractor’s Liability

The scope of a Contractor’s indemnity in favour of the Principal has been narrowed, removing the previous “no fault” indemnity. Furthermore, there is now a cap on the Contractor’s liability, with specific exclusions, which may reflect the changes and difficulties in the insurance market.

8. Management Plans and Reporting:

The requirement for the Contractor to prepare various plans (such as safety plan, quality plan and traffic management plan) has been streamlined, with only the sitespecific safety plan now being mandatory.

Additionally, a new clause requires the Contractor to regularly report on matters recorded in the Specific Conditions, something which again the Contractor can be caught out by if they do not pay attention to the changes.

9. Environmental Protection

A new clause has been added to ensure the Contractor takes all reasonably practicable steps to prevent any act or omission that could harm the environment, or breach any relevant law or consent.

This appears to be in form with the general “trend” of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) regulations and changes in the market.

10. Final Account

The concept of a “Final Account” and “Interim Final Account” has now been introduced, which the Contractor must prepare and serve on the Independent Certifier (being one of the two separated

Significant changes have been made to the dispute resolution provisions, requiring senior representatives of the parties to attempt to resolve disputes in the first instance (which we have always recommended in any case), with options for mediation or arbitration if unsuccessful. These changes appear to reflect the need to urgently resolve matters, often through alternative dispute resolution processes for construction disputes, as cash is the bloodline of the industry.

Conclusion

Overall, the changes in the NZS3910:2023 contract aim to ensure that it is widely accepted, fit for purpose, limits the need for special conditions (or so they say), improves understanding of contracts, and that risk is allocated fairly.

Principals, Contractors, and Consultants will need to become familiar with the new version and will certainly need to amend their “standard special conditions” to accommodate the new template changes.

If you have any property, construction, 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.

Strategies to help get stress under control Stressed up to your eyeballs

By Daniel Fitzpatrick from Next Level Tradie

It’s 3am in the morning, Tom owns a building business and he’s lying in bed wide awake, tired and stressed up to his eyeballs as persistent worries kept tumbling through his mind.

What’s Jack (his employee) going to say when I give him that out-of-town job tomorrow; everything’s a problem with that guy.

What if the Jones payment doesn’t arrive tomorrow, how are we going to make payroll this week? I don’t even know where to start with the cancer diagnosis the parents got last week.

We all know that too much stress long-term is bad for your health. But it affects other areas of life too, like self-confidence.

High levels of stress for long periods of time can also cause decision fatigue. Procrastination starts to creep in and even the smallest problems can start to feel overwhelming.

There will always be some stress in business, but when it’s too much, how you manage it is vital when it’s overwhelming.

Here are some of the strategies that have helped my clients get stress back under control.

Looking the monster in the eye

Every action movie has a version of the hero’s journey. There’s a scary monster or villain you can’t quite see, seeking its next victim. Seemingly too powerful to defeat.

A hero emerges and challenges the monster. At the first encounter, the monster gets the upper hand and our hero withdraws, overwhelmed, wounded and defeated. The mentor appears and shows our hero there is another way. After training with his mentor and much soul searching, he or she becomes a stronger, better version of themselves.

Equipped with their newfound knowledge and strength, our hero realises that the monster also has weaknesses. Our hero steps forward, looks the monster in the eye, and realises that in that moment, with the right strategy and courage, he/she could win the day. An epic battle ensues, and the monster is defeated, and the prize goes to the hero. It’s also like that in business. I tell clients to

look their monster in the eye, to see it for what it is. No more and no less, by writing down the worst-case scenarios.

Then ask, “Can I live with that?” If the answer is “Yes I can”, but don’t want to” then work on ensuring the worst-case scenario doesn’t happen.

If the answer is “No I can’t” then it’s also time to get to work doing everything possible to shift the odds back in your favour so that scenario won’t happen. Or go another way. There is more than one way to kill the stress monster.

A client I am working with has major cash flow problems. Before we started, he was so stressed that he didn’t know where to turn next.

It felt easier to go to the job site rather than face the bigger issues like cash flow, which just meant the problems kept getting bigger. Suppliers were putting him on stop credit, tax bills were starting to pile up, and things were falling apart.

He had come through a bad couple of years, and he was running out of money fast. We calculated his cash position, and it was clear

If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know what to do next. Map out the options, then pick the best one and start moving forward. Even if it’s a shift in direction, it’s easier to adjust if you are already moving.

Don’t look up at the mountain just yet

Before you look ahead at the mountain, look back to see how far you have come. If you have been in business for any length of time, there are many obstacles you have already overcome.

Money challenges, getting enough work, health challenges you have fought these foes before and won. You have a business and are still trading - many don’t get that far. In business and life, there will always be a mixture of wins and losses. Some days you will have more wins, some days more losses. As business owners, we tend to focus a lot on the problems.

That’s important because you can’t fix problems you don’t see, but essential to also celebrate the wins.

Just focusing on the losses will drag your confidence down and raise stress levels. So, count the wins both big and small. Write them down and look at them every time you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

Make a plan and start moving forward

If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know what to do next. Map out the options, then pick the best one and start moving forward. Even if it’s a shift in direction, it’s easier to adjust if you are already moving. Staying where you are and hoping things might get better isn’t a plan.

economy might be tanking again won’t get you any closer to a solution.

So, control the controllable, the levers that will improve your situation. Put your time, energy and focus into those as they will succeed. The bonus with this strategy is that you will discover that you can control more than you realise.

Don’t try to carry everything yourself

You don’t have all the answers, no one does and that’s normal.

So, talk with others who have mastered the areas you are weak in. Struggling with cash flow, then talk with someone who understands cash flow. Need more profit, talk with someone who understands margins.

he couldn’t keep juggling cash flow the gap was too big. He could trade out of it in 12-18 months but that was going to take too long. He needed cash to keep trading. So, we put a plan together and he got to work. He’s selling surplus assets, refinancing through a broker, getting his team more efficient on jobs and competing cashflow projections so when he’s talking with suppliers it’s clear who he can pay and when.

The plan likely will need some adjusting as the landscape changes. But he’s moving forward and it’s working.

Control the controllable Stress is a sign that your brain is freaking out about all the things that either might or are going wrong.

Thoughts in your head might be something like: “Remember when the work dried up didn’t know how you were going to make payroll. Better get everything under control NOW, or that’s gonna happen again”.

The problem is that you can’t control everything, so it’s an easy trap to fall into, putting time and energy into the wrong things.

For example, you can control how much time you spend getting new work, but not inflation or government policy.

So, spending too much time on Facebook or listening to the media saying that the

Share your goals with the team and your partner. Get them on board with the plan. Make sure you have a trusted mentor or coach you can call regularly, especially when problems and stress levels are feeling out of control. Getting another perspective from someone who has already been there can make all the difference.

What do you really want?

Another client has health issues that flare up when stress levels get too high. Yes, we are working on getting his businesses profitable and cash flow back on track again.

But also asking the tough questions that every business owner should be asking regularly.

Can I be healthy and have the business? Is being in business still fun? Are my family getting what they need from me?

What must change to make this into the business I want? What’s my exit strategy and when would I use it?

The reality is that even the best businesses at times will be stressful. With the right plan you can minimise stress, but there will always be some.

If you are stressed out and need a better plan, then check out these options.

Join our new Next Level Skool Group and get our free Cashflow Confidence Toolkit at: www.skool.com/next-level-tradie, or book a free Stress Buster session with me at: www.nextleveltradie/nextstep.

How well is your organisation tracking?

It's all a matter of perspective

Rob Clarke, CEO of Learning Architect

Along with warmer weather and longer days summer often brings new thinking and the chance to reflect and reset. When it comes to work, how well your new ideas gain traction depends on everyone’s willingness to contribute.

When it comes to motivation, generally people (yourself included!) feel one of three ways:

1. Excited; looking forward to future possibilities.

2. Disillusioned; thinking about or actively seeking new opportunities elsewhere.

3. Indifferent; just going through the motions.

Check how you are tracking

If it’s been a while since you checked your organisational pulse, it’s always useful to gauge how people are tracking. It gives you good insight as to where there is enthusiasm, or need for change.

For example:

Highly motivated people may have new ideas, unmotivated people could be re-engaged once you know what they are dissatisfied with, and those who are indifferent could go either way without due attention.

The chances are you’ll receive a range of different sentiments so before you start asking questions, identify your options for responding to feedback; that way you can set realistic, achievable expectations with your team when you conduct the survey, and assure them that there will be some kind of positive follow-through based on the results.

Options might be to expand your services, allocate your training budget differently according to need, put in a mentoring scheme or coaching programme, give people new responsibilities, and so on. Depending on the results, you may need to get creative with what you have (eg. time, resources, expertise), but if you are going to take the pulse, you must take action on the results in some way.

Rob Clarke, CEO of Learning Architects

It all starts with you The vibe you give out plays a large part in your organisational climate. Before you start trying to figure out how motivated your team members are, check in with yourself.

Consider the following:

1. How do you feel about your purpose and business goals?

2. List the top five responsibilities in your role.

3. Rate each one 1-5 in terms of importance to the business.

4. Rate each one 1-3 in terms of your motivation levels (highly motivated, indifferent, hate it).

After your reflection, ask everyone else a few similar questions, such as:

1. List your top five responsibilities.

2. Rate each one 1-5 in terms of importance.

3. Rate each one 1-3 in terms of how motivated you are.

4. Name one thing that would increase your job satisfaction.

This survey need not be complicated. You can run quick polls to keep it simple, or quizzes to make it fun. The most important thing is to acknowledge and take action on the results so that people feel heard. Remember to set a deadline for responses and dates for when you’ll review the information and communicate the results.

Identify patterns or themes

As you review the feedback, try to identify themes. This can help you decide where to put your energy, focus and budget.

For example, are people frustrated due to lack of skills or knowledge, or is someone carrying too much of the load. Once you know how people are feeling, prioritise the next steps and make a plan.

Remember if people have something negative to say, that in itself is a positive because you are getting some insight. It’s quite different if you have people who say nothing; that can speak volumes and they may have a problem (which becomes your problem). If this is the case, then you or their manager is best to speak to them directly.

Make a plan and create a structure

Whatever you do, if you are able to meet organisational goals at the same time through supporting individuals and their goals, you’re more likely to get to that sweet spot where everyone wins.

As you create your action plan, consider how you can address people’s individual goals, aspirations and ambitions while pursuing organisation goals. What this looks like in your organisation may look quite different for another.

For example, someone might want to:

• Upgrade their qualifications

• Learn a new skill or area of the organisation

• Present at a conference, or gain a promotion

• Work or learn alongside someone else

• Mentor a less experienced team member.

Regardless of their answers, you are likely to get to know more about individuals; their passions, skills, expertise and ambitions.

Move forward with a new perspective

Once you’ve reviewed the results and come up with priorities, it is time to communicate these (you need not reveal all the details!).

It may be that the actions relate to the whole organisation, one department, a process, or an individual. Again, there’s no need to share all the nitty gritty, but it is preferable to share the overall sentiment and what happens next.

After you have mapped the actions out, remember it is important to measure to monitor progress. This can be something as simple as running the survey again in six months, or checking in with people at different times.

However you choose to keep your finger on the pulse, remember that personal motivation and success is all a matter of perspective. So go on, to move your organisation forward, ask some questions that move people, and get a whole new fresh perspective!

AI in project management

By Ben O’Connell

Artificial intelligence is our new reality. AI promises to revolutionise pretty much every aspect of our lives, and project management is no exception.

AI is changing the future of work, and with that comes concerns around automation and job losses, and equal excitement around efficiency and the technology’s potential. Similarly, the role of a project manager is increasingly complex.

It’s important to note that AI will enhance and not replace skilled trades. Time is of the essence in trades and processes such as self-correction, reasoning, and data-based decision-making are where AI can help.

AI can transform project management by automating workflows, streamlining processes, and providing accurate information. It can eliminate repetitive tasks and free up project managers to focus on other important aspects of their jobs.

Let’s make it clear: AI is not going to solve everything. There are countless soft skills AI cannot replicate. Project managers will still need strong communication, negotiation, leadership, and critical thinking skills to manage teams, navigate challenges, and build strong client relationships.

Further issues around AI include the costs of implementing these processes and a need

for businesses to invest in data collection and management, as most software relies on clear and accurate data to work well. Successfully integrating AI also takes buy-in from all stakeholders; maintaining a healthy level of scepticism is totally understandable. While it could lead to some job losses in the trades, AI is also likely to create new opportunities. Tradies with strong AI skills could be in high demand to develop and implement these tools for the industry. Researching how AI can help your unique needs will truly grasp its potential for you. But what areas of project management are set to be disrupted in the future?

Scheduling

AI-powered tools can evaluate factors like travel time, worker availability, and skillsets to optimise job assignments and routes. This results in increased efficiency and reduced wasted time, so happier customers. Deputy is a good example, a shift scheduling software that provides cloud-based workforce management. GeoOp is a similar job management software for tradies.

Client Relationships

AI can analyse customer data and interactions to personalise services, predict customer needs, and improve the overall customer experience. This can strengthen customer relationships and increase customer loyalty. Pipedrive is one tool that efficiently manages leads and deals, and Monday, Zendesk, and Capsule are others.

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It’s important to note that AI will enhance and not replace skilled trades. Time is of the essence in trades and processes such as self-correction, reasoning, and data-based decision-making are where AI can help.

Finances

AI can be applied in financial management for better budgeting and forecasting. AI tools can identify areas for cost reduction, detect anomalies in financial transactions, and reduce the risk of fraud. This can lead to significant financial savings and improved business stability. Financial AI tools are common today; you’ve probably already heard of Xero and MYOB.

Carports, Paving & Fences

Sleepouts Cladding & Wall Replacement

New Window Installations

Decks & Pergolas

Shop Fit Outs

Renovations Consented Work Property Maintenance

Door Replacement

Interior Linings & Exterior Cladding Repairs

Commercial Repairs

Transportable Homes

Architectural Designed Steel Framed Homes

Marketing

AI can be leveraged to optimise your website for search engines, automate social media posts, and tailor marketing strategies based on online customer behaviour. This can increase website traffic, improve brand awareness, and generate more leads and sales. Google Analytics and Hootsuite are two common platforms.

Building consents down after peak

By Ben O’Connell

Requests to build new homes have plummeted after an alltime sector peak.

Generally, new home consents in the last few years have risen from late 2020 and then declined from late 2022.

Per Stats NZ, 37,239 new homes were consented to in the year ending December 2023, down from a peak of 51,015 in the year ending May 2022.

Decreased consent levels are due to many factors, two of which are increased construction costs and the impact of record immigration on housing demand and market prices.

Data only indicates changes in the number of houses nationwide because some consented homes are not built.

Multi-unit homes have been the dwelling type most consented to since March 2022. These include townhouses, apartments, retirement village units, and flats.

Of the multi-unit homes consented to in the year ended December 2023, there were 16,779 townhouses, flats, and units, down 19 per cent compared with the year ended December 2022.

2,518 of consented homes were apartments, down 43 per cent, and 2,267 were retirement village units, down 23 per cent.

The regions with the highest number of consents issued were Auckland, with 15,488; Canterbury, with 6959; the Waikato, with 3548; and Wellington, with 2427.

2023 was the first year that the number of townhouses, flats, and units consented exceeded the number of stand-alone houses.

Consent figures also demonstrate New Zealand’s growing urbanisation. These days, it’s one step backward and three steps forward when building homes.

The number of new high-density homes consented to typically forecasts increased removal of existing older stand-alone properties.

In the year ending December 2023, 15,675 stand-alone houses were consented, down 27 per cent from the year ending December 2022.

This continued into January 2024. 36,453 new homes were consented, down 26 per cent from the year ended January 2023.

Informed design

Connecting design and manufacturing workflows

Autodesk is bringing industrialised construction to the AECO [Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations] industry with Informed Design, a solution that connects design and manufacturing workflows to streamline the building design and construction process.

Autodesk Informed Design is a cloudbased solution that connects design and manufacturing workflows to streamline the building design and construction process.

Informed Design allows architects to work with customisable, pre-defined building products that yield valid results and manufacturers to share their products with design stakeholders.

Available as a free add-in, Informed Design aims to aid the AECO sector in combatting pressures of accommodating growing populations, urbanisation, and a global housing crisis.

Green Canopy NODE senior product manager, Benjamin Hall, says “Autodesk Informed

Design has shown that there’s a way to bring customised details, good aesthetics and quality engineering into a product that can be mass produced.

“Designing with constraints doesn’t curb my creativity – it gives me choices I know will work. And that is good for the planet, the building’s inhabitants and for the building industry.”

Informed Design unlocks industrialised construction – the application of manufacturing principles to the built environment – and will help transform the architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) industry.

Informed Design at Autodesk director and general manager, Ryan McMahon says, “The way the AECO industry works today is not sustainable or scalable. For the industry to keep pace, it needs to build more, faster and more sustainably. The answer is industrialised construction.

“Autodesk Informed Design connects design and make from day one and brings industrialised construction workflows to reality.

“Our solution is unique because it empowers architects to design with certainty and validate their plans in real time, while product managers and engineers can share

accurate manufacturing information with design teams. As a result, projects are completed quicker, with higher quality and generate less waste.”

Informed Design is part of Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform environment, which includes cloud-connected software solutions that unite teams, data and workflows across entire project lifecycles to deliver better, faster outcomes.

With Informed Design, Autodesk is ushering the AECO industry towards an industrialised setup that embeds sustainability throughout.

Informed Design is available globally as a free add-in for two of Autodesk’s industry solutions:

Autodesk Informed Design for Revit allows design professionals to design with knownmanufacturable building products for unparalleled certainty and quality. This addin for Revit 2024 provides improved design quality, increases workload capacities and reduces errors and rework.

Autodesk Informed Design for Inventor enables product managers and product engineers to align their manufacturing capabilities with customer requirements. This add-in for Inventor 2024 provides a more streamlined design and manufacturing process.

To learn about Informed Design, visit: www.autodesk.com/products/informeddesign-revit

Bearing the brunt

New Zealanders’ views on what’s fair when it comes to paying for infrastructure

The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, has released the results of a survey that asked New Zealanders what they think is fair when it comes to paying for infrastructure services like roads, drinking water, and electricity.

Te Waihanga’s general manager of strategy, Geoff Cooper, says the survey revealed that the highest support was for using it as a fair way of charging.

“Specifically, nearly three-quarters of respondents thought it was fair that what households pay for electricity (74 percent), and water (72 percent), should be based on what a household uses.

“Just over one-third (34 percent) of respondents thought that usage was a fair way to fund roads. However, this was still higher than the other ways of paying for roads presented in the survey,” Geoff says.

The survey asked whether it is fairer for households to pay differently based on their usage, income, or the cost of supplying the service to their location. It also asked whether it is fair to charge more at times of peak demand.

“What’s fair is a very subjective thing. Views varied based on age, gender, ethnicity, and region. Views also varied depending on the type of infrastructure,” Geoff says.

The New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy highlights that New Zealand has significant challenges ahead when it comes to delivering and maintaining infrastructure.

Addressing these challenges will require us to do things differently, which might mean changing how infrastructure is paid for and delivered.

“Gaining a better understanding of what people perceive is fair when paying for infrastructure services is an important step toward meeting this challenge.

“For example, while many people think it’s fairer to pay for the infrastructure services they use, they don’t view it as fair to have to pay for the full cost of supplying those services, especially where the costs are higher, such as in remote locations,” he says.

The findings feed into a broader research programme being conducted by the Commission about how and how much New Zealanders pay for infrastructure and what New Zealanders think is fair.

The survey findings highlight a number of key points that may support policy development, including:

Volumetric charging for water

Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72 percent) think it’s fair that what households pay for water should be based on what a household uses. Decision-makers have the opportunity to harness this broad support for use-based charging as a fair means of paying for water and adopt volumetric charging where it is not already in place. This could be done by incorporating a low fixed charge for

For example, while many people think it’s fairer to pay for the infrastructure services they use, they don’t view it as fair to have to pay for the full cost of supplying those services, especially where the costs are higher, such as in remote locations

basic needs and the discretion to have lower charges for some households.

Congestion charging in Auckland

Despite most respondents (65 percent) not viewing congestion charging as a fair way of charging for road use at peak times, Aucklanders were more likely to think it was fair (31 percent) than those from elsewhere (22 percent). This is comparable to the levels of public acceptance of time-of-use charging in cities overseas before congestion charging was introduced.

Cost of supplying infrastructure

Over half (55 percent to 60 percent) of survey respondents did not think it was fair for households to pay for services based on the cost to supply.

New Zealand has a long-standing approach that everyone should have access to infrastructure services regardless of where they live. This includes rural and remote areas where the cost of supply is higher or where the population is too small to meet the costs.

But there are some tough decisions for the future about who should bear the cost of, for example, rebuilding infrastructure in remote communities after damage from extreme weather events or in adapting infrastructure to be resilient in the face of climate change.

About the survey

The survey was conducted by Kantar Public. A total of 3,002 New Zealanders over the age of 18 took part in the research. The data was post-weighted, so the final sample is representative of New Zealanders aged 18 plus by age, gender, ethnicity, and region.

Building activity to return to pre-COVID levels

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has published the National Construction Pipeline Report 2023 providing a projection of national building and construction activity for the six years, from December 2022 to December 2028.

MBIE manager of System Strategy and Performance, Micheal Warren says, “Several indicators show that the unprecedented postCOVID demand for residential building, which saw record numbers of building consents issued, is alleviating and significantly reducing the demand on the sector.

“The overall activity forecast is positive; short-term reductions across various measures in the report suggest activity fluctuations in the sector are being less affected by COVID-19 and returning to a more usual pattern.

“Residential building activity is forecast to return to levels that align with the sector’s capacity to deliver buildings ready for occupation, settling the sector into a more sustainable level where supply and demand is much closer than it has been in recent years.

“Recovery from the extreme weather events in early 2023 and works to increase New Zealand’s resilience to future weather events,

have resulted in a forecast for strong growth in the infrastructure pipeline over the next few years and strong activity in the regions where we expect to see this building activity commence.

“There are strong non-residential and infrastructure pipelines of work including works supporting education, health, fresh water, transport, and subdivisions creating space for future residential and nonresidential building activity.

“The aim of the report is to provide awareness of the expected pipeline of work to support the sector’s strategic planning, investment in skills and equipment and coordination of construction procurement to meet the sector’s future needs.

“Having foresight into these areas could help mitigate uncertainty and allow for better preparedness across the sector,” said Micheal says.

Thinking about training a BCITO apprentice?

Taking on an apprentice is easy – we’ll handle the paperwork and be with you every step of the way, BCITO apprentices are trained and supported by our Training Advisors to come up to speed and add value to your business from the outset.

To promote industry growth, BCITO is now offering Fees Support (no fees) for new apprenticeship or supervisor training starting between 1 March 2024 and 30 August 2024. As New Zealand’s premier provider of apprenticeship and supervisor training for construction industries, we offer this support to learners and employers to assist the industry in maintaining high levels of training.

In addition to fostering apprentice talent BCITO is committed to advancing the existing workforce. Additional training is proven to increase motivation and retention, which is why we are also offering Fees Support for supervisor training.

Invest in the long-term success of your business and become a BCITO employer or take a look at training options for supervisors and managers.

The state of our built future

Q&A with NZCB CEO Malcolm Fleming

By Ben O’Connell

Uncertainty about forward workloads and a lack of government direction regarding the future of vocational education and apprentice training; these are the two biggest challenges chief executive of New Zealand Certified Builders, Malcolm Fleming, believes Kiwi tradespeople face today.

But with construction costs growing and regulations changing, his role oversees an extensive list of industry issues.

The construction industry is facing a significant skills shortage. How do NZCB think we can best attract and retain talent within the industry?

This is a cyclical issue that became particularly evident during the housing boom that followed COVID-19, a period that saw new building consent numbers rise above 40,000 on a 12-month average for the first time since the mid-1970s.

The peak occurred in 2022 when new residential building consents hit 50,000. The 2024 market is very different from what it was even 12 months ago, with skills shortages no longer the issue it was, as demand for those skills has reduced.

That said, NZCB is very focused on both attracting people to consider a carpentry apprenticeship and supporting those apprentices who are employed by our members.

We have two significant programmes of work: the NZCB Apprentice Network, which welcomes apprentices into the NZCB community and supports them across their four-year apprenticeship; and a series of Carpentry Role workshops that set out a career pathway for newly graduated apprentices, which builds on their core skills to assist them growing competency in roles such as Leading Hand, Foreperson, and Site Manager. Coming into the NZCB role, I was struck by a lack of career mapping and ongoing occupational skills development for carpenters post their apprenticeship training, something that our Carpentry Role programme addresses.

What factors have caused construction costs to rise?

My view is that the current high cost of building is the most significant issue facing the construction industry. New Zealand’s isolation, our small market size, and the embedded risk aversion across Building Consent Authorities (BCAs), designers, and

builders alike, all contribute to the high construction prices in our country.

• On the isolation front, disruptions to shipping lanes in the northern hemisphere (the Russia-Ukraine war restricting shipping on the Black Sea, Houthis attacks on shipping on the Red Sea, and climateinduced droughts impacting the Panama Canal) have added to the cost of bringing goods to New Zealand

• Our small market size does not make it attractive for international manufacturers of building products or systems to set up a distribution base here, particularly when they will have to compete head-to-head with well-established local players

• Our main issue is the risk aversion triangle, which sees none of the three main players in the building consent process (designers, builders, BCAs) wishing to take on risk, which translates to all parties staying with products and systems that are proven with good track records, and which are well supported locally.

With Certified Plans being designed by one of the country’s largest New Zealand Institute of Architects practices, NZCB is bringing awardwinning design to a much larger audience.

As an association, NZCB is addressing affordability through its new range of Certified Plans that will be released in Q3 2024.

Designed by one of the country’s largest architectural practices, a small range of entry-level houses will utilise new building methodologies to reduce construction time and practice the maxim “less is more” by demonstrating that through smart design, New Zealanders can trim their floor plans significantly, which when cost per square metre is $5,000+, reducing the size of the homes we live in by 20 percent or more, translates to significant savings.

With Certified Plans being designed by one of the country’s largest New Zealand Institute of Architects practices, NZCB is bringing awardwinning design to a much larger audience.

More broadly, the construction industry has been advocating for a range of changes to the building regulatory system, which MBIE has been receptive to across the last two years.

Some of those ideas include increasing the range of products and systems that can be specified in the New Zealand market, introducing efficiencies within the BCA, and inspecting regime. These ideas are not new, though they are now being accelerated by a new government wanting to see quick progress on solving the very real issue of high building costs.

What are the biggest impacts of regulatory changes you’ve seen so far?

The most significant impact on the cost of building across the past year has been the

implementation of H1 (increased energy efficiency standards since 1 May 2023) to the Building Code. This change has led to cost escalation in construction costs and accelerated the housing affordability issue.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) has signalled that H1 is the first step in creating regulations that will enable the construction sector to play its part to ensure that New Zealand meets its Paris Accord commitment to reduce the country’s carbon emission levels by 50 per cent (from 2005 levels) by 2030.

Given the pledge that New Zealand has made internationally, there is no pulling back from this direction of travel. We do however, need to offset the rising costs that are a consequence of increased specification requirements by making it easier to use proven products and systems from larger markets here in New Zealand.

As touched on already, there are positive signs that the regulator MBIE is fast-tracking some changes in this area of opening the New Zealand market to a broader range of building product and system providers.

Given the current economic climate, what is your outlook for the New Zealand building industry over the next few years?

We are at the bottom of the current economic cycle, with high interest rates, reduced consumer spending, and now a fiscal belt-tightening by the government, flowing through to a 20 percent drop in new home building consents down to levels last seen two to three years prior to the pandemic. We should expect that this level of demand will represent the new normal for the next two to three years.

What we are observing now is that designers and builders who have positioned themselves as operators in the new residential space only are suffering, while those who operate across a range of markets, in combination with having a good customer base, have maintained good forward workloads.

For builders specifically, NZCB members, by virtue of them being trade-qualified, have largely filled the void created by a fall in demand for new home construction by

picking up alterations and additions (often with a client who can no longer make a new build work), light commercial, education work, and in recent times, flood and cyclone remediation work.

New Zealand still needs new housing, along with vertical infrastructure that either needs to be newly constructed or maintained. Neither driver can be put off for too long, so smart operators who can demonstrate excellence in what they do, have good systems and processes, and take the opportunity to leverage new and emerging technologies to build faster and more efficiently will do well both now, and when demand starts rising again.

What has been your most rewarding experience as chief executive of NZCB?

Good trade associations develop a strong sense of community amongst its members, something NZCB has in spades, which, for someone like me who practices the notion of active custodianship keenly, is an appealing characteristic.

What I am finding particularly rewarding with NZCB is the blending of that strong sense of community and our members’ pride in their carpentry craft, with a real hunger from the membership to see the NZCB’s industry and public profile be amplified and their enthusiastic support for the progressive new initiatives and programmes that we are currently bringing to market.

Is the government doing enough to protect and support the building and construction industry?

Yes and no. Yes, the new government is signalling a keenness to streamline the building consent system and make it easier for building products and systems that are used successfully and widely in overseas markets, to be specified here.

This will rely on the approval system being both robust (ensuring products can meet New Zealand’s climatic conditions and involving third-party accreditation requirements) and that applications are processed in a cost-effective and timely manner (currently barriers to new entrants). This is all quite promising.

No, the new government’s cancellation of planned vertical infrastructure projects is creating havoc, as designers and builders alike, who as recently as three months ago had a project to either bid on or to start construction on, now have voids in their forward workload.

New Zealand needs a skilled construction workforce of scale to both construct the built environment we need and maintain the housing, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure we have. This lack of foresight is discouraging.

New Zealand needs a skilled construction workforce of scale to both construct the built environment we need and maintain the housing, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure we have. This lack of foresight is discouraging.

What steps is the NZCB taking to promote sustainable building practices among its members?

In looking at solving a significant issue such as sustainability, it is wise to identify what it is you can control in your ‘lane’. For NZCB, that ‘lane’ is how we look to minimise construction waste, which accounts for over half of the waste that makes it to New Zealand’s landfills.

This is an area that NZCB will be applying some focus to. Also in our ‘lane’ is the revised range of Certified Plans, the brief for which includes strong sustainability building practices and product types. These designs will be an active demonstration of NZCB’s proactivity in the sustainability space.

Why should builders consider membership with NZCB?

With the membership prerequisite being a completed carpentry apprenticeship (NZ Certificate in Carpentry Level 4 or equivalent), NZCB membership is a quality mark for homeowners wishing to engage a builder.

Consistent across the membership is that pride in their carpentry craft, which generates a strong sense of NZCB community, with a membership proposition that includes access to building contracts, a ten-year building warranty product, and a strong commitment to providing a substantive educational programme to NZCB members. With 2,300 business members who work primarily in the residential market, NZCB has a clear mandate on who its membership base is and who we advocate on behalf of. That purity of focus is compelling for tradequalified residential builders.

Visit: www.nzcb.nz for more.

Niamh

Maintenance needed

New Zealand Infrastructure Commission publishes first assessment of the value of New Zealand’s infrastructure

With our roads, water pipes and other essential infrastructure wearing out, New Zealand needs to spend around 60 percent of its infrastructure investment to look after what we already have, rather than building more.

This is a key finding of a new report from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, which provides the first comprehensive assessment of the value of New Zealand’s infrastructure.

New Zealand Infrastructure Commission’s director of economics, Peter Nunns says using data from Statistics New Zealand revealed our infrastructure assets, excluding land, were valued at $287 billion in 2022.

“Nearly three-quarters of our infrastructure assets are publicly owned through central and local government, and over one-quarter are commercially or privately owned.

“Infrastructure assets can have huge benefits for society, but they must be maintained, renewed, and repaired to ensure that they continue to provide those benefits - and that costs money.

“The question is: are we currently investing enough on renewals?

“In some areas, like electricity distribution, the data suggests that assets are being renewed at about the right rate.

“But in other areas, like state highways, local roads, and water infrastructure, renewal

investment seems to be too low to ensure our assets are maintained for the long term. If this trend continues, the condition of our infrastructure will decline,” Peter says.

“What’s even more concerning is that in some sectors, like education, health, and justice infrastructure, we couldn’t find good data on maintenance and renewal spending. This is because central government, which owns most of these assets, does not compile and publicly report this data.”

The New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy 2022-2052 recommends that central government infrastructure providers should be required to undertake and publish long-term investment plans and asset management plans. This information is needed to help ensure that infrastructure assets are managed sustainably for future generations.

“This research is an important step in helping us better understand trends in investment and depreciation across all of New Zealand’s infrastructure sectors. We expect it to help infrastructure providers plan and invest for today and tomorrow.”

Key findings from the research

Around 60 percent of investment needs to go to renewing existing assets, not building more

Between 2013 and 2022, depreciation costs for infrastructure were equal to 58 percent of new capital investment.

For every $10 we spent on new infrastructure, almost $6 of existing infrastructure wore out. If we want to maintain our existing infrastructure for future generations, that’s roughly how much we need to spend on renewal. That leaves $4 out of every $10 of investment available for new or improved infrastructure.

The value of our infrastructure assets is rising over time

The inflation-adjusted value of New Zealand’s infrastructure assets rose from $32,900 per person in 1990 to $55,800 per person in 2022.

In 2022, our infrastructure assets, excluding land, were valued at $287 billion; 45 percent of this infrastructure is owned by central government, 26 percent is owned by local government, and 29 percent is commercially or privately owned.

Current investment rates signal likely future investment levels

Between 2003 and 2022, infrastructure investment averaged 5.8 percent of GDP. We spent an average of 3.4 percent of GDP on horizontal infrastructure such as transport, electricity, water and telecommunications networks. We spent 2.4 percent on vertical infrastructure such as education, hospitals, social housing, and defence infrastructure. Sustaining higher investment would require us to increase taxes, rates, or user charges, while lower investment would require us to accept less or lower-quality infrastructure.

New building design guidance culmination of decades of seismic engineering research

Updated engineering guidance to help with the design of new buildings in New Zealand has been the culmination of decades of natural hazard research funded by Toka Tū Ake EQC and other research agencies.

Standards New Zealand has issued a draft technical specification for public comment for new seismic design solutions for designers and engineers.

Once feedback is considered, the new guidance is expected to be formally released in the coming months.

Toka Tū Ake EQC and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), chief engineer Professor Ken Elwood, says the updated guidance is in response to new science related to the National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM), and a number of other seismic research projects funded by Toka Tū Ake EQC.

The National Seismic Hazard Model was launched in October 2022 and provides detailed insights into the expected severity of earthquake shaking in each region.

“In most regions the forecasted severity proved higher than previously anticipated

and this new guidance for seismic loadings on buildings and their content, are providing methods for engineers to respond to this new knowledge,” Professor Elwood says.

The National Seismic Hazard Model draws on a huge volume of global and local seismic research to create maps and probability levels of earthquake shaking for the next 10, 50 or 100 years.

The proposed draft Technical Specification (TS 1170.5: Structural Design Actions, Part 5: Earthquake actions – New Zealand) sets out procedures and criteria for establishing the actions to be used in the design of buildings in New Zealand.

Professor Elwood stresses that the update is not a change to the building code at this time, and SNZ are seeking public comment for those in the industry that have a vested interest in designing new buildings.

The agency each year invests over $10m in research and he says the engineering updates are a terrific example where research investment leads to tangible outcomes for the construction industry.

Prof Elwood lists a number Toka Tū Ake EQC-funded projects that informed the working group, like the work by Professor Tim Sullivan (University of Canterbury), on calculating seismic loading for building components, or the research by Professor Ilan Noy (Victoria University) on cost-benefit analysis approaches for assessing the value of investing in seismic resilience of buildings.

“Another big influence was Professor Misko Cubrinovski (University of Canterbury), who studied soil-structure interaction, or Professor Liam Witherspoon (University of Auckland) who developed solutions for assessing geotechnical conditions at building sites,” says Professor Elwood.

Research by some of New Zealand’s leading academics contributed to the proposals by MBIE’s Seismic Risk Working Group, many of whom have been funded by research grants from Toka Tū Ake EQC.

“New Zealand has some of the best experts in these areas and it is wonderful to see decades of research being used to make our buildings more resilient and keep New Zealanders safe.”

Toka Tū Ake EQC and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), chief engineer, Professor Ken Elwood.

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Building robust quake-resilience

HERA and the HERA Foundation are pleased to share that testing has finally been completed on the ROBUST building systems project.

Work on the ROBUST building systems project started in 2018 in collaboration with the International Laboratories for Earthquake Engineering (ILEE) in Shanghai.

Unfortunately, significant delays during the COVID shutdowns in both Aotearoa New Zealand and China meant building component testing only commenced in 2022, with the building itself unable to be placed on the shake table until September 2023 for testing in late December.

The large-scale experimental component of the ROBUST test programme in the ILEE laboratory recently concluded, with the last of the nine configurations tested in March.

About the project

The ROBUST building systems project involved testing a three-storey, 9m tall, 8.5m x 5m plan structure on a large shaking table.

The structure comprised a two-bay long by one bay wide steel framed building with concrete slab on steel deck floors and with a variety of interchangeable seismic resisting systems, to understand their responsiveness to seismic events.

All seismic resisting systems involved using controlled friction sliding within specific

connections or components to dissipate the earthquake energy entering the structure. This is different from conventional systems, which generally rely on the yielding of steel in selected components. In the traditional system, the shaking elements damaged by yielding likely need replacement.

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With frictional structures, the building can be reinstated with much less effort and cost, and ideally, replacement is not necessary.

Professor Charles Clifton pioneered many of the early friction connections in Aotearoa while working at HERA and undertaking his PhD part-time at the University of Auckland. They are now being used around the world.

Of note is the Sliding Hinge Joint with Asymmetric Friction connections (commonly known as the SHJ), which are detailed in HERA Report R4-134.

A significant improvement to this connection was made by Associate Professor Shahab Ramhormozian of AUT, resulting in the Optimised Sliding Hinge Joint (OSHJ) which is now also in use and is detailed in HERA Report R4-155.

Nine different building configurations were tested with different friction connection types and included both the bare structure and the structure plus a range of cladding elements and internal layouts, collectively called Non Skeletal Elements (NSEs).

The scale and the range of systems used in a realistic structure make this test program

a world-first and the most complex full-size building to be shake table tested worldwide.

It used a friction moment frame in one direction and a friction-braced frame in the other direction. The final test series involved the same seismic resisting systems as tested in the bare structure earlier in the test series (OSHJ in the long direction, braces with symmetrical connections and bolts kept elastic with Belleville Springs in the other direction).

Added to the bare structure was a large range of NSEs, including building external cladding (both precast concrete panels (PCPs) and glazed curtain walls (GCWs), internal partition walls (IPWs) with access panels, ceilings (perimeter fixed, braced, and floating), sprinkler piping, and contents (tables, chairs, shelves, books, a globe, and some flowers).

This landmark research is expected to lead to industry confidence in the performance of these economical buildings, which can be used without major repair after a number of earthquakes.

Researchers analyse the test results at the earthquake laboratory in Shanghai.

Group photo at the end of the test.

For Steel Professionals For Steel Professionals

It also shows important characteristics of whole building system behaviour that cannot be determined from small-scale component testing or simulated in modelling.

The first seismic resisting configurations performed well when subjected to earthquake shaking more than 25% greater than the Wellington ultimate limit state design earthquake intensity.

These include moment frame, tensiononly brace, and tension-compression brace configurations using Resilient Slip Friction Joint (RSFJ) connections, asymmetric friction connections with and without conical spring washers (CSWs), and symmetric friction connections with and without CSWs.

The final shake involved shaking with a peak ground acceleration of 0.88g in each direction simultaneously. Even under this huge level of shaking (significantly larger than the 0.55g recorded in the events in central Christchurch), the structure performed very well, and the fundamental response period remained unchanged.

Besides the contents, many people looking at the tested structure might not realise it had been through an earthquake. It is clear that the overall building system performance was excellent—it behaved in a ROBUST way!

While the large-scale experimental testing has been completed, this also marks the beginning of the next phase. Teams in China and New Zealand will analyse the data and

conduct smaller tests to better understand the behaviour.

This will enable engineers to economically and reliably design buildings that can be used after several large-scale shaking events.

Supporting researching

In collaboration with nine other sponsors, both nationally and in China, as well as many other material and in-kind support and expertise, HERA and the HERA Foundation are proud to support research such as this. It leads to real-world applications for the construction industry, making structures more resilient in seismic events for our communities.

So far, the test program has garnered wide international attention through the many innovative new concepts related to structural earthquake engineering that have been developed. It is a testament to the tenacity of the researchers involved, and it is great to see this research reach the laboratory testing milestone!

Congratulations to Greg MacRae and Liang-Jiu JIA (Chinese PI, Tongji University) and the full team including Charles Clifton (UoA), Rajesh Dhakal (UoC), Shahab Ramhormozian (AUT), Geoff Rodgers (UoC), Pierre Quenneville (UoA), and Ping Xiang (Tongji University), Zhenduo Yan (Project Manager, AUT) and many students and other collaborators for reaching this achievement. We are certainly looking forward to seeing the results and understanding what the next steps will be!

For more information, please contact Gregory MacRae: gregory.macrae@canterbury.ac.nz.

Professor Greg MacCrea from the University of Canterbury discusses the testing with his Chinese colleagues between tests at the earthquake laboratory in Shanghai.

The three-storey model was tested by NZ and Chinese engineers on the earthquake shake table in Shanghai.

Since 1967, NSB has been maximising the life of New Zealand’s infrastructure and providing asset owners considerable maintenance cost savings.

OUR SERVICES

• Corrosion Control & Coatings

• Total Asset Management

• Commercial Property Management

• Structures Refurbishment

Getting to grips with steel corrosion

Corrosion is the deterioration of a material through its reaction with the environment.

Conducting a root cause analysis to identify the exact cause of a failure of a material due to corrosion, and to determine appropriate remedies, requires a detailed and thorough analysis.

Failure analysis experts can be involved at any point of a product’s life cycle including the design, manufacturing, service, and ultimately, when a part of the product fails due to corrosion.

The types of corrosion damage that are encountered in service often include general surface corrosion, galvanic corrosion, and localised corrosion.

However, environment-related corrosion problems, that can be quite dangerous to a structure or product, include stress corrosion cracking, intergranular corrosion, selective leaching corrosion, and erosion corrosion.

The eight types of corrosion (Fontana) that commonly occur on structures and products made of different engineering materials are as follows:

• Uniform corrosion attack – this is the most common form of corrosion encountered.

• Galvanic corrosion

– dissimilar metal corrosion.

• Crevice corrosion – an insidious form of localised corrosion.

• Pitting corrosion

– a rapid form of localised corrosion.

• Intergranular corrosion due to poor alloy metallurgy.

• Selective leaching corrosion – de-alloying.

• Erosion corrosion due to flowing fluids.

• Stress corrosion cracking (SCC). However, there are many less common failure mechanisms encountered as well, including high temperature corrosion; microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), hydrogen embrittlement, and corrosion fatigue.

This latter group of corrosion failure mechanisms often require very specialised knowledge to assess and solve them.

Information sourced from:

www.membership.corrosion.com.au.

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Weathering steel

In order to achieve a durable, high strength, structural steel (weathering steel) in the unpainted condition, some requirements for designing, fabrication, construction, site climate condition, inspection and maintenance need to be taken into consideration.

Weathering steel, or to use its technical title of “structural steel with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance”, is a high strength, low alloy, structural steel.

In suitable environments it can be used in an unpainted condition which results in very low maintenance costs and an economic bridge solution.

The design of weathering steel bridges should be undertaken in accordance to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 5100.6. However, there are several requirements – mostly related to detailing and suitability of environment, which relate specifically to weathering steel, are outlined in this publication.

This steel design guide for bridges in New Zealand was prepared to provide guidance to industry on the required aspects of site suitability, design, fabrication, construction, inspection and maintenance for the appropriate use of weathering steel in bridges in New Zealand.

‘Weathering steel’ is a high strength, low alloy, structural steel that, in suitable environments, can be used in the unpainted condition.

Weathering steel develops a tightly adherent rust layer or ‘patina’, which significantly retards the corrosion rate of weathering steel compared with conventional structural steel, while also providing a versatile high strength structural steel.

However, to realise the full capability of weathering steel in bridges requires attention to some aspects of the design, fabrication and construction of the bridge and the consideration of the climatic conditions at the site.

With attention to these details, bridge life spans of a 100 years, or more, can be accommodated with weathering steel.

If you have any specific question related to this publication for your project, please get in touch with HERA.

Article by HERA Structural Systems manager Kaveh Andisheh, supplied courtesy of HERA.

The one stop engineering shop

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

Culham Engineering came onto the scene over 65 years ago, servicing the needs of Northland industries undertaking maintenance and construction, and impressively, they were the main contractor on the site at Refining NZ for over 60 years.

Over time, they earned a reputation as a versatile engineering firm capable of tackling diverse challenges.

Managing director Rob Kirwan reflects on their evolution, emphasising how they have expanded their capabilities and grown substantially.

At their current scale, they possess the expertise to manage and execute a wide array of projects encompassing project management, fabrication, coatings, and installation.

“Whether it involves structural steel, infrastructure, industrial maintenance, marine construction, petrochemical, geothermal or pulp and paper facilities, we have the ability to handle it all,” Rob says. They’ve got some impressive projects under their belt, too. Rob says he’s proud of everything they’ve done.

“The refinery over the years had been a cornerstone for us. The skills we developed at the refinery and the quality systems ingrained in our guys are of the highest standard.

“So, it’s put us in good stead to tackle most jobs. We fabricated and erected the structural steel for the Commercial Bay Tower in downtown Auckland, the largest steel building ever built in NZ.

“We also built the Sky City Convention Centre and Westfield 277 shopping centre, to name a few. We’ve constructed and erected the Spencer Road Bridge in Albany, which is a bit of a landmark.

“We build pressure vessels, storage tanks and piping for all industries. We were fortunate also to be involved in working on Eden Park before the World Cup.”

Despite the Industry cooling down somewhat, Culham Engineering is actively engaged in projects across New Zealand.

“Your business is made up of one thing, a nd that’s people,” Rob says. “We’ve got good people, and we’re always thinking outside the box.

Our investment extends beyond personnel to cutting-edge equipment, positioning us

E:

with some of the most advanced automated technology in our Industry. Nevertheless, it is our people who remain paramount in our success.”

Culham Engineering takes on a wide range of projects across New Zealand, with Rob noting that their diversification over the past three years reflects their commitment to meeting client needs.

“We take pride in our team’s exceptional work,” he says. “Continuously striving for improvement, we prioritise both the quality of our work and the well-being of our employees and clients.

Culham Engineering

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Whangarei

09 438 7145

sales@culham.co.nz

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“This genuine care sets us apart from many other firms—it’s that simple.”

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About Certified Welding

Our workshop is located in the industrial sector of Auckland’s East Tamaki.

Certified Welding was established in 1973 and has been operating for the past 45 Years! The current managing director is a 3rd generation family member to be proudly at the helm.

The Local Community

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Standards

New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Association

The metal roofing solution

It has had five name changes since its inception in 1966 but its mission remains unchanged.

The NZ Metal Roofing Association (NZMRM) continues to support those in the industry and to foster product and systems development.

Representing companies that produce rollform steel and other metals for roofing and cladding purposes, the NZMRM works closely with related bodies.

These include: the Roofing Association of New Zealand (RANZ), the Building Officials Institute of NZ (BOINZ), the Building Research Association of NZ (BRANZ) and the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

The Association conducts research promoting the use of metal roofing and cladding, and has developed a specially-designed test rig in Huntly for members to test new products.

Membership of the NZMRM means those involved in the metal roofing industry can be kept up-to-date on the latest news on products and innovations.

And the NZMRM works consistently to have the most updated standards – the latest Code of Practice version 3.0 can be downloaded from the NZMRM website www.metalroofing.org.nz/codeonline.

In praise of metal roofs

Modern metal roofs have so much to offer in sustainability, versatility and good looks.

The benefits start at the beginning of the materials’ journey to the building site. Transportation costs are lower compared to other materials, such as concrete and tiles. Because it’s lighter, less fuel is used, reducing costs and also carbon emissions.

Sustainability is a top priority in construction in the 21st century. Steel and other roofing metals such as aluminium, copper and zinc are attractive materials because they can be recycled multiple times.

This constant recycling means that steel, especially, is not ending up in landfill like other waste or demolition building materials.

The recovery rate of steel from buildings is estimated at 85 percent. A recent report on commercial construction waste found that more than 90 percent of steel is recycled.

Metal roofing provides exceptional durability, but it does require a small amount of ongoing maintenance to meet its durability requirements and fulfill the products’ warranty.

Regular maintenance will enhance the longterm appearance and performance of the product over time.

Testing

The NZMRM lab in Huntly is where metal roofing and cladding manufacturers put their products to the test.

Each test is set up to mimic the wind pressure conditions that a roof will be exposed to and there are two test concepts.

The first is to calculate the pressure at a particular location on a structure and then test it at a chosen wind pressure configuration.

The other is to test the chosen configuration at increasing spans to find out the point that the product or system fails.

Metal roofing provides exceptional durability, but it does require a small amount of ongoing maintenance to meet its durability requirements and fulfill the products’ warranty.

Obviously, tests are more complicated than that. Other variables can come into the picture, like snow load or the testing of specific areas of a structure.

The rig in a nutshell…

The rig at Huntly is modified when needed to meet the requirements of the development of new products and requirements of the roofing and cladding industry.

The latest version of the rig is a “blow-off box” – a steel box 15m long by 2.1m wide and 330mm deep. The sides are made of solid steel “C-beams”. The box has one end closed off and a moveable dam at the other end.

The air pressure is generated by a rotary fan driven by a motor. The computerised test system allows wind speed to be altered, controlled and recorded.

To find out more about the Huntly testing rig check out articles in Scope magazine: www.metalroofing.org.nz/scope.

Make sure your roof is properly installed

Installers need to check that they are using the most up-to-date version of the Installation Guide before starting construction.

It explains the correct way to install various products, complying with the building code and satisfying manufacturers’ warranties.

The Guide covers pre-installation, product selection, measuring, ordering, transportation, and the processes to be followed on-site – including safety tips.

The Installation Guide is updated as needed to reflect changes in legislation and standards or improvements in technology and available materials.

The Installation Guide is available to members on the NZMRM website.

For membership enquiries phone the NZMRM (09) 367 0913.

Scope

The NZMRM’s magazine Scope is an excellent resource for those with interests in the roofing industry and is available at no charge.

It contains articles on the latest technical innovations and methods and features on design and architectural roofing highlights in New Zealand construction.

For any contributions or queries about Scope e-mail: publishing@swift.nz.

Find a roofing business that is a member of NZMRM near you visit:

www.metalroofing.org.nz/members-list

New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Association

Garth Wyllie - Executive Officer Private Bag 92-066 Auckland 1142 (09) 367 0913

www.metalroofing.org.nz

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A collaboration between Precision Homes, KPA Construction and Dimond® Roofing featuring Solar-Rib® as the profile of choice.

Dimond’s Solar-Rib® brings it’s aesthetic appeal and functional excellence, becoming an integral part of this home and contributing to its overall ambience and street appeal. A crafted vision of living that is a real showstopper.

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AdvanceQuip and its divisions embrace a new era

AdvanceQuip, a leading name in the industry, is thrilled to announce the conclusion of a transformative chapter in its journey, marked by the relocation to its state-ofthe-art headquarters at 7 Saleyard Road, Gore, and the finalisation of its agreement with MIMICO for the acquisition of AdvanceQuip’s Construction Equipment Sales and Support business.

The acquisition excludes the Earthworm Attachments and Gore Machine Hire businesses, which will continue under the ownership of AdvanceQuip and the McLean Family.

This strategic decision has been made to ensure that focus can be put into further growing and developing these entities going forward.

This marks a new era for AdvanceQuip and its divisions, with their new Gore facility serving as the hub for AdvanceQuip, Gore Machine Hire, and Earthworm Attachments, reflecting the company’s commitment to innovation and growth.

For Earthworm Attachments, this strategic move presents an opportunity to grow and enhance their capabilities.

With other products being researched and added to the range, customers can expect more focus and commitment to living up to

their mission of continuing to be the No. 1 Hydraulic Attachment Supplier in NZ

For Gore Machine Hire, there has been a significant investment in their Machine Fleet, with a wider and more modern range of equipment than ever before. Along with their current Gore and Queenstown locations, they will also look to further grow their footprint in the Otago/Southland Region.

AdvanceQuip’s core values, dedication to quality, and industry expertise will remain unchanged, ensuring that both Earthworm Attachments and Gore Machine Hire continue to be reliable and trusted partners for the industry.

The McLean Family, along with the wider AdvanceQuip Team, thanks its customers for their unwavering support over the past 19 years and look forward to continuing the valued relationships that have formed such an important part of their success story to date.

From left to right: Geraint Williams, commercial business manager, CNH Construction Equipment and Alexander Markov, CNH Industrial vice president Construction Segment, presented a plaque of recognition and appreciation to AdvanceQuip directors Steve McLean and Ben McLean. AdvanceQuip has now transitioned from distributor to the largest New Zealand CASE customer.

The New AdvanceQuip HQ at 7 Saleyard Rd, Gore will also house Gore Machine Hire and Earthworm Attachments.

Kennards Hire pop-up keeps major geothermal project moving

The team behind the construction of a geothermal power station at Taupō faced a challenge in the planning stages – how to serve multiple contractors who would need a range of tools and equipment.

Naylor Love the main contractor approached Kennards Hire about working on the project from the outset, furthering an existing relationship. Kennards Hire and Naylor Love collaborated on an innovative solution, a fully operational pop-up branch right there on the worksite.

Staffed by three team members, the popup ran 24/7, ensuring trades had access to the right tools, at the right time.

The project background

When completed, the 174MW station is expected to displace 500,000 tons of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to removing around 220,000 petrol cars from New Zealand roads. The station’s single-shaft steam turbine will be the largest of its kind in the world.

Big challenges to overcome

Work on the remote site presented plenty of challenges.

• Flooding meant moving equipment out of trenches and into storage.

• Overnight concrete pours needed careful management to maximise safety.

• Night security required strategic lighting and safety measures.

• Construction demanded a constant, well-maintained supply of telehandlers.

The team faced demand for a wide variety of tools and equipment, on a site housing multimillion dollar turbines and heavy plant.

Naylor Love Site Manager Simon Bews said the team could be relied on to find workable solutions to challenges.

“They organised whatever we needed. Nothing was an issue, they always helped out.”

Innovative solutions

The team worked closely with the manager of each on-site division to ensure the right gear was available.

FROM BIG JOBS TO EVEN BIGGER JOBS

Supplying everything from hand tools to large specialist equipment, the pop-up branch was a first for Kennards Hire.

It featured wash bays and a storage area to protect equipment, and ensure it was always ready for use.

Contractors were loaded into the Kennards Hire system as soon as they arrived on-site. Avoiding the need to leave site and source equipment elsewhere helped minimise delays.

Major project expertise

General Manager NZ Tom Kimber says Kennards Hire is a trusted partner in

complex, large-scale projects requiring custom solutions.

“Kennards Hire has long-term expertise in commercial and infrastructure projects, with the capacity to scale up on demand. We have the knowledge and flexibility to help clients manage their projects from end-to-end.”

After more than two years on-site, the Tauhara pop-up has now been replaced by a permanent Kennards Hire branch in Taupō. To talk to a Kennards Major Project expert go to kennardshire.co.nz/commercial

Kennards Hire Pop up site on location

Tauhara Power Station project site

Kennards Hire new branch Taupo

The Gearbox Factory

The Gearbox Factory is your one stop drivetrain shop, whose focus is providing the country with top-class service and transmission solutions, thus creating the ultimate customer experience.

They have been servicing, repairing, overhauling, and replacing transmissions for over 49 years. Overall, their experience has positioned The Gearbox Factory as one of the top transmission repairers in the country. Based in Auckland’s East Tamaki, the family run business is a staple for the automotive industry, which services the entire country from top to bottom. To help gain a better understanding, here is an explanation of their different departments and what they specialize in…

Automatic Department

The largest department of The Gearbox Factory, these guys have over 100 years’ experience shared between them. Since the beginning, this section has adapted and trained their staff with the latest information available to the world including the inception of CVT, DSG and DCT transmissions. Having this knowledge has kept them ahead of the trends and always up to date. Steve Hamilton, the Automatic Sales Manager, who joined the company in 1997, has dealt with thousands of transmissions through the years, coupled with his experience in engineering and engine reconditioning, he has helped develop tailored overhaul packages and modifications to most automatics The Gearbox Factory rebuild. Steph Dakin, Office and Service Manager, and so much more, handles all the service enquiries along with co-ordinating the Torque Converter department. Steph has exceptional customer service skills and has been with the company since 2015.

Over the years 4WD vehicles have become hugely popular with manufacturers producing plenty of different models to the world and New Zealand markets. As these 4WD systems started to fail, The Gearbox Factory geared up with the latest equipment and specialist tools, ready to take these complicated systems on.

Manual Department

This section encompasses all the gear driven components of your vehicle. Covering differentials (front and rear), 4WD/4X4 transfer case, wheel bearings, clutches, and of course manual gearboxes. Although the team have been rebuilding

manuals since the beginning, over the years 4WD vehicles have become hugely popular with manufacturers producing plenty of different models to the world and New Zealand markets. As these 4WD systems started to fail, The Gearbox Factory geared up with the latest equipment and specialist tools, ready to take these complicated systems on. Chris Hogg, the Manual Department Manager, joined the company in 1994. He started as a rebuilder and then became more of a foreman/manager with an officebased role. His engineering, plus overall workshop experience has helped develop a database of problem-solving techniques and diagnostics to make sure they are top of the industry. For Auckland based customers, thinking their gearbox may have an issue, The Gearbox Factory provides a free, no obligation roadtest which is easily done through phone booking.

The Gearbox Factory can check, monitor, and diagnose any torque converter fault, with their latest diagnostic tools and experienced technicians. To prevent premature torque converter failure, servicing the transmission with correct fluid is paramount.

Torque Converter Department

Torque converters are vital for the operation of an automatic transmission. With any transmission overhaul, torque converters require the same treatment. The Gearbox Factory has devoted their machine shop and a comprehensive range of torque converter parts available to service the entire country’s retail and trade customers. With the latest transmissions utilizing the torque converter’s lock-up, more and more vehicles often require a torque converter rebuild before the transmission does. The Gearbox Factory can check, monitor, and diagnose any torque converter fault, with their latest diagnostic tools and experienced technicians. To prevent premature torque converter failure, servicing the transmission with correct fluid is paramount.

Fitting Department

The Gearbox Factory’s fitting department covers the removal and installation of all various drivetrain components including servicing, clutch replacements, differentials, automatics, and manuals. The workshop is fitted out with 6 heavy duty 2 post hoists and one 4 post hoist to handle the even heavier duty vehicles (trucks up to 5,000 kg’s). Once the vehicles are diagnosed and ready to be repaired, they are sent to the fitters and scheduled in for the first part of the process. Their team of 4 are challenged daily but apply all their years of mechanical background experience to tackle all sorts of various makes and models coming through the factory doors.

Servicing

Within the Auckland area, The Gearbox Factory service all passenger and light commercial vehicles with most filters and gaskets in stock readily available. This can be easily priced over the phone and booked in with plenty of weekly slots available.

For all service and repair enquiries

contact The Gearbox Factory on 09 274 8340 / 0800 4432 7269 or visit their website www.gearboxfactory.co.nz

The Gearbox Factory sales team and dedicated driver.

Industry communicates the benefits of low carbon concrete

Concrete NZ recently offered a low carbon concrete specification and design seminar series as an effective tool to help construction professionals delve into the crucial topic of low carbon concrete and its impact on building and infrastructure development.

Following water, concrete is the world’s second-most abundant resource - or to put it another way, it is the most widely used manufactured substance on the globe. Its profound impact on shaping our world is rooted in its strength, durability, resilience, safety, and cost-effectiveness, making it indispensable for the construction of critical infrastructure.

Concrete plays a pivotal role in steering our global trajectory towards sustainable development, particularly in terms of mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, supporting the infrastructure necessary for clean energy initiatives and enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings - underlining its significance in the broader context of environmental consciousness and responsible construction practices.

The half-day seminar was developed to assist builders, contractors, engineers and architects to enhance buildings and infrastructure via a better understanding

of the current building for climate change context, the constituent impacts of concrete, the intricacies of specifying (low carbon) concrete and the efficiencies that can be achieved in structural design.

The Low Carbon Concrete Specification and Design seminar series was recorded, and has been added to Concrete NZ’s Learned Society’s suite of online seminar videos that are presented by experts from across academia, the concrete industry and wider construction sector, in order to offer up-to-date technical guidance on critical construction topics.

Concrete industry’s sustainability report sets benchmark

Concrete NZ has recently published the inaugural cement and concrete industry sustainability report, which across a range of metrics draws a clearly defined line in the sand from where progress can be accurately measured.

Rob Gaimster, Concrete NZ chief executive, points out that along with last year’s 2050 Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap, the release of Sustainability Report for the Aotearoa New Zealand Cement and Concrete Sectors 2021/22 is another example of industry’s commitment to fostering a sustainable future.

“The Sustainability Report is based on a conviction that to effectively address our environmental and social footprints, we must begin by measuring them with precision,” says Rob.

“Cement, concrete, and concrete product manufacturers in New Zealand have for several decades undertaken measures to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, improve water efficiency, incorporate recycled materials into concrete production, and safeguard our workforce.”

An updated independent review of industry’s efforts shows that carbon emissions from cement were reduced by 11 per cent between 2005 and 2020, despite an 11 per cent increase in production in that period.

“While we can take pride in our accomplishments, it’s imperative that we pursue further enhancements.”

“The Sustainability Report outlines the industry’s recent efforts across energy consumption and emissions, water use, waste management, as well as health and safety,” notes Rob.

“By collaborating with industry stakeholders, we have collected data to establish targets that propel us toward our sustainability objectives.

“We have also explored mechanisms for improvement and evaluated how concrete aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”

The Sustainability Report’s significance lies in the fact that concrete is an essential construction material that has shaped the modern world, and is critical to building a sustainable tomorrow.

It will play an integral role in addressing the need for sustainable and thriving communities through the delivery of key infrastructure, homes, clean water, clean and renewable energy and by providing a more resilient built environment as the climate changes.

Concrete can be used for strong walls, breakwaters and flood protection s chemes, and also forms part of wind turbines, hydroelectric schemes and geothermal plants, reducing energy-related greenhouse gas emissions to help mitigate climate change.

“The report covers the months spanning 2021-22 and establishes a foundation from which we will monitor our progress every two years,” says Rob.

“We have begun collecting data for the follow-up 2023 report, which once complete will be shared with stakeholders across the cement and concrete industry as well as the wider construction and infrastructure sectors.”

Double the ties at double speed

The new range of MAX® TwinTier™ Rebar-Tiers can tie rebar faster and with more power than ever before! These are the sixth generation tools from MAX® Japan and by far the best!

Three new generation MAX® Rebar-Tiers make up the TwinTier™ range. Introduced with 3 new design features to provide the greatest efficiency and highest level of safety for reinforcing ironworkers.

The TwinTier's "dual wire feeding mechanism" increases tying speed by reducing the time needed to twist and feed the wire, consequently reducing the cost, and shortening the time required for construction. The tool’s dual-wire wrap ensures each tie is reinforced for maximum hold.

The TwinTier's “wire pull back mechanism” firmly pulls the tie wire in to adjust the tie to the rebar’s size to maximize the strength of the tie. When forming a tie the tool makes a loop with the wire and then pulls the wire to tightly secure and lock the rebar in place.

The TwinTier's “wire bending mechanism” feeds a precise amount of wire to match the thickness of the rebar being tied and

cut down on the use of unnecessary wire. This bending mechanism consistently feeds, pulls back, twists and releases the perfect sized tie for the each application.

The TwinTier's quick load magazine makes changing wire spools a piece of cake, and its frontward position provides improved balance/ ergonomics, making flatwork easier.

This generation of the MAX® Rebar-Tiers produce ties that are approximately 50% shorter in height, allowing for thinner concrete pours. Also, the ends of each tie are positioned downward to increase safety. Additionally, wire spools now produce up to 240 ties (when tying D12 x D12 rebar).

• The RB441T Rebar Tier is designed to tie D10 x D10 up to D22 x D22 rebar

• The RB611T Rebar Tier is designed to tie D16 x D16 up to D29 x D32 rebar

• The RB401T-E Standup Rebar Tier is designed to tie D10 x D10 up to D19 x D19 rebar.

The TwinTier's quick load magazine makes changing wire spools a piece of cake, and its frontward position provides improved balance/ergonomics, making flatwork easier.

A low “battery power consumption” design allows the tool to produce 5000 ties per charge using a 5.0Ah, 14.4volt Lithium-ion battery, which recharges in just 60 minutes.

The tool’s 6-step torque adjustment dial allows its user to adjust the strength of the tie based on the application. Steel, electrogalvanized and polyester (“poly”) coated wire are all available for use with the MAX® TwinTier™.

The MAX® TwinTier™ works at double the speed and produces double the number of ties from a single roll of wire than the previous model and far exceeds that of any of its competitors.

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. For more information visit the SIFCO website - www.sifco.co.nz

RB611T RB441T RB401T-E

Hydro blasting for you

Aquamax Hydro Blasting was established in 1995. They have the capability to offer water jetting services throughout New Zealand with divisions based in Auckland and Wellington. They can assemble teams from around the country to ensure the right expertise is applied to any project.

Aquamax’s management team has over 30 years of experience within the hydro blasting industry. They complement this experience with technical advice and support from their equipment manufacturers. All of Aquamax’s operators are highly skilled, many with in excess of 10 years of water jetting experience. They are all subject to extensive training in health and safety, hazard identification, first aid, traffic management

Here is what some of their clients have to say:

‘We were faced with a very challenging project. I was very impressed with the Aquamax team, project management, and quality of the job.’ - Craig Ross from NSB Protective Coatings.

‘We’ve used Aquamax for 15 years on our annual shuts. I continue to be impressed with their project planning, health and safety management and the quality work delivered for us.’Charley Beagle from Contact Energy.

and working in confined spaces. For specialist work such as removing aircraft coatings and cleaning power turbines, hydro blasting operators are internally accredited.

Some of the services provided by Aquamax include:

• Hydrodemolition

Hydrodemolition is the process of removing hardened concrete, using ultrahigh-pressure water jetting which does not damage the surrounding concrete or steel.

• Paint and Corrosion Removal

Water jetting is an ideal removal tool for paint and corrosion from a range of substrates, most commonly steel, aluminium and concrete.

• Road Surface Preparation

Aquamax delivers a wide range of services to the industrial and manufacturing sector such as plant and tank cleaning, marking removal and antislip preparation.

The team at Aquamax can provide these and many other services to a wide range of industries, from construction and roading, to transport and marine. Many construction projects that Aquamax have

worked on include the Auckland Sky Tower, the Moorehouse Avenue overbridge in Christchurch and the Newmarket Viaduct in Auckland. In the marine industry, projects include working on the Interislander and the Navy Ships in Devonport.

The advantage of using Aquamax

• Aquamax has the experience to ensure the right hydro blasting gear, expertise and application for the job

• Minimisation of water if required

• Minimal run-off and stringest containment practices to suck up and remove all waste and debris

• Disposal of waste to council-certified disposal sites

• No use of chemicals

• Flexibility to access hard-to-reach work sites (from council sewers to the top of the Auckland Sky Tower)

• Use of electric units if required to minimise noise.

For more information on what other services Aquamax can provide for you, visit their website at www.aquamax.co.nz or call them today on 0800 278 2629.

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• Interior, Drywall Plasterers (Gib stoppers)

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• Painting and Decorators

We are a privately owned small business that is passionate about all things in the building industry that involve a trowel.

We carry an extremely broad variety of tools, compounds, trims, additives, sealers, paint, repair systems and so much more!

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Engineered Timber Products

Timber for quake and fire safety

In collaboration with the Timber Design Society, Timber Unlimited has collated technical notes on NZS AS 1720.1, which introduced Chapter ZZ9. The standards set out the minimum seismic design requirements for timber structures when using B1/VM1 of the New Zealand Building Code.

Chapter ZZ9 introduces two new terms. Potential Ductile Elements (PDEs) are connections or components capable of sustained inelastic and hysteretic response. Capacity Protected Elements (CPEs) are elements loaded in series with the PDE but are not PDEs. Typically, a CPE is nominated as such because it is incapable of inelastic and hysteretic behaviour.

NZS1170.5 references and defines a potential inelastic zone whose performance must be considered when assigning the structural ductility factor. This term does not suit timber design, as timber is inherently brittle under common loading cases. Timber buildings rely on elements, not zones, for their structural ductility.

Similarly, the term inelastic can also be problematic in a timber context. For example, a bolted connection with an embedmentonly failure will present an inelastic response but cannot be considered ductile. Ductile response requires plastic deformations combined with energy dissipation under cyclic loading. As such, the term ductile, rather than inelastic, is considered more appropriate.

For any timber structure with a selected structural ductility factor greater than one, capacity design must be used. In accordance

with NZS1170.5, capacity design is a design method in which elements of the primary horizontal earthquake action resisting system, in this case, the PDE, are chosen and suitably designed for energy dissipation.

In the standard, the term “overstrength” is used to describe the maximum expected strength of a PDE, which helps determine how much force the CPEs should be able to handle. Fasteners like nails or screws are given an overstrength factor of 1.6 for calculations.

In New Zealand, typical seismic design when using ductility involves an engineer selecting a ductility, designing their PDEs for the resulting inelastic design demand, and then checking the structure possesses the required (local) ductility in the PDE and does not displace or drift beyond code specified or user-defined limits. This involves adjusting the seismic force calculation based on the building’s flexibility, soil type, and the building’s natural sway period.

The standard provides guidelines on adjusting the seismic force based on these factors for various ductility levels. It shows how the force on a PDE changes with different ductility levels and how this affects the force CPEs need to handle.

In some situations, the calculated force on CPEs could be higher than expected, especially in low-ductility scenarios. To prevent this, the standard limits the force on CPEs to not exceed what an elastic (non-bending) structure would experience, adjusted by a specific factor. However, designers must be cautious in maintaining the strength margin between PDEs and CPEs to avoid collapse or sudden failure.

WE

Henkel is the leading global supplier of 1K PUR adhesives to the Engineered Wood Industry.

Henkel’s Loctite-Purbond 1K PUR adhesives continue to be the leading choice by manufacturers of structural Glulam, CLT and PLT. These adhesives allow manufacturers to deliver superior, innovative products to their customers.

The Loctite Purbond adhesives are formaldehyde and solvent free and contribute to high production volumes due to their moisture curing chemistry, whilst supporting safer working environments.

For more information contact Henkel NZ Ltd

09 272 6710

Warren Grigsby (Business Manager) warren.grigsby@henkel.com

Eric Baggen (Technical Manager) eric.baggen@henkel.com www.henkel.com.au

It’s important to be careful when using the overstrength limitation. In some cases, especially with extra-strong PDEs, the demands on PDEs and CPEs can become very close or even reverse, which isn’t ideal. Designers must always ensure a safe margin of strength between them, considering whether the CPE’s failure mode is brittle or more forgiving. They also need to decide if the standard capacity factor is appropriate or if adjustments are needed to maintain safety margins.

There’s a need for future standard updates to better address the relationship between overstrength and ductility levels and ensure the design effectively prevents collapse during earthquakes.

See timberunlimited.co.nz/technical-notes for the full technical notes.

Timber Design Society and Timber Unlimited also collaboratively compiled recommendations on fire safety in multistorey mass timber structures to supplement

NZ Building Code Acceptable Solution C/AS2 and Verification Method C/VM2. Their recommendations address three principal concerns regarding fire safety in mass timber buildings in the unlikely event that firefighter access is delayed and sprinklers (if installed) are ineffective. First, large areas of exposed structural timber can significantly increase the fire load. Second, charring may continue after a severe fire appears to have been extinguished. Third, wood’s strength decreases with temperature, starting at temperatures below 100°C. The document outlines recommendations to enhance fire safety in mass timber buildings, focusing on controlling fire load by limiting exposed timber and requiring higher Fire Resistance Ratings (FRR). It mandates sprinkler systems, categorises exposed wood to determine acceptable exposure levels, and specifies encapsulation to prevent charring.

Design principles include detailed guidelines for exposed and encapsulated timber and considerations for structural integrity at elevated temperatures. It stresses collaboration among professionals and compliance with safety standards, emphasising fire-resistant materials and construction practices while advocating for comprehensive fire management during construction to address the unique risks of mass timber structures.

See timberunlimited.co.nz/fire-safety-design for further information.

We offer professional consulting services by combining state-of-the-art technology and expert specialist engineers.

• FIRE SAFETY ENGINEERING

• SEISMIC DESIGN AND MONITORING

• WORLD LEADING TIMBER ENGINEERING

• COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

03

925 9173 | info@ptlnz.com

10/357 Madras St, Christchurch Central www.ptlnz.com

Nelson Airport Terminal. Architects: Evžen Novák, Studio Pacific Architecture / Engineers: Dunning Thornton / Construction: Gibbons Naylor

Building a sustainable future with timber innovation

Designing and building with timber is an innovative, sustainable and sometimes challenging approach with big rewards if you get it right.

In New Zealand it’s becoming increasingly popular – not only do we grow the end product right here, we also have vast experience and resources to help designers and project managers do their best work.

At a time when green compliance is only going one way, a compelling advantage of glulam is its positive environmental credentials.

The reality of low or carbon neutral construction relies heavily on the processes and products upstream and that’s where mass New Zealand timber plantings play a leading role. These vast plantings sequester significantly more carbon during their growth than what is emitted through manufacture, transportation, and construction.

Techlam use kiwi grown and processed radiata pine and being centrally located in Levin, our products are shipped efficiently throughout New Zealand with a lower carbon footprint.

We use Bureau Veritas third party certification for our timber posts and beams which ensures exceptional quality and durability.

To make it easy to specify Techlam products we recently signed up with Masterspec. This

helps designers and specifiers because all documentation can be conveniently accessed via the Masterspec system.

Techlam provides project support and advice all the way through a project, sharing knowledge and expertise with

It’s Sustainable, It’s Storing Carbon,

designers, architects, students, engineers and builders - allowing for efficient and seamless structures.

Technical support in the early stages of a project allows Techlam to help with connection details, coatings, efficient design and accurate BIM models.

Prefabrication, staged deliveries and onsite installation planning means your onsite team can work quickly and accurately to install the glulam.

Because timber is a natural product it needs some maintenance and protection to ensure it stays in great condition. Techlam will help with aftercare planning.

The newly introduced Building Product Information Regulations, documentation for consents, design, installation and product aftercare can be found at www.techlam.nz.

With input early in your project we help to maximise your budgets and project efficiencies, plus with our end-to-end project support, Techlam provides technical advice at any stage of the project to ensure your vision is realised.

Murihiku Marae, Southland

Innovative NZ made timber portal supports a more sustainable build

The PLX Portal, the breakthrough glulam timber bracing solution from Prolam, provides a strong, lightweight and more sustainable alternative to steel.

Designed by New Zealand engineered structural timber specialists, Prolam, and manufactured at the company’s state-ofthe-art production facility in Motueka, Nelson, the PLX Portal represents homegrown innovation at its best.

Prolam Managing Director John Woodman says the company’s commitment to designing products which simplify design and construction and meet the demand for more sustainable building products, has been front and centre in the development of the PLX Portal.

“The PLX Portal provides architects and builders with a timber-based alternative to steel portals that delivers the strength, structural integrity and durability today’s builds demand,” Mr Woodman said. The only product of its kind on the market, the PLX Portal is constructed from three glulaminated timber elements, including

Prolam’s trademarked PLX20 Beam – a finalist in the 2023 New Zealand Timber Design Awards.

“The reinforced beam offers excellent load bearing and spanning capability, while the portal system features custom designed brackets and clamping devices for exceptional bracing capacity,” Mr Woodman said.

“This makes it the perfect solution for architectural features ranging from large internal openings to garage and window portals or anywhere you want high bracing and low thermal bridging but only have a narrow wall space.”

The portal’s lightweight construction and straightforward bracing system also makes it a builder’s dream.

Up to 40 per cent lighter than their steel equivalents, the PLX Portal’s timber lintel and legs can be cut to length onsite to suit a project’s specifications, assembled using standard tools, and installed and fixed without the need for specialised skills, extra labour or lifting equipment like cranes.

Experienced structural engineer, Andy Van Houtte, from Potius was heavily involved in the development of the PLX Portal, working alongside the Prolam team to take the idea of a high strength timber portal from concept to commercial reality.

A structural engineer who had previously used Prolam products in his own design projects, Mr Van Houtte said ease of specification by the architect and flexible installation options for the builder were the key aims.

“The result is an off the shelf, customisable solution for large residential openings that has real benefits for builders,” Mr Van Houtte said.

Prior to its release to market in July 2023, the PLX Portal was rigorously tested to ensure it met New Zealand building standards. Independently tested by Scion, it provides a structural bracing solution for buildings within the scope of NZS3604 and has been proven to resist wind and earthquake loads using the P21 BRANZ test methodology.

The Prolam PLX Portal’s in-built strength, lightweight construction and straightforward bracing system make it a builder’s dream.

Glass repairs

CM Glass Ltd, your trusted glass solution provider, is a company that has been serving the community for 25 years.

Established in 1992 as Chesham Glass and Glazing Ltd, they have come a long way under new ownership since 2014. Their commitment to quality, affordability, and customer satisfaction has made them the go-to choice for all your glass needs.

CM Glass is the only manufacturer in Hamilton of Insulated Glass Units (double and triple glazed windows). Their dedication to using only the highest quality products ensures that their customers receive the best possible service. With a team of 12 dedicated professionals, CM Glass ensures that their customers get the best product, advice, and service available to them.

At CM Glass, the team believe in going the extra mile for their customers. Whether it’s a small window or mirror repair around your home, or a large commercial glazing project, no job is too big or too small for them. They are Hamilton members of the New Zealand Master Glaziers Network, and are registered members of the Glass Association of New Zealand (GANZ), The Insulating Glass Unit Manufacturers Association (IGUMA), and Site Safe.

CM Glass offers a full range of services including commercial and residential glazing, mirrors, insurance claims, tabletops, glass repairs, aluminium joinery maintenance and more! They also specialise in double glazing manufacturing & installation, including retrofit double glazing.

So, if you’re in need of a glazier urgently, or if you’re looking for a reliable partner for

your next glass project, look no further than CM Glass. They are available 24/7, 365 days a year, ready to provide you with the best possible service.

Call CM Glass now on 0800 264 5277, and let CM Glass be your trusted partner for all your glass needs.

Residential & Commercial Glass Experts

If you require anything glass, from a small window or mirror repair around your home to a glass facade for your large commercial glazing project, no job is too big or too small for CM Glass.

‘Amazing service from Brian the moment he stepped in. He was very helpful and informative. Brian took the time to explain what happened to the shattered glass on our ranch slider. I couldn’t recommend this company enough as your go-to for repair and replacement windows.’ - Sammo.

‘Recently had a smashed window that needed replacing. CM glass were great, quick easy quote after emailing a photo and prompt service. I almost want to break another window as good service is hard to find. Cheers guys.’ - David.

‘Great pre-service from Brodie. What an awesome friendly guy with a respectful manner - I don’t know many young guys who shake your hand. The skies the limit Brodie! Today a great re-glaze job by Gavin, a great friendly personality who provided old-school quality service with a smile. Keep up the great work guys!’ - Alan.

High-quality services

Quality Building Services Limited is a New Zealand-owned and operated company that provides commercial and industrial air conditioning, mechanical, and ventilation solutions.

QBS Ltd was established in January 2011 in Christchurch. Their services include design and installation, IQP inspections, preventative and proactive maintenance services, energy-saving assessments and implementations, project management services, peer reviews, fault finding, repairs, and electrical services.

The team is very hardworking and believes in providing high-quality services, installing correctly the first time, and always putting the customers first.

QBS delivers exceptional services making sure customers get the best possible outcome. They want to make sure customers are satisfied as they take the time to listen to the customer’s conditions, requirements, and expectations.

The team also makes sure installments are as environmentally friendly and affordable as possible because the company wants to do its part in making a positive change in the world.

With the current climate change and environmental changes, air conditioning and ventilation systems are essential.

QBS also installs brands that are designed for New Zealand’s conditions and are locally sourced.

The fully-qualified team has a lot of HVAC experience, which ranges from private/domestic installations and services to manufacturing various large sites and businesses.

Skills also include design, build, and installation from the get-go to infrastructure maintenance refreshes and ongoing service.

QBS is a member of Site Safe and the whole team is Safe Site registered. The staff are always committed to working within a safe environment.

To get in touch please phone Eddie Garden either at (03) 365 8943, 0274 381 440, or email at eddie@qbsl.co

Opening hours start from Monday to Thursday from 8am to 4pm and Friday from 8am to 3pm. Head to 3/308 Wilsons Road, Opawa in Christchurch.

Visit the website for more information www.qbsl.co.nz

Empowering women in structural steel

The inaugural WISS Event

By Jamie Quinn

The inaugural Women in Structural Steel (WISS) event, hosted in Auckland in February 2023, marked an important stride towards gender diversity for New Zealand’s structural steel industry.

This event, initiated by Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ), attracted more than 70 attendees from various backgrounds, industry roles and career stages. WISS aims to encourage women into the predominantly male industry by creating a welcoming and supportive environment, and to showcase the variety of opportunities within the sector. “We want to grow the number of women engaged throughout the industry, year on year,” said SCNZ general manager, Darren O’Riley.

The initiative’s roots can be traced back to the profound impact of a Women in Leadership summit on SCNZ Services Coordinator Michelle Gutierrez-Smith. Inspired by the diversity and energy of the summit, she looked at the structural steel industry with fresh eyes.

“We want to encourage more women into our industry; we want to encourage more women into leadership roles in our industry,” said Gutierrez-Smith.

It led to the WISS initiative, which provides a channel for SCNZ to better engage with women in the sector.

“The forums celebrate the success of women in our industry and they aim to help attendees to feel more connected to the wider industry,” said Gutierrez-Smith.

The SCNZ executive is strongly supportive of the WISS initiative. SCNZ, an organisation dedicated to promoting the interests of New Zealand’s steel construction industry, has long recognised the importance of diversity and inclusion.

The growing industry needs more skilled and talented individuals.

“Initiatives like WISS play a crucial role in making the sector more attractive to women across all disciplines. Women have a significant role to play in enhancing our capacity and resourcing our highly skilled industry, both now and in the future,” said SCNZ Chair Malcolm Hammond.

Women in Trades

• Over 40,000 women are employed in the trades sector in New Zealand

• Women are twice as likely to enter trades training from working in nontrade industries. While men are three times as likely to enter straight out of high school.

• Tradeswomen are safer pairs of hands, making three times fewer ACC claims compared to their male counterparts.

• One in three tradeswomen are business owners.

• More than half of female trade apprentices are still engaged in an industry related to their training after ten years.

• Women who completed a BCATS unit standard at school were ten times more likely than their peers to go on to train with BCITO.

• Tradeswomen are more ethnically diverse, with more than twice the proportion of Pasifika and

• Asian workers compared to men.

The impact of WISS is undeniable. What started as a single event in Auckland quickly expanded to Wellington and Christchurch, growing to two events per year in each city.

These forums have become SCNZ’s second most-attended events, offering a platform for networking, sharing experiences and addressing challenges specific to women in the industry.

“WISS has provided me with the opportunity to connect with other women from a variety of roles and with an amazing range of experiences. The forums have been such a valuable networking tool, and I’ve been able to gain helpful insights from the women at these events,” said Bridget Young, a Graduate Engineer at Grayson Engineering.

Building on the momentum of the 2023 events, the third series of WISS forums were held in February and March 2024. Industry professionals Stacey Mendonça, Lauren Wilson and Alistair Fussell, and confidence coach Anna Coleman, presented valuable perspectives and knowledge to attendees.

Behind WISS’s success is Michelle GutierrezSmith, whose background in economics, psychology and business, coupled with her passion for diversity and inclusion, has driven the initiative’s growth. Since joining SCNZ in 2020, Gutierrez-Smith has leveraged her

position to champion gender diversity and coordinate the WISS forums that support women to thrive.

The forums represent a valuable step towards making women feel part of the structural steel industry. By creating an environment of support, inclusivity and opportunity, WISS and SCNZ are contributing to the professional development of women in the sector, and paving the way for a more diverse and dynamic industry.

Images supplied by WISS.

Bridget Young.

Inaugural WISS speakers.

Darren O’Riley.

Michelle Gutierrez-Smith.

WORKWEAR THAT FITS

Connecting for prevention

Warning: This article discusses sensitive topics such as suicide.

MATES in Construction is a suicide prevention programme designed to address a worker’s struggles early and connect them to help.

The MATES programme builds and strengthens communities in the workplace and across the industry – helping our people to be supportive and provide an environment that encourages positive wellbeing.

The impact of this community-based approach then goes beyond the workplace and into our everyday lives.

MATES engage with workers through on-site training and providing those identified as at risk with case management support that connects them to suitable professional support.

MATES Field Officers are trained in suicide intervention skills and have experience with the Building and Construction Industry. This allows them to engage easily with the workers on site.

The four pillars of MATES in Construction

The MATES delivery model is not linear, it moves back and forth – each site has its own community ecosystem which exists within the greater industry environment. Therefore, what we do on one site will influence other sites.

The provision of training, case management and helpline services are elements of our model, but there is a complex interaction between all the different parts.

Since its inception, MATES in New Zealand has:

• Inducted more than 34,000 workers into the General Awareness Training programme

• Delivered the programme onto 687 sites.

• Supported 576 case management clients by connecting them into the right supports

• Trained 1727 people as Connectors.

• Gained the support of 152 industry organisations.

The true value of MATES is not the sum of these elements, but how they exponentially build on each other.

Informing industry through research

By partnering with researchers in research on aspects of the construction industry that impact on mental health and suicide risk.

Raising awareness

That mental health and suicide is an industry issue that we can address together.

Creating resilient and stronger worksites

By training and supporting workers and managers to make a difference and improving mental health and preventing suicide.

Connecting to help

By providing case management support to workers who are struggling helping them to navigate the mental health support system.

Why partner with MATES?

Becoming a Partner of MATES in Construction enables you to be part of a programme tasked with reducing the number of people

dying by suicide within our industry and creating a community within your workplace that is about MATES helping MATES. Our programme will provide your workers with the tools to enable them to identify the signs and have the tough conversations with their MATES when they notice that someone may not be travelling well.

Partnering with MATES gives your organisation the following opportunities:

• Make a difference in your company and industry as a collective

• Build wellbeing in your teams

• Engage and train your people so they can watch out for their MATES

• Promote your business as a responsible and engaged partner in your people’s lives

• Show that you care about your people – actively prioritising health, safety and mental wellbeing

• Become part of a growing family of likeminded organisations.

Need help and support?

Check out these resources:

Anxiety New Zealand - 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389).

Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757. Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.

Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland.

Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737.

Rural Support Trust - 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP).

Samaritans - 0800 726 666.

Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584.

Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633.

Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).

Supporting Families in Mental Illness - 0800 732 825.

thelowdown.co.nz – email team@ thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626.

What’s Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787).

Women’s Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE).

Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat

Kudos to Mates in Construction as Watercare’s billion-dollar Central Interceptor project passes halfway mark

Another day, another tunnel boring machine breakthrough.

On 21 March, Hiwa-i-te-Rangi Tunnel Boring Machine broke through into a shaft at the Haverstock Rd, Sandringham Central Interceptor project construction site, as she powers on towards central Auckland to build a 16.2-kilometre giant wastewater tunnel, running from Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant to Pt Erin, Herne Bay. She’s travelled almost 10 kilometres since leaving Māngere in August 2021 and around 600 staff are working across 16 sites in Auckland. Two branch sewers, which intersect the main tunnel are almost complete, along with other new infrastructure including a giant new pump shaft. The project will significantly improve water quality in streams and beaches, by capturing combined stormwater and wastewater flows and taking them to the treatment plant for processing rather than discharging into the environment during heavy rain.

The work is being completed safely and the project is due for completion on time in 2026 —despite many challenges such as COVID-19 restrictions and border closures, major storms and rising inflation. The role of Mates in Construction since day one, has contributed to the project’s success, according to Shayne Cunis, Watercare Central Interceptor project executive programme director: “We are a founder member of MATES and so we more than most, value the role the MATES teams play in helping to look after the mental wellbeing of our staff.

We have many international workers and pandemic border restrictions took a huge toll on our staff, some of whom didn’t see whānau for two years. MATES teams were able to provide counselling and staff at that time. In fact, one member went on TVNZ’s Breakfast News to describe how beneficial the support had been.”

The Central Interceptor is the largest wastewater infrastructure project in New Zealand history and is being delivered by

We have many international workers and pandemic border restrictions took a huge toll on our staff, some of whom didn’t see whanau for two years. MATES teams were able to provide counselling and staff at that time.

Ghella Abergeldie JV (GAJV). The work is complex and challenging. GAJV project director, Francesco Saibene says after four years of intense construction activity, team members are tight knit: “We recently suffered the fatal loss of a work colleague on site, following a medical event. He was a hardworking and well-

Auckland, here we come!

Watercare’s Central Interceptor project is on track to deliver significantly cleaner waterways and beaches by drastically reducing wet weather wastewater overflows.

respected team member, and his loss was felt deeply by everyone.

“MATES representatives joined us for a special memorial service and offered support to anyone who was struggling to deal with the shock and sorrow that follows an unexpected event like this. We are very grateful to MATES for their continued presence.”

World class infrastructure, right here in New Zealand.

You’ll never walk alone

Fulton Hogan and Mates in Construction NZ are working together to support mental health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Join us in creating a healthier working environment for everyone.

Creating, connecting, and caring for communities

Whanganui District Council’s building inspectors have been through the Mates in Construction Connector training programme.

This means anyone on a building site who is struggling with mental health issues can reach out to one of Whanganui District Council’s building inspectors to be put in touch with services that can help.

Whanganui District Council building control officer, Alan Hoskin, says “There’s a big list of mental health professionals out there – we’re not there to take on that role.

“For us, it’s about noticing if someone’s not acting as they should, having a conversation and making sure they get connected to the services they need. In this job we get to know a lot of tradies so we’re in a good position to help if someone comes up with a concern about another person or doesn’t seem right themselves.”

Alan Hoskin

Civil | Drainage | Earthworks

DN Civil is a local family owned civil construction company based in Nelson, serving the upper South Island.

PLANT & EQUIPMENT

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AGGREGATE SUPPLY

DN Civil is able to source and deliver to your site a wide range of locally sourced aggregates from around the top of the south.

SERVICES

Certifying Drainlayer

House Drains

Water Leak Repairs

Septic Tank Installs

Effluent Disposal Fields

Water Tanks & Pumps

Drainage

Civil Construction Earthworks

Retaining Walls

Water Reticulation

Tip Truck Hire

Lifting the standard

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

The Crane Association of New Zealand has almost reached its 50th anniversary - showcasing decades worth of support, success and excellence.

Formed in 1975, the association will celebrate this massive milestone next year. For now though, they’re focussing on their upcoming conference and awards. Crane Association of New Zealand chief executive officer, Sarah Toase, says they’re there to support members to run thriving businesses.

“Essentially, we want to remove any barriers for members to do their day jobs as easily, efficiently and safely as possible,” Sarah explains.

“We’ve got around 250 members made up of crane companies, construction companies, manufacturers, trainers, professional services and some other groups as well.

“We really focus our activity on what’s at the forefront of members’ minds. So, at the moment, those two things would be the plant and structure regulations that we’ve been expecting for some time; they’ve been really delayed.

“We’ve been advocating to the government for an update on that. And, in addition to that, the changes to the vocational education system as well.”

Sarah says the association uses the industry voice to forward those initiatives and issues on behalf of members.

Another issue at the front of members’ minds is that there are more cranes in the yard due

to a slowdown of activity in the construction sector and civil sector as a whole.

Many of these issues and initiatives are brought up during the association’s annual conference.

Everyone comes together once a year in our industry. It’s an opportunity to do business, we have a big crane display where people show off some of the machinery and in addition to that, we have some social events as well.

From the 31st of July through to the second of August this year, the conference will take place at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. The conference has been held every year since the parent association formed and Sarah says part of the importance of the conferences is to allow members time away from the day to day, to think about the bigger picture for their business.

“Now that we’re coming up to the 50’s, you know, we have people who are still working in the industry who were part of setting up the original association.

“It’s pretty amazing. So, I really want our members to think about what we want to be in the future and what legacy the association in our industry is creating,” Sarah says.

“Everyone comes together once a year in our industry. It’s an opportunity to do business, we have a big crane display where people show off some of the machinery and in addition to that, we have some social events as well.

“We have speakers and we just try to give our members the opportunity to lift the thinking outside of the day-to-day business and look at what’s coming in the future,” Sarah says. This year, the focus is partly on technology. Sarah says they have a great speaker who will talk about artificial intelligence, looking at how that might be used to support members in their business.

The introduction of AI into the crane industry poses some really interesting opportunities for our members to consider.

That might be AI applied to support initial site mapping or lift planning, or it could be the use of AI in administration tasks.

"There is a real opportunity to get AI working for us and that’s the sort of information I like our members to have access to at the conference.”

Sarah is encouraging everyone to attend because There’s always something to be gained from it,”

Not to mention, the awards go hand in hand with the conference.

“On the final night, we look to celebrate excellence in the crane industry. This year,

we’re introducing a new category which is for companies who own 10 cranes or less.

“Sometimes the bigger awards can be a little intimidating to enter so we want to provide this award to encourage smaller businesses to enter and get recognition for the work that they’re doing as well.”

Next year, of course, the Crane Association will be celebrating their 50th anniversary alongside their usual conference and awards.

Sarah says they’ve just secured the venue which will be announced at this year’s conference. She says part of their celebrations will be organising a crane parade through the city which will be an opportunity for the association to showcase the industry and, more than anything, be really visible.

“You know, 20 cranes going down the main street, I think it’s a good way to celebrate such a milestone!”

Another benefit of having the machinery in a very visible location is that it enables the association to draw in interested parties.

“Providing access to all of the large machinery for young children and families who are either just generally interested or potentially for kids who may want to consider cranes as a career.

“I think it’s important for them to be able to get up close with the machinery and get hands on with it,” Sarah says. 027

From the Bay to Wellington

For over 35 years, Tim McColl Contracting has been a cornerstone in the contracting industry, serving a vast region from Hawke's Bay to Wellington.

This geographical advantage, combined with the company’s comprehensive range of services, expertise, and commitment to excellence, makes Tim McColl Contracting the preferred choice for anyone looking for reliable and high-quality contracting services. With a strong foundation in Manawatu, this esteemed company has built its reputation on the pillars of reliability, expertise, and unwavering commitment to quality. Specialising in a wide range of services, including farm track maintenance, roading, and general contracting, Tim McColl Contracting caters to both the Horizon Regional Council and private sector needs, ensuring that every project, big or small, is executed with the highest standards of excellence.

One of the unique strengths of Tim McColl Contracting lies in its ownership and operation of two quarry sites. These sites are not just integral to the company’s operations; they are a vital resource for other businesses, providing high-quality metal essential for various construction and contracting needs. This capability ensures that Tim McColl Contracting can supply and manage materials

efficiently, reducing delays and costs for clients while maintaining control over the quality of the materials used in their projects.

At the heart of Tim McColl Contracting’s success is its team of highly skilled and experienced professionals. With a wealth of knowledge in the field, the staff brings a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques to every project they undertake. This expertise is further

complemented by the company’s investment in modern, up-to-date machinery, enabling them to tackle projects of any scale with precision and efficiency. This combination of experienced personnel and state-of-the-art equipment allows Tim McColl Contracting to deliver unparalleled service and results that consistently exceed client expectations.

Job satisfaction is a core value at Tim McColl Contracting. The company prides

METAL AND LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES

With a wealth of knowledge in the field, the staff brings a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques to every project they undertake.

itself on fostering a work environment that values every team member’s contribution, encouraging growth, and rewarding hard work. This philosophy not only benefits the staff but also translates into higher quality work and greater client satisfaction, as a motivated and content team is more likely to go above and beyond to ensure the success of a project.

Whether you require expertly maintained farm tracks, durable and efficient roading solutions, or any form of general contracting work, Tim McColl Contracting stands ready to bring its 35 years of experience, cutting-edge technology, and dedicated team to ensure your project’s success. Trust in Tim McColl Contracting to exceed your expectations and deliver exceptional results that stand the test of time.

For all your contracting needs, call Tim McColl Contracting today on 06323 8889 today!

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Komatsu's fleet focus

Komatsu's myFleet, a comprehensive solution that consolidates customer data into a single platform, streamlining heavy equipment fleet management and removing the hassle of navigating multiple platforms.

Recognising that its customers were required to log into multiple platforms to access all information about their machines, Komatsu was driven to streamline and centralise all machine-related data into a single platform.

This led Komatsu New Zealand to launching a new simplified, all-encompassing fleet management system for its construction customers, called myFleet.

myFleet allows users to view all machine data across their entire fleet in one location while monitoring machine health and issues. The system is accessible through Komatsu’s customer portal, myKomatsu, and allows users to request services from Komatsu in the platform so they can keep on top of service schedules and manage any issues on the go.

“Available to all Komatsu aftermarket account customers at no cost, myFleet simplifies and enhances the fleet management process,” states, national manager for ICT and fleet management Steve Williams.

The myFleet platform was initially an internal Komatsu system accessible to all

Komatsu staff, primarily those involved in onsite machine servicing for its customers. The company’s service technicians were encouraged to share the data gathered by myFleet with customers, to provide them with a comprehensive insight into the status of their machines. This led to high demand from many customers who inquired about accessing the system themselves.

“Since the launch of myFleet, customers have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, praising the convenience of having a single platform for all their machinery-related information,” says Williams.

The myFleet system offers construction businesses a valuable tool for minimising downtime, particularly in the area of planning. It provides visibility into upcoming service schedules, estimated based on their machine’s current usage profile, allowing customers to align their project planning accordingly.

“Another feature we provide through myFleet is global benchmarking, says Williams.

“Using this tool, our customers can compare their individual machine’s performance and workload against the rest of the Komatsu population, providing them with the means to discern whether there is room for improvement or if they meet industry standards.”

The myFleet dashboard offers a comprehensive display of fleet information, including service event history, upcoming services and forecasted service dates for each machine. It also pulls data from Komtrax, Komatsu's remote monitoring system, to provide each machine’s details, health, location and operating hours, as well as operating trends and fuel consumption.

While the construction industry still grapples with persistent low productivity challenges, MyFleet empowers businesses with insights into a machine's historical data, enabling them to seize opportunities for productivity enhancement.

Using this tool, our customers can compare their individual machine’s performance and workload against the rest of the Komatsu population, providing them with the means to discern whether there is room for improvement or if they meet industry standards.

A great example of this is in regard to Komatsu’s Payload Meter technology – compatible with excavators, crawlers and dump trucks – which measures the weight of each bucketload of material and the number of transitions a machine makes between two points. MyFleet seamlessly gathers payload data and presents it on the dashboard, offering insights into aspects such as a machine's idle time and its operational workload. The business can then identify opportunities to modify the operation of the machine, or even the operation of the construction site, to increase the machine's output and, as a result, enhance overall productivity and improve

profitability.

In the face of the soaring cost of living and escalating fuel prices, says Williams, this data also becomes a valuable asset for cost reduction.

With sustainability emerging as a top priority in the industry, many construction companies are now monitoring their carbon emissions, particularly those produced from fuel usage. On the myFleet dashboard, businesses can access data not only on fuel usage but also on the carbon emissions generated by each machine.

“The capacity to review and analyse fuel consumption within myFleet holds considerable promise in these emission reduction efforts,” says Williams.

A majority of major telemetry and inspections data from machines is now fed into the myFleet application, making it a one-stopshop for owners of Komatsu machines. It offers significant advantages to construction contractors of all sizes, from small, familyowned businesses with one or two machines to large-scale Tier 1 contractors with 100 plus machines in their fleet.

“We are committed to ongoing development of myFleet, continually adding new features and functions to support our customers on their business journey,” says Williams.

Gone are the days of construction companies having to use multiple platforms to manage their fleet. Komatsu’s ever evolving myFleet system is redefining fleet management, pioneering a new era of simplicity and efficiency.

For more information on myFleet, visit my.komatsu.co.nz/my-fleet

myFleet | myKomatsu

Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand

The height safety factor

SARNZ (Scaffolding, Access

and Rigging New Zealand) has been supporting businesses in scaffolding, access, and rigging since 1994.

The organisation directs, educates and leads members in best practice for working at heights. Every residential, commercial or even industrial project needs scaffolding for other industries like builders and roofers to be able to do their part.

You need scaffold that is safe, with a company behind it that knows and follows best practice for quality and safety.

SARNZ works closely with agencies like WorkSafe, MBIE, and CHASNZ to ensure that the voices of our industry are heard, and that regulations are practical and fit for purpose. Members receive regular communication and updates, events and meet-ups to ensure that they are familiar with best practice and changes in the industry.

With changes to training in the scaffolding and rigging industry, SARNZ has been instrumental in co-ordinating with industry leaders about the transition and what it means for apprentices.

SARNZ has worked diligently to provide better guidance around the use and disposal of shrinkwrap, joined forces with CHASNZ to reduce sprains and strains in the industry, promotes the industry to encourage more women in trades, and works to highlight the importance of understanding and acknowledging mental health in the industry.

Hiring a SARNZ member means hiring someone that has the support and network of an association committed to quality and safety in the industry.

Choosing a SARNZ member is a smart choice because they have the organisation’s support for a range of business concerns, industry concerns, and connections to a range of services that minimises risks during projects. Members have access to discounts on insurance and technology solutions through our partners, adding another level of security to your project. Companies that join as members of SARNZ are committed to demonstrating the values that we uphold –quality and safety every time.

You know you’re getting a trusted service when you hire a SARNZ member, backed by an association with over 20 years’

experience. Make a SARNZ member your first choice with your next project.

Ensuring scaffolding makes the grade Scaffolding is an essential component of most construction projects. Not only does it provide support to workers and their tools while on the job, it also makes it easier for personnel to access areas of a structure that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

As important and as widely used as scaffolds are, scaffolding risks exist on any construction site. This is especially true if important safety steps are neglected.

Scaffold risk is a reality in the workplace.

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

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

More than 200 people attended the SARNZ conference and tradeshow in September last year and alongside the conference, SARNZ also held their awards in which excellence within the industry was celebrated. Here’s a list of the winners:

SARNZ 2023 Awards

Overall Job of the Year: South Pacific Scaffolding Ltd for West Wave Pools.

Commercial Job of the Year $0 to $50k: Greeves Nelson for Port Nelson.

Commercial Job of the Year $50k to $200k: South Pacific Scaffolding Ltd for West Wave Pools.

Commercial Job of the Year $200k+: Greeves Waikato for Victoria Street Bridge Cambridge.

Enclosed Job of the Year: Cunningham Constructions Ltd for Methanex CUI.

Industrial Job of the Year $0 to $50k: Cunningham Construction Ltd for Ali Mobile T.

Industrial Job of the Year $50k to $200k: Upright Scaffolding Ltd for Sharplin Falls Reserve Mount Somers.

Industrial Job of the Year $200k+: Cunningham Constructions Ltd for Methanex D4 Debottlenecking.

Residential Job of the Year: WorkZoneWellington for Cantilevered House.

Rigging Job of the Year: Cunningham Constructions Ltd for Mt Messenger.

Rope Access Job of the Year: Industrial Site Services Ltd.

Trainee of the Year: Akesi Liaina from Acrow Ltd.

Trainee Company of the Year: Scafit Ltd.

Benefits of SARNZ membership

• SARNZ office as a single point of contact

• Yearly membership certificates

• Platform newsletter, distributed quarterly

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

• Able to provide input into setting industry standards

• Publisher and distributor of Best Practice Guidelines in Scaffolding

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

• Unified voice promoting and speaking on behalf of the industry

• Networking with other members throughout the country.

SARNZ membership services

• CSC member benefit card

• FnF fuel scheme

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

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

Access and Rigging New Zealand, Inc

• COMMERCIAL

• RESIDENTIAL

• INDUSTRIAL

• EQUIPMENT HIRE/ SALES

• PROPPING & SHORE LOADING

Summit Scaffolding

delivering projects to the highest standards across the whole range of scaffolding requirements.

0508 SUMMIT (786648) or 09-525-0767

Commercial – Residential Scaffolding Auckland.

Auckland Scaffolding Company Summit Scaffolding Ltd knows the scaffolding industry in New Zealand is one of the best globally. Locally, there’s a company with offices in Auckland and in Hamilton Waikato, that is turning top-level heads into nods of approval. That company has an exemplary work safe record, and the high-profile calibre and scale of jobs completed for residential, commercial, industrial, and civil requirements is stand-out.

When you contact Summit Scaffolding you will not be dealing with a sales rep.

Summit Scaffolding only employ career scaffolders to deal with your design and costing solutions.

Doing nothing is not an option

Preventing falls from height is a priority for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and it expects that work at height is actively managed so that people are not harmed.

Investigations by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment into falls while working at height show that more than 50 percent of falls are from less than three metres and approximately 70 percent of falls are from ladders and roofs.

The cost of these falls is estimated to be $24 million a year – to say nothing of the human cost as a result of these falls.

Factors contributing to injuries sustained from working at height include:

• Lack of or inadequate planning and hazard assessment

• Inadequate supervision

• Insufficient training for the task being carried out

• Incorrect protection or equipment choices

• Incorrect use or set-up of equipment including personal protective equipment

• Unwillingness to change the way a task is carried out when a safer alternative is identified

• Suitable equipment being unavailable.

More injuries happen on residential building sites than any other workplace in the construction sector.

In 2012 the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment initiated a targeted harm reduction programme to address the issue through the Preventing Falls from Height Project.

These guidelines are a critical element of the programme and will give all who are involved with working at height clear direction on how to manage the work in a way that will bring down the death and injury toll.

The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (the HSE Act) sets out the performance required of duty holders. People with a duty must take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of workers when they are exposed to a fall or where the hazard of a fall exists.

Where the potential of a fall exists, the following simple hierarchy of controls shall be considered by duty holders:

1. Can the job can be done without exposing persons to the hazard (eliminate). This can often be achieved at the design, construction planning and tendering stages.

2. If elimination is not practicable then steps should be taken to isolate people from the hazard. This can be achieved using safe working platforms, guardrail systems, edge protection, scaffolding, elevated work platforms, mobile scaffolds and barriers to restrict access.

3. If neither elimination nor isolation are practicable then steps should be taken to minimise the likelihood of any harm resulting. This means considering the use of work positioning systems or travel restraint systems, safety harnesses, industrial rope access systems and softlanding systems.

The Good Practice Guidelines Working at Height in New Zealand provide health and safety guidance to all people working at

IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS

Identify any hazards of working at height where someone could fall. Four ways of identifying hazards are:

Physical inspections – walk around the workplace using a checklist to identify and manage hazards.

Task analysis – identify the hazards involved in each task of the job.

Process analysis – identify hazards at each stage of the production or service delivery process.

Analysis of accident investigation

– identify hazards and causal factors from investigations involving similar types of work.

ASSESS THE HAZARDS

Decide if the identified hazards are significant. How badly harmed someone would be if they fell and how likely a fall could be? If serious harm could result, then it’s a significant hazard.

CONTROL THE HAZARD

Now keep people safe from the identified significant hazards.

height and those involved in the planning and preparatory stages of any project that includes work at height.

These guidelines also outline how people working at height and those involved in the process can meet their obligations under the HSE Act and the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995 (HSE Regulations). These guidelines and adherence to them may be relevant as evidence in a court.

The guidelines apply to all people who have a duty (legal obligation) to provide a safe place of work and ensure safe work practice.

A list of duty holders (pursuant to the HSE Act) is in section 8 of these guidelines.

Further information about working at height which supplements these guidelines is available on the Working safely at height page on our website.

These guidelines outline best practice methods for assessing the hazard of working at height and the control methods for preventing falls.

Scope and application

Work at height means working in a place where a person could be injured if they fell from one level to another. This can be above or below ground level. Work at height does not include slipping, tripping or falling at the same level.

In these guidelines the terms “shall” and “should” are used. “Shall” is used where there is a requirement to meet legal obligations. “Should” is used as a way of indicating the practicable steps the Ministry expects to be taken on a particular matter.

Work plan

Too many falls from height are caused by a failure to plan and organise work properly. Start by planning a safe approach.

Planning safe working at height means: Identifying the hazards, assessing the hazards, controlling the hazards, monitoring your approach and documenting your approach.

Select the best work method to eliminate, isolate or minimise (in that order) the potential for harm resulting from the significant hazard.

A combination of controls may need to be used to control the hazard.

However, eliminating the hazard is the best option. But remember, doing nothing is not an option.

Can the hazard of working at height be eliminated?

- Could long-handled tools be used from ground level?

- Could structures be built at ground level and lifted into position on completion?

Can the hazard of working at height be isolated?

- Could edge protection be used?

- Could a guard-railed work platform (eg scaffold or elevating work platforms) be used?

- Could a total restraint system be used to prevent a fall occurring?

Can the distance and impact of the fall be minimised? Only take this step when elimination and isolation options have been exhausted.

- Could a fall arrest system be used?

- Could nets or air bags be used to minimise the impact of a fall?

Where unguarded trestles or platforms are used, or the work will be done from a ladder or stilts, the risk of harm shall be minimised through management controls and the provision of appropriate training.

Management controls include effective housekeeping protocols and clear procedures for safe use of the equipment.

Information sourced from: www.worksafe.govt.nz

Cutting-edge scaffold innovation

Protrade Group's recent acquisition of the BOCKER Junior Scaffold Lift isn't just about getting a new piece of gear—it's a big step forward in how they do things.

While this lift’s specs are impressive—handling 250kg, with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 1200kg, and reaching from 4.1m to 23.7m at a maximum speed of 48m/min—it’s the operational excellence of Protrade that truly sets them apart.

Protrade has been utilising these lifts since the beginning of the year, and their scaffold crews and team leaders have witnessed the tremendous benefits, especially on multistorey buildings. As far as they are aware, they are the first in New Zealand to integrate this cutting-edge technology into their operations.

At Protrade, they’re all about finding new and better ways to do things. Ever since they started, they’ve been figuring out smarter solutions and staying on top of what’s happening in the industry. This forward-thinking mindset is part of everything they do, from how they manage projects to how they work with clients.

For Protrade, innovation isn’t just a fancy word—it’s about making things work better in real life. They’re serious about making sure their people stay safe and their work gets done right. They’ve got strict safety rules, they’re investing in training their team, and they’re investing in the latest tech. By being on the cutting edge, Protrade isn’t just doing a job—they’re doing it safer and better.

With branches around NZ, Protrade covers a lot of ground. They’ve got teams based in Hastings, Gisborne, Wairarapa, Taupo, and now in Dunedin and Cromwell too. That means they can help builders and contractors across the country, no matter where the job is.

And it’s not just about where they are, but what they’re up to. Protrade’s not afraid to tackle the challenging projects that require engineered and innovative solutions. They’re always ready to handle whatever comes their way, whether it’s big or small.

When you work with Protrade, you’re not just getting a scaffold—you’re getting a team that’s always looking for better ways to do things. With Protrade, you know you’re working with a team who are leading the charge in making construction safer and more efficient.

Protrade’s commitment to innovation and excellence extends beyond their utilisation of cutting-edge equipment. As a group, they prioritize ongoing training and development, ensuring their team remains at the forefront of industry advancements. Additionally, Protrade’s collaborative approach with clients fosters a culture of innovation, where ideas are shared and implemented to achieve optimal results. This proactive stance towards improvement underscores Protrade’s dedication to delivering exceptional service and driving positive change within the construction industry.

Protrade Group Limited: 609 Orchard Road, Hastings 0800 11 22 39 sales@protrade.net.nz www.protrade.net.nz

Protrade Scaffolding: Expanding Excellence

• Innovative Scaffolding

• Edge Protection

• Safety Net Solutions

• Construction Equipment

Discover Protrade Scaffoldings expanded reach with branches in Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa, serving Manawatu; Taupo serving Bay of Plenty; and new branches in Dunedin and Cromwell.

To engage the best call 0800 11 22 39

Formerly known as Auckland Cranes and now proudly operating as Universal Cranes, we’ve emerged as a trusted, leading brand in the industry, drawing on our legacy since 1970. Our track record speaks for itself, with a strong reputation for providing secure and highly efficient solutions for all your lifting and shifting needs.

With locations in Auckland and Hamilton, we offer comprehensive mobile crane rental services, serving diverse industries and businesses. Our commitment to delivering precision lifts remains unwavering, no matter how complex the task.

In collaboration with Smithbridge Group and Universal Cranes Australia, our trans-Tasman partnership enhances our service offerings across Australia and New Zealand. This cross-border collaboration leverages our expertise, resources, and knowledge, offering seamless solutions for clients in both locations.

Exciting times lie ahead as the next generation leads us into a new era. Contact us today to discover our extensive national and international fleet and dependable crane rental services.

Universal Cranes New Zealand offer a diverse fleet ranging from 2.5T to 450T

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.

SPECIALISING IN RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL FALL PROTECTION, DEBRIS & ASBESTOS CONTAINMENT

• The country’s largest independent safety-netting specialist.

• Our fall through protection system has been independently tested and certified by Massey University.

• Our system ensures that as a PCBU, you have taken all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the safety of your workforce.

• Bespoke debris and asbestos containment, fall protection system for uninterrupted work processes during industrial property re-roofing.

• A nationwide network of local installers providing exceptional customer-focused fall arrest solutions.

Leading the way in oversized load piloting

The Pilot Company, based in Pokeno, specialises in overdimensional load piloting services. Established in 2006, this 100% Kiwi-owned and operated business prides itself on being the largest independent piloting company in the country. With certifications in Class 1 and 2 load piloting, The Pilot Company offers a comprehensive suite of services for safely transporting oversized loads across New Zealand.

Operating out of the Waikato, The Pilot Company’s central North Island location allows for efficient and cost-effective service delivery nationwide. The team, led by professionals with unmatched experience in the field, is committed to offering competitive rates without compromising on quality or safety.

challenges. Their approach is not just about meeting expectations but exceeding them.

What sets The Pilot Company apart is its unwavering dedication to solving problems that its clients may encounter. This dedication is rooted in the team’s extensive collective background in both trucking and machinery operations. This wealth of experience is

What sets The Pilot Company apart is its unwavering dedication to solving problems that its clients may encounter. This dedication is rooted in the team’s extensive collective background in both trucking and machinery operations.

exactly where the client needs it. This precision and care in handling clients’ valuable machinery not only safeguard the equipment but also significantly enhances the overall service experience.

Through their commitment to excellence and a problem-solving mindset, The Pilot Company empowers its clients with confidence. Knowing they have a partner who understands the intricacies of their needs and is equipped to address them effectively makes all the difference. It’s this combination of technical proficiency, real-world experience, and a client-centric approach that truly distinguishes The Pilot Company in its field.

The Pilot Company holds a prestigious place within the New Zealand Heavy Haulage Association, a testament to its significant contributions and commitment to the heavy haulage industry in the country. The company’s esteemed status within the association is further highlighted by the involvement of its owner, Peter Bell. Bell’s active participation in the association over the years underscores not only his personal dedication to the industry but also the company’s collective commitment to excellence and leadership in the field.

Clients are encouraged to contact Peter Bell for a no-obligation quote or estimate,

reflecting the company’s dedication to customer service and support. This approach highlights not only their expertise but also their commitment to helping clients save time and money while navigating the complexities of overdimensional transport. Bell has held the vital role of pilot convenor in the past, a position that speaks volumes about the expertise and respect he commands within the community. This role allowed him to influence important decisions and initiatives, shaping the direction of the heavy haulage industry in ways that prioritise safety, efficiency and professional standards. His contributions during his tenure as pilot convenor have had a lasting impact, helping to elevate the industry’s practices and ensuring that the highest standards are maintained.

Currently, Peter Bell serves as the Auckland area representative, a role that places him at the forefront of representing the interests and concerns of heavy haulage companies in one of New Zealand’s most crucial regions. His position as the Auckland area representative enables him to advocate for policies and practices that benefit the industry as a whole, ensuring that the region’s unique challenges and opportunities are addressed with insightful and effective solutions.

Peter Bell’s ongoing involvement with the New Zealand Heavy Haulage Association, both in his past and current roles is a clear indicator of The Pilot Company’s leadership and influence in the heavy haulage sector. It highlights the company’s dedication to contributing to the industry’s growth and development, further cementing its reputation as a trusted and forward-thinking leader in the field. Through Bell’s leadership and the company’s active engagement with the association, The Pilot Company continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of piloting in New Zealand.

The Pilot Company Pokeno, New Zealand

021 274 5688 (Peter Bell, Owner)

peter@thepilotcompany.co.nz

www.thepilotcompany.co.nz

The Pilot Company has now evolved into a team of dedicated professionals, all of whom share a background in trucking, transportation or machinery operation and are Class 1 and 2 certified load pilots. Peter himself 3 Established by Peter Bell since

Providing piloting services New Zealand wide Certified Overdimensional Load Pilots

The landscaping professionals

Registered Master Landscapers (RML), previously known as the Landscaping Industry Association of New Zealand (LIANZ), has been officially representing the landscaping industry since 1985 with a mission to promote professionalism and quality trade practice.

The important thing to consider though is that most hard landscaping is designed and built to contain plants or lawns, and requires the knowledge of skilled landscapers to plan for this and allow for irrigation and drainage to ensure that it functions properly. This means expert knowledge and skills are required to get the desired outcome.

Landowners can access a local landscaping professional by accessing the RML website. All accredited members of Registered Master Landscapers are able to provide professional advice and relevant services.

RML has branches across New Zealand and actively recruits members based on an assessment of their standard of work.

Members are bound by RML’s Constitution, Code of Conduct, Environmental Policy and Complaints Procedure, ensuring professional business practices are carried out with integrity at all times.

Membership

The various membership options offered by Registered Master Landscapers provide

benefits, information and support tailored to the needs of different professionals within the industry:

• Student/Apprenticeship

• Accredited Membership

• General Membership

• Allied Membership

• Affiliate Membership.

Accreditation

Members are accredited by assessment of their work and documentation can be endorsed in any combination of landscape design, landscape construction, landscape horticulture, landscape maintenance, and landscape contract management.

They are required to submit a number of projects indicative of the services they perform in their business.

Independent professionals who are qualified in the specific field(s) are employed by RML to then assess these projects before additional checks and a decision can be made.

About Registered Master Landscapers

Since 1985, Registered Master Landscapers (RML) has been supporting members in the landscaping community.

Known as the national organisation for landscaping professionals who are serious about quality trade practices, the organisation branches across all the regions in New Zealand.

In order to assure their members are of the highest quality, Registered Master Landscapers actively recruits members based on an assessment of their standard of work.

The organisation promotes professionalism and quality within the ever-growing industry.

Registered Master Landscapers provides advocacy for the best interests of their members and the landscaping profession. They are committed to the education and advancement of professional standards within the landscaping industry.

Servicing both the residential and commercial sectors in New Zealand, the organisation provides a range of services from physical labour to education.

Lakes Landscapes

What can a Master Landscaper help you with?

• Designing your landscape

• Building your dream project

• Managing projects from start to finish

• Planting or replanting the appropriate vegetation

• Maintaining your yard or garden

• Supplying quality products for DIY projects.

This ensures that Registered Master Landscapers covers a wide range of landscaping needs and can offer expertise in every area of the job. Awards

Registered Master Landscapers

celebrates and awards excellence in the landscaping industry through its biennial awards programme. The event highlights projects that members have been involved in where the quality of work has been outstanding.

Registered Master Landscapers also encourages the next generation of landscaping professionals through its annual Young Landscaper of the Year competition.

The benefits of membership

There are many benefits to being a member of the Registered Master Landscapers including:

• Professional development - access business support material and specialist advice to grow your business

• Expand your knowledge through industry-focused training initiatives

• Stay connected with landscaping experts, business owners, and industry professionals

• Participate in the prestigious annual Landscapes of Distinction Awards. Showcase your work alongside the best in New Zealand

• Receive bi-monthly newsletter updates on industry and member initiatives

• Attend conferences, regional branch meetings and industry-led events located throughout New Zealand

• Support development of education and training initiatives for young landscape professionals

• Receive exclusive member offers and discounts on training courses, products, and services

• Receive member listing on our website plus business profile page featuring accredited areas of expertise

• Connect with members and access exclusive resource material on secure member website login

• Qualify to use the Registered Master Landscapers logo

• Receive an annual certificate of membership.

Make pruning and limbing more efficient than ever

The first and only dielectric battery powered pole pruner, individually tested to OSHA 1910.269 the MADSAW delivers an extra measure of safety for skilled line workers, utility workers, and tree care professionals. The MADSAW can be used in the bucket, in the tree, or on the ground for extreme versatility. Purposeful design allows the pole saw’s sections to quickly disconnect for secure storage in a tree care truck or utility vehicle.

Lakes Landscapes Second Nature, Natural courtyard. Lansdcapes of Distinction awards, Supreme winner 2023

Your Concrete Experts

Groundwork 2003 Ltd are an experienced team of concreting specialists ready to work on residential and commercial spaces across Christchurch and the Canterbury region.

They can lay down concrete driveways so they are functional and are looking great along with textured concrete work for decorative patios or pathways. For commercial clients, Groundwork can complete any kind of urban landscaping needed as well as vehicle accesses and car parking.

Director Rick Bolton oversees Groundwork’s crews and has 30 years of building and construction experience, including road construction and drain laying. On the office side of things, his wife Dee-Ann is the business manager. She looks after the administrative team, making sure everything runs efficiently day-to-day and that clients are fully supported throughout every stage of their concreting job.

Since 2003 Groundwork has employed a team of excavation and concrete experts who are the best in their field and able to work to their company’s high standards, which means you will find their crews highly skilled, approachable and professional.

With four specialist crews looking after different aspects of each job - excavation, placing, cutting and sealing - Groundwork is able to offer more than a general contractor. With specialist equipment and a full-service fleet of vehicles, Groundwork’s staff know a project isn’t finished until the site is left clean and tidy.

They are a proud team who’ve stood the test of time and proven resilient through the impacts of earthquakes. The team at Groundwork absolutely stand by the quality of their work and that’s earned them high respect in the industry.

At Groundwork customer satisfaction is key to our success. They work with many repeat

customers and have great relationships with new home builders too.

Groundwork enjoys being part of the building or reconstruction of numerous Christchurch homes and buildings. With their extensive experience, they are skilled in helping their customers design concrete plans from scratch. Rick can provide design advice as well as working off drawings from builders, architects and developers.

Contact Rick and the team at Groundwork today for all your concrete paving needs, whether you are a residential or commercial customer. Call them today on 0800 87 374 83 or visit their website for more information: www.groundwork.net.nz

‘Arrived on the date and time as advised meeting our own tight requirements replacing concrete pavers with exposed aggregate concrete for our residential property. Every staff member was so friendly, polite, obliging, and respectful. The process went to plan and the finished job was excellent. Throughout the project they kept the section neat, clean and tidy. The finished job is excellent and we are thrilled with it, especially as their quote was well below the others. I can totally recommend Groundwork 2003 Ltd.’

- Carol.

• Contract Mining

• Plant Hire

• Mine Rehabilitation

• Drill and Blast

• Civil Engineering

• Road Haulage

MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

We have a reputation for taking on and completing work in the most challenging conditions, whatever the site terrain, weather and level of technical difficulty.

The leading contract mining and earthmoving organisation in the South Island of New Zealand.

We have a large fleet of wholly owned modern equipment focused on reputable brands. Most of our plant fleet is available for hire either wet including operators and fuel, or dry for both short term and long term hire periods.

Total major plant fleet 165

www.rosco.net.nz

Continuing its highperforming reputation with rebranding and new equipment

Hiway Stabilisers is New Zealand’s largest provider of specialist road construction and recycling services. It has worked with the Government, commercial organisations, land developers, and main contractors.

Founded over 35 years ago in 1986, the company’s focus was to improve roads by adding lime or cement to increase their loadbearing capacity.

Since then, and more specifically over the last ten years, Hiway Stabilisers has not only quadrupled but also expanded to Australia, which now accounts for 80 percent of the business’s revenue.

Due to a successful last decade and now being Australiasia’s largest specialist in road construction and recycling services, as well as being no.2 in the world, alongside the growth of the company, a decision has been made to rebrand to just one single brand identity, after having six different brand identities.

Having diversified over the years, its solutions now operate across various sectors, such as railways, ports, airports, renewables, mining, defence, and contamination treatment, while still focusing primarily on roading.

Peter Metcalfe says the rebranded as just “Hiway,” and the dropping of “Stabilisers” in its rebranding is because its real value is in the innovative pavement solutions developed by its technical team.

These solutions significantly reduce carbon emissions while providing cost and program savings and enhancing pavement performance and resilience.

“The word “stabilisation” simply means to make things hard; Hiway is a lot more than that now.”

Hiway is a family business at heart. It is passionate about recycling, reusing, and driving innovation that provides its clients with lowercarbon and higher-performance pavements.

That is why the rebranding makes sense to Peter. “Internally, for Hiway, it is the family all coming together and leveraging the power of one identity.”

In addition to the rebranding, Hiways has also heavily invested in new equipment. The new equipment ranges from the patented MasterScrim capability to specialised lowgroup pressure in-situ recycling equipment.

The new equipment will underpin the rollout of the Master’s Range, a suite of new products that provide clients with solutions.

All have a low-carbon focus but offer specific, tailored outcomes. Some of the new equipment brought in include MasterDust – dust mitigation and strength improvement for unsealed roads, MasterPave – Insitu recycling of existing asphaltic layers and more.

The new equipment forefronts the rollout of low, carbon-negative, high-performance pavement solutions across roading, railways, ports, airports, renewables, and mining sectors.

These solutions improve pavement performance and resilience, eliminating the

issues caused by wet weather and flooding, which are becoming increasingly common. This will also provide significant reductions in carbon emissions as well as reduce the time to construct a pavement, which will ultimately cause less disruption to the travelling public, less reliance on natural virgin materials as well as cost savings.

Hiway New Zealand

10 Ingot Place

Silverdale Auckland 0932 09 426 3419

info@hiways.co.nz

hiwaygroup.com.au/businesses/ hiway-stabilizers-new-zealand

Our business has been designed to create a single point of contact for

in both Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, ProTraffic has more than 8 years experience working

length of New Zealand. Our focus is on providing your business with

Code-compliant drainage work

If you’re a builder or subcontractor, codecompliant 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

• Maximum channel length of 3.7m

• 1:200 minimum fall to outlet.

The grating that sits over the channel must:

• Be able to be fully removed for maintenance

• 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 used 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.

OnePour ThresholdDrain is perfect for concrete floor finishes. Both products do not require a rubber spacer or leg for structural integrity.

Alternative solutions

If site conditions allow, a precast grated channel or slot drain can be installed against the building as a level threshold alternative solution.

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.

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.

Next to a flood defence? Then check before you DIY

Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council has reminded landowners living in a river and/or drainage scheme to check if they need a Bylaw Authority before doing any digging, planting or building.

A Bylaw Authority is written permission from the Regional Council that includes conditions to ensure flood protection and drainage infrastructure assets are not damaged or compromised. Properties next to or near Regional Council-owned or managed flood protection or drainage assets (such as stopbanks, floodwalls, drains and pump stations) may be in a Bylaw Applicable Area and, therefore, need a Bylaw Authority before completing work on their property.

Regional Council Rivers and Drainage Assets manager, Kirsty Brown, says these Bylaws do not prevent the public from doing work on their land, but ensure any work doesn’t accidentally affect the integrity of our flood protection and drainage infrastructure assets.

“Flood protection and drainage assets are our first line of defence when it comes to protecting communities during large flood events. It is crucial that they function properly when needed.

“A tree or post near a stopbank, or a structure in a drain can compromise the functionality of these flood defences and put them at risk of failure when we need them most.”

Regional Council Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaws have different rules for different parts of the rohe (region). Landowners can check if their property is in a Bylaw Applicable Area by using our interactive map online.

Use ACO’s free, online Technical Services, featuring intuitive DIY Configurators and innovative StormBrixx tools to streamline your specification process. Start Your Specification Here!

Award winning demolition

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

Founded back in 1978, Nikau Contractors has been bringing excellence to the forefront of demolition.

John and Diana Stil formed the small but mighty Auckland based group and have evolved the company to a market leader in the nationwide construction and deconstruction industry.

Nikau Contractors South Island Director and Estimator, John Paul Stil, says the company had an incredibly successful night at the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association (NZDAA) awards.

“We won the Environmental Best Practice award for Corteva Agriscience which we started in 2022 and finished in 2023,” John Paul says.

According to the NZDAA, the demolition project and site for Corteva Agriscience (formerly DOW Chemicals) in New Plymouth held historical significance as it was involved in the production of the herbicide 2,4, 5-T from the 1960’s to 1987.

“This herbicide notably contained the highly toxic dioxin TCDD and was a crucial element in the United States military defoliant known as Agent Orange.

“Nikau Contractors faced the substantial responsibility in ensuring the safe and complete removal of all infrastructure while meticulously managing potential

environmental risks, given the site’s historical association with toxic substances,” says the NZDAA in their winners summaries for the awards.

John Paul says they decommissioned a lot of plant equipment and recycled a lot of scrap.

“We also won the Unrestricted Demolition Best Practice award for the Karapiro Dam enlargement and replacement project,” he says.

The company was tasked with reshaping the engineering landscape with the enlargement and replacement of three generator turbines at the dam site.

The NZDAA says the scope of the project was immense and included dismantling steel discharge rings and backing concrete with 17 metre deep, 5.8 metre wide shafts.

“Many obstacles emerged in the form of dust and fume emissions during demolition and the intricate manoeuvring required within confined spaces for access and egress.

“Nikau’s innovative approach and commitment to precision and safety not only conquered the complexities of this project but is now one of their benchmark projects for intricate demolition works,” s ays the NZDAA.

Not only that, but Nikau Contractors won Contractor of the Year. The NZDAA says the Contractor of the Year award is chosen by the judges from across all the entries that were received.

“The winner may be selected for the range and quality of projects they entered and not necessarily because they won a specific category.

This year’s Contractor of the Year award recipient was Nikau Contractors who were commended by the judges for the diverse range of projects they submitted for the awards this year.”

Founder John Stil won the Services to Demolition award. John Paul says the Services to Demolition award is given to someone who has been nominated due to their commitment to the services of demolition.

“He well deserved that award, being one of the founders of Nikau Contractors. And, Diana Stil, my mother, actually won that award around three years ago. They both have committed their services solely to the demolition and asbestos removal industry,” John Paul says.

The awards themselves were held in Auckland and were attended by around 150 people from 16 companies.

The NZDAA says the judges all made comments on how selecting the winners gets harder every year as the calibre of the projects not only increases, but also the quality of the submissions with photos and videos really showcase the work undertaken.

It’s not the first time Nikau Contractors has taken out multiple awards; they’ve been an award winning company for years. They have multiple Safety Awards under their belt, many NZDAA awards and four World Demolition Awards.

About Nikau Contractors

Nikau Contractors Ltd specialises in the most technical and complex areas of demolition deconstruction. We have made a significant investment in highly specialised plant and equipment, which, along with our reputation for attention to detail and commitment to safety in the workplace, has enabled us to secure many large scale contracts – assisting Government agencies, local bodies, local iwis, developers, property owners and general contractors with demolition, site works and environmental projects. Nikau Contractors

Diana and Helina Stil at the NZDAA awards.

John Paul Stil and Helina Stil with a NZDAA award.

CAVIBAT Cavity Batten System provides the ultimate solution in the defence against moisture in wall and roofing systems.

It provides a drainage plane with maximum ventilation for the removal of dew point moisture. Cavibat’s next generation batten is designed for strength and durability

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Weathertightness for medium-rise dwellings

Structural design and cladding design must be well co-ordinated to ensure medium-rise dwellings are weathertight.

There is an increasing trend away from low-rise detached dwellings to medium and high-rise apartment buildings – particularly in Auckland where there is high demand for residential property but suitable land is not readily available.

Preventing leaky low-rise timber buildings was the focus when Acceptable Solution E2/ AS1 (for External Moisture) was written.

Its scope was limited to buildings with a maximum height of 10 metres (three storeys), matching the height limit of the timber-framed buildings standard NZS 3604 (for Structure, cited in Acceptable Solution B1/AS1).

These documents are not intended as a means of demonstrating compliance for buildings taller than 10 metres, and so are only of limited use when designing mediumrise buildings.

For taller buildings, the facade testing standard AS/NZS 4284 can be used to demonstrate compliance of significant aspects of a cladding solution. Its testing requirements make it impractical to apply efficiently in many situations.

For medium-rise buildings, there is a lack of available ‘benchmark’ solutions that can be used to establish compliance with the Building Code clause E2 External Moisture. This raises the following questions:

• How does a designer achieve compliance with Building Code clause E2 External Moisture for residential buildings with a height greater than 10 metres?

• What information and tools would an experienced lead design consultant (eg project architect) need to demonstrate that the appropriate matters have been addressed so that the cladding systems will achieve Building Code compliance, without involving a specialist facade consultant?

• What information is needed from cladding system manufacturers, importers and suppliers to allow designers to understand and achieve the parameters within which a specified cladding system can adequately perform?

• What information is needed in the building consent application for the building consent authority (BCA) to be able to issue the consent, and does this necessarily require confirmation from a specialist facade consultant?

• What services can various types of specialist facade consultants offer, and in what situations would any particular consultant be the most appropriate person to include in the design team?

Other issues that are relevant to the cladding of medium-rise dwellings include:

• The applicability of the use of rigid underlays as an air barrier in medium-rise buildings, and the design issues affecting rigid underlays

• Whether there is useful information within any available data on performance of cladding systems for medium-rise buildings, and from known cases of failure

• Consideration of developing a Verification Method for on-site testing of cladding installations

• Durability requirements for cladding systems and their components – where might a durability of greater than 15 years be appropriate? Do owners have realistic long-term durability expectations, and how can these be met?

• Co-ordination of cladding systems with solutions to issues such as fire safety, acoustic performance, thermal performance, provisions for maintenance, and expected ownership models for multi-unit buildings, to avoid compromising the performance of the cladding or any other systems.

Information sourced from: www.building.govt.nz

The H1 insulation changes may seem a little daunting, but with the new Comfortech® range of Pink® Superbatts® we’ve got your H1 insulation needs sorted.

From locally tested products for standard builds, to a project-specific modelling service for more complex designs. We have the advice and support to help you navigate the new H1 insulation code changes.

And with our nationwide network of BCITO qualified PinkFit® installers, you can be confident we’ve got your H1 insulation needs covered from technical support through to solutions through to installation.

To find out more about how we can help with H1 and installation visit our H1 Hub at comfortech.co.nz

Overviewing the H1 Building Code update

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) updated acceptable solutions and verification methods to make new builds warmer, drier and healthier.

This update was made following a consultation that received more than 700 submissions totalling 3,000 responses and more than 600 pages of feedback. This was more than the previous five years of Building Code consultation responses combined.

The new clause transitions from November 2022 to 2023 have brought New Zealand in line with the insulation requirements in other first-world countries with comparable climate zones.

Summary of decisions

1. Energy efficiency for housing and small buildings

MBIE changed the roof, window, wall and underfloor insulation requirements by issuing the new edition of Acceptable Solution H1/AS1 and Verification Method H1/VM1 for housing and small buildings. The new insulation requirements aim to reduce energy needed for heating residential homes of approximately 40 percent over minimum previous requirements.

2. Energy efficiency for large buildings

MBIE changed the roof, window, wall and underfloor insulation requirements and issued the new H1/AS2 and H1/VM2 for large buildings. This aims to reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling of 23 percent on average across new large buildings over previous minimum status quo requirements.

3. Energy efficiency for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in commercial buildings

MBIE published the new verification method H1/VM3 with modifications to the proposed text to clarify the requirements and address items raised in the consultation. This new verification method allows building owners to better monitor the performance of their HVAC system and know that the system is using energy optimally.

4. Natural light for higher-density housing

MBIE published the new acceptable solutions G7/AS1 and G7/AS2 with minor modifications to the proposal. The existing outdated G7/ VM1 was replaced with a verification method to demonstrate compliance using computer modelling. Refreshing these acceptable solutions and verification methods for clause G7 Natural Light helps ensure people have sufficient amounts of daylight in higherdensity housing.

The new clause transitions from November 2022 to 2023 have brought New Zealand in line with the insulation requirements in other first-world countries with comparable climate zones.

5. Weathertightness testing for higher-density housing

MBIE issued the new edition of E2/VM2 without any modifications to the proposal. The revised weathertightness testing method cited in E2/VM2 can be used to demonstrate that cladding systems are sufficiently weathertight. The new version does not significantly change the minimum performance requirements and existing tested cladding systems will not need to be retested.

6. Standards referenced in B1 Structure

MBIE referenced the new versions of four standards in the acceptable solutions and verification methods for B1 Structure.

7. Editorial changes to Acceptable Solution B1/AS1

MBIE made editorial corrections to Acceptable Solution B1/AS1 without any modifications to the proposal.

Information sourced from: www.building.govt.nz

Aculog Scaffold Safety Systems

Developed on the Refinery Chimney project in 1995 by Macsway designers and engineers, Aculog scaffold safety systems were originally a scaffolding inspection system for us. It is now the standard for scaffolding safety throughout New Zealand, Europe, and Australia.

Aculog is an acronym for: Accurate Log, which is an accurate (correct, precise and exact) log (record of progress and performance).

Our definition of Aculog is: An accurate record of progress and performance.

Aculog is now a system for logging the safety inspections and performance of all scaffolding businesses in the countries previously listed. It has evolved into a system that improves safety standards through:

• Improving the visibility, security and durability of scaffold safety status signs

• Ensuring monitoring both at the work site and at the office

• Maintaining the quality and integrity of scaffolds

• Being user friendly and easily understood by anyone.

• Being readily installed on any site large or small

• Providing a cost effective solution to common problems in our industry

Inspection and logs, as well as a status card that is placed on every scaffold telling the user the status of that scaffold accomplish this. It records the details of the scaffold size, location, scaffolders and client. The labour section tracks the number of man-hours needed to assemble and take apart a scaffold. The blue card lists the tube and coupler, the green card lists the system scaffold and the yellow card lists the alloy mobile.

Most important is the Green Scaffold Safe Card, which lists the safe working load maximum on that scaffold, the maximum working on the scaffold and person or company who is requesting the scaffold. The purpose that the scaffold was originally built for and the job number or the code is recorded. Finally, the record will show the date and time of the last inspection and the comments for improvement along with the signature of the inspector.

With this status card anyone using that particular scaffold will know if it is safe and when it was last inspected.

to stop the holder from becoming brittle from our harsh NZ sun.

Aculog have three standard colours for holders, yellow, white and orange, these three colours stand out the most in an environment setting.

Aculog Scaffold Safety Signs

Aculog provide a range of durable scaffold safety signs.

Aculog is an Acronym for:

Accurate – Correct, precise and exact.

Log – Record of progress and performance.

Hence Aculog – An accurate record of progress and performance.

We thrive on getting your order out to you on the same day it is ordered, we use Eshipping which will email you directly every step of the way until it arrives on your doorstep. Remember this is a system designed by the scaffolders for scaffolders everywhere.

Aculog has been developed to:

•

A cost effective safety solution to common industry problems

Improve Scaffolding Safety Standards

• Improve the visibility, security and durability of scaffold safety status signs.

• Ensure monitoring both at the workface and at the site office.

• Maintain the quality and integrity of scaffolds.

• Be user friendly and easily understood by the lay person.

• Be readily installed on any site large or small.

• Provide a cost effective solution to common problems in our industry.

The affordable Superhome

The Superhome Movement is a not-for-profit building industry group of professionals whose passion is to raise the standards of new homes. It includes builders, developers, designers and architects, and product suppliers.

Co-founder of the Superhome Movement, Christchurch architect Bob Burnett says, “It’s a myth that a superhome is too expensive. More and more people are realising that a superhome is affordable.”

“Superhomes are built to a higher energyefficiency standard than what the NZ Building Code requires. That means the power bills are much lower than standard new homes, and they have higher levels of insulation and ventilation meaning they are healthier too.”

“And it only costs an additional $5,000 to $6,000 for an average-sized new home to be built to the standard of a Superhome.

“With smart design that extra cost can easily be met by reducing the floor area of a new home by a small amount – three to five square metres,” Bob says.

The heath factor

Bob has first-hand experience with the impact of poor housing on health.

After the Christchurch earthquakes, his family was forced to relocate from their healthy home into substandard rentals.

The health of his children deteriorated rapidly with doctors attributing this to poor housing. This experience prompted him to create the Superhome Movement.

Many people outside the industry wishing to build assume that all new homes are built on par with leading-edge techniques that ensure healthy and energy-efficient living.

The public, therefore, needs access to good information to make informed decisions when building or renovating their homes, so they are healthy for people and the planet.

The incongruous approach of selecting a builder first will often set roadblocks for a project, being driven by the practicality of the build instead of the ideas and innovation necessary for the home to perform at its best.

Prioritising good design at the beginning is crucial, such as correct orientation and glazing ratios to avoid overheating or favouring timber over steel to minimise thermal bridging.

Superhome key principles:

• Design - optimised for orientation, function, and aesthetics

• Modelling - verify energy performance and thermal comfort

• Windows and doors - high-performance, in line with insulation

• Structure - super-insulated with minimal thermal bridging

• Slab foundations - fully insulated and resilient

• Airtightness - appropriate techniques and standards

• Ventilation - appropriate whole home heat recovery systems

• Materials and waste minimisation - low carbon, responsibly sourced, and specified

• Energy-efficient space heating and water heating

• Water efficiency and recycling.

These above key principles form the basis of a holistic standard and ethos for good sustainable high-performance design.

Together, professionals and businesses, both big and small, who have already chosen to be superhome participants, show their thoughtful leadership, sharing ideas and resources to leverage and assist those who are wanting to build better homes, with more members joining every month.

Correct design and building techniques can easily be incorporated into any new project.

www.superhome.co.nz

www.blackwellsisuzu.co.nz

South Island's Largest truck dealership, consistently selling over 100 new Isuzu trucks each year.

Isuzu is one of New Zealand's largest selling truck brands, representing a range that stands for quality, versatility, reliability and performance.

Over 80 different models available From Cab, Chassis to Spec Units

Top level service tailored to your requirement

Japanese commercial import specialists 03

Driving Whanganui commerce and business

Business Whanganui is the voice of and for business in the Whanganui region that provides support and training as well as networking and promotional opportunities for organisations of all sizes.

“Whether you are a small start-up or an established business with dozens of staff, we help you connect, grow and advance your business,” explains Helen Garner, chief executive of Business Whanganui, formerly called the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce.

Business Whanganui is an Accredited Member of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce network and champions interests of businesses in the Whanganui region.

“Being part of a community who all want the same thing – to succeed in business and help other businesses grow is a powerful place to be. And, we offer a safe space to ask questions or seek guidance on a business challenge with our Board and other local Mentors who are all experts in their own right,” continues Garner.

Members can expect a wide range of events to learn from and network with fellow members along with seminars, panels and training sessions where developing significant relationships is encouraged.

These connections can lead to new business opportunities, finding new staff, new clients, partnerships and growth for your business.

Training sessions are also a good place to learn about new trends and ways of doing business including AI, new tax laws, how to manage during a crisis, succession planning and mentor opportunities.

Business Mentors share their experiences and learnings with the mentee and add a degree of confidence in decisionmaking, guidance with goal setting and support with planning. Mentors also offer a strong case for accountability, perspective and objectivity.

- Helen Garner

“Becoming a Business Mentor provides significant value to the mentee as well as the mentor since both parties always learn something new,” says Garner.

“Business Mentors share their experiences and learnings with the mentee and add a degree of confidence in decision-making, guidance with goal setting and support with planning. Mentors also offer a strong case for accountability, perspective and objectivity.”

As a member of Business Whanganui, you will also receive special member and partner offers that supports local businesses in the region.

These could be by attending an event, discounts on business equipment and stationery, the opportunity to advertise at a discount and more.

The value provided by Business Whanganui is compelling and it’s up to each member to benefit from the variety of offers, events, training and opportunities.

“We are really proud of the varied events we offer especially the bi-annual Whanganui Regional Business Awards where these high-profile awards celebrate excellence, innovation and creativity in the business and community sectors, and are a major highlight of Whanganui’s business calendar,” explains Garner.

The Awards Categories recognise different forms of excellence and embrace the different ages and stages of business.

Business Whanganui Regional Business Awards also has a Community Contribution category for not for profit, charitable and social enterprise entries.

Any business, incorporated society, or charity of any size in the Whanganui region is eligible to enter and there is no charge for entry.

For businesses, being an awards entrant offers practical opportunities beyond profile and the recognition of peers; the entry and judging processes also provide the opportunity to benchmark and gain expert advice on how as a business you can continue to grow and improve.

Helen Garner, chief executive of Business Whanganui. Image courtesy of Alanah Brown.

All entries are professionally managed and treated as confidential and private. Our judging programme is independent and impartial and run by knowledgeable and experienced business leaders.

Business Whanganui has also embraced technology as we are about to launch our local member app.

The app will enable businesses and all of their people to access national Chamber of Commerce partner discounts and special offers online and instore, as well as enabling local businesses to promote their businesses

and to make their own member to member special offers.

The app will continue to develop and soon offer event registrations and other functionality to make connection into our network easier.

An online member directory will also launch in April, giving members the opportunity to promote their business to the community and potential customers locally, nationally and internationally.

“I have been asked what Business Whanganui means for builders and contractors and I

believe that everything mentioned above about developing significant relationships that lead to new clients and business opportunities, training and awards are beneficial for the building and contracting sectors.

“This along with the chance to be a mentor or mentee provides valuable connections, learnings and accountability while supporting business and personal growth,” concludes Garner.

For information on Business Whanganui and how to become a member, please visit: www.businesswhanganui.nz.

Expert Professional Services to Accomplish Your Project Goals

Our team offers a diverse range of expert services to support your project goals. We combine practical experience with the latest methods and technology to ensure that you get the best results possible. From surveying and planning to engineering design and supervision, our expertise extends to construction setout for commercial and residential development.

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BA5 at Iona Tiny House 2023. Fleet Line Markers at the 2022 Business Awards. Image courtesy of Steve Caudwell, Whanganui Photography.

Wanganui tow-it-alls

If you find yourself stuck on the side of the road and in need of support, know that help is just a call away. For a safe and reliable towing service, Wanganui Towing are at the rescue. They save you additional headaches when your mind isn’t all there in the first place, and are fit to expertly get you from point A to point B without damaging your vehicle any further in the process.

Wanganui Towing offer the region 24hour towing and salvage services covering everything from accidents and breakdowns to transport and storage needs and much more. Diverse in what they know and tow, Wanganui Towing tow all vehicles, bikes, heavy items, and machinery, and are also experts in insurance claims and industrial towing services.

Wanganui Towing will get you out of that pickle in an instant; impeccable communication and pricing are just cherries on top. They are specialists in salvage and disposal services too, helping you out the entire way. They will see your situation through. No matter the size and shape of your vehicle, they are the people to call if you have an accident or a breakdown. If it’s tipped over, wrecked, or somewhere it shouldn’t be, Wanganui Towing offer crane recovery assistance to get you back on the road in no time.

Nothing is too big or too far for the team either – give them a call to discuss your towage and salvage needs. With a fleet of large trucks, they will even meet your heavy equipment transport needs. From diggers to mobility scooters, they are ready to tow the lot.

Nothing is too big or too far for the team either – give them a call to discuss your towage and salvage needs. With a fleet of large trucks, they will even meet your heavy equipment transport needs. From diggers to mobility scooters, they are ready to tow the lot.

Wanganui Towing are the only AA contractor for roadside assistance and towing in Wanganui. They work with all of New Zealand’s major insurance companies and have not only strong industry knowledge but also a trusted web of industry relationships; Wanganui Towing is known for its personable specialized services.

Wanganui Towing are there for you to provide efficient and friendly attention when your vehicle needs it most. Cost-effective, courteous, well-established, and absolutely professional, Wanganui Towing is a towing and salvage service that keeps the client first.

Big or small, they tow it all. Whatever your needs may be, Wanganui Towing would love to speak with you.

Get in touch with the folks at Wanganui Towing at 06 241 7266 or 027 443 5449.

Wanganui Towing Ltd is based at 1 Liffiton Street, Gonville, Wanganui.

Head to their website at wanganuitowing. co.nz or check them out on Facebook – @WanganuiTowing. Flick them an email at info@wanganuitowing.co.nz

Planning less waste for Auckland

Zero Waste Network

Aotearoa has given the Auckland Council’s Draft Waste Management and Minimisation plan its seal of approval.

“The Draft Waste Management and Minimisation plan released by Auckland Council is a winning strategy for sending less stuff to landfill, reducing emissions and building community resilience,” says Sue Coutts of the Zero Waste Network Aotearoa.

“Waste, non-recyclable packaging, plastic pollution and litter consistently show up in the top 10 concerns for New Zealanders. People don’t want more landfills and they don’t want incinerators.

“The best way to reduce the costs and risks of waste is to create less of it. This plan will make it easier for Aucklanders to shift to new business models that prevent waste, to reuse, repair and repurpose valuable resources and to divert what’s left to recycling and composting.

“Auckland Council has been leading the way on waste minimisation with its goal of zero waste by 2040. They understand that zero waste is a practical strategy that gives us a roadmap, a toolkit and a destination.

“Auckland Council’s plan shows the value of partnering with businesses and organisations

who want to achieve the same objectives,” Sue says.

“Innovative organisations across Auckland are already working hard to engage communities and businesses by giving them practical alternatives.

“The network of resource recovery centres and zero waste projects across the city keep stuff out of landfills and deliver real benefits to local communities by providing practical reuse, repair, recycling and composting solutions.

“In the construction and demolition space, which produces 30 percnet of waste to landfill, there are some great companies already integrating deconstruction and reuse into their building projects.

“Trow Group is one of the largest commercial deconstruction companies based in Auckland. They have been salvaging hundreds of tonnes of construction materials every year while creating jobs and supporting community projects across the Pacific.

“It is great to see that Auckland Council has embedded its commitment to partnering with Mana Whenua to achieve outcomes that are important to Māori in the plan.

“But communities and councils can get so far under their own steam. We need big business and the Government to get on board too.

“The greatest opportunities for waste reduction exist in the business and commercial sectors which account for 80 percent of all waste to landfill.

“We will only be able to achieve waste reduction and recycling targets when the Government locks in the regulatory framework and gets the critical Mandatory Product Stewardship schemes for packaging, drink containers, e-waste and other priority products up and running. Product stewardship is based on a ‘polluters pays’ model that shifts the cost off ratepayers and councils for collection and processing of end-of-life packaging and products.

We know Aucklanders care about protecting their environment and that reducing waste by reducing, reusing, recycling and composting is a popular way to achieve this.

“We encourage people across the Auckland region to make a submission on the plan and use their voices to support the Council’s zero waste by 2040 ambition.”

Totally dependable

By June Pfister

Laser Electrical Hastings have long established themselves as a leading electrical contractor in the local area, servicing the Hawke's Bay region.

Their successful operation is due to their dedicated team of electricians who strive to provide their customers with a totally dependable service with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. Laser Electrical Hastings have expertise in a wide range of electrical services from residential to commercial and industrial.

Services provided by the Hastings team include a number of new home energy repairs, from designing electrical requirements throughout your home to installing all of your electrical wiring and large appliances.

Having a preventative maintenance schedule for your home or business will help you to reduce any expensive repair costs down the line. Using a Laser Electrical electrician from Hastings to do an electrical health check up on your home or business will help to prevent these unfortunate events from occurring. Other home maintenance electrical services include repairs and other jobs such as supplying and installing a heated towel timer to help reduce your power bill.

Electrical repair services are available for any job, big or small, in any kind of home or business. If you have a problem that needs fixing, one of Laser Electricals experienced electricians in Hastings will come and service your needs.

When you hire a Laser Electrician, you’ll receive their ‘Totally Dependable’ customer services that includes:

● Timely delivery

● Promise of care and skill

● Honour manufacturer’s guarantees

● Meet and frequently exceed their customers’ expectations.

For all your electrical needs, Locally owned Laser Electrical in Hastings will have your back, contact them today on 06 878 9332. hastings@laserelectrical.co.nz

“Recently relocated and technician came to do a full power check of home. Listened and responded to my thoughts for future lighting options and described/explained how this would work from the switchboard. Technician was on time, professional and easy to communicate with. Really impressed with the service provided.” – Marilyn

“Highly recommended Laser Electrical for any electrical work required around your home or business.” - Joy

This Winter, be warmer. Choose from the latest models of gas fire from Rinnai, available now.

Your first choice for fire protection services

Installing and maintaining fire protection systems is highly specialised and challenging. But it was a challenge that back in 1996 Simon and Julie Malthus turned into an opportunity and a successful company in the Nelson Marlborough region.

Simon had experience in the industry from working in multi-national companies. His depth of knowledge was well respected and soon FFP Nelson Marlborough fire Ltd grew in both size and reputation.

“Protecting critical assets from damage or destruction by fire is fundamental to any company or organisation,” says Thorben Hoffschneider, general manager of FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire.

“We are the company of choice for fire systems installation and maintenance for many of the region’s major businesses delivering quality of servicing, workmanship and advice to our customers.”

Key to success

FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire has a team of 19 staff - trained, experienced and competent to work on many different fire protection systems.

“We are very proud of our team. They are risk takers and problem solvers with a ‘can do’ attitude to get any job done. There is no challenge out there that we can’t help our clients to overcome.”

FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire believes in investing in its staff for both technical and health and safety training. As result, a number of its team have been with the company for between 6 -10 years.

“Our office manager Kristin Smith (otherwise known as Miss K) tops the longevity stakes though. She’s been with the company for over 20 years and knows all our clients. Her role is very important when it comes to maintaining trust and good relationships with clients.”

Scope of services

FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire installs fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, maintains and tests those systems and also carries out building warrants of fitness.

What are the main services FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire provide?

• Fire protection systems installation

• Fire protection equipment sales

• Systems testing

• Systems maintenance

• Building Warrants of Fitness.

“We are truly a one-stop shop. With over 20 years’ experience in the fire protection industry, we have designed and installed all types of special hazard systems. This includes gas suppression systems, foam fire suppression systems, deluge systems and aspirating systems. The list goes on and on,” says Thorben.

The company aims to be involved in the largest projects in the Nelson and Marlborough region, projects that impact and benefit the region and it has been successful in that.

“This year we modernised our fleet to improve our coverage of the region in

Protecting critical assets from damage or destruction by fire is fundamental to any company or organisation.

- FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire general manager Thorben Hoffschneider

Marlborough reinforcing our local team in Blenheim.

“We are currently undertaking several large fire protection installation projects there, ranging from projects at the new K-Mart, at Talley’s Mussel Factory and Clearwater Mussels Ltd in Havelock to projects at Drylands Winery and in an extension to Two Rivers Winery.”

FFP Nelson Marlborough is soon to wrap up one of its largest jobs – a two-year project that began in 2017 installing fire protection systems in the new terminal and in the control tower at Nelson airport.

“We have also installed fire protection systems at Nelson Hospice, at Golden Bay Fruit Ltd in Motueka and next year we begin an installation at the new Greengables Rest Home.”

FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire has been delivering fire protection for its clients for over 20 years and is committed to continuing to serve the region well into the future.

“We know and understand the market in the Nelson and Marlborough regions. Our clients know they can count on us to complete a project on time and on budget and compliant with all the legal standards.

“We are proud of the long-term and trusted relationships we have formed with our clients.”

FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire Limited

12a Elms Street PO Box 2365

Stoke Nelson (03) 548 2640

www.ffpnelson.co.nz

FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire Limited installed fire protection systems at the Nelson Hospice.

There are heaps of ways you can reduce the amount of waste that comes from your business or household, that are easy and cheap to do.

The Waimakariri District Council provides a free sustainable education programme for the community, businesses and schools, through Eco Educate. Topics cover the top portion of the waste hierarchy.

Chatham Islands

Exploring the Chatham Islands

Did you know the Chatham Islands are only a two-hour flight away? A Pacific paradise waiting to be explored, discover the wild coastlines, pristine beaches, native flora and fauna, intriguing history, cultural treasures, and rugged and beautiful landscapes that make the Chatham Islands the destination of a lifetime.

If you’re seeking a unique, unforgettable adventure in New Zealand, look no further than Chatham Island Tours.

Nestled in the remote reaches of the South Pacific Ocean, the Chatham Islands offer a pristine and unspoiled natural paradise, and Merv Halliday, owner and operator of Chatham Island Tours, is your key to unlocking its wonders.

Chatham Island Tours is not your run-ofthe-mill travel company. It specialises in private group tours that promise an intimate, personalised, and immersive experience in one of New Zealand’s most remarkable and least-explored destinations.

Here’s what makes Chatham Island Tours and Merv Halliday stand out.

Authenticity: Merv is passionate and intimately knows the island’s history, culture, and ecosystems. His passion for sharing the island’s treasures with visitors is palpable, ensuring every tour is an all-authentic and enriching experience.

Customised adventures: Chatham Island Tours caters to private groups, allowing you to tailor your adventure to your preferences

With private group tours that emphasise authenticity, sustainability, and personal service, you’re guaranteed a unique experience.

and interests. Whether you’re a birdwatching enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a tranquil escape, Merv can design a tour that suits your group’s desires.

Exclusive access: With Merv’s connections and expertise, you’ll gain access to areas and experiences that are off-limits to most tourists. Explore secluded beaches, discover hidden coves, and encounter rare wildlife while enjoying the serenity of an unspoiled natural environment.

Ecotourism and conservation: Merv and his team are dedicated to preserving the island’s unique ecosystems and wildlife, and they educate visitors about the importance of conservation efforts.

WELLINGTON OR CHRISTCHURCH, DIRECT TO CHATHAM ISLANDS

Experience 8 days in one of New Zealand’s most remote and unique places. The Chatham Islands are the closest most New Zealanders can get to international travel without packing their passport.

Tour #51 (Easter) is for 8 days & 7 nights on Chatham X Christcuhrch

Rich history: Chatham Islands have a fascinating history, from the Moriori people’s ancient culture to the European whaling era. You will learn the captivating stories and insights, bringing the island’s past to life.

Diverse wildlife: Encounter rare and endangered species, including the Chatham Island Robin, the Chatham Island oystercatcher, and the Pitt Island shag. Merv’s tours provide unparalleled opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife photography.

Tranquil beauty: Escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and immerse yourself

in the tranquillity of rugged landscapes, rolling hills and pristine beaches; a place where time seems to stop.

Personalised service: With private group tours that emphasise authenticity, sustainability, and personal service, you’re guaranteed a unique experience. You can already book 2024 trips up to mid-August, so you can get your winterwanderlust plans sorted well in advance. For an unforgettable experience, explore the Chatham Islands like a local. Email: chathamislandtours@gmail.com, or call Merv on (03) 249 8294.

Tue 26th March 2024, departs Christchurch 1.00pm - arrive Chatham Islands 3.45pm

Tue 2nd April 2024, departs Chatham 11.30am - arrive Christcuhrch 1.00pm

Tour #52 is for 8 days & 7 nights on Chatham X Christchurch

Tue 2nd April 2024, departs Christchurch 2.30am - arrive Chatham Islands 5.15am

Tue 9th April 2024, departs Chatham Islands 8.30am - arrive Christchurch 10.00am

Tour #53 is for 8 days & 7 nights on Chatham X Wellington,

Incorporating the 2024 Chatham Islands Festival of Science

Tue 13th August 2024, departs Wellington 1.00pm - arrive Chatham Islands 3.30pm (CI)

Tue 20th August 2024, departs Chatham Islands 8.30am - arrive Wellington 9.45am

Tour #54 is for 8 days & 7 nights on Chatham X Christchurch

Incorporating the 2024 Chatham Islands Festival of Science

Wed 14th August 2024, departs Christchurch 1.00pm - arrive Chatham Islands 3.45pm

Wed 21st August 2024, departs Chatham Islands 8.30am - arrive Christchurch 10.00am

All Inclusive Costing per person: SINGLE shared facilities $4,455

TWIN / DOUBLE with ensuite $4,555 | SUPERIOR SUITES $4,655

Book now to secure your seats & accommodation!

Join Merv’s Chatham Island Tours

“An experience you will never forget.” - Merv Halliday

Phone: 03 249

8294

Email: chathamislandtours@gmail.com

Book Online: www.chathamislandtours.nz

The club for You

The Timaru Town and Country Club was originally formed on the 3rd of July in 1957.

In the beginning, the club held it’s monthly meetings within the Caroline Bay Tearooms, membership grew rapidly and the Club was forced to move to the Caroline Bay Hall until a lease of a Stafford Street property was obtained in 1959.

In November 1960 the Timaru District Council offered the club an area of Land in Douglas Street. That same land was then purchased by the club in September 1961. The newly completed Men’s Only Club opened on the 25th of August 1962. Due to popularity and the liquor licensing regulations of the day, membership had to be closed at 1050 members. Women were warmly accepted as Members in 1978 and Junior Members, any age person up to the legal drinking age, in 1993. Today the club has around 3000 members.

To become a member of the Timaru Town and Country Club, visit their website for information on how to apply today, www.timaruclubs.co.nz Alternatively give the friendly team a call on 03 688 0025.

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday

Lunch: 12pm till 2 pm

Dinner: from 5:30pm

The Timaru Town and Country Club have many assets which include:

• Three Bars

• Three Function Areas

• An Air Conditioned Gaming Room with 18 Gaming Machines

• Three Registered Kitchens

• Two Petanque Rinks

• Meeting rooms available to hire

• A Pool Table

• Darts

• An Adjacent 12-hole Golf Course.

‘My niece had her birthday party here at this venue last night, The staff were so lovely and helpful, The food was absolutely delicious, The young girl who delivered the food and helped with setting up with us was amazing, I would definitely recommend this venue for any special events in your life, Thank you once again Timaru Town and Country club.’ - Wiremu.

‘A very good meal out. Purchased drinks at the bar well done helpful staff with a new procedure by putting drinks on a tab. Staff in the restaurant were very polite and helpful as well. The meals were of a good standard and quantity.’ - Stuart.

‘Awesome club! We stopped in for dinner as we passed through Timaru. If I was local to Timaru I’d be a member. As an RSA member, we were very welcome here; thank you. The food was great value. Generous portions and really good hearty meals. My wife loved the apple crumble dessert! Given the challenges of Covid-19 level 2 restrictions I thought the service was excellent. Will definitely stop in again as we pass through Timaru.’ - Paul.

Timaru Town & Country Club

The perfect place for meeting up with loved ones and creating new ones!

Innovating steel solutions

Stainless Electrical Products, a privately owned and operated enterprise, has been at the forefront of stainless steel fabrication and manufacturing since its establishment in 2004. Situated in Hamilton, the company excels in delivering top-notch products, ranging from sheet metal and stainless steel wire to complete machinery and accessories specifically designed for the food and dairy sectors.

With managing director Aub Hart, Stainless Electrical Products has undergone a transformation, evolving into a multifaceted business specialising in stainless steel fabrication and electrical solutions.

Beginning as an electrical contracting business named Midland Electrical Services Ltd, the company swiftly recognised the market demand for top-quality stainless steel products. Aub established Stainless Electrical Products to cater to this demand, initially focusing on manufacturing stainless steel enclosures. Today, headquartered in Hamilton, the company’s scope encompasses a wide array of products, from sheet metal to complete machinery, predominantly catering to the dairy and food industries in New Zealand. Their ‘Hygienic Range’ enclosure stands out for its recessed lid design, facilitating easy cleaning.

However, Stainless Electrical Products extends beyond New Zealand, with products supplied to Australia and the Pacific Islands. Their involvement with Yashili New Zealand’s milk processing plant illustrates their pivotal role in supplying hygienic enclosures, cable mesh, and isolators for industrial plants.

The workshop of Stainless Electrical Products boasts comprehensive equipment, featuring a three-meter-wide Brake Press, 2.4-meter Guillotine, Water Jet Cutter, Spot Welders, Stud Welders, and Tig & Mig Welders.

Their product range includes:

● Cabinets

● Enclosures

● Pull Box/Junction Box Enclosures

● Pin Lock Hinged Door Enclosures

From design to fabrication, Stainless Electrical Products specialises in building electrical enclosures, cabinets, and assorted products according to customer needs. With their water jet cutter, they offer an end-toend service of computer-aided designs to the final delivery of the product. Ensuring a high-quality finish remains their commitment while maintaining competitiveness and meeting stipulated timelines.

● HMI Panels

● Air Manifolds

● Wire Mesh Cable Trays & Components

● Meter Boxes.

“All items are manufactured in our workshop in Hamilton. Our team is committed to manufacturing a high-quality unit with a professional finish, at a competitive rate

Our team is committed to manufacturing a high-quality unit with a professional finish, at a competitive rate within an agreed time frame. Short runs and one-off units made to the customer’s individual specifications are our specialty.

within an agreed time frame. Short runs and one-off units made to the customer’s individual specifications are our specialty,” says Aub.

Stainless Electrical Products continues to thrive as a leading player in the industry, upholding its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction across diverse markets.

For inquiries, contact the dedicated team at Stainless Electrical Products today at (07) 859 1119 or email them at info@stainlesselectrical.co.nz. Alternatively visit their website for more information, www.sep.co.nz.

We are a privately owned and operated Company that has been in the business of Stainless Steel Fabrication and Manufacture since 2004.

We manufacture components, accessories and complete machines for industries such as food and dairy.

Our team are committed to manufacturing a high-quality unit with a professional finish, at a competitive rate within an agreed time frame. Short runs made to your specification are our speciality.

Contact us now to enquire about working with us to develop or manufacture your product.

Making sure your buildings are safe

By June Pfister

Trace Asbestos is owned and operated by Steve Elden-Gray. Steve can provide his services anywhere in the Wellington, Taranaki, Manawatu, and Hawkes Bay regions.

Steve has over seven years of front-line asbestos surveying and assessor experience and comes with a background in sports and exercise science, and operational management. Having delivered a huge variety of asbestos projects across New Zealand, Steve is qualified in BOHS IP402 and IP404 and has an asbestos assessor licence from WorkSafe NZ.

Steve started Trace Asbestos to assist and simplify the asbestos regulations, requirements and challenges that face home and business owners, project and facility managers, removalists, and construction trades. Steve and his team work on a variety of jobs from high-end fitouts to full site demolitions. They can assist you throughout the process, from the initial asbestos survey, sampling, and asbestos management, to the final removal clearance report. With a focus on quality surveying, communication, and the team’s knowledge of the New Zealand asbestos industry, Trace Asbestos is the company for your next project.

Trace Asbestos can provide you with various services including:

Asbestos Management Surveys

An asbestos management survey is the standard asbestos survey recommended for any building and workplace in New Zealand. It forms an important step to producing a functioning asbestos management plan that actively monitors the materials and outlays procedures in dealing with its risks. Its purpose is to locate the presence and extent of any suspected asbestoscontaining materials in the building that could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy and maintenance.

Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

Asbestos refurbishment and demolition surveys locate and describe asbestoscontaining materials in areas where intrusive maintenance, repair, refurbishment, or demolition work is set to take place. This survey requires access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. Undertaking asbestos refurbishment and demolition surveys prior to any renovation or demolition works is a strict regulatory requirement and a duty of any PCBUs with management or control of a workplace.

Other Asbestos Surveys

Not every client or site fits the requirements for the above surveys, and Trace Asbestos have visual survey options and re-inspection surveys. These are great for annual check-ups and audits, maybe a second opinion for your site, and an excellent survey for due diligence for pre-purchase or sale.

When conducting asbestos removal clearances, Trace Asbeto’s aim is to provide a fair and unbiased approach to help their clients complete the job without compromising their duties.

A worksite with a strong and functional asbestos management plan that actively monitors the materials and outlays procedures in dealing with its risks is made simple with Trace Asbestos. Whether you like paper or cloud-based systems, every survey can, and should, be backed up with a site-specific plan. This is then controlled and updated by you, or you could have someone else manage that process on

your behalf. Trace Asbestos has excellent online client management systems to control staff and contractor access to your asbestos information.

Asbestos removal projects can be timeconsuming, expensive, and high-liability exercises to undertake. Like any project, the specification, procurement, and management of the works should be undertaken, or at least coordinated, by an experienced, qualified asbestos consultant.

Trace Asbestos don’t remove asbestos; this must be done by a WorkSafe-approved licensed asbestos removalist. With Trace Asbestos assisting you with the asbestos removal management and tender process, they can ensure both regulatory and client procurement process compliance. Their active approach to the tender process includes tender administration, management of contractor visits, technical evaluation of the tender returns, as well as fact-based, independent recommendations for asbestos removal contractor appointments.

Trace Asbestos also have a selection of recommended and approved asbestos removal contractors who are regularly assessed and audited. This gives their clients the reassurance of removal quality, and competitive pricing and mitigates the risk of going to the market and starting projects with any uncertainty.

When conducting asbestos removal clearances, Steve’s aim is to provide a fair and unbiased approach to help their clients complete the job without compromising their duties.

Trace Asbestos provides asbestos testing services, using only BOHS-accredited surveyors. Using qualified personnel ensures you get a valid asbestos test (without cross-contamination) that represents the materials sampled and enforces protocols after a test is taken, to minimise the risk of further contamination.

Get in touch with the team at Trace Asbestos today for all your asbestos requirements! Call 027 477 8673 or visit www.traceasbestos.co.nz for information.

BRANDT: DEDICATED TO YOUR SUCCESS.