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Building back better
Climate action and the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
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Risk management in building projects
Estimating how long the job will take
Rethinking payment processes
How to adapt and thrive in times of change
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CONTENTS
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WELLINGTON E DITION: 1 | 2024 | REF CODE #V23G2
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Building back better Climate action and the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
14 Estimating how
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Risk management in building projects Some of the most common risks and ways of dealing with them
16 Supply and demand
10 Land prices
and infrastructure development Planning for an uncertain future
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long the job will take How to accurately gauge the amount of time you’ll need
The truth about supply and payment chains
20 Sharpen up your
communication How to adapt and thrive in times of change
28 The cheque’s in the mail Rethinking payment processes to boost
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Welcome... This issue of Elevate opens up discussing how to build back better in the wake of natural disasters, focusing on the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery. You’ll find pieces on some of the most common risks in building projects and ways of dealing with them, how to accurately estimate the amount of time you’ll need for a job, and the truth about supply and payment chains.
PUBLISHER The Job Agency T|A Markat 38 Lowe Street, Addington, Christchurch 8011
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We look at the relationship between land prices and infrastructure development with a view to navigating an uncertain future, sharpening up your communication skills, and rethinking payment processes. There are also articles on navigating your finances, making Kiwi homes stronger, and the vital industry issue of maintaining a pipeline of skilled workers... plus lots more. Enjoy.
r JonathonTayloEditor
EDITOR Jonathon Taylor - (03) 961 5098 editor@markat.co.nz
MANAGING DIRECTOR Gary Collins
ART DIRECTOR Jarred Shakespeare - (03) 961 5088 jarred@markat.co.nz
GENERAL MANAGER OF OPERATIONS Kylie Palermo
PRODUCT COORDINATOR MANAGER Amber Mundy - (03) 961 5075 amber@markat.co.nz
SALES MANAGER Angela Elley - (03) 961 5184 sales@markat.co.nz
ACCOUNTS Louise Keates - (03) 961 5090 info@markat.co.nz
DISCLAIMER
This publication is provided on the basis that The Job Agency T|A Markat is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error or omission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby engaged in rendering advice or services. The Job Agency T|A Markat expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising Standards Authority Codes of Practice. Contents Copyright 2020 by The Job Agency T|A Markat. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission. You can read the full list of terms and conditions on: www.markat.co.nz/terms-conditions/ | www.markat.co.nz/competition-terms/
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Building back better
Climate action and the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery On February 14, 2023, Hawke’s Bay changed forever. Cyclone Gabrielle inflicted catastrophic levels of damage, destroying infrastructure, isolating communities, and sadly causing 11 fatalities. Months on, as the region realises its new normal, the recovery focus shifts to building back better.
Attribution initiative concluded that both the likelihood and severity of Cyclone Gabrielle were heightened by climate change. Principal climate scientist at Niwa, Sam Dean, says “Rainfall due to Cyclone Gabrielle was increased by 20 to 30 percent and was made three to four times more likely as a result of human emissions of greenhouse gasses.”
agencies and companies to improve the lives of Kiwis from any future negative climate change effects. Prof Suzanne Wilkinson is a Professor of Construction Management in the School for Built Environment at Massey University and one of three Build Back Better team members today. She
Cyclone Gabrielle was the deadliest cyclone and weather event to hit New Zealand since Cyclone Giselle in 1968. Subdivisions were flooded, infrastructure was ruined, and thousands were displaced. Countless families lost not only their homes, but also their sense of security and belonging. It’s also the costliest tropical cyclone on record in the Southern Hemisphere. Treasury estimates the cost could be up to $2 billion in the Hastings region alone, and $14.5 billion overall. Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson compared the price tag to the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. He also noted the tight labour market as a major rebuild challenge. Government quickly announced a Recovery Visa to stimulate workforce supply, much like pathways after the Canterbury and Kaikoura earthquakes. The labour shortage is just one of many rebuild difficulties, sustainability being another. A team from the World Weather
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“New Zealand is vulnerable to climate change in many ways,” Suzanne says. “Collaboration and community led decision making is central to building back better.” Per government’s first national adaptation plan (NAP) which considers the impacts of climate change, about one in seven people across the country live in flood-prone areas. This amounts to over $100 billion worth of residential buildings. In fact, a 2017 government report estimated $19 billion of property is at risk from increasing flooding and coastal erosion.
Resilience and capacities Building resilience is central to Build Back Better’s work. “If we can build resilience into our communities and strengthen our infrastructure, then they are better able to cope with the shocks and stresses they face,” Suzanne says.
The costliest tropical cyclone on record in the Southern Hemisphere. Treasury estimates the cost could be up to $2 billion in the Hastings region alone, and $14.5 billion overall. As the frequency of extreme weather events grows, so does the importance of rebuilding with resilience, safety, and sustainability in mind.
says events such as Cyclone Gabrielle are complex to manage and require a collaborative response across multiple agencies.
Build Back Better Aotearoa New Zealand formed over ten years ago to tackle this. The group of researchers and practitioners from universities nationwide work together to improve disaster recovery outcomes. They partner with
Communities and councils must work together and understand their risks and vulnerabilities, especially those in coastal areas which are vulnerable to loss of land from sea level rise and storm surges.
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These shocks can be earthquakes, floods, and other fast onset events, whereas stresses include the effects of sea level rise and other slow onset events. Resilience has two meanings for BRANZ’ principal social scientist Dr Casimir MacGregor; designing a resilient built environment, and instilling resilience in communities to address future disasters. He says third spaces such as marae and local courtyards are critically important for communities. “Social infrastructure is what holds communities together. “You think of the Navy ships
that came to help people after the Christchurch earthquake – we just assume that’s going to happen after an event. We need to give people the right funding and advice.” As for what building back better looks like, Suzanne says there are many options for future-proofing homes. For resilience, that means building extra strength into structures and privileging alternative, bio-based materials. For sustainability, it means using solar panels, low energy devices, and water and waste recycling and reuse systems. The cost and availability of these design choices, as well as skills shortages in the sector, all result in further setbacks. CanConstruct NZ is an MBIE-funded research and development programme that looks at construction industry workloads and sector capacities and capabilities. Suzanne and Casimir are just two of the many experts involved. Managing the strain that natural disasters put on the already under-pressure workforce
is key. CanConstruct NZ are working on a tool to predict uncertainty and resilience for events like natural disasters, Casimir says. Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce Development Council for construction and infrastructure, are looking at how to incorporate sustainability and zero carbon aspects into their qualifications too.
Alternative housing Casimir also leads BRANZ’ Transition to a zero-carbon built environment programme. He says we tend to overcomplicate zero-carbon issues, and that meeting targets comes down to good design decisions and managing waste. Everyone must have access to reverse logistics and waste management infrastructure. “For me it’s about product stewardship and thinking about designing out-waste.” Casimir says new builds carry about 3.6 times the carbon footprint they should if we are to meet the internationally agreed upon 1.5-degree climate target. Managing low embodied
carbon, maintaining strong operational efficiencies, and using low energy levels are just some of the strategies available. Other sustainable, low-carbon design elements to consider include smaller house sizes, incorporating passive solar design principles such as north-facing layouts and high insulation levels, and ensuring homes are well-placed; not too close to the ocean for instance. “The construction sector is taking climate change quite seriously, and we’re seeing a lot of people making great efforts to do that,” Casimir says. The Superhome Movement, and the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust (BRCT) climate safe home project are just some examples. The Superhome Movement is a network of industry experts that says New Zealand is 20 years behind the OECD in terms of building standards. They want to create transformative change in the industry and see Aotearoa homes in line with international socially sustainable practices.
“The price for a healthy, energy efficient home is only around two percent more than a standard build, but an energy efficient home will yield 10 times as much as a standard home over the life of the building,” their website reads. BRCT’s project saw a ‘transportable, modular, affordable eco-home’ created in Waitati, north of Dunedin. The efficient home is made of six Formance structural insulated panels and hooked to the Blueskin Energy Network. Demonstrating what highperforming homes look like helps consumers to envision a more sustainable future. Casimir says amendments to the Building Act – Homestar v5 from the Green Building Council (NZGBC) – also help make sustainable visions a reality. The updated Building Act now enables mandatory energy performance rating requirements for buildings, and waste minimisation plans for construction and demolition projects.
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Risk management in construction projects
Some of the most common risks and the most common ways of dealing with them Like anything in life, a construction project involves risk, and if you don’t manage that risk then there is a far greater chance that it will turn to custard. In fact, by their very nature, construction projects tend to be at the upper end of the risk spectrum. So we have a number of established mechanisms for managing risk in construction projects. The most effective of those is central government regulation and local government oversight. The Building Act, the Building Code, and various related pieces of legislation set minimum standards for construction and penalties for non-compliance. Building Consent Authorities are our specialist police force who supervise and enforce the observance of these minimum standards. And on top of that, the common law holds parties accountable if they are negligent. Many of those parties are insured, so their insurers try to get them to minimise their exposure as well. Faced with those potential penalties, asset owners and builders take logical steps to stay out of trouble. And so they hire qualified and experienced
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staff, and engage expert architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and the like, to avoid making serious mistakes. But that in itself isn’t enough, because if serious mistakes do happen, no-one is going to voluntarily own up to them. That is why you need another level of risk management, and that is the building contract, which is written primarily by construction lawyers. The purpose of that contract is to make it very clear who is responsible for what. If you don’t put the effort into doing that at the outset, then when
in comprehensive detail by competent professionals. Then have the project inspected periodically by those professionals, the engineer to the project, and the building consent authority. Knowing that defects are still going to emerge, contract for a lengthy defects notification period and a head contractor obligation to rectify notified defects promptly. In case the contractor fails to do so, insist on a third-party bond at the beginning of the project that can be called upon if that happens.
One of the functions of the building contract is to manage risk, and there are a number of ways to dealing with it. disputes arise, it is significantly more expensive and timeconsuming to sort out the rules retrospectively. One of the functions of the building contract is to manage risk, and there are a number of ways to dealing with it. Here are some of the most common risks, and the most common ways of dealing with them.
1. The building or facility does not meet the required standards The first safeguard is to have the building or facility designed
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As an added precaution, deduct retentions from progress payments and only release them on satisfactory rectification of the notified defects. Finally, obtain comprehensive warranties and guarantees that can be enforced up to 10 years after completion.
2. The project takes too long First, require the head contractor to submit and regularly update a chronological programme of when milestones are to be achieved. Then specify dates for commencement and
completion and strictly define the circumstances in which the contractor is entitled to extensions of time. Provide for liquidated damages to be paid for any unjustified delays. Contract for rights to require acceleration of the pace of work at a defined cost to the asset owner, and reserve rights to terminate the contract and bring in alternative contractors if progress is unsatisfactory.
3. The head contractor charges more than it is entitled to Have all payment claims scrutinised by the engineer to the contract, and reject any unjustified components. Respond to Construction Contracts Act payment claims with valid Construction Contracts Act payment schedules within the required timeframe, and resolve any disputes concerning payment promptly and cost-effectively.
4. The head contractor becomes insolvent or otherwise incapable of performing its obligations Obtain a third-party bond that can be called upon if the contractor defaults. Reserve rights to terminate the contract and bring in alternative contractors if progress is unsatisfactory. Obtain continuity guarantees from subcontractors and
building material suppliers so that they can be required to work for the asset owner directly.
5. The asset owner runs out of money Obviously this is a risk that affects both parties, but it is the head contractor who will want safeguards inserted into the contract. Those safeguards would be superfluous (and consequently unavailable) when the asset owner is a government agency or a well-established, financially sound private sector organisation. However, it’s a different story when you are dealing with a shaky developer. In that case the contractor can insist on a thirdparty bond that can be called upon if the principal defaults.
6. Force majeure events prevent the economic completion of the project These are risks that typically aren’t attributable to the acts
or omissions of either party, but rather to forces of nature or the intervention of some third party. Recent examples are the Auckland floods (where nature intervened), and Covid-19 (where the government intervened). These types of events sometimes sabotage the project completely (for example the building site slides down a cliff, or building on it becomes unlawful) – in which case it is known as frustration. But most commonly they just slow it up, and add cost. It may be that the head contractor is simply delayed unexpectedly, or it may be that the structure is damaged and has to be reinstated. The building contract can deal with this in a number of ways. For a start, events beyond the reasonable control of the contractor usually justify an extension of time, so at least liquidated damages don’t kick in. And sometimes the contract contains a force majeure clause which has much the same effect. Often the contract provides
that the flow-on effects of events like this are to be treated as a variation, which means the contractor qualifies not only for time relief, but also compensation for all the extra costs that arise as a result. The COVID-19 pandemic was a good example of that. Of course, events like this always cost someone – be it the asset owner or the contractor – and that is where insurance comes in. Contract works insurance covers damage that isn’t attributable to the acts or omissions of either party. Damage that is attributable to the acts or omissions of the contractor (whether the “victim” is the asset or owner, or some third party such as a neighbour), is covered by professional indemnity or public liability insurance. It is also common for the contractor to be required to insure critical items of plant and equipment.
Geoff Hardy Auckland commercial lawyer
Geoff Hardy has 46 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer and is a partner in the Auckland firm Martelli McKegg. He guarantees personal attention to new clients at competitive rates. His phone number is (09) 379 0700, fax (09) 309 4112, and e-mail geoff@martellimckegg.co.nz. This article is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice.
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Land prices and infrastructure development Planning for an uncertain future
The link between land prices and infrastructure, and the need to earmark land for future infrastructure, has been highlighted in two new research papers from Te Waihanga, the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission. Te Waihanga general manager strategy, Geoff Cooper, says land prices are, in part, an infrastructure issue. “On one hand, a shortage of infrastructure can limit
development opportunities in cities, contributing to higher prices. On the other hand, high land prices can make it costly and difficult to build infrastructure where and when it is needed.”
Urban land prices and infrastructure The first report, Urban land prices - a progress report, examines trends in urban land values between 2010/11 and 2020/21. Between 2010 and 2021, the difference between urban and rural land prices roughly
In some places, infrastructure may now be the main constraint to homebuilding. We know that the sector faces funding, financing, and workforce capacity challenges. And, costs to subdivide and service residential land are rising.
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doubled in nearly every large New Zealand city: Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Queenstown.
towards addressing challenges with housing supply and urban development, but urban land prices remain high,” Geoff says.
The report finds that infrastructure and planning costs are factors in these increases.
“In some places, infrastructure may now be the main constraint to homebuilding. We know that the sector faces funding, financing, and workforce capacity challenges. And, costs to subdivide and service residential land are rising.”
The exception is Christchurch, where land has remained more affordable which may possibly be due to changes to housing development and infrastructure following the 2011 Canterbury earthquake. “In recent years, New Zealand has made significant progress
Protecting land for infrastructure The second report, Protecting land for infrastructure: How to make good decisions when
we aren’t certain about the future, examines how we can manage the impact of rising land prices on infrastructure project delivery. It finds that designation or acquiring land for infrastructure in advance can make it cheaper and easier to build the infrastructure we need, from neighbourhood schools to major public transport routes. “Our current ‘wait and see’ approach often means that valuable infrastructure doesn’t get built at all. By the time we need a new school or a better transport route, the right sites for that infrastructure are gone - they’ve got houses built on them. “Planning ahead and protecting sites in advance can break that vicious cycle,” he says. Protecting land needed for future infrastructure keeps our options open and can be easily reversed - we can sell the land if it is ultimately not needed. “Developing infrastructure is a big investment and once built it will last for decades. Our findings suggest there are ways we can make better long-term infrastructure decisions - no matter what the future holds.”
obtaining an option to purchase, and wait and see.
• Advance site protection can be beneficial even when it is uncertain when, or if, a project will be built
Our findings suggest there are ways we can make better long-term infrastructure decisions - no matter what the future holds.
urban-zoned land was valued at a premium of nearly $1,300 per square metre relative to nearby rural-zoned land in 2020/21. This is up from a premium of less than $200 per square metre in 2010/11. Tauranga has a difference of $1,100 per square metre, while Wellington, Hamilton, and Queenstown have differences in the range of $400 to $500 per square metre. • Christchurch is the only city to experience declining ruralurban land value differences. In 2020/21 Christchurch had the lowest price premium for urban land - around $200 per square metre. While the reasons for this weren’t examined specifically, this is likely due to the impacts of the Canterbury earthquakes and subsequent rebuilding.
• Between 2010/11 and 2020/21, nearly every large New Zealand city, with the exception of Christchurch, experienced significant increases in the value of urban land relative to nearby rural land.
• These findings do not reflect the impact of the 2020 National Policy Statement on Urban Development and the 2021 Medium Density Residential Standards, which are expected to reduce pressure on land prices but which were not fully implemented by councils until after the end of our analysis period.
For instance, in 2010, Auckland’s urban land values were 2.1 times higher than the value of adjacent rural land. By 2021, this ratio had risen to 4.4.
Key point from Protecting land for infrastructure: How to make good decisions when we aren’t certain about the future
• In dollar terms, this has been a significant increase. In Auckland,
• This paper identifies and tests methods that can potentially
Key points from Urban land prices - a progress report
These case studies show that:
Developing infrastructure is a big investment and once built it will last for decades.
• In some cases, advance site protection may need to occur decades before projects are built
be used to determine when advance site protection is warranted in New Zealand. • It models different scenarios using case studies of advance site protection for a small project - a school for a growing suburb - and a large project - a major rail line extension.
• A ‘wait and see’ approach to land acquisition often means that needed infrastructure doesn’t get built • Analysing uncertainty is a powerful tool to decisionmakers, but more guidance would be needed to put this into practice.
In each case study, we considered three broad options for acquiring land to build the project: advance purchase,
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Navigating your finances
- tips from a veteran tradie April marks the start of a new financial year in New Zealand; a year we hope to navigate with more clarity than the one just passed. If tackling the financial specifics of the year wasn’t already a timely and complex process, considering the wage subsidies and changing legislations enforced as a result of the pandemic can be that much more confusing. However, mastering money and making the end of financial year reporting a more seamless process doesn’t have to feel so out of reach. Seeking advice from a professional, staying on top of changing regulations and leveraging the right platforms will help business owners avoid the typical pitfalls that many fall victim to when trying to navigate the world of tax.
For those organising finances this year, here are a few common pitfalls to be mindful of.
The secret behind GST It’s not uncommon for small businesses to overlook the role they play in collecting taxes. The nearly unavoidable GST known as a consumption tax, is one that the end user is entitled to pay, with the role for businesses simply being to collect it and pass it on. However, for small business owners with tight cash flow, it’s easy to see that money as their own. A great way to avoid the mix up is by creating a bank account for solely transfering GST money into. Typically, GST over the past year will be pretty consistent, making it easy to work out a weekly sum that can be put into the GST account each week. This will ensure that there’s always GST on hand to pay when it’s due.
It’s not uncommon for small businesses to overlook the role they play in collecting taxes. The nearly unavoidable GST - known as a consumption tax - is one that the end user is entitled to pay, with the role for businesses simply being to collect it and pass it on. However, for small business owners with tight cash flow, it’s easy to see that money as their own.
PAYE and Holiday obligations Pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax and employee holiday pay are can easily be calculated incorrectly, causing serious implications by the end of the financial year. This is, in large part, due to the fact that this money is considered part of an employee’s wage. If paid incorrectly, it can be classified as theft. Similar to creating a ‘GST-only’ account, a good way to stay on top of PAYE and holiday obligations is to work with an accountant to put the necessary funds away each pay cycle. These funds will account for employees’ paid days off work including annual leave, public holidays, and sick days. Given the large margin for error, more companies are opting to outsource their payroll to reliable online platforms to ensure this is taken care of properly.
Prioritise regular invoicing EOFY is a great time to reflect on the overall reporting processes used in the previous year, and strategise on how best to approach the new year ahead. A large part of this might lie within the overall cash collection and invoicing process. This holds especially true for small businesses in the trades sector. As a rule of thumb, it is crucial to ensure that invoicing is completed on a daily basis. This will make the rest of the financial logistics,
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Dan Pollard Founder, Fergus
such as GST organisation and holiday and PAYE planning, much easier to stay on top of. Tax management for small businesses is no easy feat, and has the potential to become quite complicated when factoring in the changing government subsidies, employee wages and business requirements. However, organising finances more proactively throughout the year can prove beneficial in the long-term. That mindset, coupled with the right tools and financial experts will ensure that business owners aren’t entirely overwhelmed by the time tax season rolls around. About Dan Pollard, founder of Fergus job management software for trades and service businesses Plumber turned tech entrepreneur, Dan launched Fergus in 2014. Having done the hard yards as a plumber for over 20 years, Dan was determined to come up with an easier way to manage the end-to-end operations of his trades business.
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Estimating ...how long the job will take How often have you quoted a job but ended up losing on it, because the hours blew out? It happens to everyone once in a while… but get this wrong too often and you won’t be very profitable. Even the big players in our industry get this wrong more than they’d like to admit… Fletchers got in trouble with overruns on a number of their major projects. It cost them millions. Did you know: The Sydney Opera House was completed a massive 10 years behind schedule! Clearly when you want to make money on your jobs, it’s very important to accurately estimate how much time they will take. If you’ve ever wondered why your quotes don’t work out, this is a good starting point. Research shows only 17 percent of the population can accurately estimate how much time a job or task will take. Basically, we’re all optimists. We tend to believe the future will be better than the past. If only 17 percent can estimate time correctly, that means 83 percent are getting it wrong. Mistakes include: • Failing to consider how long it’s taken us to complete similar tasks in the past (science calls this = planning fallacy)
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• Assuming that we won’t run into any complications that will cause delays (science calls this = optimism bias). There are a lot of moving parts in a business and if you often underestimate hours on jobs, or don’t allow for unexpected curve balls, you won’t make the margin you need to. Achieving target margins consistently on every job is key when it comes to being profitable. Let’s not forget: When costs exceed what you quoted, that cold hard cash comes directly out of your pocket. In very real terms, that means less income for you + stressful cashflow. And that is all kinds of bad, especially for a family business. Plus, cashflow headaches are the #1 reason for going broke. So how can the average tradie business owner override their planning fallacy and optimism bias?
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The secret is to be dealing with concrete numbers. They make things very black and white, allowing for smarter decision-making. That’s the kind of strategic thinking required for both quick wins and long term success. I’ve worked with hundreds of tradie businesses and I can tell you: It’s amazing the insights you can get from a simple deep dive into the numbers when you know what to look for (most don’t). Yes, one important part of this is back-costing (checking all costs – including time/labour - on previous jobs to see how your quote stacked up against what actually happened). To do this, you first need to be working with the right project management software, time tracking app or system, for your specific business. Then, the main thing is, use a structure - so back-costing is easy and doesn’t take all day!
Especially important if you run multiple jobs and have a large team. Revisit regularly and make sure you are charging enough. The trick is to then actually deploy this historical data and turn it into increased accuracy on your next job. When I assist clients in the business coaching process to really look at their previous jobs, they can see exactly where they’re losing money on under-quoting. From then on, everything becomes much easier. Be sure to use a pricing formula so you have certainty that your price is fair. Not too low that you won’t make money. Not too high that you’ll be priced out (or if you are, you can walk away confident, knowing the margin was not enough – you don’t work for free). Using a formula also means you price consistently
I’ve worked with hundreds of tradie businesses and I can tell you: It’s amazing the insights you can get from a simple deep dive into the numbers - when you know what to look for (most don’t).
regardless of whether you’re feeling optimistic, tired, are desperate for work for your team, or have too much on already. Include your “fudge ratio” calculation and buffer percentage to build in extra hours for delivery delays, staff absences, weather, etc. Finally, you need a strong gross profit margin. A “good” margin to add on top varies for each company, depending on your overheads and industry. So it’s important to know what is a good
margin percentage to be aiming at for you, in your market. Although, if it’s not at least 20 percent, I’d encourage you to make some adjustments right away. Anything under this and you won’t be able to cover overheads and still make the profits you need to maintain a successful business. By the way, studies also show that while we’re generally bad at estimating how long it takes us to do the job, we’re quite good at estimating how much time the job will take when others are doing the work.
So harnessing the talents and objectivity of someone outside your immediate team (like a QS) could be a smart move. Ultimately, accurate predictions and back-costing effectively ensures you will achieve the target margins you need, become more profitable, and grow safely, even with the variables, and any bias you may have. Tweaks like this in profitability and productivity typically get my clients return-on-investment
Daniel Fitzpatrick Next Level Tradie
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The truth about supply and payment chains As the NZ Construction Contracts Act celebrated 20 years, Tony Simonsen draws insights from legal expert Nick Gillies to reveal the truth about trust in supply and payment chains. As we hit the 20-year anniversary of the Construction Contracts Act in New Zealand, we’re reminded of the ongoing issues within the sector around payments and trust, which can be alleviated with simple solutions already widely available.
The reality of New Zealand’s lack of compliance in the face of the Construction Contracts Act Working with construction lawyers such as Nick Gillies, Partner at the Hesketh Henry law firm, it becomes very clear that despite the fact we’ve hit a milestone with the Construction Contracts Act, there’s still a surprising lack of understanding about what the Act requires, as well as the tangible benefits and potential detriment of it. Ultimately, the Act is designed to benefit the entire industry right through the supply chain and support better cash flow. It aims to stop the traditional habit of withholding payment without a valid reason, and encourage better, more transparent practices between parties. It does this in a few key methods: by protecting retention money held under
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contracts, creating a fair and balanced payment regime process, providing adjudication for faster resolution of disputes, and providing enforcement mechanisms to recover debts due. Nick shared with us how the Act works on the ground and the phenomenon known as ‘sudden death’. He says, “How this works is that with each payment round, which is usually monthly, each party essentially has one opportunity to get it right. So, if you’re the payee, say a subcontractor looking to be paid from your
you’re required to issue a valid payment schedule in response. If you fail to do that, you’re unable to make any adjustments to the claimed amount and are required legally to pay the full amount that’s being claimed, even if you don’t agree with the amount. You have to pay the sum now and argue the point later.”
The role of Form 1 and the downside to manual processes
Recognising the number of inconsistencies and lack of compliance, in 2015 the New Zealand Government made it compulsory to include what’s
What often trips people up is not having a clear policy and a consistent, methodical, systemised approach.
head contractor, you have one opportunity that month to ensure you get a valid payment claim in on time.
known as Form 1 with every payment claim, instead of only requiring this for residential construction contracts.
“This sets out what you think that you’re entitled to be paid for that month. If you don’t meet the specific requirements set out in the Act for having a valid payment claim, then you can’t get the safeguards of the Act and under your contract you may not be entitled to be paid anything for that month. So, it’s sudden death for the payee in that respect.
The simple, pro forma explanatory note is a twopage document that includes the processes for responding to the payment claim, and the consequences of not responding to or paying a claimed or scheduled amount.
“For the payer, when you receive a payment claim
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It’s geared towards ensuring greater transparency and includes the most basic requirements that are commonly missing or deficient in payment claims. Without this form, the
submitter can’t enforce their claimed amount. As Nick points out, it’s common for parties to have forgotten this form or have not even realised they needed to include it. Such a recurring and easily fixable issue brings us to the downside of manual processes, and the role of software and technology. Nick commented, “The preparation of payment claims, and the creation of payment schedules and processes is typically very manual, and each organisation will have its own different documentation and way of doing it. “For instance, they will have their own spreadsheet that they created, possibly some years ago, which they keep reusing as a base. “Each organisation, and sometimes each individual, will have their own base document. Because of this, there is often a huge amount of inconsistency between organisations and within organisations, as well as individuals. “What often trips people up is not having a clear policy and a consistent, methodical, systemised approach,” Nick says. The lack of understanding about technology available, and resistance to change, means that organisations are continuing to use out-of-date methods such as Excel or Word docs, and haven’t moved far from carbon copies.
To step away from manual methods may seem daunting, but in fact is necessary if an organisation is to thrive during uncertain times.
This leaves them open to errors and means they’re unable to take advantage of the Construction Contracts Act and ensure they’re getting paid correctly.
and using digital tools is the structure and systematisation it brings, where you must input the necessary detail. This should save a lot of time, a lot of grief, and improve efficiency.
Using software that requires even basic information such as dates, and flags incomplete information, is already a significant step forward in generating better compliance and trust between stakeholders. Nick concludes that, “The main benefit that I can see from technological improvements
“When it comes to productivity, New Zealand is notoriously poor. “And a good example of this is the time and energy that goes into creating manual payment claims and schedules, some of which can change month to month. So that’s where I see the main gains from technology.”
Construction organisations must realise that software investments have the potential to not only enhance operations, but to ease simple processes where an error can be costly and detrimental to projects and stakeholder relationships.
Tony Simonsen Chief operating officer Payapps
To step away from manual methods may seem daunting, but in fact is necessary if an organisation is to thrive during uncertain times.
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Sharpen up your communication
How to adapt and thrive in times of change It’s said the only constant in life is change and this applies to all aspects of our lives -especially the working environment.
For example:
With change comes new opportunities, particularly as different industries recover and reset after the disruption of the last few years, or tackle new environmental and economic challenges.
Anticipate problems and pitfalls
As we now know, change can come at us really fast and when it does, we have to rapidly change focus and the way we do things.
• Information overload
People’s roles may need to change; you may have to lay off staff or hire new employees, or diversify your products and services to keep your business afloat.
Expect change
• Changes to policies and procedures • Staff changes and role expectations • Environmental changes, supply chain issues.
While countless books have been written on this topic, here are a few common pitfalls that see communications fail: • Poor timing, wrong channel • Lack of process documentation and training • Unclear or mixed messages creating confusion. So how do you know if the quality of the communication in your organisation is fit for purpose?
Whatever your circumstances, whether you are looking at scaling up, downsizing, streamlining operations or diversifying, clear communication ensures people know where they stand and what is expected of them.
A good place to start is by reviewing the systems, processes and channels you currently use to identify what works well, and what could be improved. And as you do so, consider some worst case scenarios you might encounter to help you avoid potential pitfalls, for example:
And while it’s impossible to predict exactly what upcoming changes and challenges will look like, you can anticipate the different types of information you might need to address.
• Systems access gets lost when a staff member keeps business passwords in a personal notebook and forgets to pass them on when they leave
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• People save files locally to their desktop instead of in the centralised file management system, which means that others waste valuable time tracking information down • Unclear sales and customer service processes result in multiple people contacting the same client, giving them mixed messages; or conversely, nobody contacts them at all. This can impact the quality of the customer
experience, damage your reputation and cost you money • Lack of documented induction and training processes sees new staff come on board and make things up on the fly in a way that misaligns with your goals, values or organisational culture • People leave your business expressing frustration which reflects poorly on your reputation as an employer.
Turn gaps into opportunities Taking the time to identify gaps can also provide opportunities to improve your organisational productivity and culture. For example: • Improving the user experience for your systems and processes so people know how to get the best out of them. This can free up their energy to improve customer satisfaction • Ensuring there are processes in place that enable people to deal with situations as they arise
ignored. And if you are sharing information that will have a personal impact on people, it’s vitally important that you use a suitable channel and approach that reflects empathy and care. Seeking feedback will give you a sense of how communication flows and you might be surprised how a small change can make a big difference.
Provide clarity However you choose to communicate in times of change, make sure that you provide clarity and assurance to people. Important aspects to include:
strategy and goals for the next 12 months. Talk to people, review the systems across a range of areas to make sure you have a clear communication plan. That way, should change come at you fast, you’ll be ready to get the message across to your team. Increasing the effectiveness of your communication will make your business more resilient to future changes so you can adapt quickly. So, what can you do to turn these gaps into opportunities?
Rob Clarke CEO of Learning Architects
Some people will be happy to be given a taste of what’s on the horizon and told where they can find information as/when they need it. Others will prefer to receive, digest and reflect on as much information as they can access, particularly in times of change.
• Identifying ways to improve relationships with suppliers or vendors • People leaving your organisation can attest to having/had a positive experience, potentially becoming an advocate, helping you attract new talent. Consider different communication styles. It’s essential to consider the different communication needs of team members. Some people will be happy to be given a taste of what’s on the horizon and told where they can find information as/when they need it. Others will prefer to receive, digest and reflect on as much information as they can access, particularly in times of change. Similarly, you need to consider and select the most effective method and channel so that messages are not inadvertently overlooked or intentionally
• A big picture overview to give context • Details and steps to give guidance • Emotional assurance to give certainty • Expectations of timelines so people get the information they need. Provide information in a timely manner via suitable channels so they can understand issues in a way that makes sense to them.
Plan for change No two organisations are alike when it comes to communication needs, especially in times of change. However, poor communication can cause numerous problems in every organisation, so it’s crucial that your internal communication channels are robust and fit for purpose. As the end of the year approaches, look ahead and prioritise the areas for improvement based on your
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For the love of sheds Whether you’re in need of a new garage, the next step for your business, or a bespoke custom residential or commercial design, the team at Affordable Sheds want their clients to love their sheds as much as they love building them. Affordable Sheds specialise in residential sheds, sleepouts, dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings, offering turnkey solutions to cater for clients’ unique preferences. With a combined 30 years’ experience in the building industry, owners Russell Pickering and Rewa Pomare lead a dedicated team of eleven; five qualified builders,
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Making Kiwi homes stronger The Earthquake Commission (EQC) is celebrating a triumph of research that has helped New Zealand homes become much stronger, and could soon become part of many current building designs. The engineering breakthrough stems back to the Canterbury earthquakes when BRANZ engineer, Dr Angela Liu, observed that new or architecturallydesigned homes with mixed bracing had suffered significantly more damage than older traditionally built houses. “You’d expect modern homes to be stronger, so it just didn’t add up, and EQC supported me to investigate why these houses were so badly damaged,” says Dr Liu, who examined the causes for the substantially damaged houses by using existing testing data and carrying out desktop studies. The results of her EQCfunded research identified the bracing issues and led to
formal design guidance for specifically designed bracing systems in light timberframed residential buildings, which was published in 2015. Through Dr Liu’s perseverance in presenting her results to peers and at conferences, the 2015 guidance gradually became the informal compliance pathway for seismic design of houses with specifically designed bracing systems. EQC’s research manager, Dr Natalie Balfour, says the work by Dr Liu and her BRANZ team is a great example of how engineering research can have a real impact on the resilience of New Zealand homes. “This is the reason why EQC invests in earthquake engineering research, as this science has a tangible impact on protecting New Zealand properties and people,” she says. Dr Liu’s research is already having wide impact across the country, resulting in the building of stronger homes and providing greater
resilience against damage from natural hazards. “The 2015 EQC/BRANZ guidance has had wide impact, having been taken up by professional engineers and territorial authorities across the country,” says Dr Liu. “In 2020 it was also used to develop the good practice document ‘Residential Portal Frames’ published by Engineering NZ and the Engineering General Practitioners Group. This has further helped the industry to make use of our guidance.” It is also likely to feature in the NZS 3604 document that is used to design homes and sets out the compliance pathway for many of New Zealand’s timber-frames buildings, which is currently in the process of being updated. Dr Balfour says it is rare for research to be adopted into practice and compliance in such a short timeframe, due to the complexities and timing in connecting research to policy and practice.
Dr Angela Liu BRANZ engineer
This is the reason why EQC invests in earthquake engineering research, as this science has a tangible impact on protecting New Zealand properties and people.
“This is a great result for New Zealand, and it is our goal to continue to see natural hazard resilience embedded in all aspects of decision-making for our communities.”
Specifically designed bracing systems in light timber-framed residential buildings.
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The cheque’s in the mail
Rethinking construction payment processes to boost productivity and limit risk The construction industry has been on a path of digital evolution for the past few years, with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), reality capture, and autonomous vehicles increasingly being implemented across businesses to optimise efficiency and reduce time-investment. But while there’s effort to integrate new technologies on ground at the construction site, businesses tend to often overlook the potential use of technologies in the back-office. Here are four reasons companies may benefit from
rethinking their construction payment processes to increase productivity and limit risk.
The move to digital means more efficiency and control By replacing traditional payment processes with modern solutions, companies can boost efficiency and control – for all stakeholders – across invoicing, payment, and compliance management. Ultimately this can reduce risk as a general contractor, owner, or subcontractor, while also freeing up teams’ time to focus on activities that are more beneficial to your business. A collaborative payment management solution not only helps manage the payment
and billing processes across project participants, it also can forge better, more lasting partnerships in the industry by providing assurance everyone is paid fairly and on time. Such technology can streamline the payment process for construction companies of all sizes by managing payment due dates and related actions, as well as improving accuracy. It also eliminates inefficiencies and a slew of risks, including human error, improper payments, and liens that prevent the clean handover of a project to the owner. It is essential that the industry adopts innovative processes which ensure that increasing demands can be met.
Collaboration means convenience Investing in payment management solutions is an effective way for construction firms to maintain strong relationships with subcontractors. This is because they can quickly pay subcontractors who have immediate cash flow needs. Promptly disbursing payments can help create a partnership of convenience and trust - making it far more likely that subcontractors will accommodate their needs when necessary. However, firms can’t take a half-measure approach to automated payments. It’s no use if some jobs remain on an older manual system, while others are on the new system. This can easily cause confusion and stall collaboration and progress. To truly maximise efficiencies, there is no better approach than going all-in with implementation. Automated payment solutions also enable team members to collaborate within one shared environment. With all parties using the same collaboration platform, owners, general contractors, and subcontractors all need visibility into compliance and payment status. As a result, they can anticipate and collaboratively address potential issues before they grow into pressing problems.
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Advanced technologies can result in fewer errors In addition to strengthening relationships and ironing out inefficiencies, automated payment solutions can help companies eliminate manual steps and miscalculations. This can be done by automatically generating accurate invoice documents linked to schedules of value, for example. Plus, they can help firms centralise the tracking of compliance and lien waiver management, alongside other important documents and reporting.
This helps streamline these crucial tasks, and it prevents further safeguards against risk to all stakeholders.
New systems can increase visibility Additionally, firms can implement a standardised cloud-based system for financial processes across their ERP and accounting system, which can provide support reports, dashboards, and analytics. This enables firms to capture and analyse payment data across their business, providing a more strategic current state of affairs, and helping answer
Automated payment solutions also enable team members to collaborate within one shared environment.
questions delivered to them when and how they want them. In all, these modern approaches to payment solutions can help mitigate financial, legal, or reputational risk, while improving cash flow. Ultimately, this improved cash flow also allows organisations to more predictably meet payroll, hire, and invest in their business. As construction sites continue to incorporate cutting-edge technology to help teams complete projects in a safer, more streamlined way than ever possible before, it simply makes sense to further modernise the payments process as well. It can provide all stakeholders with peace of mind by helping put an end to those pesky
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paper-driven office tasks that are already being eliminated with cutting-edge technology on the job site.
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Balancing acts
How technology enables and restricts employees The New Zealand Productivity Commission (Te Kōmihana Whai Hua o Aotearoa) advises the Government on the best ways employees can be productive to support wellbeing and how technology benefits, but also disbenefits, the workplace. The commission is an independent Crown Entity that started in 2011 after the New Zealand Productivity Commission Act was passed in 2010. The commission conducts inquiries on topics the Government suggests, investigates how the topic can improve productivity over time, and lets the Government know the underlying issues involved.
The Government requested the commission to conduct an inquiry regarding technological change, disruption, and the future of work. The commission wrote a final report with recommendations on how to improve productivity and support people’s wellbeing by understanding the benefits and disadvantages of technology in the workplace. The benefits: • Technology creates many jobs for people, rather than replaces jobs • There isn’t much sign of an emerging technological disruption • Aotearoa needs more advanced technology, as it benefits the economy and workplace productivity • Aotearoa is well-placed for faster technology adoption in some areas - Aotearoa’s policy settings generally support
The Government requested the commission to conduct an inquiry regarding technological change, disruption, and the future of work.
openness to ideas, goods, services, investment and skills. The disadvantages: • Important skill levels in schools are decreasing • Due to the housing crisis it’s hard for some workers to move to better jobs • Businesses in general lack dynamism compared to other countries • Aotearoa should build on its strengths and address its weaknesses: • Policy changes could be created to prepare Kiwi individuals for the future of work, making training more flexible and accessible • Improve and increase the amount of careers advice and employment support that’s available • Address the school system performance • Update employment law to make people more aware of how technology is changing some workplaces and make it easier for employers (like contractors) to gain benefits like insurance and training opportunities. Read more about what the commission found when completing its inquiry here: www.productivity.govt.nz/ inquiries/technology-and-thefuture-of-work.
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To conclude - technology matters for productivity and wellbeing, but also impacts the future of work. Firstly, the country is flexible, very skilled, and has a lot of support for people who can provide goods, services, data, ideas, technologies, and investments. However, Aotearoa also has its disadvantages that limit people’s ability to adopt technology in the future and/or make it harder for some people to adapt to the technological changes. For instance, there’s a poorer socio-economic disadvantage for minorities such as Māori and Pasifika communities, and Aotearoa (by international standards) seems less enthusiastic about emerging technologies impacting Aotearoa’s social and economic aspects. A link to the final report can be found here: www. productivity.govt.nz/assets/ Documents/223e187413/At-aglance_Technological-changeand-future-of-work.pdf
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Staying on track Getting your head around goals
Setting goals is all about starting and heading into another year on the right track. Yes, when you reached the end of 2022, you could look back and be proud of all you accomplished. This moment of proud reflection, needs to be just that – a moment – before turning your attention to the year ahead. According to Health Navigator New Zealand, having a goal helps motivate you and gives you direction in general everyday life. “You may have one goal or several and they may be short or long-term. Whatever you’re aiming to achieve, it’s never too late to start.” They also suggest research shows setting goals and working towards them can contribute to your overall happiness. There are many different strategies to set goals. Start with deciding what your goals are by doing a self-
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There are many different strategies to set goals. Start with deciding what your goals are by doing a self-journaling session or creating a vision board. Writing down your goals and developing a plan on how you will achieve them is an important part of the goal setting process.
journaling session or creating a vision board. Writing down your goals and developing a plan on how you will achieve them is an important part of the goal setting process. Health Navigator New Zealand says, “Writing your goals down helps clarify what you want to achieve and increases your chances of sticking to them”. They also suggest that, “You may encounter setbacks on your journey towards achieving your goals. The key is to not give up. “If you hit a roadblock or something isn’t working, you can always try a different
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approach or re-adjust some of the steps [if needed] in order to achieve your goal.”
SMART goals Breaking down your goals into measurable stages will help you feel as if you can achieve them in a timely manner. Using the acronym SMART is one way to help stay on track. Goals which are achievable and realistic means you are more-likely to be self-motivated to strive for achievement throughout the year.
know exactly what you are working towards. Breaking this down can also help with feeling overwhelmed when wanting to set your mind to a task. Measurable - Ensuring you have a plan on how you can measure your goals is important. Facing the dreaded feeling of not moving forward can be disheartening. Measuring your goals in steps means the outcome will feel possible. Achievable - This is not to say you can’t ‘reach for the stars’ with your goals, but ask yourself if they are achievable within your current circumstances. What changes do you need to implement in your day-to-day life to ensure you stay on track?
SMART goals are:
Realistic - Similar to Achievable here! You could travel but how much do you need to save? Want to eat healthier? You might need to buy less dinners out. Be realistic with yourself and know goals require consistent and realistic effort.
Specific -Make sure your goals are specific enough so you
Timely - Putting a timeframe on your goals can help motivate
you. If goals are set too far in the future, they may feel impossible to complete. Or, if you don’t allow yourself enough time you may feel unaccomplished. Finding the right balance with time and goal setting is key here. Reviewing goals periodically means you keep revisiting and reflecting on your progress. Keep on track with your goals by being honest with yourself about what stage you’re at throughout the year. All of the SMART goal strategies work together to ensure you’re well on your way to accomplishing your goals and dreams. Be realistic with yourself about how you will work towards them and you’ll be one step
mean achieving your goal will feel that much more satisfying.
This place a high level of importance on doing what we find to be intrinsically motivating or working from what is inherently rewarding.
closer to them coming true before you know it. Self-determination theory Health Navigator New Zealand says, “Setting goals that draw on personal motivations produces greater confidence in our ability to change and greater sense of ownership over the process”. Personalising your goals to suit your personal motivations is one way to ensure you pick the right goals and they ‘stick’.
“The importance of ownership for personal motivation is captured nicely in what is known as the self-determination theory of motivation. “This place a high level of importance on doing what we find to be intrinsically motivating or working from what is inherently rewarding.”
Throughout the year make sure to look after all aspects of your hauora wellbeing including mental and physical health. Goal setting should be a positive experience where you can take time to understand what you envision your year to look like. Setting goals in the New Year can be daunting and exciting. Looking ahead into the future can feel impossible but with small, consistent steps, you will be able to see change in your life.
Selecting goals which come from a place of personal value over external validation will also
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Keeping your storage secure The Roof Rack Centre are here for all your roof rack needs. They know roof racks inside out and stock leading brands. Andy and his team are specialists in finding the best choice for your vehicle, along with the easiest option for loading up your roof rack using a wide variety of accessories.
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For nearly 30 years Roof Rack centre has been selling and fitting roof racks to carry awkward loads such as timber, pipes, plywood, skis, roof top tents, kayaks, canoes, bikes and more. Their technicians are specialists in fitting roof racks and ensure they’re fitted correctly, giving you peace of
The sales team and technicians are easy to talk to and will help you choose the correct roof rack to secure your valuable gear. There is piece of mind in knowing your personal stuff is locked, out of sight from any dubious people who might want to break a window to get
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Wellington’s top tyre shop
In 2013, after 15 years as a tyre manager in his family business - CPA, Hayden Fawcett established Grip Tyres & Wheels (GTW). Today Grip Tyres & Wheels is one of Wellington’s leading wheel and tyre specialists. With a passion for delivering unparalleled performance and style on the road he envisioned GTW as a destination where excellence meets affordability. That excellence begins with exceptional customer service. The team at GTW are knowledgeable and friendly, dedicated to providing expert guidance and personalised solutions.
Services offered include: • • • • • • • • •
Puncture repair Wheel alignment Brakes New tyres Alloy wheels Steel wheels Suspension Used tyres Alloygator rim protectors
From selecting the right tyre for your vehicle to helping you
choose wheels that enhance both performance and style, they are here to ensure your satisfaction at every step. Whether you’re navigating city streets or exploring off-road terrains, GTW is your trusted partner for any journey. As for affordability, GTW sets themselves apart by importing wheels and tyres directly from the factories in the USA and China. This direct relationship allows them to cut out the middlemen and provide their
customers with competitive pricing without compromising on quality. As they continue to grow and innovate, GTW remains dedicated to Hayden’s vision of providing a driving experience that exceeds expectations. If you’re looking to improve your car’s performance or simply need to replace worn out tyres, call in and see the team at GTW.
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The go-to glass experts This distinguished company has carved a niche for itself by transforming spaces into captivating environments through the artistry of glass. In the arena of commercial glazing, Designer Glass crafts visual narratives that seamlessly integrate with modern aesthetics while meeting the demands of various business landscapes. From sleek office spaces to enticing shop entrances that serve as alluring gateways to retail realms, the company’s commercial glazing
solutions stand as testaments to innovative design thinking. Residential spaces find a harmonious partner in Designer Glass, where the integration of glass becomes an art form. Using energy efficient windows to provide panoramic views, and showers become serene sanctuaries, enclosed in seamless glass elegance. The company’s commitment to residential glazing extends to balustrades that offer both safety and style with not only glass but aluminium, or a
mixture of both. Mirrors that add a touch of sophistication and elevates residential spaces by bringing the outside in, allowing natural light to dance across rooms and creating an ambiance of openness. What defines Designer Glass is not just its aesthetic finesse but its relentless pursuit of innovation. The company’s team of designers and tradesmen continually explore new technologies and materials, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable with glass. This forward-thinking approach ensures that each project is not merely a
reflection of contemporary design trends but a visionary glimpse into the future of architectural possibilities. In essence, Designer Glass emerges as a leading light in the realm of glazing, seamlessly blending artistry, functionality, and innovation in both commercial and residential spaces. From showers that embody serenity to shop entrances that invite exploration with an unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability. Contact the team at Designer Glass today on 022 630 3255.
Designer Glass
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Specialising in all things Glass Expert glass consulting services for all your glass and glazing needs Designer Glass specialise in the following glass services to both commercial and residential projects as well as providing consulting for all types of glass and glazing. + Showers
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Ian Crooks • 022 630 3255 • designerglasslimited@gmail.com
www.designerglass.nz www.elevatemagazine.co.nz
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Preparing the future workforce
Maintaining a pipeline of skilled workers In this article I am reflecting on what Waihanga Ara Rau has achieved in what can only be described as changing times for both the industry and vocational education. Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce and Development Council (WDC) for Construction and Infrastructure was established in October 2021. I am pleased to report on our progress and engagement with you. Much of our first year was about getting our systems set up, our people on board, our culture embedded and establishing relationships with you, our industry. We have achieved that and so much more as we round out our second year of operation.
The pressure is on Skills shortages in construction and infrastructure do not appear to be diminishing any time soon. We have record employment across the economy and the shortages are similar in other countries. Many countries are all competing for the same workers. We also have a declining birth rate and an ageing population. The combination of these factors is a perfect storm putting pressure on the sector to maintain a pipeline of skilled workers. Together, we need to make sure that workplaces and communities are attractive and
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welcoming in this new world of work, particularly if migrants are going to help at all. Also adding pressure are adverse weather events which add to the volume of work immensely. While evaluation is ongoing, early predictions after the recent cyclone and flood events are that the repair and rebuilding expenses will amount to approximately $6.3 billion while evaluation is ongoing. For many construction
delays and cost increases, consents are also down 25 percent in March 2023 compared to the same time last year, indicating a slowdown in residential construction activity.
Preparing the future workforce Attracting people to the industry is all well and good, but we also need to make sure that they are supported, prepared and work-ready before they are hired.
We are also focused on helping the industry prepare for the future and recognising emerging skill requirements across our sector. We are working on creating new qualifications and standards for industry groups where no qualifications have previously existed, including Site Traffic Systems Management and Underground Utility Location.
businesses, the last two years have been a frustrating cocktail of lockdowns, other project delays, labour and skill shortages, capacity constraints, disrupted supply chains, materials shortages, and sharply rising costs. The boom-bust-cycle nature of the construction industry means that businesses are more susceptible to cash flow issues. As a result, construction companies could face more pressure from a mix of project
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If newcomers understand what to expect on the job and have already developed a keen interest in the type of work they will be doing and what they will be learning, then it becomes highly likely they will be content and stay in the sector. Getting some elementary skills on board before entering the industry also helps. This is where trade academies and work preparation courses can fit in.
Philip Aldridge Chief executive, Waihanga Ara Rau, Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council
We also need to raise aspirations and narrow the skills and diversity gap. To achieve this, we will need to disrupt the way that companies engage with the pipeline of talent and provide people with the tools to challenge stereotypes. What we keep hearing from employers is that they cannot find the right people to hire. This signals that we must help a wide range of people get ready for the industry and support them to become the right people to hire by shining a light on the future world of work. We need to do this together by making sure the construction and infrastructure sector are an attractive proposition with genuine career prospects and opportunities for everyone to succeed. Attracting more ākonga (students), rangatahi (young adults) and pakeke (career changers) to the industry and into vocational education programmes will take a team effort by industry, industry associations, education providers, government ministries/organisations, including Waihanga Ara Rau, and schools.
Retaining talented workers The retention of skilled workers in construction and infrastructure is indeed a challenge. Waihanga Ara Rau is committed to helping industry address this issue. One key approach is to foster supportive and inclusive work environments. By supporting developing leaders, cultural competency and the well-being and safety of employees, employers can build culture, diversity, reduce burnout and promote positive work-life balance. Offering opportunities for career advancement is another strategy that can be employed. By investing in the growth and development of skilled workers through higher-level training, business owners can aim to enhance job satisfaction which
in turn increases commitment. Businesses should strive to create work environments that not only attract skilled workers but also motivate them to build long-term careers.
Making qualifications and standards fit for purpose
The time it takes to become qualified should be consistent as well as assessment decisions.
Waihanga Ara Rau is responsible for the lifecycle of 149 qualifications, and 2,822 unit standards across 57 industries in the construction and infrastructure sector. We have embraced this huge programme of work to make sure all qualifications remain relevant and meet industry needs. With the help of industry, we have improved the relevance of more than 1,200 standards and over 40 qualifications in the first 18 months of our operation.
This is one of the main goals of the reform of vocational education and our assurance team is working in close partnership with industry, vocational education providers and schools to achieve this goal.
We are also focused on helping the industry prepare for the future and recognising emerging skill requirements across our sector. We are working on creating new qualifications and standards for industry groups where no
Being consistent and meeting industry needs No matter where a learner is based, whom they work for, or how or where they learn, every learner achieving the same qualification should gain the same skills and knowledge.
qualifications have previously existed, including Site Traffic Systems Management and Underground Utility Location.
Achieving great outcomes together Only in partnership with industry can Waihanga Ara Rau support education providers and employers who train to produce people with the right skills and enable people from all walks of life to have rewarding careers in our sector. There is no switch to turn on that will deliver many thousands of new people into the workforce overnight. We are pleased that the Apprenticeship Boost initiative has been extended until the end of 2024. This support will help, but many more newcomers are needed to meet the current and planned project pipeline in the next three years.
Caring for you and your family in your time of need
LYCHGATE FUNERALS Phone 04 3850745 | www.lychgate.co.nz Wellington • Karori • Johnsonville www.elevatemagazine.co.nz
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Refresh for the summer Pinnacle Pools is the agent for Mayfair Pools & Spas that is located in the Wellington region. Pinnacle Pools is run by Ian Bethwaite and Robert Clark, they operate their services in Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua. Their services include: • Custom crafted fibreglass swimming pool design and construction • Poolscape, paving and pool fencing • Swimming pool renovations • Commercial and resort pools • School swimming pools and renovations.
As Pinnacle Pools are a part of the Mayfair team, Mayfair swimming pools and spas are built and fiberglassed onsite. This provides you with the flexibility to create an outdoor area that is perfectly designed for your lifestyle and property. These fantastic pools and spas can be built anywhere, any shape and any size. Not only do they design and build highend pools and landscapes on any site, they also work with leading architects, designers and builders who rely on
Mayfair agents to bring their vision and client’s dream to life. Pools that are built by various Mayfair agents like Pinnacle Pools are not only refreshing and crystal clear, but are of the highest quality and are built to last a lifetime. With structural integrity, insulation for warmth, leading design and latest technology. Mayfair’s history is unmatched as one of New Zealand’s largest and most successful swimming pool designers and
builders. But it’s a record that has only been achievable due to the support from a nation of pool enthusiasts. So whether you are building a new swimming pool, renovating an existing pool or looking for a commercial pool build, you are assured of the mastery that comes with a Pinnacle Pools that has been building swimming pools for years. Contact Ian and Robert on 021 242 3400 or 021 157 6139
Let us bring your dream pool to life – any size, any shape, anywhere. Pool design and construction Poolscape, paving and pool fencing Swimming pool renovations Commercial & resort pools School swimming pools and renovations
Custom crafted pools that last a lifetime www.pinnaclepools.co.nz | Rob: 021 157 6139 44
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Paving your land
Paveway Landscapes has been providing quality landscaping services throughout Kapiti, Horowhenua, and Poriua for nearly 40 years. They provide a clean and efficient service, with an experienced and dedicated team. Paveway Landscapes only use quality materials, and all their work is backed up by a workmanship guarantee. They are well recognised in the community, not only because of the amount of successful projects they’ve carried out over the years, but because of their fleet of bright pink trucks. Paveway Landscapes have a highly experienced team
- all experts in their fields, be it concreting, paving, building or retaining walls. Their focus is on providing a fast efficient service, using quality materials for lasting results, with an attention to detail. Pave is in their name, because paving at the highest level is what they do. Most paving projects are commissioned to carry out one to two days on average, including ground prep, levelling, and professional laying.
Colour selection is usually based on the colour of your house, and they carry real life paver samples for you to experience and select from. Paveway Landscapes supply pavers made of concrete or of natural stone from quality paving brands such as Firth, Premier, Paving Innovations, and Horizon. The benefit of paving is that, unlike laid concrete, it doesn’t crack. Paved driveways also have the advantage over concrete, because you can easily dig up pavers to access utilities,
and put them back again once you’ve finished. The team works hard when inserting paving stones to reduce, if not completely remove, the chances of weeds growing between pavers. They also use products such as Pavelock to stop weeds. For your next paving project contact Paveway Landscapes today on 021 449 941 or 04 293 2029, alternatively you can visit their website to view more of their services: www.paveway.co.nz.
PAVEWAY - COMPLETE PAVING & LANDSCAPING SOLUTIONS
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www.paveway.co.nz 46
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Unlocking Financial Rewards Through Smart IT Solutions At Quantum Computers we are your dedicated IT partner, committed to helping you achieve better financial rewards by harnessing the potential of cloud services, remote desktop solutions, and streamlined cloud migration. We provide cutting-edge technology solutions that empower your business to save costs, increase efficiency, and stay competitive.
Our Services Cloud Services
• Transform your business with our cloud services, including public, private, and hybrid cloud options. We offer secure, scalable, and cost-efficient solutions for your data, applications, and infrastructure.
Remote Desktop Services • Enable your team to work from anywhere with our remote desktop services. Access your desktop, applications, and data securely, promoting productivity and collaboration without geographical constraints Cloud Migration • Our cloud migration experts will seamlessly transition your business to the cloud, ensuring minimal downtime, data loss, and cost overruns.
Why Choose Us
• Financial Expertise We understand the critical link between IT and your bottom line. Our solutions are designed to maximize cost savings, efficiency, and profitability • Security We prioritize data security, implementing robust encryption and access controls to protect your valuable information • Scalability Our solutions grow with your business, from startups to enterprises, ensuring you remain agile • Dedicated Support Our 24/7 support team keeps your systems running smoothly, addressing issues promptly.
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reduces infrastructure and maintenance costs, delivering substantial savings • Improved Productivity Our remote desktop services empower your workforce, leading to increased productivity and better financial outcomes • Business Continuity Cloud migration and backup services ensure your business operates without disruptions, safeguarding financial stability. Contact Quantum for a complimentary consultation and discover how we can help you unlock your financial potential through smart IT solutions.
04 234 8879 • mukesh@qcomp.co.nz www.elevatemagazine.co.nz
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Building smarter to cut carbon emissions A new study aims to explore how public buildings, including schools, could be designed to use sustainable cooling and heating technology and help New Zealand achieve its net-zero 2050 goal. University of Canterbury Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, senior lecturer Dr Wentao Wu, is leading the international research which aims to reduce carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency in large buildings. He has received Royal Society Te Apārangi Catalyst funding
to find out how the building sector could use renewable energy sources such as natural ventilation and solar energy to boost the energy performance of thermal mass – the heat absorbing potential of interior furnishings and concrete floors - creating “low-carbon buildings”.
of this technique in different climates.”
including natural ventilation and sunlight,” he says.
Currently, the New Zealand building sector accounts for nine percent of our total carbon emissions and the government has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
He hopes to develop a design and retrofit guideline that will help policy makers, architects and builders create buildings that are more energy efficient, reducing carbon emissions in the sector.
“Global warming has urged us to search for carbon neutral solutions,” Dr Wu says. “One such solution is to transform static building structures into dynamic thermal batteries that store and use energy later on.
Dr Wu is leading the project in collaboration with researchers at six universities from five countries, including Harvard University in the United States, Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, and China’s Chonqing University.
“Better building design can reduce energy costs by using thermal mass to reduce energy demand, especially at peak times.
“This not only increases energy efficiency, but also increases energy flexibility. By developing an analytical model of this process, we can assess the energy flexibility and efficiency
Dr Wu says one solution towards designing lowemission buildings is to use cooler outside air at night to ventilate spaces inside a building. The low-temperature outdoor night-time air cools down materials inside the building, such as concrete slab floors, so they can act as a heat sink, absorbing heat the following day and reducing the need for air conditioning systems to be used. In winter, he believes solarheated water pipes placed inside concrete floors could be used instead of traditional electric heating systems. “A combination of night-time ventilation in summer and passive heating in winter transforms thermal mass into a kind of thermal battery that is fuelled for a short time by renewable energy sources
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“It also helps reduce carbon emissions related to buildings which is better for our environment. “Even small steps such as opening windows at night for ventilation and making sure curtains are open during the day can make a difference and help harness natural, low-cost cooling and heating.” Dr Wu recently carried out research in the United States, funded by the US National Science Foundation, which demonstrated the effectiveness of using nighttime ventilation systems to cool down the interiors of buildings so they can act as a heat sink the following day. The technique was shown to achieve annual energy savings of over 600KWh for a 100 sqm building – similar to an average New Zealand home’s monthly energy usage.
Abby’s got you covered Deciphering insurance, policy documents, what you’re covered for and how to navigate a claim can be an overwhelming task and experience. Having an insurance adviser can really help with ensuring you are covered correctly and having a ‘go to’ person when a claim arises. It’s important to have a relationship with an adviser because you know they have your best interests at heart and will support you through reviewing different cover options and assisting you through processes, like setting up policies and claims. Abby Esler has been an insurance adviser for three
years but has a long history with insurance and a clear love for her job. After working as a claims case manager and then a team leader in Superannuation Insurance for a large super fund in Melbourne for eight years, Abby has a wealth of knowledge from the claims perspective and knows the importance of having the right covers in place when things go wrong. However, the call for home was strong and Abby had the opportunity to
work with her father who has been working as an insurance adviser for over 40 years. Growing up with her dad meant she has heard about insurance all her life and saw the industry as a not only a great career choice but also because it meant she got to work with people, helping them when they were in need.
Abby has a wealth of knowledge from the claims perspective and knows the importance of having the right covers in place when things go wrong.
Abby is passionate about people having the right covers in place to ensure that when bad things happen, her clients will be looked after, and money is one less thing to worry about. If you are wanting to review your current insurance covers or discuss taking out insurance cover, give Abby a call.
ABBY ESLER INSURANCE ADVISER
(W) 06 378 2502 (M) 021 637 537 (E) ABBY@UMBRELLA-GROUP.CO.NZ
WWW.UMBRELLA-GROUP.CO.NZ www.elevatemagazine.co.nz
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Window and door installation in Kapiti Nulook, established over half a century ago, is a nationwide network of independently owned licensed window and door fabrication businesses. It is the most comprehensive business of its kind operating under one brand in New Zealand. Nulook has grown through development, acquisition, and amalgamation of the Barker, Rolls, and Circle brands, and more recently the addition of a number of conversions from competing brands as they seek to capitalise on, and benefit from the Altus Window Systems product range and fabricator support.
The experienced Nulook network takes great pride in the integrity of the service and products it provides to its customers. Quality control systems ensure licensees maintain Nulook reputation for excellent service.
Patented connection system Nulook’s lead residential joinery systems are manufactured using Altus Window Systems patented
connection system, to give you more secure weathertight joinery. This unique patented connector system is considered by many in the New Zealand building industry to be the most innovative available. Whilst these systems are unseen by the homeowner, they provide peace of mind that their asset is secure and will be well protected for years to come.
wardrobe doors, commercial, double glazing, tinting and more! They now also sell the latest residential and architectural joinery systems, the innovative Tasman35™ & Pacific41™ Systems. Nulook Kapiti can provide practical advice on technical issues involving manufacturing and installation and can also advise on product performance capability.
Nulook Kapiti
Contact Nulook Kapiti today on 04 298 7091 or email them at office@nulookkapiti.co.nz. Alternatively visit them in store on 131 Makarini Street. For more information about Nulook and their Kapiti branch visit them online at www.nulook.co.nz.
Nulook has an established branch located in Kapiti, Paraparamu. They specialise in windows and doors, replacing existing, new windows and doors, entry doors, custom designs and sizes, balustrades,
Nulook Kapiti 131 Makarini Street, Paraparaumu office@nulookkapiti.co.nz We specialise in Windows and doors, replacing existing, new windows and doors, entry doors, custom designs and sizes, balustrades, wardrobe doors, commercial, double glazing, tinting..... and more!
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04 298 7091 www.nulook.co.nz
Anything electrical, we do it all!
Here at MilneTech Electrical we are enthusiastic about the electrical challenges and problems you present to us, whether it’s fault finding in your factory to rewiring an old villa, installing a motor controlled by a VSD or simply installing a power point, we always try to achieve the best possible solution to suit your situation.
With working in all electrical fields - domestic, industrial, commercial and rural for many years we understand that deadlines and time frames are critical. We go out of our way to insure there is no disruption to your processing or trading. We are committed to provide you with a working product to the highest trade standard
MilneTech’s promise to you You will receive excellent customer service, we will
listen to your needs and price your job honestly and fairly. We will treat you the way we would like to be treated. We will arrive on time and be tidy, friendly and professional. We will carry out your job safely and efficiently. We Guarantee our work and keep our promises. If mistakes happen we fix it and make it right
MilneTech can advise on: Industrial and rural • Variable frequency drives (VFDs) • Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) • Process control • Fault finding • Maintenance • New installations • Industrial lighting:- flood lighting, high, bay installation • Efficiency solutions • Power consumption reduction • Full automation (process controls) • Re-lamping • Testing and tagging of all appliances.
Domestic and commercial • New lighting design and installation • All exterior lighting security lighting • Electrical sales, installation and repairs • Electrical fault finding, maintenance and repairs • New house wiring - design and electrical layouts • Rewiring of existing homes • Alterations and additions • Display lighting, LED lighting, Shop lighting • Load shedding • Emergency lighting systems • Eftpos and data systems • Heat transfer systems.
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Sales consultant in Lower Hutt Anna is passionate about the Hutt Valley and loves working and helping people. Well known and respected in the community, Anna is a great networker and gets to know people well and determined in helping them achieve their goals. Anna is proud to represent Tall Poppy. Anna’s vast experience in the business world means that she has the right background and professionalism to use all her skills in working with her clients. With extensive experience in business development, sponsorship, marketing, events and sales negotiation Anna has the right skills to help you. Anna’s enthusiasm and her commitment in always
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achieving the best results for her clients matters to her a great deal. In her previous roles she has helped and connected many people in business. Anna is friendly, hardworking, honest and professional. She loves meeting new people and is a positive and empathetic person to deal with. Anna is married with two grown up daughters and a cavoodle dog called Toffee.
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Anna likes to understand her clients’ requirements and go that ‘extra mile’ to make sure that the stress of selling or buying a property is minimal. Anna loves the Tall Poppy principles of being big on service and offering fairer fee structures to vendors. Tall Poppy offers the latest technology in marketing your property, and one main agent to look after you and your property. Anna will communicate every step of the way with you. Anna understands that your home is likely to be your largest asset and is more than happy to guide you through this experience. Anna enjoys the lifestyle in the Hutt Valley and what it
With extensive experience in business development, sponsorship, marketing, events and sales negotiation Anna has the right skills to help you. offers families and people of any age. In her spare time Anna likes walking, gardening, cooking, spending time with family and friends, travelling and teaching Italian. She also supports local organisations like Greenstone Doors Charitable Trust, the Hutt Art Society, Te Omanga Hospice and Rotary Hutt City. Call Anna and let her be the person who looks after you through this important process.
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Lightening the load Managing workplace stress Stress is normal. We can feel stressed because we feel overwhelmed with work, feel under pressure, are experiencing new challenges, worried about something, and the list goes on. Stress at work can happen often, but when we feel stressed in our personal lives, this can impact our work lives too. Doctor Adrienna Ember who has a double doctorate - is a clinical psychologist specialising in therapy, personal development, and supervision and is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society. She covers many areas such as work stress. Stress is generally accepted as an evolutionary response from the body and the nervous system, which can potentially cause dangerous triggers, as it’s seen as a survival instinct, she says. “The physiological and nervous system changes in the body during a stress response, such as increased blood flow, the ability to mobilise energies we at times are not aware of and sustain goal/task-orientated focus help us to overcome challenging situations or achieve to the best of our abilities (e.g. at a competition).” Overly stressing can cause insomnia, feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, hopeless, anxious, depressed, irritated, and short-tempered, which can lead to unhealthy habits like
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drinking, substance abuse, or emotional eating. Everyone can react to similar situations differently based on their past experiences, responses to stress, and state of mind, Adrienna says. “It is important to do a reality check when facing potentially stressful situations and ask ourselves: what is at stake?” Some red flags when it comes to work stress becoming a reoccurring problem occur when people see changes in their behaviour, daily routines, and emotions, which can last for two or so days.
relieve their stress via the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand toolkit. “You will find information beyond basics such as healthy eating, regular exercise and time spent outdoors, socialising and talking about problems, various forms of mindfulness and relaxation, move around and step out of the building between meetings, watch that you drink enough, prioritising tasks, leaving work at workplace and using your home to truly ‘recreate’ yourself, be it gardening, reading a book, taking a bath, having a nice meal, watching funny movies,
Next time you think you’re going to stress about something, take a breather, think about the positives in your life and think about how far you’ve come to get to where you are now.
Other effects of work stress include losing self-confidence and self-esteem - thinking we’re not good enough in our role - feeling isolated, scared of making mistakes, and being ashamed about messing up. It also does not feel good to pretend you’re feeling fine. This kind of reaction appears before we know it and often leads to unhealthy ways of dealing with stress. This reaction can “undermine our relationships with our loved ones, and their physical and mental health,” Adrienna says. She also provides tips on how employees working in stressful environments can
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engaging in hobbies, and laughing a lot.” Here’s a link to the toolkit: mentalhealth.org.nz/resources/ resource/five-ways-towellbeing-at-work-toolkit. Lastly, Adrienna advises employees to tell their managers/bosses they’re struggling to keep up with their workload if expectations are unrealistic. People should not feel bad for making their bosses/managers aware of their stress, as it is their bosses’/managers’ role to make sure the workload is manageable for employees and
Doctor Adrienna Ember Clinical psychologist
must have a Plan B when Plan A does not work. “Familiarise yourself with whom you can turn to for help in potential worst-case scenarios at your work. “Also, don’t hesitate to ask for days off for stress release if you need to and make sure your work won’t pile up to cause you extra stress upon your return but will be allocated to stand-in or support staff, or reprioritised,” Adrienna advises. Next time you think you’re going to stress about something, take a breather, think about the positives in your life and think about how far you’ve come to get to where you are now. You’re not alone. Need to talk to someone? Get in touch with a psychologist or counsellor via these links: www.psychology.org.nz www.cab.org.nz www.talkingworks.co.nz www.therapycounselling.net www.familyservices.govt.nz www.familyservices.govt.nz
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Trace Asbestos Ltd Pinehaven, Upper Hutt, Wellington Steve Elden-Gray 027 477 8673 Steve@traceasbestos.co.nz www.elevatemagazine.co.nz
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Your local pub Situated in Wellington’s eastern suburbs, down the road from the Wellington Airport, The Strathmore Local Bar & Restaurant is the perfect place for friends and family to get together. Offering great friendly service, attractive surroundings, reasonable prices and extensive lunch and dinner menus featuring fresh takes on New Zealand classics, the Strathmore Local is the perfect gathering place for both diners and drinkers. Whether seeking a nice meal with the family, a game of pool with friends or after work drinks with colleagues, the Strathmore Local offers something for everyone.
engagement parties, baby showers and other private functions. They have a variety of areas within the pub available to suit all needs including a designated function room.
They serve quality meals seven days a week from 11.00am, including a kids menu. The Strathmore Local has 18 gaming machines, TAB facilities, a pool table, two outdoor areas, couches by the fire, a great range of beverages to choose from and can cater for functions with set menus available upon request. At Strathmore Local, they can cater to your requirements and create menus to suit birthdays, work groups,
At Strathmore Local you can enjoy: • A extensive craft beer range • A large restaurant • Private functions • Live sport • Gaming machines, TAB facilities, pool table • Outdoor areas • And it’s child friendly!
Testimonials: Debra Adams - Facebook “Great private space for a family birthday, staff were friendly and helpful and the evening ran smoothly” Julia Owens - Facebook “Just had the amazing Local Beef Burger! The food has definitely improved and the music again is on point! Awesome work team!” Book your table or private function today at the Strathmore Local, call them on 04 9200 315 or email them at strathmore@nzlltd.co.nz. To view their menu, check them out online at www.strathmorelocal.co.nz.
AT STRATHMORE, ENJOY... - Extensive Craft Beer Range - Full Restaurant - Private Functions - Live Sport - Gaming Machines, TAB Facilities & Pool table - Outdoor Areas Phone: 04 9200 315 Email: strathmore@nzlltd.co.nz
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3/5 Strathmore Ave, Strathmore Park, Wellington
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We offer a wide range of services from residential homes to commercial fit outs. Get in contact today to speak to our friendly team and receive your free quote!
021 515 292 | Jamie@roundhouseelectrical.co.nz www.elevatemagazine.co.nz
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Tradies, take note If you’re in the market for high-quality trade solutions from a dedicated and talented team, look no further than MasterMix and Packaging Limited, based in Foxton. The company was founded in 1997 with the goal of developing a scientifically tested range of premixed and rapid set concrete which meets the needs of the New Zealand construction industry. Over two decades later, MasterMix is recognised as the leading name in Kiwi concrete, whether that’s for sewer repairs, manhole installation, slab pouring, or fireproofing. They are committed to innovation, with new products being developed and tested constantly. MasterMix has a strong focus on offering a complete service to their customers. From developing the best range of products to solve whatever problem you may have, to staff fully trained to advise you about concrete supply, the team provide expert advice and solutions that last. Selecting the right product to suit your project’s needs can be difficult, but MasterMix is here to save you time and money by walking you through the entire selection process.
MasterMix concrete is present in much of our country’s infrastructure. The Pahiatua and Ōpōtiki dairy farms, Dunedin’s wastewater pump station, and the Levin sewer pump station are all strong, lasting examples of MasterMix’s expertise in the building business. The company offers everything from premix concrete to coating and repair systems, waterproof mortar mixes to traffic management solutions. They work with construction companies across the country on everything from major projects to small repairs. “[MasterMix] is a brilliant product with a wide range of applications,” one testimonial says, while another sings the praises of the concrete’s “excellent adhesion” and “no signs of deterioration”. Tradesmen and contractors all over Aotearoa use and trust MasterMix for a whole range of services. For no-nonsense advice, affordable prices, and the best concrete in the country, give the MasterMix crew a call. You will not be disappointed.
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PROUDLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED when you arrive at your new house, we PROUDLY OPERATED AS WELL PROUDLY LOCALLY LOCALLY OWNED OWNED AND AND OPERATED AS WELL will come around and unpack it all for you.
Rosies Removals offers a professional packing service at great removal costs. When you have to move... do it with the professional team at Rosie's!
We have a great range of services, but regardless of which service you choose, you can be sure that it will be done with the utmost care. It's all part of our packing service throughout the Lower North Island and nationwide.
We can also store your furniture for a day, week, or a year! If you are taking the scenic route to your new home, we can store it until you arrive. Perhaps your new home isn't as spacious as your old home? Our secure storage solutions ensure that your furniture stays safe until you are ready to use it again.
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E: office@rosiesremovals.co.nz E: office@rosiesremovals.co.nz Whether you want us to pack everything in your home or just select items,Place, Rosie's 4 Buchanan Solway, 4 Buchanan Place, Solway, Masterton Ph: 06 Masterton 370 1258 Furniture Removals will save you a lot of time and effort. We can pack everything E: office@rosiesremovals.co.nz 39 Cedar Drive, Paraparaumu Beach, 39in your Cedar Drive, Paraparaumu Beach, Paraparaumu Paraparaumu home, carefully wrapping your glassware, and packing your TV, and
4 Buchanan Place, Solway, Masterton 39 Cedar Drive, Paraparaumu Beach, Paraparaumu