Infrastructure News

The Brownlee dream begins to take shape

An ambitious proposal that has been around for almost a century is back in the spotlight as the government strives to streamline the country’s transport infrastructure.

Christchurch rebuild bolsters employment

Last month the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment released the Quarterly Labour Market Report: February 2013 which covers the December 2012 quarter.

Time to re-evaluate major transport projects

Close behind the release of Auckland’s Unitary Plan was the launch of the Auckland Integrated Transport Plan (AITP). Stephen Selwood, chief executive of NZCID, commends the
work that has gone into the plan.

New train depot set to break global mould

Auckland’s new train maintenance depot being built at Wiri to service 57 new electric trains, due for passenger operation from 2014, and to stable half of that fleet, is on schedule and on
budget.

News and Events

Neil Barr’s brainchild pays off handsomely

Success of the cadetship programme between Aurecon and the South Island Ngāi Tahu tribe.
High-tech bike helps Hutt City understand assets

Monitoring the condition of underground assets is a major challenge facing all NZ councils.
Viable Auckland options without going broke

CBG, under the Alternative Transport Funding Project, to investigate a range of options for funding.
Fraud fighters from around the world share notes

Speakers from both sides of the fence will address experts from more than 60 countries in Las Vegas.
Riches from the deep

The UN’s International Seabed Authority (ISA) has issued a further five licences for commercial exploitation of deep seabed polymetallic nodules.
Beyond R&D - printed electronics

Printed, flexible or organic electronics is one of the fastest growing technologies in the world.
Port reclamation key to lifting productivity

NZCID says proposals to extend Auckland’s Bledisloe wharf by 135-179 metres are essential.
Conference on network resilience and performance

Conference on network resilience and performance in infrastructure assets runs 29-30 July in Auckland.
Communication vital for Auckland local government

Clean water supply, waste management, land use: decisions at local level can be progress catalysts.
SouthMACH 2013 shows off innovation and excellence

SouthMACH, NZ’s largest manufacturing and engineering event for 2013, returns from 29-30 May.
Water recycling should be a key ingredient

Increasing the use of water recycling in food production and manufacturing is among new research.
New Atiamuri Bridge opens to traffic

The NZTA held an official ceremony to celebrate completion of the new Atiamuri Bridge.
Preserving privacy by default masking of images

G-Tect/MoP is a new motion privacy (MoP) function which pixelates moving objects in live displays.
A constitution website for all

The Constitutional Advisory Panel launches resource-rich website to encourage all NZers to be part of the Constitution Conversation.
Tender writing and evaluation courses

Full day workshops in tender response writing and evaluation are rolling out in major centres.

Cities

As urban populations continue to grow in unprecedented numbers, cities have to transform and rebuild themselves to become more efficient in providing living and social services while maintaining the lifestyle desired by the population.

Communication

New Zealand’s much touted broadband infrastructure is being rolled out. What secondary infrastructure do we need? What ICT opportunities are on offer as a result? Are we ready for true global connectivity?

Energy

Should New Zealand continue to extract its petroleum and coal resources? Or should the focus be on harnessing clean and renewable energy? Efficient generation, storage, distribution and use of energy is an essential ingredient to a successful New Zealand.

Environment

Seeking a resilient infrastructure model in a resource- constrained environment is attainable. The quality of New Zealand’s air, water and land resources and the ecologies they support have to be maintained or enhanced by products, services and infrastructure we build.

Partnerships

Public perception of infrastructure tends to focus on what was built. But behind every project are partnerships formed to fulfill the less visible essentials: project management, funding and finance, legal, human resources, IT, sub-contractors and other products and service providers.

Security

Infrastructure creation drives demand for security technology, information, products and services. Practically every infrastructure site needs security to protect resources and the people who work there. Demand includes access control, intruder alarms and biometrics, plus the technology and equipment for monitoring and analysis.

Transport

The infrastructure area most in need of investment in New Zealand, is transport. Centra is Auckland, with it’s recurrent grid-locked traffic. Transport may offer the most opportunities, but it is also the most under-invested. Are public-private partnerships the answer to plus investment gaps in transport? Just how will transport be funded?

Water

The efficiency of its control of wastewater, stormwater and abundant potable water supply - has made New Zealand a rarity among countries. Maintaining efficiencies and ensuring that the growing population will continue to have adequate, cheap, clean water in the future is a challenge.