7 February e-News
How much do we need to fill the infrastructure deficit?
The Government’s infrastructure investment occupied the headlines last week. It has been billed the single most significant capital expenditure on infrastructure in New Zealand since World War II. But was it enough? Some think not.
"Economists and infrastructure experts say that amount barely scratches the surface of what's needed to catch up with population growth running 30 years ahead of schedule, and infrastructure building that has been largely stalled for the past 30 years." Read more here
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Is $12 billion enough as a one-off investment to solve all our infrastructure problems? Of course not. However, I’d say let's not let perfect get in the way of good. Let's hope this is just the start of a more broad-ranging approach to ongoing investment.
I firmly believe we need a vision for Aotearoa, and we need a vision for the infrastructure that supports it. The funding should follow that vision.
Coffee with me in Auckland
It’s already February, so I am keen to get out and talk to members, to ensure I understand the challenges firms right across our sector face. So, here’s the first opportunity.
- Thursday 13 February
- 7am – 10.30am
- The Lunchroom Café, Auckland CBD
If you’d like to book a 30-minute slot, drop me an email on [email protected]. I’ll buy the coffee.
What's on
A reminder about our upcoming events.
Mental Health with Engineering New Zealand
12 February, Auckland
18 February, Wellington
Your wellbeing is important. One in five New Zealander's will experience mental illness this year. If left undiagnosed or untreated, mental illness can significantly impact a person’s ability to function in addition to impacting those around them. These informative and interactive events are a great opportunity to hear from a variety of professionals sharing their experiences.
Find out more and register for Auckland
Find out more and register for Wellington
The Diversity Agenda Accord launch at Parliament
20 February, Wellington
Hon Julie Anne Genter, Minister for Women, will officially launch the Diversity Agenda Accord at a major event in the Grand Hall at Parliament.
Webinar: Fit For The Future – Strategy 101 with Alicia McKay
Tuesday 18 February, 11am
In this webinar, Alicia McKay breaks down the basics when it comes to good organisational strategy, answering common questions like ''What is strategy? Why do we need one? What do all the words mean? How does it all fit together? What does it have to do with me?''
More details and register your spot
Webinar: Value-Based Pricing - By Win Without Pitching’s Blair Enns
Wednesday 26 February, 10am
The webinar takes the subject of value-based pricing and makes it real. Blair's goal for this webinar is to have you increase your firm’s profits by 50% simply by following two fundamental principles and four simple rules.
More details and register your spot
Christchurch rebuild projects near completion
The rebuild will see a new acute services building for Christchurch Hospital and a convention centre open this year while two new motorways may also be completed.
Housing affordability takes a dive
More middle-class professionals are struggling to afford a home, as all eight housing markets in New Zealand are rated as "severely unaffordable".
Slow rental progress
The Government’s “healthy homes” initiative aims to have our rental stock up to better quality standard by 2024, but experts say the process is "slow and expensive".
Built on beer
Three hundred cubic metres of “gravel” used for bulk fill at a wastewater construction project in Central Otago contains over 232,000 empty stubbie bottles.
New hotel for Auckland CBD
The New Zealand International Convention Centre is proving a catalyst for other development as the Hotel Grand Chancellor lodges a plan for a new 191 room block.
Light rail for Christchurch?
A regional rail network was included in Christchurch City Council’s 2011 draft city plan, but the idea went nowhere. Will 2020 be the year for a light rail network to progress?
Testing earthquake resilience
Foundations built to replicate those under older homes and to current building standards are being tested to determine how homes built on steep hillsides perform in an earthquake.
Shake up for building guarantees
There are fewer protection options for would-be new homeowners after two of the country’s key building guarantees lose their underwriters.
Watch our Awards Q+A webinar
Last week we hosted a webinar on the upcoming ACE Awards. It covers everything you need to know on what’s changed, what the judges are looking for and the key dates.
Don’t forget, expressions of interest close 10 February. Express your interest now