ISSUE
106
MOVING TO NEW ZEALAND?
June 2018
In this issue... State of the nation P.1 NZ cities tumble down global cost-of-living rankings P.2 Making Cathedral Square a place for the people again P.3 $70m scheme approved, apartments to rise near marina New images released of Convention Centre plans Funding fast-tracked for new Christchurch stadium Hilton plans new $30m hotel for Auckland
P.4 P.4 P.5 P.5
Franklincoutry.wordpress.com
State of the nation Get in touch There are many ways to keep in touch with us at Catalyst. Obviously this monthly newsletter is one but we are very active on Linked In and would encourage those not already there to join our groups and link to our company page in order to receive the latest news. If that’s not enough we also have our blog pages, job board and Facebook pages to keep you in the loop. Having your details is only the first step in making the move to New Zealand a reality so get in touch now to discuss your plans and aspirations and we’ll do all we can to help. Follow us via the links below; linkedin.com/company/ catalyst-recruitment catalystrecruit.wordpress.com/ catalystjobs.co.nz/ christchurchrebuild.co.nz/ facebook.com/CatalystRecNZ
Welcome to the state of the nation for June from a very chilly New Zealand. Now I appreciate a light frost isn’t that much to shout about but when you’re used to temperatures in the mid-teens on the coolest of days it does come as a bit of a shock. That said it’s colder further South and they’ll be preparing for snow and ice if they haven’t got it already. As I sit writing this it’s 6am and I’m watching England play Belgium in the World Cup. Although not taking NZ by storm the World Cup has generated a fair bit of interest here and as much as I’m not getting carried away the fact that England have qualified from their group with a game to play does make a pleasant change to previous competitions I’ve endured! As I hope you’ll have seen from our recent email we’re changing our database and our delivery system for the newsletter. As a result, in order to receive the newsletter going forward, and to keep in touch with us, we do need you to click on the link below and sign in for mail chimp. These things don’t happen overnight and we will be sending out reminders over the next month or so but we do have to press on so do spend a few minutes signing up and you’re all done! New Zealand is only going to get busier from here on in so don’t miss out and sign up to mail chimp today.
Visit http://eepurl.com/dyopVL Engineering Consultants The ongoing need for Civil Engineers with a Geotechnical specialism continues to be an issue. I am seeking a number of Geotechnical specialists with good design skills and at for higher level roles, we need client facing skills as well. We also continue to need Senior Asset Management Engineers – Structures and an experienced Bridge Inspector. As the new government finally works out that there is a country to keep moving, we are expecting projects to be awarded soon, but in the meantime – business as usual. If you have any queries, please contact Andy on ahopkins@catalystrecruitment.co.nz.
Civil/Infrastructure Construction As we keep saying, with winter comes a slow in the market and this year has proved to be no different with limited activity around, particularly in the civil sector. That said there is a lot of work ahead according to clients, particularly, but not limited to the water sector. The government’s change of direction for infrastructure hasn’t helped but they are under pressure to produce results so hopefully the projects will start coming through soon enough. The infrastructure market does remain stretched however and any award will see clients requiring new staff so I’m still keen to hear from engineers, project managers etc. in preparation. Contact Phil on pponder@catalystrecruitment.co.nz. Construction/Building Contractors The construction world tends to fair a little better during the winter and doesn’t slow as much. In the past few weeks we’ve established ourselves with two new clients who are enthusiastic about taking on new staff for a range of projects. Elsewhere contractors are still waiting for clients to award contracts but as soon as those are awarded there will a big requirement for staff of all disciplines including engineers, foremen, site managers, planners/programmers, QS’s and PM’s to name but a few. The emphasis is on commercial building so if you’re interested in talking contact Phil on pponder@catalystrecruitment.co.nz and we’ll go from there.
As you know there are various ways to keep in touch with Catalyst and at the moment we are making significant efforts to improve those lines of communication. LinkedIn is one of those formats and I am regularly posting articles and job vacancies on our company page. To make sure that you see those regular updates click this link, www.linkedin.com/company/catalystrecruitment and click the follow button on the company page. We look forward to seeing you there. Also keep an eye on our job board www.catalystjobs.co.nz where we will regularly place vacancies we are currently working on. Finally, I know many of you are on Twitter so please use this link, https://twitter.com/CatalystRecNZ , to follow us.
P.1
NZ cities tumble down global cost-ofliving rankings The cost of living in New Zealand’s big cities has fallen dramatically in latest world rankings but mostly because their international counterparts have become so much more expensive. Auckland, New Zealand’s most expensive city to live in, fell 20 places from last year’s survey to 81st, while Wellington (101st) dropped 15 places. Mercer’s annual Cost of Living Survey measured the comparative cost of more than 200 items including; housing, transportation, food, clothing and entertainment, for expatriates across 209 cities around the world. Karla Costa, Mercer’s global mobility leader for Pacific, said the rankings mean New Zealand could become a rich breeding ground for talent for multi-national companies. “With six of the top 10 most expensive cities in Asia Australian and New Zealand cities are looking far more attractive for businesses to send employees on international assignments, particularly those doing business in the Asia Pacific region,” Costa said. Australian cities also fell down the rankings with Sydney (29th), Melbourne (58th), Perth (61st) and Brisbane (84th) falling from 24, 46, 50 and 71 in 2018 respectively. However, the drop in the rankings wasn’t necessarily a result of cost of living becoming cheaper in New Zealand, but primarily due to the movement of other cities. Hong Kong passed Luanda to take the top spot as the world’s most expensive city for expatriates – moving up one place from 2017. Tokyo, Zurich, Singapore and Seoul rounded out the top five. Six of the top 10 most expensive cities were in Asia, with Shanghai placing seventh and Beijing ninth. Yvonne Traber, global mobility product solutions leader at Mercer, said the rise in Asian cities up the rankings was a result of stronger Chinese monetary regulation and a push to have the Yuan as an international currency. “Stronger Chinese monetary regulation, a flourishing economy and a push to have the Chinese Yuan as an international currency pushed Chinese cities up in the ranking,” Traber said. Tashkent, in Uzbekistan, ranked as the least expensive city to live in. Overall, Western European cities all rose in the rankings, in particular German cities, which experienced
P.2
some of this year’s biggest surges. Frankfurt (68th) and Berlin (71st) both jumped 49 spots while Munich climbed 41 places to 57th. Other cities that jumped in the rankings included Paris (34th), up 28 places, Rome (46th), up 34 spots, Madrid (64th) and Vienna (39th), up 47 and 39 places respectively. Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey is designed to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation strategies for their expatriate employees. Ilya Bonic, president of Mercer’s career business, said advances in technology and the growing importance of a globally connected workforce have meant deploying talent remains a key component of a multinational’s business strategy. “With technology advances and the importance of a globally connected workforce, deploying talent remains a key component of a multinational’s business strategy. “While a mobile workforce allows organisations to achieve greater efficiency, utilise top talent, and be cost effective with international projects, volatile markets and slowing economic growth in many parts of the world require them to carefully assess expatriate remuneration packages. “Aligning workforce and mobility strategies by ensuring the right employees are in the right place is more critical than ever for multinationals as they focus on new global business models.”And, properly compensating employees on international assignments is as important as it can be costly,” Bonic said.
Making Cathedral Square a place for the people again Regenerate Christchurch has released its vision for Cathedral Square, emphasising that a return to its original purpose as a gathering place for local people and visitors must be front and centre. Regenerate Christchurch chief executive Ivan Iafeta says that while the vision for the physical regeneration of the square is aspirational in terms of design, the social regeneration of the square is achievable sooner and should be prioritised. “There is already significant investment occurring around the square. The most practical way to support that investment is to commit to a long-term vision over time while, in the meantime, getting more happening there and making it a place for the people again.” Mr Iafeta says that, coupled with the restoration of the Anglican Cathedral, the regeneration of the square will need to be delivered in stages as funding and other developments allow. But delivering a comprehensive programme of events, activities and festivals will re-establish the square as a gathering place. “As we saw with the Lantern Festival earlier this year, people will come to the central city if they have a good reason, and having more people coming to this area will further support the significant private and public investment already being made.” Significant Developments
The new central library (Turanga) is currently being built on the north side of the square, and construction of the Convention Centre (Te Pae) is well underway. Regenerate Christchurch’s development of the vision over the past 18 months has included planning and engagement with Cathedral Square property owners, business groups, heritage groups, Ngai Tuahuriri, the public and other key stakeholders. It includes a series of interconnected spaces suitable for holding public events, with a combination of paving and green areas, and more trees than there has been in the past. The design includes an option for three enclosed pavilions connected by a lattice-style structure which, Mr Iafeta says, would provide a year-round undercover area for markets and other activities. Delivery Strategy
Private property owners and developers have committed to significant property developments on the south side of the square, says Mr Iafeta. These include Redson Corporation’s new Aotea Gifts building and Nexus Point’s Spark building.
P.3
Mr Iafeta says now that Regenerate Christchurch has released its vision for the square it will work with Christchurch City Council to develop a delivery strategy. “To be regenerated, the square cannot remain symbolic of the city’s loss, and instead needs to be a strong symbol of the vibrant future of the centre of our city. The long-term vision will provide the impetus and drive for the public and private sectors to work toward a common goal,” he says. “But it’s not just about new things. It is about people, and we need to get on with making the square a place for the people again.” Source: regeneratechristchurch.nz
$70m Pine Harbour scheme approved, apartments to rise near marina Empire Capital’s controversial $70 million plans to develop a three-storey residential community at a southeastern Auckland marina have been approved. L175, a scheme for 28 apartments and commercial premises including restaurants and shops at Pine Harbour near Beachlands, won consent from independent hearing commissioners appointed by Auckland Council in a decision delivered last Thursday. In all, 40 submissions opposed the plans, five were in support and three neutral. Despite strong objections from marina berth-holders and locals, consent was granted for the non-complying activity, partly because the commissioners said it supports the facility’s operation as a passenger transport node. The four buildings comprising the development are set to be three storeys high, directly fronting the southern edge of the 190 Jack Lachlan Drive, Beachlands. Each building would have a height of approximately 9m above ground level (which increases up to 11m for mechanical
plants and lift shafts) and a depth of approximately 13m. The four buildings would be separated from one other by approximately 6m, to provide for access, landscaped areas and view shafts between the marina and the private road. Source: Anne Gibson, NZ Herald
SkyCity Entertainment Group releases new images of $700m NZ International Convention Centre plans SkyCity Entertainment Group has released new images of how its $703 million NZ International Convention Centre might look once that project is finished. Plans showing how the NZICC might look from Hobson St: hotel, laneway to Nelson St and convention centre. Fletcher Construction is on the site between Hobson St, Nelson St and Wellesley St - a project partly responsible for an expected $952m of losses over two years at the Buildings + Interiors division of Fletcher Building. Construction of New Zealand’s largest purpose-built convention centre has suffered from delays and cost overruns for the builder. “We continue to target the completion dates we have agreed with our customers, but we have provisioned for significant cost and timeline contingencies,” Fletcher said in February. SkyCity said the cost of building the centre and the Horizon Hotel going up beside TVNZ was now $703m and it announced new works by New Zealand artists Sara Hughes and Peata Larkin to be installed in the NZICC. Hughes’ work is 2400sq m of glass in 550 panels to be installed around the top level of the centre. Larkin’s work will be a 105m-long terracotta tile wall installed in the new pedestrian laneway, SkyCity said. Source: Anne Gibson, NZ Herald
P.4
‘It’s fantastic news’ - Crusaders boss delighted funding to be fast-tracked for new Christchurch stadium The Christchurch City Council made the decision yesterday to fast-track funding for the new multi-use stadium which will be the Crusaders’ new home ground. Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said “the decision yesterday puts a stake in the ground”. Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach told TVNZ 1’s Breakfast it is fantastic news: “We’re really happy it’s been a long time coming, we’ve been talking about a replacement for Lancaster Park for a number of years.” Mr Riach said Lancaster Park had history and he wants that back for Christchurch. “The park had over 100 years of history. Yes it had rugby games and became our home, but it had so many different community events and that’s what we are looking for for the future Christchurch.” The team had been playing in a temporary stadium since the earthquakes, which leaves spectators exposed to the elements in winter. He said the Forsyth Barr stadium in Dunedin is a fantastic facility with a roof, it can hold a large capacity, Test matches, community events and concerts. Mr Riach would like to see a similar thing for Christchurch. The decision yesterday puts a ‘stake in the ground’. “The money is now available which means the project can go ahead and we can get on with the planning in a much more detailed and positive way.”
P.5
However, some people are saying the funding is better off elsewhere. In the council’s view the city is ready to move on with the project and they received an overwhelming support and favour in submissions. The Government put forward $300 million in a capital acceleration fund for a number of post-earthquake projects and the stadium is one of those. The Government and the council then decide how much money is put forward for the stadium. In its long-term plan, which was adopted yesterday, the council will bring forward $253 million for the project by two years to 2021.
Source: Grace Stanton, 1 News
Hilton plans new $30m hotel for Auckland at national horse sales centre A new $30 million hotel is planned for south Auckland at a national horse sales centre. Guy Phillips, Hilton’s senior vice president of development for Asia and Australasia, said a DoubleTree by Hilton was planned for Karaka. A management agreement had been struck with New Zealand Bloodstock and the new hotel will be developed at the NZ Bloodstock Sales centre, 30 minutes south of Auckland’s centre, he said. The hotel on Hinau Rd would be 120 rooms and construction would start in the third quarter of this year with a target completion in 2020. Restaurant, bar, gym, pool, two meeting rooms, he said.
Andrew Seabrook, NZ Bloodstock managing director, said that business was pleased to work with Hilton to bring the new brand to Karaka. “Our international clients, globetrotting tourists and local travellers alike will be able to take full advantage of our existing facilities including a variety of conference and event spaces, and world-renown thoroughbred auctions,” Seabrook said. The Karaka sales centre hosts four big week-long sales annually, attracting buyers from Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Macau, South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, United Arab Emirates and beyond. So a full-service hotel was needed to meet guests’ needs when they visited Karaka or went to meetings at NZ Bloodstock, a statement said. “Beyond these sale periods, the Karaka Pavilion turns into a major meeting and events centre; featuring beautiful gardens and informal indoor and outdoor spaces,” the statement said. Seabrook said already having the land was the key to the project. “It’s a beautiful 16ha property we have here. It’s got huge potential to be so much more, including a wedding facility. We’ve had boxing matches, we’re shooting a film scene here, we’ve had TV commercials made here and product launches,” Seabrook said. “In January alone, we book out 400 rooms in the city, so we thought it would
P.6
be great to have all our guests stay here on site. We turn over more than $100m in a week during January alone. So we thought the potential to grow the venue as a conference, wedding and function centre was massive. Independent research we had done suggested a hotel would be the best use and the proximity to the airport is an added bonus. We see it as being the best hotel between Hamilton and the Auckland CBD,” Seabrook said. The resource consent application has been applied for and is being processed he said. The construction tender is yet to be let. The hotel would be worth around $30m on completion, he said. DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are in Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown so the Karaka property will be the fourth in New Zealand. Colliers International said last year that Auckland’s hotel room supply was shrinking while demand continued to rise, potentially putting New Zealand’s tourism growth at risk. The company’s national director of hotels Dean Humphries said: “We simply don’t have enough hotel rooms in our current inventory to cope with this level of growth in the tourism sector. If immediate solutions are not found, it is unlikely we will continue to grow at current levels.” Source: Anne Gibson, NZ Herald
JOBS JOBS
The Catalyst Team
Construction Andy Hopkins
ahopkins@catalystrecruitment.co.nz
Project Manager
Site Manager
Site Supervisor
Quantity Surveyor
M&E
Design Manager
Phil Ponder
pponder@catalystrecruitment.co.nz
Civil Contractors All Roles
Address:
618a Maungatautari Road RD2 Cambridge 3494
Phone:
+64 9 307 6111
Engineering Consultants
Fax:
+64 9 307 6110
Website:
www.catalystrecruitment.co.nz www.christchurchrebuild.co.nz
Blog:
www.catalystrecruit.wordpress.com
P.7
All Roles