A growing success in the Christchurch hotel market
Quest
Apartment Hotels has opened its fourth Christchurch property as it continues to grow its portfolio in New Zealand
and Fiji
Located at 93 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, Quest on Kilmore is opposite the Christchurch Town Hall. A quick walk to the restaurant strip of Oxford Terrace, Quest on Kilmore offers its guest’s a central location. As well as the 42 rooms, Quest on Kilmore has a meeting room that can easily cater to 20 people.
With Quest on Kilmore being its 43rd property in its New Zealand and Fiji portfolio, Quest Apartment Hotels (NZ) continues to defy economic challenges, Chief Operating Officer Adrian Turner says. This growth has been
planned for a while and there will be more to come, he says.
“The opening of Quest on Kilmore in Christchurch is the last of the four properties we have planned for Christchurch. It will support Quest Cathedral Junction, Quest on Manchester and Quest on Cambridge and provide much needed inventory for the Christchurch market especially since the opening of Te Pae, Christchurch’s new convention centre.
“We are already seeing many advance bookings from both our existing corporate clients as well
as our new clients to experience the Quest boutique apartment hotels.”
Operated by Aaron and Lucie Carpenter, Aaron was the Commercial Manager at Quest Corporate Office who had been with Quest for nearly 11 years and the couple are really looking forward to opening this new property.
“I have been with Quest since 2013. I was the Commercial Manager at Quest Corporate Office and when an opportunity came up of the possibility to take on a brand-new property, we knew we wanted to do that, and the rest is history,” says Aaron.
“I am trying to get my head around being on the other side of the business now and we have lots to learn but we are very excited for what is to come. We look forward to strengthening the Quest network in Christchurch and nationwide and working closely with the other Quest properties in Christchurch.
“We are currently in the process of getting set up and plan to provide a great stay with exceptional customer service to guests. We will be ready to welcome you very soon” says Aaron Carpenter.
New Zealand, we’ve got some exciting news
STAY IN THE HEART OF CHRISTCHURCH
Our brand-new Quest on Cambridge is opening this November. Enjoy introductory rates from $135 per night for stays from 15th November 2023 to 14th January 2024*.
SUSTAINABILITY IS HERE TO STAY
We’ve replaced almost all single-use plastic shampoo, conditioner and bodywash bottles with dispensers - removing 3.68 tonnes of plastic out of circulation. We’re also recycling old soap bars into new ones together with Soap Aid. Find out more at soapaid.org
The key detail of the Government’s Local Water Done Well policies is that the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited (LGFA) can now lend to water Council Controlled Organisations (CCO) that are financially supported by their parent council(s).
However, there is a risk any new funding would go towards creating new organisational structures, rather than physically constructing and maintaining the country’s water networks, which should be the immediate concern.
New Zealand needs to overcome its chronic underinvestment in water infrastructure, yet many contractors currently have no forward work past their current projects.
Many of our contractor members are not receiving forward work programme updates, meaning they are unsure if they can continue. They have been asked to scale up capacity for a large amount of work repairing, replacing and upgrading water networks – so where is the work?
The construction of water networks has severely slowed, to the point where many civil construction businesses are at risk.
On the back of this announcement, councils must now prioritise their water construction programmes, or we will lose skilled businesses with water construction expertise. We must retain capacity and capability in the industry if we are to carry out the required work when it does come to market.
Councils now need to use any tools at their disposal to bring water work programmes to market.
Council-controlled water organisations (CCOs) play
Work on water infrastructure needs to start
New water policies have been welcomed by Civil Contractors New Zealand, but its Chief Executive Alan Pollard says contractors are suffering from a lack of immediate work, despite the severe need for upgrades to water infrastructure
an important role but are often underfunded by councils and poorly understood by elected representatives. If the CCO model is to be successful, they must be properly supported and funded to enable them to carry out their duties. Better decision making is needed around replacing the country’s aging water networks, which are increasingly being patched and clamped rather than replaced.
Our members are concerned the system is becoming increasingly reactive, and they are being asked to scramble to fix leaks rather than receiving well-planned forward programmes of pipe replacement from clients.
Long-term funding also needs attention and moves to water meter installation are critical, not only to create a sustainable longterm funding model, but also as an opportunity to fill
the gap in workflow in the short term to retain industry capacity and capability.
Contractors offer a unique practical perspective as the people conducting the physical works on the network for their clients in local government, and more early contractor engagement and representation at a decision-making and technical advisory level is needed for the reforms to be successful.
Councils need not reinvent the water wheel
Regional councils are often opting to create their own expensive, customised, and single-use freshwater models to help them make decisions when they could potentially be saving time and money adapting already existing models, a new report says
Freshwater modelling can help councils make decisions such as how much water to take from a source, but councils are taking an uncoordinated approach to using them, says a new report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. The review found at least 75 different freshwater models being used across New Zealand, many of which overlapped in uses. Furthermore, 60% percent of the models
evaluated were used only by one council for a single use.
The report makes recommendations for a more coordinated and supportive approach among regional councils to help to turn around the declining state of New Zealand’s lakes, rivers and streams.
“The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) assessment of the use of freshwater models to
support water management in New Zealand examines how NZ uses models and their limitations,” explains Lincoln Agritech Senior Research Scientist, Helen Rutter.
“We know we need to improve freshwater (groundwater, lakes, rivers, and streams) quality and quantity, but it is a struggle to find solutions –modelling is a way to find those solutions.
“In simple terms, ‘models’ are tools to explore data
and enable predictions. They try to predict what may happen when something changes, for example, assessing the effects on water quality from a change in farming practices, or what happens to groundwater levels under climate change.
“Models need to be based on existing data and information, and a good understanding of how everything connects.”
The basic problem is that the real world is far more
complicated than a model can imitate, so no model is absolutely ‘correct’, but Rutter says some are still useful.
The report identifies that although many models are used in New Zealand:
• some overlap (and may provide different answers);
• model development is siloed and divided (there is little collaboration between institutions, partly due to the commercial reality of needing to ‘win’ projects);
• there is no systematic way to determine if the model is fit for purpose;
• they are not used to their full potential, often used once then not touched again;
• they are used to suggest a course of action, but not to test whether that was successful;
• councils struggle to find models of the right level of complexity to answer their questions while being usable and understandable;
• there is a shortage of modelling expertise and skills;
• there is a lack of data to base the models on, and lack of full understanding of the complex reality of natural systems;
• there is a lack of commitment to use models developed by mana whenua.
“New Zealand cannot afford to waste scarce resources on ineffective models. We need a better approach to give effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater and protect our water quality and quantity,” Rutter says.
“The PCE report recommends there should be a national freshwater support modelling centre to support regional councils, unitary authorities, and mana whenua.
Groundwater scientists have been advocating for this for several years, so it is good to see this need being formally recognised.”
AgResearch Senior Scientist, Dr Richard Muirhead says the PCE’s review of freshwater models makes some important points about barriers that we collectively need to overcome to better manage and ultimately improve our water quality in New Zealand.
“The review highlights the important role of environmental models for informing decision making through the complexity that inevitably comes with issues of freshwater management.
“It articulates some of the challenges facing the regional councils, which are charged with implementing freshwater management policy, and identifies several barriers preventing them from having access to and using the best models. The review also points out that these structural and funding barriers are preventing New Zealand from a achieving a coordinated development and deployment of modelling tools.
“Improvements to models to support the management of freshwater are needed to both attain the water quality New Zealanders desire and demonstrate to our trading partners that our production systems are being sustainably managed.
“As an environmental modeller, it is important to point out that evaluation and improvement of our
freshwater models will require more than water quality monitoring data. Freshwater models require inputs of contaminant losses from every type of land use (where that contamination comes from) and how it travels in those rivers.
“To improve our ability to model these processes we will need to collect soil, sediment and contaminant runoff data from multiple land uses and also conduct specific experiments to prove we are modelling in the right way. However, we will only be able to improve water quality when we can demonstrably reduce the environmental impact of our activities in the landscape. Therefore, these activities need to be appropriately represented in the models.
“There is an opportunity in forthcoming Government reforms of the science sector to make changes to the structure of our organisations and funding to remove some of the barriers identified in this report. This will enable the science community to maximise its contribution to the coordinated development of freshwater models that are fit for purpose, as envisioned in this report.”
Dr Roger Young, Freshwater Ecosystems Group Manager at Cawthron Institute, says the review identifies various shortcomings with the way that models are used to assist with freshwater management in New Zealand.
“These challenges are largely a consequence of the way water management in New Zealand is devolved to regional councils. A lack of national leadership and guidance on model development and use
has resulted in multiple models for similar tasks, inconsistencies in the way that models are being applied and the benefits of modelling not being fully realised.
“The review explains the wide variety of model types that can help freshwater management and the wide range of topics where models can contribute. Models can be simple or incredibly complex. Regional differences in climate, geology and land use mean that some models are critically important in some places, but less relevant in others. Models tend to focus on specific topics, such as river flow, water quality, cultural values, and sediment inputs. No single model can do it all.
“Many of the current models used in freshwater management are based on good data but a lack of model transparency and accessibility creates uncertainty and limits use. The review rightly emphasises that monitoring data and models are dependent on each other. It is not helpful to consider that one is better than the other.
“The Commissioner makes some useful recommendations about developing national guidance and support that could contribute to improved freshwater management, although establishing a national freshwater modelling support centre would be a complex task. There are certainly challenges with providing on-going maintenance and support of key freshwater models.”
Hard work gets results
The success of Rapid Facility Services is driven by a team that combines experience, commitment and a professional skillset that covers every aspect of facilities management with personal service
The team was forged by three friends working in the industry who realised that the key thing stressed building managers, business owners and landlords needed was to make a single call and get a reliable and qualified support team that would cover any aspect of facilities management.
The Rapid trio set down a business philosophy that “we will do what others can’t or won’t do “ and set about assembling a highly trained, efficient and safety-conscious team of professionals who get the job done right, the first time.
Today that service stretches from food manufacturers’ audit cleaning, all aspects of industrial cleaning, painting, building and floor safety management to anti-microbial and moss
Having worked in the industry for many years, three friends, Paul Schoch, Robyn Schoch and Andrew Chan realised that by combining their skills, they could create a company unlike any other
and mould treatments to prevent surface
and specialised equipment.
Team members Darren, Brandon and Akeli
damage to roofs, ceilings, walls, floors
The thinking behind congestion charging versus reality
The Government plans to work with Auckland Council to implement time of use road charging to reduce congestion and improve travel time reliability.
Shane Martin, Principal Economist and People Leader at MRCagney, explores what congestion charging aims to accomplish and what needs to happen first
If you know any economists, you’ll know that we rarely agree on anything. This is why congestion charging is so interesting to me – it’s one of the only topics I can think of that economists nearly unanimously agree is a good idea if done right.
While I don’t want to get
into the specifics of what congestion charging might look like in Auckland or how to best implement it – there is plenty of time to argue about that later – I do want to talk about congestion charging more generally – what does it try to accomplish and why?
But before I do that, it’s
necessary to point out that road user charges (RUCs) and congestion charging are different topics and shouldn’t be lumped together. RUCs are to pay for the wear and tear that vehicles impose on the roads. They are an alternative to a fuel levy, but the purpose is the same –
pay for the maintenance of roads. RUCs are worthy of their own discussion, but do not belong in the discussion about congestion charging. This is because congestion charging has nothing to do with road maintenance. They are a mechanism to manage demand for roads during peak times. Talking
about RUCs in a discussion about congestion charging would be like talking about refrigerators in a discussion about the best way to cook a steak. Sure, you keep a steak in the refrigerator, and you want the refrigerator to work, but that’s got nothing to do with how you cook the steak.
The theory of congestion pricing
William Vickrey first suggested congestion charging in 1952 for subways in New York City. The theory behind congestion charging is really simple. When the price of something goes up, people buy less of it. In this case, “it” is travel by private vehicle. By imposing a charge to enter certain areas during certain parts of the day, the price of travelling to those locations increases. When the price of travelling goes up, people travel less.
Despite how critics of congestion charging will spin it, it’s not a punitive measure to get people to travel less – though less travel at peak times is indeed the goal. And it’s not just another way for government to raise revenue. Instead, it is a way to make drivers reckon with the costs that they impose on all the other drivers and society when they travel; costs that currently go unrecognised in the decision-making process. During the times of day when roads are at or near capacity, every additional car on the road slows traffic. As individuals, when we make travel choices, we don’t consider that when we drive to work in the morning rush, we make everyone behind us – some of whom are still asleep
and haven’t left yet – take a bit longer to reach their destination.
In general, we think about the cost to ourselves (time, petrol, parking, maybe wear
less pressure to expand the roading infrastructure (which is eye-wateringly expensive) even further. That’s good for society. A congestion charge also
and tear), but we rarely consider the costs we impose on others.
In theory, a congestion charge takes this cost we impose on other people and makes us consider it by making us pay for it. And doing this can change our behaviour.
The pros and cons
Of course, drivers don’t like congestion charges. That shouldn’t be surprising. Given the choice between paying for something and not paying for something, everyone would choose not to pay. But what is often overlooked is that the quality of what you’re getting goes up. In a world where congestion charging exists, trips are faster, easier, and more reliable. That’s good for drivers. And it’s why businesses like trucking and logistics are often in favour of congestion charging. In addition to less wasted time and more reliable trips, fewer cars on the road at peak times means less pollution, fewer carbon emissions, and
a congestion charge is a very good way to manage demand and congestion. But as is often the case, theory and reality are two quite different things.
For instance, the theory of congestion charging does not consider equity impacts. It’s simply a mechanism to get people to consider the cost that their decisions impose on others. Of course, high-income, able-bodied people with large savings accounts will be able to absorb that cost better than others. This is true of literally every cost.
raises revenue, though this is not why congestion charges exist. Since the best way to get people to consider the impact their actions have on others is to charge them money, doing this naturally raises money. This is money that can be used to invest in making the transport system work better for everyone. It can be used to provide better alternative modes or fund much needed transport infrastructure.
So, what are the downsides? The most frequently mentioned downside is equity impacts. A congestion charge can impact low-income households more than highincome ones. It can also impact those who do not have other choices for travel – for instance, a disabled person who would find it very difficult to use public transport or someone who lives in an area with poor public transport or walking/ cycling infrastructure.
Congestion charging in reality
I’ve given a very brief overview of why, in theory,
Yes, there will be equity impacts, but this is not a good reason to eschew congestion charging altogether. This is the old saying about throwing the baby out with the bathwater. That’s why government needs to support Auckland improving its public transport system, especially in places that are underserved. And that’s why we need leadership to embrace the infrastructure that allows us to get places without our personal car. If we’re going to make people pay the cost they impose on others when they travel and induce them to travel less, or at other times, or by means other than a personal car, we need to make sure they have alternatives to the thing we’re asking them not to do. And these alternatives need to be in place on Day 1. Because if we don’t do these things, our traffic problems might get solved at the cost of those people who can least afford it.
Originally posted: Congestion Charging Theory and Reality | LinkedIn
No better investment than chemical safety training
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Changes to our Global Harmonisation System (GHS) chemical regime applying from 30 April 2021 require accurate and timely advice - non-compliance could prove costly. Competent staff avoid expensive and sometimes confusing compliance advice, while enabling an effective response to chemical incidents, often without requiring emergency services.
Inspectors and certifiers with years of expertise warn of a declining national workplace chemical safety performance.
A crucial factor is the continuing loss of onsite chemical safety advice, primarily due to replacing flawed but effective mandatory Approved Handlers with whatever employers now deem sufficient.
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RCNZ Competent Chemical Handlers (CCH) are increasingly in demand, resulting from our popular ‘Walk and Talk’ site visit to assess actual chemical management performance, identifying the need for specialist training, throughout the product life cycle.
Chemical incidents now guarantee media attention, often sensationalising the incident by highlighting persons adversely affected by unwanted exposure to chemicals.
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Central government keeping local councils down
As many councils around the country implement record rates rises, the Government has rejected helpful recommendations from a report supported by the infrastructure sector, which called for less centralisation and stronger local government
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has concluded the Future for Local Government Review and confirmed that the Coalition Government will not be responding to the review’s recommendations which
were released last year.
He argues that the review’s recommendations are a distraction and the Government is focused on establishing a regional deals framework and unlocking new funding and financing tools to
enable central and local government to work together in delivering services and infrastructure.
“We are setting clear expectations that councils focus on the delivery of core services and value for money,” Brown says.
However, Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett was supportive of the review’s recommendations when it was released last year. He says it is an excellent canvass of the issues and provides a toolbox
of solutions for the Government to choose from.
“The gems in this review are too good to be lost.
“If we are seriously going to build infrastructure projects that enhance social and economic opportunities for more New Zealanders, we need local leadership to develop financial partnerships through better shared funding models.
“The review captures the opportunities for community voices to be strengthened through Local Government and for people to improve their local places.
“Infrastructure New Zealand has said that in the past, much of New Zealand’s infrastructure building success was locally, not centrally driven. This included early rail, bridges, roads and even the Auckland harbour bridge. Sadly, we have lost the nation building spirit, along with the funding mechanisms for local and regional entities to drive and partner with central Government and the private sector on their projects. It’s time to restore that by building strength in regional and local communities.”
Legget says Local
Government needs change and renewal, but the answer isn’t more centralisation.
“Local Government has been hampered by narrow revenue streams like rates – and unfunded mandates handed down from Central Government. It’s time to rebalance that and rebuild New Zealand. For instance, having GST on rates refunded to councils and linked to local infrastructure, could be game changing.
“Democracy must be at the heart of change, along with a drive towards localism, especially given New Zealand is the most centralised country in the OECD – bar none.”
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says the report takes a commonsense approach – especially to funding, system sustainability and other challenges facing councils.
“Every recommendation needs thoughtful consideration; we need to focus on what communities need to build a stronger New Zealand,” National Council Member, Mayor Alex Walker says.
LGNZ President at the time, Stuart Crosby, had said local government
was united in the need for change.
The review panel spent two years talking to local government and the communities they serve, looking at best practice and considering all the tradeoffs, Crosby says.
“They have made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that while there is a real need to transfer resources and level up funding between central and local government, it must come with a commitment to do things differently and change the system to be more responsive to local needs.
“Central government cannot solve the issues communities face on its own. If we look at the big issues such as climate change, dealing with regional inequalities, building social cohesion, and planning for growth, local government is best placed to take a leadership role.
“Local government in other parts of the developed world is responsible for almost half of public spending, but in New Zealand, it’s less than 10 percent.”
Current LGNZ President Sam Broughton has recently pushed again
for all GST on rates to be returned to councils.
Based on 2022-2023 rates, the Government collected $1.04 billion in GST on rates.
“Councils’ share of overall tax revenue has remained at 2% of GDP for the last 50 years, despite our everincreasing responsibilities,” Broughton says.
“It’s no secret that the funding system for local government is broken. Rates account for more than half council funding, and relying so heavily on rates alone is unsustainable.
“We need a range of levers to address the funding and financing challenges in front of us. Alongside returning GST on rates, we’ve also put an accommodation levy, GST sharing on new builds, congestion charging and tourist levies on the table.
“With homeowners facing average rates rises of 15%, it is important that the Government gives councils more levers to sustainably fund our cities and towns. Returning the GST from rates is an excellent place to start.”
Read the final report
This sector stands as a cornerstone in Oman's developmental journey, spearheading infrastructure projects ranging from expansive road networks to modern airports, ports, and railways.
The nation's burgeoning population has sparked a surge in residential construction, while its strategic geographic location has transformed it into a bustling commercial hub. Consequently, Oman boasts a flourishing commercial real estate sector, catering to the needs of both local enterprises and international businesses with state-of-the-art facilities.
Underscoring its commitment to economic diversification, the Omani government has made substantial investments in the construction sector, bolstered by initiatives such as Tanfeedh and Vision 2040. Embracing sustainability as a guiding principle, Oman has adopted green building practices aligned with global standards, thus ensuring responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
Moreover, Oman's construction landscape is witnessing a technological renaissance, with innovations like Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolutionizing traditional methodologies. These advancements not only enhance operational efficiency but also drive down costs, making projects more economically viable.
With an estimated construction market size of $6.82 billion in 2024,
Project Oman Exhibition 2024: Paving the Path for Construction Innovation
Situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has emerged as a beacon of economic growth, propelled largely by its vibrant construction industry.
Oman's construction sector stands as a beacon of opportunity and growth. Against this backdrop of optimism and progress, Project Oman, the 3rd International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition, is set to return from October 21 to 23, 2024, at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC Muscat). This premier event serves as a platform to spotlight investment opportunities in Oman's construction sector while fostering international trade relations with prominent local market entities. Bringing together
key stakeholders including project owners, specifiers, manufacturers, and industry experts, Project Oman will showcase cuttingedge building materials, products, and equipment essential for major projects across Oman.
Building upon the success of its previous edition, Project Oman 2023 welcomed over 120 exhibitors and attracted 7,450 visitors from 23 countries. This year's event promises to surpass expectations, offering unparalleled networking opportunities, insightful discussions, and access
to the latest innovations in construction technology and materials.
As Oman charts a course towards sustainable development and economic resilience, Project Oman 2024 stands as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and growth in the nation's construction sector. Join us in shaping the future of Oman's built environment and unlocking new avenues for progress and prosperity.
For more information about Project Oman, visit www.project-oman.com
Methane responsible for half of global warming
Despite there being a focus on mainly cutting CO2 emissions, international researchers say methane emissions were responsible for about half of global warming between the preindustrial period and the 2010s, and have laid out three steps to get this under control
An international team of climate researchers writing in Frontiers in Science set out three imperatives to cut methane emissions and share a new tool to help us find the most cost-effective ways of doing so.
“The world has been rightly focused on carbon dioxide, which is the largest driver of climate change to date,” says Professor Drew Shindell of Duke University, lead author.
“Methane seemed like something we could leave for later, but the world has warmed very rapidly over the past couple of decades, while we’ve failed to reduce our CO₂ emissions. So that leaves us more desperate for ways to reduce the rate of warming rapidly, which methane can do.”
Reduce, coordinate, and incentivize
Methane is the second most potent greenhouse
gas, but only about 2% of global climate finance goes towards cutting methane emissions. These emissions are also rising fast, due to a combination of emissions from fossil fuel production and increased emissions from wetlands, driven by the climate crisis.
To slow the damage from climate change and make it possible to keep global warming below 2°C, the scientists say we need to act immediately, following
the Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% from their 2020 level by 2030. They lay out three critical imperatives for action, backed by analyses of satellite remote sensing data, reported methane emissions, and the interaction of abatement options with market forces. Firstly, we need to bring methane emissions down. Secondly, we need to coordinate efforts to tackle
methane and carbon dioxide emissions—only cutting carbon dioxide won’t stop warming quickly enough, but only cutting methane just delays global heating.
Thirdly, we need to incentivize and enforce methane abatement.
This is a life-saving, cost-effective measure. Estimates indicate that every tonne of methane emitted in 2020 caused US$470-1700 of damages. But this may be a significant underestimate: taking into consideration the effect on air pollution that damages human health, the true cost could be up to $7,000 per tonne—and rising.
“The benefits of methane mitigation nearly always outweigh the net costs,” explains Shindell.
“Many methane mitigation options provide net economic gains even without accounting for environmental impacts.”
Methane doesn’t accumulate in the atmosphere in the long term, so emissions reductions take effect more quickly. If we could cut all methane emissions tomorrow, in 30 years more than 90% of accumulated methane—but only around 25% of carbon dioxide— would have left the atmosphere.
“The most important mitigations are the available mitigation options across all sectors that aren’t too expensive, because we really need to do everything to reach climate targets such as 1.5 or 2°C warming,” says Shindell.
“Controlling methane from only one sector wouldn’t be enough. We need a broad portfolio of actions.”
The right tools for the job
The most impactful opportunities to fight methane will depend on the measures a country has already taken and the industries it relies on. So the authors created an online tool to identify the most effective measures for abatement in different countries.
For big fossil fuel producers, regulating production, incentivizing the capture of methane, or charging companies for methane emissions could be the most effective options.
For others, focusing on emissions from landfills
could offer the biggest rewards. Individuals can help by making lifestyle changes and by thinking about the environment when they vote.
“People can make sure they avoid overconsumption of beef and dairy, and compost their organic waste whenever possible,” says Shindell.
“If it’s not possible where they live, they can vote for those who’ll create programs for composting in their towns. They can also vote for those who will make polluters pay for methane emission rather than letting them profit
while society picks up the tab for the damages they’re inflicting.”
“There are uncertainties, of course,” cautions Shindell.
“We don’t yet have enough data to fully parse out the contributions of individual factors to the recent surge in the observed growth rate, for example. But it is imperative to rapidly reduce methane emissions to reduce the accelerating climate damages so many people around the world are suffering.”
New initiative to reduce carbon emissions of buildings
A new industry-led initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of New Zealand’s buildings, which contribute up to 20% of the national carbon footprint
The Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) announced a partnership with Masterspec to develop a national online resource of carbon data for construction materials and products.
This free and authoritative database will empower the industry to make environmentally responsible decisions regarding their building designs and material selections. BRANZ has been collating and verifying the data underpinning this initiative since 2012.
In response to industry demand, and with endorsement from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment | Hīkina Whakatutuki, this initiative will use BRANZ’s underlying data to create a highly accessible and usable national data resource, covering a broader range of construction products and materials. As an independent and impartial research organisation, BRANZ will continue to ensure the carbon data feeding the online resource is reliable and accurate.
Minister for Building and Construction Hon Chris Penk says this initiative is an excellent example of how the construction sector can collaborate to achieve great results.
“In particular, providing
high quality data will enable conscious consumers to make informed decisions. This in turn empowers builders to provide more sustainable solutions that the market is seeking,” says Penk.
BRANZ Chief Executive Claire Falck says that sharing the data is about the industry working together to provide essential tools to design more sustainable buildings.
“Today marks a significant step forward for sustainable building in New Zealand. To reach Aotearoa New Zealand’s zero-carbon targets, we need collaboration across the building and construction industry.
“Our research shows that the best way to drive this change is to work together to equip the industry with the tools, knowledge and abilities to make effective
zero-carbon decisions,” says Falck.
Masterspec Chief Executive Russell Turner says, “New Zealand’s construction, architecture and design professionals need to establish the embodied carbon content of their projects and need to know the consequences of their product decisions.”
“This partnership will provide a science-based repository, combined with a service to maintain and update the data regularly. The development of the national embodied carbon dataset for construction products will help the industry to reduce its carbon emissions,” he says.
Master Builders Chief Executive Ankit Sharma says the initiative exemplifies how collaboration and innovation can drive meaningful change.
“It highlights the industry’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. It’s important that we, as sector, play our part in reducing emissions. This initiative is a crucial step towards providing the industry with better tools and resources that support decarbonisation across the whole construction life cycle,” says Sharma.
Te Kāhui Whaihanga | New Zealand Institute of Architects Perehitini (President) Huia Reriti says that registered architects all over Aotearoa welcome the initiative.
“Our members are already focused on making environmentally responsible decisions. We’ve hired a sustainability advisor, and this national resource will be another very valuable addition to the tools available to members.”
“By providing impartial data and including a more comprehensive range of materials, the initiative will help architects to reduce embodied carbon in every project they embark on and to get closer to our zero carbon targets faster,” he says.
The platform will be developed and built over the coming months, with the first data estimated to be available next year.
E v e r y p e r s o n , e v e r y c a n c e r
895,115 Kms driven to get people to appointments
46,600 Bed nights for people receiving treatment 5,742 People attending supportive care programmes
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Earthquake-prone building rules under review
The Government has announced an extensive review of the management of seismic risk in existing buildings to ensure it is being managed effectively and in a workable, proportionate way
At a high level, the Review will include:
• considering society’s expectations and willingness to pay to mitigate the risk of injury and death in an earthquake, and for improving the resilience of buildings over time
• recommending regulatory responses that balance life safety
risks against the costs of regulation and impact on private property owners
• identifying barriers to meeting regulatory requirements and the types of support or incentives that would help building owners to better manage seismic risk
• considering how outcomes from
seismic risk requirements align with broader Government objectives.
There will be opportunities for input during the Review and any legislative change would commence in 2026.
Massey University’s Dr Lauren Vinnell says the review is useful.
“We want to keep people safe, but we also don’t
want people or businesses leaving buildings when they probably don’t need to.
“Several goals of the review have the chance to improve this system if they are done properly.
However, the ‘people’ side of things can be vastly complicated. Questions of ‘willingness to pay’ need to consider the full range of (not just economic) costs and benefits of improving
building resilience but also an understanding of how people think about their earthquake risk in context.
“For many, there’s an idea that it’s a zero-sum game, so any money invested in seismic is money not invested in, for example, road safety. This means that conversations focused on earthquakes can miss a large part of the process by which the public balance risk against cost and decide how much they’re willing to invest for a particular hazard.
“Many of the words used in this terms of reference are understood differently between different experts, and between experts and the public. Even ‘risk’ can mean vastly different things, so key to the success of this review will be whether these conversations are happening with everyone on the same page about what is being said and what is being meant.”
AUT’s Professor John Tookey says this is a public safety issue that should be expedited.
“There are an awful lot of buildings that are at risk across the country. Since introducing the legislation in place, the levels of remediation undertaken have been less than expected.”
He says this is not surprising, given virtually all construction works require borrowed capital.
“As interest rates increase, so levels of general construction go down. This, then, presents a paradox for property owners that need to remediate their earthquake prone buildings.
“On the one hand, quoted prices from engineers and tradies are likely to sharpen since they are actively competing for scarce work. On the other,
the acquisition costs are likely to be prohibitive if the works require owners to extend their mortgages in order to start them.
“A simple thought
likely that the final outcome of this review will be to recommend extending the timeline for getting remediation works completed. This
experiment for any property owner at present is ‘how keen would you be to extend your mortgage by $150k to protect your asset?’ For many ‘mom and pop’ type investors, this is unlikely to be attractive. Indeed if anything it is likely to prompt some to divest themselves of at risk assets.
“On balance it is highly
more importantly – it reduces the urgency on governmental budgets to implement remediation in public buildings – schools, sports centres, hospitals etc.
“According to analysis by BRANZ in 2017, the timelines for governmental assets such as schools and hospitals in high and medium seismic areas are respectively 7.5 years and 12.5 years from the date of the introduction of the law – July 2017. This makes the government and local councils responsible for blanket remediation of all assets within these zones by the end of 2024 and 2029 respectively.
“Consequently, all of these remediation requirements will inevitably and increasingly hold governmental budgets hostage as we get closer to these implementation dates. In order to encourage regular property owners the government needs to set an appropriate example with early remediation works.
“This is a huge problem for a government seeking to reduce spending over the next one or two electoral cycles. It is likely therefore that a particularly large can of seismic worms is going to be kicked some distance down the road. If in doubt, move the goalposts.”
is an obvious outcome that is highly beneficial to the government if not for public safety. Firstly it will reduce the pressure in the general market and lessen the likelihood of a sell off starting – particularly important in the weak market we have at the moment.
“Secondly – and much
For more information: Earthquake-prone building and seismic risk management review | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz)
BEX Asia 2024: Powering Innovation and Partnership in Asia's Built Environment
Join us for 3 days of Unlimited Learning, Business Networking & Sourcing at Southeast Asia’s Leading Built Environment Expo
SINGAPORE, 22 July 2024 – The Built Environment Expo Asia (BEX) 2024 is gearing up for a landmark return from 4 - 6 September at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. As the leading Built Environment Expo, it promises to be a dynamic hub that brings together industry professionals, thought leaders, and innovative companies shaping the future of
Asia's built environment. BEX Asia 2024 caters to the specific needs of the region’s markets, while also boasting a strong international presence. The event features dedicated pavilions like Ontario, Canada; China, and Singapore, alongside exhibitors from countries/ region including Japan, Korea, Denmark, Australia, France, Canada, Malaysia and Oman. “BEX Asia 2024 is a timely and crucial
platform for industry professionals in the region. This year's exhibition positions itself as the leading market intelligence platform for the built environment industry that presents the transformative trends that are reshaping the region. We look forward to witnessing advancements in robotics and prefabrication technologies, alongside the continued evolution of digital design solutions,”
said Yeow Hui Leng, Group Director, RX Singapore.
“BEX Asia will also foster a dynamic environment where participants can forge strategic partnerships and network with the vibrant startup community — ensuring they are positioned at the forefront of building a more sustainable and resilient future for our cities.”
A Hub of Innovation
BEX Asia 2024 serves as a central platform within IBEW for industry professionals from across the region to discover a wealth of cutting-edge and market-ready solutions for all aspects of the built environment ecosystem. This year's event will feature:
• New Innovations in Action: Uncover the cutting-edge solutions that are shaping the future of the built environment. Companies such as ebm-papst, for instance, are showcasing an IoTbased solution to regulate indoor air quality and energy efficiency in real time based on occupancy, outdoor conditions and other factors. Camfil will be highlighting the importance of proper restaurant ventilation, emphasising its benefits for health, business, and air quality management. Yitac will be launching a state-of-the-art system for ensuring optimal performance, heightened energy savings, and sustainability in air conditioning. Additionally, PestBusters will be showcasing their scientifically proven solution for eradicating termite colonies.
• Experience the Future of Building with Industry Leaders: Immerse yourself in a diverse array of groundbreaking solutions from leading companies through onsite product
demonstrations and successful projects implementations. This includes the latest advancements that have set a new benchmark for innovative sustainability solutions, zeroemission construction equipment, fully integrated facility services, and a variety of other fields integral to the built environment sector. Explore the exhibition floor through curated delegation tours led by experts or at your own pace.
smarter and more efficient solutions. Digitalisation and modern technologies such as AI emerge as powerful catalysts for change, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in both environmental responsibility and operational effectiveness. Daikin is passionate about leveraging these advancements by developing cuttingedge solutions for our industry partners. Events like BEX Asia 2024 provide a valuable platform
• Knowledge-sharing Opportunities: Gain insights from thought leaders and experts through informative masterclasses on the latest trends and technologies, such as “Revolutionising Building Management with Abound: The Future of Smart Solutions”, presented by Carrier and “AI in Construction: What's Possible?” delivered by Bimage Consulting.
• Startup Pavilions: Discover innovative construction workflow solutions from startups like Millipede. Additionally, explore the latest advancements from rising stars in robotics and automation, smart construction solutions, green energy, as well as machine learning-based predictive analytics platforms that are supported by HKSTP, ConTech Exchange, and IESINCA. “The built environment is evolving rapidly, demanding
to showcase these advancements and collaborate with industry leaders. We're excited to share our vision for the future of intelligent and sustainable climate control solutions, which includes iPlant Manager and the new MARUTTO — an integrated platform that gives unprecedented control over HVAC systems, no matter where they're at,” said Swen Tan, Senior Manager, Sustainability Lead, Daikin. Other Key Highlights
• SGBC Seminar: Explore firsthand the innovative advancements and practical solutions shaping sustainable building practices. Attendees will also earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points while learning from industry experts at the Singapore Green Building Council's dedicated seminar programme.
Register Today Registration for BEX Asia 2024, a cornerstone of the prestigious International Built Environment Week (IBEW) 2024, is now open. Visit www.bex-asia.com for more information and to register.
Despite the clear direction in government legislation, the Commission does nothing to encourage energy efficiency which could reduce consumers’ bills.
“Under section 54Q of the Commerce Act, the Commission must promote incentives, and avoid imposing disincentives for electricity lines suppliers to invest in energy efficiency, demand-side management, and reduction in energy losses.”
This is a direct quote from the Commission’s May 30 draft decision on future regulation of lines companies.
In a submission on the draft decision, Ecobulb says the commission must obey the law and promote energy efficiency. While the Commission suggests that its draft decision will promote energy efficiency, there is no sign of any real change in approach.
The Commission talks about a desire to promote energy efficiency, yet there is nothing in the draft decision that will incentivise or obligate electricity lines companies to promote efficiency. In other words, nothing will change – energy efficiency will continue to be disincentivised in the new default price quality path applying from 2025.
The Commission doesn’t allow lines companies to recover any money spent in the short term on energy efficiency. Similarly, it doesn’t allow lines companies to include energy efficiency in regulated asset bases and therefore recover spending over the long term.
The double whammy means it is not economic for lines companies to help their customers invest in energy efficiency, so they understandably don’t. This fact is starkly obvious
Commerce Commission urged to promote energy efficiency
The Commerce Act clearly states that the Commerce Commission must promote incentives for energy efficiency, but is failing to do so and letting down consumers, Ecobulb Managing Director Chris Mardon says
in the information which lines companies provide to the commission each year. Spending on energy efficiency is close to zero, proving there are no incentives to encourage efficiency.
Electricity distribution businesses should be obligated and incentivised to invest in energy efficiency activities which benefit their residential and commercial customers. This has become even more important following the cancellation of the vast majority of the Government’s funding for residential and commercial energy efficiency.
While the Commission’s draft decision allows a 50 percent uplift in network
revenues, it should also encourage networks to spend on energy efficiency projects, as these provide greater reductions overall in consumer bills. Energy efficiency also lowers peak loads, energy volumes, and carbon emissions.
Ecobulb’s submission strongly recommends that the Commission allocate half of its proposed Innovation and Non-Traditional Solutions Fund to energy efficiency, increase the size of the fund to five percent of revenues, and simplify and clarify rules around what qualifies as spending on energy efficiency.
Read Ecobulb’s submission: Ecobulb Limited Sub -
mission on EDB DPP4 Draft Decision 020724 FINAL
Christchurch company
Ecobulb’s goal is to save enough electricity to power New Zealand for one year. With approximately 25 million Ecobulb energy saving light bulbs installed in an estimated 3.4 million New Zealand, Australian and US homes, and having completed energy assessments in 43,000 New Zealand homes, Ecobulb is 64% of the way to achieving its goal. These Ecobulbs are saving an estimated $6 billion electricity and 19 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission reductions.
Time to think about user charging
With moves to tackle New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit, including through fast-track consenting and the establishment of a National Infrastructure Agency, it’s the perfect time to consider the incorporation of user charging mechanisms to boost infrastructure delivery, Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett says
Infrastructure New Zealand advocates for user charging as a sustainable tool to help fund infrastructure. We believe it ensures that those who use infrastructure (water networks, roads, etc.) directly contribute to its development, maintenance, and renewal. It also means that funding generated by user charges can be ring-fenced, protecting it from competition from more politically attractive projects.
In the transport area, at least, it seems that user charging is on the table. It has been announced that NZTA has begun work on the first seven new Roads of National Significance (RoNS) and that tolling is being seriously considered by officials as part of the funding mix. Infrastructure New Zealand is actively promoting tolling for new RoNS and I am encouraged by the transport minister’s public comments that if official advice recommends tolls, the Government will sign those off.
Four-lane, grade-separated highways are essential for the safe and efficient movement of people and freight around New Zealand; however, they are expensive to construct and maintain. While other funding and financing methods, such as PPPs, will also be
in the mix, tolling can make an important contribution. Unfortunately, tolling, like congestion charging, has always been a bit controversial in New Zealand, but both are common features of transport systems overseas and while some people may not yet accept the need for them, the reality is if we want modern firstworld transport infrastructure and reduced traffic congestion, we must find ways to help pay for that.
In any user charges system, whether it be for transport or utilities, careful design and the consideration of lower-income communities is critical. Not only does this ensure equity but also helps the scheme gain overall public acceptance. There are various ways you can design user charging systems to limit the burden on lower-income or fixed-income households, including through discounts and subsidies, the gradual phasing in of charging, tiered pricing, and revenue recycling.
I note over the last month
both the New Zealand Initiative and the Helen Clark Foundation in partnership with WSP have made important contributions to the conversation around user charging. I was particularly pleased to see analysis done on ‘Smart Road User Charges’ as a replacement for fuel excise duty and how charging vehicles based on distance travelled, time of day and location, as well as vehicle type and weight can help manage congestion and deliver ongoing road maintenance funding.
For New Zealand to do infrastructure better we need to learn from the experiences of others and visit the places and people who are further along in addressing common infrastructure challenges. In this context, the two delegations Infrastructure New Zealand recently led to Europe and the UK are invaluable. During the European Delegation where we visited Ireland, North Ireland, and Denmark, I was particularly impressed by the commitment to climate adaptation
and resilience, including to protect communities and transport infrastructure. The non-partisan approach to transport infrastructure was also a big takeaway. The wider focus on the long term that was visible in all countries, with far less deviation from the strategies set, was impressive. In places like Copenhagen, public transport, walking, and cycling infrastructure go together with the development of newer, safer roads. Imagine if we could gain the same broad political agreement for that here!
The UK delegation focused on learning lessons from our UK partners on city and regional deals, transport, and the funding and provision of water services. The history and politics of city and regional deals were fascinating, and it was extremely insightful to hear from ex-CE of Wellington City Council Kevin Lavery and others on different deal structures and what is likely to work in the New Zealand context.
Listening and learning together as infrastructure leaders is an important part of what we do. I expect we will see some of the knowledge we gained picked up and translated into industry best practice and public policy.
Chemical safety relies on meaningful cooperation
Expanding government-industry partnerships to help business operators should be a no brainer. Inviting enquirers to read the regulations falls well short of educational expectations
Barry Dyer Chief Executive Responsible
Care NZ
Today, chemical suppliers and their customers continue to adjust to the Covid operational environment.
They struggle with supply chain delays, the loss of experienced staff, frustration with unanswered queries to risk-averse authorities, inflexible and prescriptive regulations, rising compliance costs, diminishing resources and increasing public chemical safety expectations.
While 130,000 businesses are reportedly captured by the Hazardous Substances and Major Hazard Facilities regulations, the official mantra of “600-900 persons seriously harmed each year by unwanted exposure to chemicals in their workplace” presumably applies to all of the country’s 530,000 workplaces.
Increasing community concerns about vulnerability to unwanted chemical exposure and damage to our fragile environment places additional pressure on both suppliers and users of the chemicals.
We all need to sustain and improve our quality of life and these products must be safely managed throughout their life cycle.
Downgrading the flawed but effective HSNO Certified Handler requirement has inadvertently undermined an invaluable capability.
The action deprived businesses, particularly SMEs, of an immediate and recognisable source of workplace chemical safety and compliance advice -- a safe chemical handling capability and emergency response knowledge – critical when a chemical incident occurs.
PCBUs and SMEs must now devise their own solutions to ensure employees are competent to safely handle the chemicals with which they work.
Chemical industry leaders are moving away from relying on lagging indicators of safety performance in favour of identifying safer work practices and work-
places, by responding to workers’ suggestions about improvements.
Conscientious business operators can add value by sourcing accurate, cost-effective workplace chemical safety advice and compliance tools from their suppliers, industry partners and Responsible Care NZ.
A proven strategy is government agencies collaborating with proactive industry associations to best achieve workplace safety aspirations. The problem is that SMEs rarely join associations.
However, they all obtain their chemical requirements from suppliers and can benefit from product stewardship advice and cost-effective industry compliance initiatives.
Responsible Care NZ extols less regulation in favour of enabling business operators to be increasingly self-sufficient, using cost-effective products and services such as site compliance assessments and specialist training.
The focus is keeping people safe around the chemicals we encounter every day by adding value to businesses.
Responsible Care is a global voluntary chemical industry initiative developed autonomously by the chemical industry for the chemical industry.
Chemical suppliers continue to help customers achieve workplace chemical safety aspirations through product stewardship initiatives.
To help solve the in-house chemical compliance dilemma in New Zealand, Responsible Care NZ delivers specialist and cost-effective Certified Handler standard training, complete with a certificate.
Responsible Care NZ site compliance assessments are non-threatening, effectively capturing and assessing chemical safety performance in a variety of workplaces.
Improvements to temporary traffic management already underway
Industry leaders are calling recent commentary on temporary traffic management uninformed and unhelpful, as they work to transition from a ‘one size fits all’ model to a more risk-based approach
Temporary Traffic Management
Industry Steering Group (TTM ISG) Chair Dave Tilton says the industry is already making progress in ensuring temporary
traffic management is fit for purpose through the transition from the compliance-based Code of practice for temporary traffic management (CoPTTM) to the more riskbased approach described
in the New Zealand guide to temporary traffic management (NZGTTM).
Tilton says this work has been underway for the past few years.
“The controls we are using, such as cones and
temporary speed limits, and the way we are using them, often do not align with the risks of a specific site or job. This can make it difficult for the public to see the correlation between the temporary traffic
management in place and the risks to themselves, other road users and our frontline people.
“There’s an obvious difference in risk in conducting the same work on a busy fourlane, 100km/h motorway compared to a rural road or quiet urban cul-de-sac.
“CoPTTM is prescriptive and can sometimes be implemented as a ‘one size fits all’ approach, which has its challenges, particularly across such a diverse roading network.
“The move to a more risk-based approach enables temporary traffic management that is as safe as possible for the specific risks at a particular site. It will allow the industry to apply more targeted temporary traffic management solutions and will result in a reduction of unnecessary temporary traffic management,” Tilton says.
However, he explains that the industry is focused on success over speed when it comes to the transition.
As highlighted in the Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY) report commissioned by Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown into the temporary traffic management system in Auckland:
‘The current TTM situation did not get this way overnight. It cannot be fixed overnight either … Real progress requires – and demands – a coordinated response with central government providing local government the tools they need to create the right incentives within the TTM system.’
Tilton says it’s a big change to the way the industry has planned and delivered temporary traffic management for more than 20 years.
“It is a big learning curve for everyone involved and important we get it right.”
Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard says a collaborative approach is needed.
He says while contractors are an easy target
– to keep road users and workers safe during highrisk works.”
He acknowledges that there is always room for improvement, and echoes Tilton’s point that the industry has been moving toward riskbased temporary traffic
for criticism, a more collaborative approach including clients, designers and subcontractors is needed to reach better outcomes, as industry works within health and safety legislation, enforced by WorkSafe as the regulator, with project standards and traffic management plans set by designers and clients.
“Suggesting traffic management is deployed to maximise profit is nonsense,” Pollard adds.
“It’s there for one reason
Pollard says.
Tilton adds that everyone has a role in improving safety for people who are working at or travelling through road works and, while he acknowledges people’s frustrations, he cautions against the current, unhelpful rhetoric around temporary traffic management.
“How road users respond to temporary traffic management is a critical factor in how safe these environments are for everyone, including themselves.
“The stronger the ‘war on road cones’ narrative, the greater the public disregard for temporary traffic management, the more unsafe our worksites will be – and the more traffic controls, like cones, we need to keep people safe.
“This kind of rhetoric is not only unhelpful, it’s reckless and it actually serves to exacerbate the problem.”
He says road cones and temporary speed limits are a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.
management for some years. However, Pollard says while this would lead to better safety outcomes and appropriate on-site controls, it would not necessarily lower traffic management costs.
“The way sites are set up is a function of the client requirements and what is needed to meet contractor obligations under health and safety legislation. We will not and cannot compromise people’s safety. It’s something everyone needs to improve on,”
“They are a highly visible symbol of ineffective systems and planning. Ensuring the right balance between costeffectiveness and the safety of everyone who works on or travels through road works will require integrating temporary traffic management earlier in the planning of work activities, rather than treating it as an afterthought at the end.
“Temporary traffic management is used to keep people safe while the work gets done.
Effective temporary traffic management should be no more – and no less – than what is required to keep everyone safe.”
Creating a healthy workplace starts with a solid foundation for wellbeing – the overall physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social health of people. A positive culture, increased productivity, higher staff retention, and better health and safety outcomes are just some of the benefits that come from making wellbeing a key focus of an organisation.
Leading health and safety organisation Site Safe New Zealand is on a journey to work with the construction industry to shift the approach to wellbeing in the workplace and set people up for success with the tools and resources they need to support wellbeing.
Since the release of a 2019 research report conducted by Site Safe into suicide in New Zealand’s construction industry, there has been acknowledgement from industry that mentally healthy and well workplaces have benefits for both health and safety and business success.
“We know how important it is to destigmatise the idea of looking after ourselves, especially in our industries who have typically had more of a ‘toughen up’ attitude when it comes to our wellbeing,” says Brett Murray, Site Safe New Zealand Chief Executive.
“We already work with key partners like MATES in Construction and Hato Hone St John to provide resources and training courses focusing on mental health in the industry, but we knew there was more we could do to support our industry and members, and in particular
Setting up for success with a solid foundation for wellbeing
small organisations who don’t have the financial resources to invest in this area.”
This year, Site Safe has partnered with Ignite Aotearoa to give Site Safe members free access to their
are evidence-based, easy to access, flexible and affordable, with a focus on partnering with workplaces to enhance employee wellbeing.
Site Safe are also investing in the wellbeing of the industry by sponsoring a
online platform and a large range of mental health and wellbeing resources, information, and workshops.
Ignite Aotearoa is a social wellbeing enterprise backed by Emerge Aotearoa – one of New Zealand’s largest independent mental health and social service organisations. Ignite Aotearoa’s mental health and wellbeing offerings
number of one-on-one support sessions so members can try out one of the services offered by the platform. Ignite
Aotearoa hosts over 100 different providers, including financial advisors, human resource consultants, occupational therapists, dietitians, social workers, counsellors, psychologists, and more.
“80% of our members are
small businesses who may not have ready access to tools and resources that support workplace wellbeing,” explains Murray. “We want to support our members to create a solid foundation for wellbeing by giving them access to a wide range of information and support that suits their needs.”
“Both our organisations have strongly aligned values,” says Murray. “Like us, Ignite Aotearoa believe New Zealanders should be able to access mental health and wellbeing support whenever they need it.”
By being proactive and getting support, employers can set a positive example for workers. Being open, honest, and free of judgement is a sure way to ensure people feel comfortable speaking up and ask for help when they need it.
To learn more, visit https://www.sitesafe.org. nz/news--events/news/ new-member-benefit-igniteaotearoa/
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“Businesses must manage their risks to keep workers safe. In each of these cases there was a failure to follow basic machine safety standards. WorkSafe investigated and prosecuted the cases as part of our role to hold businesses to account when they fall short on health and safety,” says WorkSafe principal inspector Mark Donaghue.
“All three cases are from the manufacturing sector – which has a persistent problem with machine safeguarding and is one of the country’s high-risk industries.”
One worker had two fingers amputated and a third degloved in a punch and shear machine, when the regular machine was out of order at Thompson Engineering in Timaru in January 2022. The business was recently fined $247,500 and ordered to pay reparations of $35,000.
Another worker had three fingers partially amputated while using a punch and forming press at Auckland’s Anglo Engineering in March 2022. In sentencing, Judge Lisa Tremewan referred to “an unintended complacency” and that “it is critical that robust practices are employed by those within the relevant industries”. A fine of $200,000 was imposed, and reparations of $35,337 were ordered.
And a third worker was cleaning a machine when it amputated two fingers and degloved a third at Flexicon Plastics in Auckland in August 2022. The machine’s on/off switch had been knocked into operation because the interlock wasn’t functioning. A fine of $74,392 was imposed, and reparations of $33,000 ordered.
Manufacturing sector pays out half a million in penalties
Courts have imposed more than half a million dollars in penalties since mid-March, in cases where workers have lost fingers on machinery that wasn’t kept safe by businesses
“If you are unsure whether your safeguarding is up to scratch, engage a qualified expert as soon as possible,” says WorkSafe’s Mark Donaghue.
“These sorts of incidents are avoidable. Workers should not be suffering harm like this in 2024, and businesses have no excuse. WorkSafe is notified of
machine guarding incidents from across the country every week, and is regularly prohibiting dangerous machinery as part of its proactive and targeted assessments. WorkSafe has a role to influence business to make sure they keep people healthy and safe –that’s why we’re speaking out on this issue.”
Workplaces have been required to safeguard machinery since the Machinery Act 1950 took effect. But more than 70 years later, workplaces still aren’t getting it right, with too many workers in Aotearoa being injured and killed from unsafe machinery.
Report released on KiwiRail train derailment
KiwiRail needs to fix problems with its systems and training for responding to foul weather and stay up to date with how well third parties maintain their waterways in the rail corridor, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) says
Anew report on a train derailment in stormy weather near Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, in January 2023, identifies systemic safety issues.
A KiwiRail freight train was travelling from Kawerau to Tauranga on the East Coast Main Trunk line with 39 wagons in the early hours of 29 January after heavy rain with flooding. The train drove at about 60km/h along a section of track with floodwater crossing it, the emergency brake activated automatically and the locomotive stopped. Only five wagons were behind the locomotive, of which four were uncoupled, and the remaining 34 wagons were 100 metres back down the track. Eleven wagons had derailed and lay strewn, some overturned, with disgorged freight in a chaotic pile across fields on either side of the track.
Chief Investigator of Accidents, Naveen Kozhuppakalam, says the accident happened because heavy rain and consequent volume of floodwater overwhelmed the drainage system around and under the rail corridor.
“At the accident site, water levels rose about 3.5 metres and washed out the stone and gravel support for the tracks. The fully laden train passed over the unsupported tracks, pushed the rails
out of shape, wagon wheels lost contact with rails, and the wagons derailed.
“The train was cleared to travel on this section of track, but it shouldn’t have been. The previous day, the same train crew told Train Control that they saw high water at what became the accident site, but they did so unclearly and the track inspector inspected the wrong location.
“To avoid similar accidents in future across New Zealand, a lot of elements need to come together. KiwiRail should have Triggered Action Response Plans in place. And staff should be adequately trained to identify when and where parts of the rail corridor are vulnerable – like this one, which was flood prone and there was reported high water after forecast rainfall.
“If the right plan is in place and staff are trained and correctly equipped, then proactive rather than reactive track inspections or closures are more likely.”
“KiwiRail should have good awareness about how well third parties –
landowners, councils and the like – are maintaining waterways that they own in the rail corridor. There’s more risk of flooding if third parties don’t adequately maintain their streams and culverts. So KiwiRail needs to satisfy itself that all those waterways, have effective and up-to-date maintenance programmes.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission opens an inquiry when it believes the circumstances of an accident or incident have – or are likely to have – significant implications for transport safety, or when the inquiry may allow the Commission to make findings or recommendations to improve transport safety.
The Commission’s purpose is to improve transport safety by avoiding repeat accidents, rather than by ascribing blame.
Three nationwide safety issues and recommendations for KiwiRail to reduce the risks of serious accidents:
1. Foul weather responsiveness: KiwiRail’s
current response to adverse weather conditions is not fit for purpose and is not consistent throughout New Zealand’s rail network. Recommendation that KiwiRail review its adverse weather response system and processes.
2. Foul weather training: KiwiRail’s training for rail personnel on the procedures for reporting and receiving unusual weather condition information was inadequate. This meant procedures to ensure safety of trains were not initiated in accordance with KiwiRail’s own rules. Recommendation that KiwiRail put more emphasis on training rail personnel in reporting unusual weather conditions.
3. Knowledge management about waterway maintenance: KiwiRail lacked adequate awareness of maintenance by third-parties of the waterways those parties owned in the rail corridor. Insufficient maintenance increases risk that they won’t function as designed. Recommendation that KiwiRail address this
GEBT 2024 builds solid foundations for business opportunities in smart spaces
Guangzhou, 20 June 2024. The 21st Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology (GEBT) concluded on 12 June 2024 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou. Held concurrently with Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE), the two fairs showcased 3,383 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions, while attracting 208,992 visitors. This year, GEBT promoted the exchange of expertise among participants and created numerous business opportunities in smart spaces.
Key figures from GEBT and GILE 2024:
• Visitors: 208,992 from 150 countries and regions
• Exhibitors: 3,318 from 20 countries and regions
• Scale: 260,000 sqm
Ms Lucia Wong, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “I am pleased that this year's GEBT maintains strength in both exhibitor and buyer participation, with a recordbreaking number of buyers
coming from overseas.
Everyone has been eagerly sharing their latest innovations, promoting the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and collectively exploring the immense potential within the field of intelligent building. Looking ahead, I believe that the industry will continue to thrive, and I welcome you to reunite here in the summer of next year in Guangzhou.”
The 21st edition presented “Smart Lighting and AIoT Solutions” zone, “Home Automation and Audio
Visual” zone and “Home Automation and Green Building” zone, covering products and solutions in home automation systems integration, home audiovisual and entertainment systems, intelligent shading, smart lighting, electrical engineering, smart hotels and more. Among them, the wide applications of smart spaces have gained significant attention in the industry, as they create huge value in the commercial space design, home automation, and
innovative communities sectors due to the great adoption of intelligent building technology.
Exhibitors’ comments
“We have been participating in GEBT for approximately eight consecutive years, aiming to expand our overseas business by leveraging the fair's international influence. In recent years, we have been actively developing products and solutions related to smart spaces,
which are able to optimise user experience with efficient interconnection and control capabilities beyond traditional smart products. This approach has opened up new business opportunities in what is a competitive industry. I am confident about the future market and plan to exhibit again next year.”
Mr Tom Zhou, Sales Manager, Hangzhou Tuya Information Technology Co Ltd
“GEBT is widely recognised for its professionalism and industry appeal, drawing numerous leading brands and attendees each year. In addition to smart hotel systems, smart spaces represent a core focus area for our company. As technology continues to advance and the market expands, the development path for smart spaces will only become broader.”
Mr Li Duan, General Manager, Nanjing Puietel L.O.T Technology Co Ltd
Buyers’ comments
“We are a Polish electronics manufacturing company seeking LED and home automation solutions. Home automation products and solutions are increasingly popular in Europe, as the continent has implemented many new laws to promote green transformation and sustainability. This is why we are keen to explore new products and suppliers in China. The fair is very professionally organised, and I am looking forward to returning for future visits.”
Mr Dariusz Gotkiewicz, Supply Chain Manager, ALS Stanislaw Binkiewicz (Poland)
“This was my first visit to GEBT, where I am sourcing for system and equipment suppliers in the home automation and smart gerontechnology sectors. With the advent of an aging population, it has become an urgent issue to find ways to help the elderly better enjoy their later years. In addition, I made a point of visiting the KNX Association’s booth to gain a deeper understanding of how the KNX standard and its related technologies are applied in home automation systems.”
Mr Honghua Wang, Purchaser, Changzhou Yidu Lighting Co., Ltd
Providing insights on industry trends and promoting the sharing of knowledge
This year's GEBT offered 11 engaging forums and new product launches highlighting 70 popular topics related to the latest industry developments. Some of the key areas included the applications of smart spaces and AI technology, intelligent zerocarbon buildings, smart and healthy lighting, as well as system integration.
Speakers’ comments
“As a leading event for the industry, GEBT gathers a diverse array of exhibitors, distributors and engineers from around the world, enabling the rapid exchange of vital market insights. At this forum, we delved into how the Matter standard, as a unifying force in the global home automation industry, can empower local companies to expand into overseas markets. Over the years, GEBT and the Connectivity Standards Alliance have worked in tandem to drive the development of this
dynamic industry.”
Ms Wilma Su, Chairman, Connectivity Standards Alliance
“I used the Gloryview headquarters building as an example to emphasise the importance of shifting space design from focusing on smart applications to green and low-carbon operations. With the wide applications and practicality, smart spaces represent a crucial direction for the industry’s future development. GEBT's forums provide both speakers and audiences with insights into the latest technology in the industry, allow them to learn from one another, and collaboratively drive the innovation and advancement of smart spaces.”
Mr YuFeng Mai, Director of the Technical Centre, Gloryview Tech (Shenzhen)
Audiences’ comments
“This year's AI Marketing Forum invited a number of industry leaders to share the cutting-edge technologies and business models. This has greatly broadened my knowledge, especially on how to apply the matrix calculation in an actual business setting, from which I gained a lot of inspiration. GEBT serves as an important platform in the industry, and each time I participate, it provides a positive impetus for the development of my career.”
Mr Linsheng Zhang, Manager, Handan Sunwood Mark Lighting Co Ltd
“As a company focuses on intelligent building control, we maintain close partnerships with many integrators. Therefore, we look forward to learning
about the latest trends in the integration market through the Integrators’ Conference. The intelligent building case studies presented at the forum were particularly inspiring. Overall, GEBT provides a valuable platform for engaging in meaningful dialogue with renowned players in our industry. I plan to attend again next year.”
Mr Shuorui Hong, Sales, Guangzhou Huibo Technology Co Ltd
The next editions of Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition and Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology will be held from 9 – 12 June 2025. Both shows are part of Messe Frankfurt’s Light + Building Technology fairs headed by the biennial Light + Building event. The next edition will be held from 8 – 13 March 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Messe Frankfurt organises several trade fairs for the light and building technology sectors in Asia, including Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology, Shanghai Smart Home Technology, Parking China and Shanghai Smart Office Technology. The company’s lighting and building technology trade fairs also cover the markets in Argentina, India, Türkiye, the UAE and the US.
For more information on Light + Building shows worldwide, please visit http://www.brand.lightbuilding.com. For more information regarding the building shows in China, please visit www.building. cn.messefrankfurt.com or email building@china. messefrankfurt.com.
The Expos will showcase the most comprehensive range of innovative products, services, solutions and the entire supply chain under one roof by local and international participants to trade visitors, potential buyers, policy makers, government officials, C-Level executives, business leaders, leading industry experts, top-tier public visitors and key decision makers from the region and beyond, making it a definitive power packed networking platform, where new projects and partnerships are initiated and visionary objectives are implemented.
Architecture and Urban Planning Expo - Oman’s first and only dedicated event focusing on Architecture and urban planning will showcase the latest technologies, products and services.
Architecture Section is an exclusive event where architects, designers, specifiers and property developers from the Sultanate of Oman and the Middle East region explore carefully selected innovative and inspiring products, materials and services for their projects. Some of the most revolutionary solutions will be presented in the Expo which will generate high interest among the architects and designers’ community.
The Urban Planning section will provide an unmatched platform for the urban and landscape design industry to secure new business in the Sultanate of Oman and the region. Key decision makers will meet local and international suppliers to explore business opportunities, and to source the latest landscaping,
Attend the Home and Building Expo in Oman this October
Exhibitors and visitors are invited to participate in the Home and Building Expo, co-located with the Architecture and Urban Planning Expo, which is the Sultanate of Oman’s premier bespoke B2B and B2C event to be held from 07 - 09 October 2024 at the Oman
infrastructure & urban development solutions and technological advancements.
There are diverse and cost-effective ackages to
Convention and Exhibition Centre, Muscat. Event website
ensure participation with assured ROI and exhibition booths to create a strong impact and presence at the event.
The event organiser also offers customised packages best suited to your organisation’s requirements and budget.
Smarter Journeys
Join us at SITCE 2024, Asia Pacific's leading public transport congress and exhibition to engage with key urban mobility industry players. This edition's theme "Smarter Journeys for Sustainable Cities" highlights innovative solutions for urban transport challenges with the participation of top industry leaders and experts
Key Topics
Building a Workforce Ready for the Future
Automation and Autonomous Vehicles
Electrification and Sustainable Urban Mobility
Smart, Inclusive Transport with a New Culture for Commuters
Sustainable Infrastructure and Asset Management
Hiba Farès
Lilli Matson
Renée