Two of Australia’s leading strategic urban plans could be used or expanded to do much more to promote better places to live for all residents, according to a new report In-depth assessments of the Thirty Year Plan for Greater Adelaide 2017 (TYPGA)  found it is not doing enough to address social and health issues due to a bias towards economic progress, while New South Wales Long Term Transport Master Plan 2012 (NSWLTMP) has a narrow focus on improving transport rather than raising social determinants of health. Continue →

A state-of-the-art digital communications network being rolled out in New Zealand will enable industries to reach new levels of safety and productivity The network will be powered by Motorola Solutions’ advanced, MOTOTRBO Capacity Max technology providing highly secure, reliable and professional two-way radio solutions that give users access to feature-rich, next-generation networks and applications. Continue →

A Government announcement to invest $12 billion in new infrastructure projects has the potential to fill a major gap in the transport infrastructure work pipeline and start to overcome NZ’s infrastructure deficit, but now details are needed for civil contractors to get to work Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced $12 billion of new investment, with $8 billion for specific capital projects and $4 billion to be added to the multi-year capital allowance. Continue →

BloombergNEF predicts what the year 2020 will bring for the low-carbon transition in energy, transport, commodities and sustainability One connecting thread is that companies and investors are more committed to a cleaner future than ever before, but governments still have the capacity to accelerate – or impede – that process. Continue →

Increasing numbers of tourists are eroding the very attributes that make New Zealand such an attractive country to visit, warns Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) Simon Upton The Commissioner has released a report on the environmental consequences of projected tourism growth in New Zealand. Continue →

Important policy and legislative developments have landed today which could enable a bolder, more streamlined way of delivering new infrastructure for the benefit all New Zealanders, says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Paul Blair New government announcements and a Productivity Commission report this week are reiterating that New Zealand needs new ways of working together, brought together by a coherent vision, to dramatically change outcomes for the better. Continue →

An idea that sparked a global rethink of the working life and the future of work is told in a new book published this month   New Zealand company Perpetual Guardian sparked global media fascination with its flexible work model after it successfully trialled and implemented the four-day week, resulting in a 20% lift in employee productivity, a 27% reduction in work stress levels, and a 45% increase in employee work-life balance. Continue →

The government is moving to fast-track billions in funding for rail investments in a change that is being hailed as historic The state-owned enterprise’s funding is usually approved annually by the Crown, but the government has already released a draft rail plan that will prioritise new trains, tracks and bridges across the country by funding KiwiRail’s budget through the National Land Transport Fund. Continue →

The decision to establish an independent drinking water regulator is very positive and will help bring New Zealand’s water services up to international standards, but the absence of user charges leaves a significant gap in national water policy which needs to be filled, says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Paul Blair Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Health Minister David Clark announced that the Government will establish an independent drinking water regulator, likely in 2020. Continue →

Leading law firm Kensington Swan has announced that it intends to combine with Dentons, the world’s largest law firm Kensington Swan is recognised as a leader in the financial markets, infrastructure and government sectors and has a strong reputation in the environment, education, FMCG, manufacturing, healthcare and energy sectors. Continue →