Obesity, undernutrition, and climate change represent three of the gravest threats to human health, the environment and our planet, highlights the latest Lancet Report The distinguished medical journal identifies the three pandemics affecting human health as “the global syndemic”. Continue →

NZTech has launched New Zealand’s first formal digital identity organisation Digital Identity NZ, a group of organisations and government agencies, has been set up to connect everyone in New Zealand that cares about digital identity. Continue →

The voluntary administration of Arrow International (NZ) will impact not just on the employees of the company and its clients, but the wider network of contractors and subcontractors who supported its construction projects Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock said Arrow’s collapse was yet another demonstration of what is wrong with the construction industry in New Zealand at present, and unless the root causes were dealt with it would continue to be a major issue. Continue →

There are several simple steps that New Zealand could implement to achieve the goal of a low-emission economy, says Toyota New Zealand CEO Alistair Davis   The Productivity Commission’s draft on the move to a low carbon emission economy through a Zero Carbon Act is a sound report on what lies ahead. Continue →

New Zealand has the opportunity to be a climate change “innovation lab” for the rest of the world, according to international planning expert and former United States political candidate Sue Minter Minter is speaking ahead of the New Zealand Planning Institute’s (NZPI) annual conference in April, at which she is a keynote speaker. Continue →

Long overdue reform of the water sector has created the opportunity for a first principles discussion of what local government can and should do and with what resources, says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Stephen Selwood “Operating infrastructure networks is a technical activity demanding flexible use of capital and strong asset management capability,” he explains. Continue →

To address challenges faced by the infrastructure sector and attract a workforce fit for the future, it needs to be seen as a welcoming place that is diverse and inclusive, valuing wellbeing, innovation and career progression, says Stephen Selwood, CEO Infrastructure NZ Given the widely publicised capacity constraints in the infrastructure sector, it is no surprise that a shortage of skills tops the list of the most critical challenges facing the industry. Continue →

Genesis Energy has joined The Climate Group’s EV100 initiative which brings together companies from all over the world that are committed to switching their global fleets to electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions The diversified energy company has committed to convert every car in its light vehicle fleet to electric or hybrid by 2020, with the same ambition for 50% of its heavy vehicle fleet by 2025. Continue →

A Cabinet Paper  released in late November sets out a long overdue road map on the future for the ailing and aging Three Waters facilities. Continue →

The announcement that the Government will establish the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission – Te Waihanga – to perform strategy and procurement functions and vest it with sufficient independence to have mana and influence is very strongly welcomed by the infrastructure industry, says CEO of Infrastructure New Zealand Stephen Selwood “The new Commission will help ensure we are making the best decisions about infrastructure investment to improve the long-term economic performance and social wellbeing of our country,” Shane Jones said during the announcement. Continue →