Practice Managers Forum – ACE New Zealand
The ACE New Zealand Practice Managers Forum is for practice managers and leaders involved in the operational functions of their firm, such as HR, finance, general office operations and more.
The forum aims to connect people in small to medium sized firms to enable them to discuss relevant topics, ask questions and share concerns.
The forum is facilitated by ACE staff with a new topic selected for discussion each session.
The forum runs approximately every few months and is open to ACE members.The next Practice Managers Forum is scheduled for Monday 15 September from 1pm-2pm.
This month’s topic
We’ll be discussing contracts, including issues we are currently seeing in the market, some of ACE’s recent advocacy work, and the resources we have available to support members in navigating these issues.There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions and discuss with the group.
If you have any specific questions you would like us to cover, please send these through to julia@acenz.org.nz prior to the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you on Monday 15 September!
Join the forum
Enter your details online and we’ll send you a link to join the online meeting.
IPWEA NZ’s Engineer and Contractors Representative Workshop Rotorua – ACENZ
The two day IPWEA NZ “Engineer to the Contract” workshop is advanced level training, providing interactive coaching on the demanding role of the Engineer under a NZS 3910 contract, to assist people already with some construction experience to understand and gain confidence in the processes needing to be followed. Important legal aspects of contract formation and variation, payment claims and certification, defaults and disputes are covered through short talks, practical exercises, role plays and lessons learned discussions. Candidates are recommended to have already attended some basic NZS 3910 or other construction contract training, although this is not mandatory. A take away workbook is issued to all attendees, which will provide useful reference material for future projects. More than 400 people have attended this workshop during the past decade.
Please click here to view the brochure and registration form.
Please note this is not an ACENZ event. You must contact the event organiser directly to book.
Wellington Members Breakfast with Mayor Justin Lester – ACENZ
Please join us for the 2018 February Wellington Members Breakfast! Hear from confirmed speaker, Mayor Justin Lester. Held at Shed 5 (located on Queens Wharf, Wellington) from 7:30-9:00am on Thursday, 22nd February.
Use this form to order tickets for a single individual or multiple people. All tickets ($38 pp) include a hot plated breakfast with tea and coffee, and are in New Zealand Dollars and exclude GST.
Building reform breakfast with Chris Penk and Arena Williams – ACE New Zealand
Join us for a collaborative industry breakfast in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland where we will hear from Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk and Labour’s Building and Construction spokesperson Arena Williams.
This panel discussion will bring together leaders from across the consultancy and construction sectors for a kōrero on building and infrastructure reform.
This session will focus on reform of the building consent system and a review of current liability settings – key areas within Minister Penk’s portfolio – and explore how we can support the development of a bipartisan infrastructure pipeline.
With a Q&A format and a spirit of collaboration, this event offers ACE members an opportunity to engage directly with policymakers and contribute to shaping a more resilient, efficient and future-ready built environment.
Speakers
Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction
Arena Williams, Labour spokesperson for Building and Construction
Helen Davidson, ACE New Zealand Chief Executive
Programme
7.30am: Light breakfast
8am: Welcome
8.05am: Five-minute presentations from Chris Penk and Arena Williams
8.15am: Panel discussion
8.50am: Wrap up and next steps
Venue
This event will be hosted by Pattle Delamore Partners, Level 2/109 Fanshawe Street, Auckland 1010.
Pattle Delamore Partners is located in the Fonterra Centre – the entrance to the building is on Gaunt Street.
If you require carparking, this is available in one of the Wilson Carparking buildings. The closest are at 115 Fanshaw Street and 36 Gaunt Street. There are multiple bus stops nearby on Fanshaw Street and Daldy Street.
Cost
ACE members $45
Non-members $75
Join the waitlist
This event is now sold out, but you can join the waitlist here.
Auckland YP Event with Landmark
Join the ACENZ Young Professionals in Auckland for their next event, with Landmark. This event is focused on YPs with a few years of experience under their belt who are looking to transition into junior management.
A Senior Program Leader from Landmark Worldwide will be leading a conversation around “Leadership and the Power of Listening”.
ACENZ is offering two opportunities to attend this small but powerful event:
1. Wednesday, 18th April in North Shore
2. Thursday, 19th April in Auckland CBD
You’ll find both events on the ACENZ Events page, so you can choose which event suits you better.
RSVP for this FREE event quickly, as space is limited to only 30 places! We therefore ask that if you RSVP, you commit to attending out of respect to others who may have wanted to attend if space is full.
Landmark has an excellent reputation for building great leadership skills, so you won’t want to miss this intro session by one of their Senior Programme Leaders.
Drinks and nibbles will be provided.
About Landmark:
Landmark is a global organization and runs personal, professional training, grown & development programs that make a profound difference in important areas of life such as leadership, confidence, relationships, communication, productivity and high performance. Operating in more than 120 locations around the world, more than 2.4 million people have participated in their live seminars.
ACE New Zealand AGM 2025 – ACE New Zealand
We’d love to see you online at our upcoming ACE New Zealand Annual General Meeting, where we’ll share our annual report, fill you in on what we’ve been up to over the past year as your consultant’s champion, celebrate our members and volunteers, and report on the year ahead.
We hope to see you there!
Details
Monday 18 August
12-1pm
Agenda
Welcome and karakia tīmatanga
Apologies
Minutes of the 2023/2024 AGM
Matters arising
Members
Annual report and financial results
Year ahead
Budget 2025/26
Election results
Appointment of the auditor
Thanks to our volunteers
General business
Close and karakia whakamutunga
Register
Register to attend online
2018 NZSEE Conference – ACENZ
The New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering is holding their 2018 Conference from April 13-15, 2018.
NZSEE is currently holding a call for papers for their 2018 conference. Submissions are due no later than Friday, 27th October and must be made directly through their conference website here.
The same link above will include information on the programme as it develops and lead you to registration information once confirmed. Until then, mark those dates if you are interested in attending the 2018 New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering Conference in Auckland.
Driving better consultant and client engagement – ACE New Zealand
The Government has responded to the sector’s call for stronger infrastructure planning frameworks – now it’s our turn to step up.
Join ACE New Zealand as we launch our six engagement principles for consultants and clients, which have been developed by professionals working in planning, design and delivery, alongside their clients.
These principles will inspire all players in our sector to embrace the value of collaboration for more efficient and effective infrastructure planning and delivery.
The kaupapa is clear: how can we use our influence to collectively build a more cost-effective and high-performing infrastructure system for Aotearoa?
This is a call to action
This event is more than a launch – it’s a call to action. It brings together leaders and practitioners from across the infrastructure and construction ecosystem to explore how collaboration can drive more efficient, effective and future-ready project delivery.
As the sector shifts toward more enduring and consensus-driven frameworks, this work positions us to lead the conversation on what enables good decision-making and efficient delivery – regardless of political cycles.
It reflects a shared responsibility across the system to speak up, step forward and shape the conditions for success.
Bring your clients
To ensure the conversation reflects the full spectrum of project delivery, we’re encouraging you to bring a client or partner with you – so we’re not just consultants talking to consultants. Tickets will be offered as packages to support this shared experience and foster deeper dialogue.
Format
We’ll kick-off with sharing ACE New Zealand’s new report, followed by a panel discussion on how we can all live these values through our leadership. Then we will share a case study on Beca and Ashburton District Council’s value-driven approach to safe drinking water.
Programme
4.30pm: Drinks, nibbles and networking
5.15pm: Welcome
5.20pm: Presentation and Q&A – Principles to guide client and consultant engagement practices
5.35pm: Panel discussion
6.30pm: Case study
6.55pm: Next steps
7pm: Drinks, nibbles and networking
Panel speakers
Charlotte Harris, Chief Operating Officer, Abley
Doug Johnson, Principal Consultant Strategic Consulting, Tonkin + Taylor
Gavin Hutchison, Head of Three Waters, Christchurch City Council
Tammy Henderson, National Manager Business Alignment, NZTA
Case study speakers
Danika Ferguson, Senior Environmental Engineer and Project Manager, Beca
Samantha Taylor, Process Engineer, Beca
Chris Stanley, Project Manager, Ashburton District Council
Details
Date: Thursday 14 August 2025
Time: 4.30-8.30pm
Venue: Isaac Theatre Royal, 145 Gloucester Street, Christchurch 8011
Cost
ACE members $90 + GST
Non-members $120 + GST
We’re offering discounted client tickets to support this shared experience and foster deeper dialogue. Once you buy your ticket, you’ll receive a discount code you can use to buy client tickets.
Register
Register here to secure your seat
CCCS Roadshow Dunedin – ACENZ
ACENZ wants to invite you to attend one of our upcoming CCCS/SFA Roadshow events, including Graham Chapman of AECOM (Chair of the CCCS Review Committee) and Ross Meijer (of Aon Insurance by phone) to comment on some of the changes and highlights as well as be available to answer any questions.
Space is limited, so please RSVP for this FREE event to confirm your spot. These roadshow events will be co-hosted by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia – New Zealand (IPWEA NZ) and Engineering New Zealand, so that ACENZ Members have the opportunity to network with peers, clients and council users of CCCS and SFA as well.
These documents have been prepared through a collaborative effort by numerous client organisations, Member Firm representatives, and has undergone extensive legal review to ensure compliance with recent changes to legislation. We also want to thank Graham Chapman of AECOM for his efforts as CCCS Review Committee Chair. ACENZ, on behalf of the industry, appreciates the volunteer effort and commitment to this project and giving back to the benefit of the industry. Thank you to all who contributed to this process.
Upon arrival, please sign-in at Stantec Reception. You will be directed to the event room from there.
Large firms – have your say about the ACE Awards changes – ACE New Zealand
The ACE Awards celebrate excellence in Aotearoa New Zealand’s consulting sector – but you’ve told us they need to evolve.
We want the awards to work for ALL our members, no matter the size of your firm or the kind of work you do.
A full review of the awards is underway to ensure they remain relevant, inclusive and future-focused.
Join us online to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback.
Who is this webinar for?
This session is for large firms (100 or more people) to explain the proposed changes and answer your questions.
What changes are proposed?
You can find out all the details of the awards review, including:
What we’ve heard
What we’ve done
What we want
Proposed award categories
Find out more
What if I can’t make it to the webinar?
You can also fill out a survey to let us know what you think about the new award categories and structure – it will take only a few minutes.
Start survey
Register
Register for the webinar here