Author Archive

Delivery slip for Data Challenges white paper

This paper describes research and findings into the shortcomings of data that could give insight to the construction sector and proposes a minimum dataset.

Data challenges workshop

A report of a workshop that sought to co-create solutions to data challenges in the construction pipeline and sector, plus pre-event material.

Simple model for projects and pipeline

For the pipeline of projects, we begin with a simplistic representation of an individual project, throughout its lifecycle from the realisation of need, through to on-going maintenance of the completed project, together with a set of assumptions and calculations of turnover and workforce.

Sector models.

This discussion paper presents three models of the sector, two being from conventional perspectives of the management of projects and understanding players and relationships and the third designed to enable CanConstructNZ analysis and predictions of the balance of workload and sector capacity and capability, a quantifiable model.

Sector Model – Keep it Simple

This document proposes a simple model for the sector, sufficiently detailed to allow a comparator mechanism to work to provide answers to user queries.

Collecting tomorrow’s insights today

Professor Sutrisna has set out a thorough brief to researchers to define expectations for data collection, as the attached diagram shows.

Starting to Compare

Associate Professor Mostafa Jelodar, Dr Azam Zavvari and researcher Jaleh Sadeghi began the journey of understanding how a comparator mechanism might function. They took simple pipeline data and an imagined sector to create a first pass comparison.

How little we need.

Information is central to understanding the work coming to the construction sector and the sector’s ability to deliver. It is probably natural to think that this involves a great deal of things to be understood about every project and every company.

Disaster rebuild lessons from Fiji

Cyclone Winston impacted Fiji in 2016 and housing and infrastructure studies give strong pointers for Tongan rebuild following January 2023 eruption and tsunami.

Bridging the gap

A cyclone and river flood destroyed a simple suspension bridge, with significant implications for recovery by the impacted Maori community. The destruction and rebuild illustrate the impact of shocks and stresses in adding unexpectedly to the project pipeline, and the complexity that can be present from community and sector engagement, equally vital to success.

New Zealand needs a more resilient construction sector

Shocks and stresses are with us all the time, yet they continue to have a marked impact on the New Zealand construction sector. Why? Professor Wilkinson and her fellow authors remind us that shocks and stresses are a fact of life, and occur regularly. They advise that resilience in the face of these events comes from recognising their likelihood and developing a culture that acknowledges change and addresses it positively.

Flood warning – some things must not fail

CanConstructNZ is a comprehensive project aimed at achieving a delicate balance between supply and demand within New Zealand's construction sector. This initiative addresses a multitude of factors that influence this equilibrium, including responses to unforeseen disruptions. Notably, the project demonstrates a commitment to respecting the Treaty of Waitangi, which holds paramount importance in recognising the position and heritage of the NZ Māori.

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Considering Māori

It will be very tricky to understand the pipeline of projects and the capacity and capability of the sector, and to make predictions of specific demand and supply inquiries. It will be even more difficult to allow for shocks and stresses that may affect either side of the equation, yet all of these are what CanConstructNZ will do. Professor Potangaroa reminds us that it is even more difficult again. There will be many aspects of Maoridom that also need to be considered in any element of the above and especially of the interrelationship of construction and the lives of Maori.

Build back better

It is a noble aim to build back better following disasters, but the process is fraught, and this article reminds us why and what needs to be done to make it happen..