EG 30/2025

Issue | Putanga 30/2025

Engineering education evolves What’s changed since the onset of the pandemic?

The low-down on low-carbon design Why does it matter and who’s doing it well?

Landmark sets benchmark An award-winning bridge with a lasting legacy

Engineer in the (self) driver’s seat

The Kiwi connection in the race to bring self-driving cars to market

Leading a locally made, low carbon future.

new Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) from 2026. Support us while we transition by investing in locallymade products that will contribute to ensuring steel production in New Zealand is sustainable for generations to come. Recycling domestic scrap steel instead of exporting it offshore means we’ll be maximising the lifecycle of our products and delivering locally made, lower carbon reinforcing steel. The introduction of the EAF at New Zealand Steel and your support of locally-made, means you’ll be part of the biggest industrial decarbonisation effort in our country’s history to date. Around 50% less coal usage and 45% less emissions (scope 1 & 2) from day one is just the beginning of a significant industry transformation. Join us on this landmark journey. Find out more at pacificsteel.co.nz/EAF

"We want to be the system that lets the entire automotive industry benefit from the advantages of AI."

"It saved all of the carbon emissions that would have been needed to build a new structural frame."

"There are dedicated papers in law, medicine and education regarding Māoritanga and Treaty obligations, but it’s absent in engineering studies."

In this issue I roto i

"It might seem odd to share our intellectual property but we were driven by the shared goal of improving New Zealanders’ enjoyment of the outdoors."

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Editor Jennifer Black editor@engineeringnz.org

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Advertising statements and editorial opinions expressed in EG do not reflect the views of Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau, its members, staff, or affiliated organisations unless expressly stated.

This issue of EG was published in March 2025.

Features Ngā āhuatanga

8 Engineering education evolves Five years on from the first Covid-19 lockdowns that forced industries and sectors – including education – to find a “new normal”, what has worked well and been embraced, and what is best left in the past?

14 Engineer in the (self) driver’s seat New Zealander Alex Kendall is the driving force behind one of the world’s leading AI companies and a frontrunner in the race to bring self-driving cars to market.

16 The low-down on low-carbon design Be it buildings, energy or transport projects, keeping low-carbon design in focus from the outset is making a difference.

22 Distinguished careers Showcasing Engineering New Zealand’s four new Distinguished Fellows.

28 A holistic approach to engineering Why water engineer L’Rey Renata is working to increase the incorporation of Māori values and principles into modern environmental practices.

30 Landmark sets benchmark This award-winning suspension bridge helps increase the resilience and sustainability of Taranaki’s outdoor infrastructure while demonstrating engineering excellence, cultural significance and repeatable practices.

Best practice Ngā mahi papai

38 After the cyberattack How to appropriately respond to a cyberattack that results in a privacy breach.

39 AI and engineering competence With engineering students increasingly using generative AI in their studies, what are the implications for engineering competence?

40 Electric transition: Auckland’s future ferry fleet Benefits, challenges and opportunities.

43 Initiatives underway to enhance industry How our Engineering Practice team are helping enhance engineering standards, accessibility and member resources across the industry.

44 Intersection

45 Supporting your voice

46 Fluid mechanics making a splash Quantifying the value of Fluid mechanics in Australasia.

Engineering Envy #153

Chosen by Te Ao Rangahau staff

Toyota Corolla: Japan

The decades-long success story of the Toyota Corolla began in 1966 with the one-litre, five-seat sedan finding its niche between the marque’s larger Corona and smaller Publica. Across 12 generations and more than 150 countries, the “small crown” has performed its duties with humble aplomb. All-time sales topped 50 million units in 2021, but it was in 1997 that it claimed the title of “best-selling nameplate of all time”, surpassing the Volkswagen Beetle. The Corolla isn’t necessarily the best of anything – it isn’t known as the

fastest/largest/smallest/most efficient/ most practical or cheapest car – and it’s not necessarily the best-looking car either. But, for tens of millions of drivers across the globe, the Corolla epitomises the very concept of what a car should be. Its unassuming attitude belies its levels of capability and versatility in almost any situation – levels to which other cars can only aspire. For that, Toyota’s “Jack of all trades” could well be called a simply superlative feat of engineering.

If someone asks you to define “car”, just show them a Corolla. It’s an enduring icon of automotive engineering, and easily the most “car-like” car to have ever existed.

–

Will

Pegler, Marketing and Comms Advisor

Photo: Toyota

STEM superstars! Kiwi kids across Aotearoa need your help

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to open young Kiwis’ eyes to the possibilities of a STEM career.

You’ll join a classroom under code name “Wonder Project Ambassador” and support ākonga as they take on a fun STEM learning experience – raising aspirations along the way.

The future of the STEM industry depends on it.

wonderproject.nz/yourmission

A rātou kōrero What they said

“People think about engineering and they think about their weird uncle who turns up to the family barbecue with gnarled and broken fingers. It’s not really like that. It’s hi-tech and sophisticated.”

Gareth Evans, Managing Director of 2024 Otago Daily Times Business of the Year, Farra Engineering.

“Everyone’s interested in the rockets and the astronauts, sometimes the satellites, but the antennas on the ground are the bit that never really — for obvious reasons — gets looked at.”

Robin McNeill FEngNZ CPEng IntPE(NZ), winner of the Prime Minister’s Space Prize for Professional Excellence, says the award puts “the ground segment” in the limelight.

“Our mission is to close the food and energy loop. By transforming a ‘waste’ product into a renewable gas, we are another step forward on this journey that ultimately supports environmental sustainability, energy security and economic development in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Fraser Jonker, Managing Director of Ecogas when renewable gas began flowing through a Firstgas pipeline.

A warming warning

In January, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service released detailed data showing that in 2024, Earth had an average temperature clearly exceeding 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, a threshold set by the Paris Agreement. The average New Zealand temperature was 0.5°C–0.7°C degrees warmer than reference years, but some parts of the globe had an average temperature increase of 5°C, including the Antarctic. Rising average global temperatures have led to major changes in the climate experienced by many, including in Aotearoa, such as higher or lower temperatures, or more than expected precipitation.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, explains how making small, consistent changes to habits can achieve remarkable results. It’s occasionally argued that on a global stage, we’re too small to effect change in future global climate scenarios, but the engineers featured in this issue disagree. Small changes in engineering habits created in New Zealand must be widely promoted everywhere. We lead the world in many significant engineering solutions, and in this issue of EG, engineers who are looking for sustainable solutions, including reducing our everincreasing carbon emission profile, show how small changes can bring in dramatic

results and more sustainable practice. As engineers, we create sustainable solutions to preserve our environment and mitigate future problems. Low-carbon design will be a key design requirement; results are presented from a HERA report looking at halving carbon emissions, together with Beca’s work on navigating this issue. EG highlights the work of GHD water engineer L’Rey Renata, who’s completing a PhD on redefining engineering best practice through an indigenous Te Ao Māori lens. AI will also have a role to play in solutions, and in this issue we meet London-based Kiwi engineer Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of autonomous car startup Wayve. Two University of Canterbury academics explain how generative AI is set to be increasingly integrated into many workplaces. And despite ongoing concerns about some elements of battery manufacturing, electric vehicles are here for the foreseeable future, and Auckland’s electric ferries are featured in this edition.

As James Clear says: “The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow.” Let’s keep planting the seeds of new habits.

Jan Evans-Freeman DistFEngNZ President, Te Ao Rangahau

Engineering education evolves

It’s five years since the Covid-19 pandemic hit our shores, forcing industries and sectors – including education – to find a “new normal”. Though it was undoubtedly a devastating period, it spurred alternative and even novel ways of educating engineers. So, what worked well, what has been embraced and expanded, and what is best left in the past?

WRITER | KAITUHI RINA DIANE CABALLAR

The onset of the pandemic saw both engineering faculty and students at the University of Auckland forced to adapt to an asynchronous style of learning. Students accessed prerecorded lectures, followed by drop-in sessions. Labs and design courses, which typically require a more handson approach, were replaced with virtual modelling and simulations. Final year projects moved to online formats.

“Some students really struggled, and we saw more cases of students requiring pastoral support,” says Dean of Engineering Richard Clarke MEngNZ.

“We found that the lack of scheduled lectures created problems for student learning and a drop in the level of student engagement.”

The same was true at the University of Waikato.

“The experience we had with online teaching was quite negative,” says Dean of Engineering Dr Mike Duke MEngNZ.

“We looked at it as a low-grade alternative that got us through a difficult period.”

Despite these challenges, Richard notes that the calibre of engineering graduates remained unchanged.

“We still maintained our standard. We still made sure they were meeting the learning outcomes – albeit through these different methods. What it did mean is that we had to provide more wraparound support for those students to make sure they could succeed.”

Dianne Arnold, People and Culture Manager at engineering consultancy firm BCD Group, can attest that “… the recent cohort of graduate engineers have the required technical knowledge expected of a graduate”.

Bridging the gaps

While the pandemic forced students to adjust to remote learning, it also equipped them with technological adeptness.

“Our graduates coming through seem to get on board a lot quicker with any technology changes. They’ll be making suggestions or teaching some of our more experienced employees about software shortcuts,” says Dianne.

“Organisations need to harness what their grads bring to the table. As tech natives, how they utilise software can allow an organisation to become more efficient.”

Yet, reduced in-person learning and face-to-face interactions also have their drawbacks. Mike noticed that students lost the teamwork benefits of being on campus.

“We’re trying to develop two sets of skills. There’s the engineering side – the technical skills of designing, building, assembling. There’s also the professional skills

We’re having to work harder to close the gap in terms of soft skills and communication with clients.

– Dianne Arnold

Right: Virtual simulation environments often replaced hands-on robotics labs during lockdowns. Image: University of Auckland

of working in teams – how to manage a project, delegate work, deal with conflict resolution to achieve an objective. If you’re not doing that as an engineer, you’re missing out on so many things.”

To mitigate this loss in team-building skills, the University of Waikato’s engineering faculty ran additional sessions for students.

“We were running extra workshops so they could catch up with the skills they were lacking,” Mike says. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best thing we did.”

Similarly, part of the feedback Richard has heard about the recent cohort of graduates is that “… some of the soft skills, social skills, and confidence are not necessarily there because they’ve spent some of their years with no contact with their peers, and that’s where the impact has been greatest”.

Dianne echoes this sentiment: “We’re having to work harder to close the gap in terms of soft skills and communication with clients.”

To achieve that, BCD Group’s graduate programme involves a buddy system where graduate engineers are allocated a buddy to work alongside them and help them grow and develop. The programme also includes training sessions and workshops on topics like communication, critical thinking, connectedness, and even project management and client management.

“It’s important to introduce the career pathways early,” Dianne says. “You show up as part of a grad programme, but we treat you as an individual. If you’re motivated to pursue a specific pathway, we’re going to support you.”

Top: Dianne Arnold. Photo: BCD Group

Above: Richard Clarke MEngNZ.

Photo: Supplied

Left: University of Waikato's Mike Duke FEngNZ noticed students lost the teamwork benefits of being on campus during the pandemic.

Catalyst for change

While education has now returned to the pre-pandemic norms of in-person learning, Covid-19 sparked shifts in the way Aotearoa is educating its next generation of engineers.

“It accelerated something that was happening a bit before Covid, which is more of an on-demand culture,” Richard says. He has observed, for instance, that students prefer individual appointments at a time that suits them rather than come to fixed office hours. Students also expect teaching staff to be available on virtual forums and discussion platforms to answer questions about classes as they arise.

“Previously, you would make yourself available during office hours, and then students would understand that they had to rely on self-learning outside of those office hours. With Covid, it accelerated that expectation of flexible learning and flexible access to support from teaching staff,” adds Richard.

At the University of Waikato, flexible learning happens in the form of recorded lectures.

“We realise that people live busy lives, and some students have part-time jobs so they can watch the lectures if they can’t attend. But a lot of activities in our degree programme require you to be on campus if you’re going to pass,” Mike says.

This notion of flexibility has extended to the workplace.

“Because the learning is happening in such a flexible model, the expectation is that when they come into the workforce, it is flexible. I think the crucial thing with

graduates is actually immersing themselves in an organisation and deeply understanding how they can use their technical knowledge to add value to society and the clients they’re working with,” Dianne says.

And while BCD Group offers some level of flexibility, Dianne notes that the firm wants its graduate engineers to be “… in the office surrounded by experts in your respective fields so you can learn your craft and learn how to apply the technical knowledge you’ve gained through university. Showing up and being present and surrounded by people is a positive for your own growth and development.”

Tech-forward tomorrow

Envisioning the future of engineering education, Richard believes technology will continue to be a significant enabler.

“If we are to move into this more on-demand, personalised learning, we need to do it well, and we need to invest in and put in place the infrastructure and resources so the production value and quality

Above: BCD graduates and interns get out in the field, including for geotechnical training and site visits. Photos: BCD Group

of the materials are comparable with other media that our students are engaging with in the teaching and learning space.”

Additionally, AI will play a huge part in advancing engineering education.

“The early work in this space was figuring out how we make sure we’re preserving academic integrity. We’re now moving toward more of a stance around how we can take advantage of this technology,” Richard says.

He cites the use of AI as a triaging tool, for instance, to help answer students’ straightforward questions and escalate more complex ones to a member of the teaching staff.

“This is an area where AI can help with the notion of personalised learning.”

No matter how technology evolves, the most vital element in how engineers are educated will remain: “It’s making sure we’re graduating engineers that have the core competencies and the engineering accreditation standards,” says Richard.

“The competencies will stay – it would just be how we meet those, given the tools that are available.” He adds that critical thinking, analysis and independent research are even more relevant now in the age of AI.

For Dianne, the long-term outlook for engineering education goes beyond technical skills.

“We encourage current and future graduates to consider the future of the industry and envision the role of an engineer in the next decade, and consider

Next-level mastery

Taking a cue from the pandemic-era switch to online learning, the University of Canterbury is embracing flexible learning through its Tuihono UC Online courses and programmes. However, unlike the rushed online learning designed for emergencies, UC Online is purpose-built to create an engaging experience tailored to online learners. “The University of Canterbury has a strategy to make learning as accessible and flexible as possible. Putting more of our degrees online is integral to this so we can serve a larger audience, including working professionals,” says engineering management programme lead Lulu Barry. “The focus is on postgraduate study because learners don’t have time to take a year or two off to complete a master’s degree.” While the university’s Master of Engineering Management degree has been in-person since its introduction in the early 2000s, the programme is moving to a fully online set-up this year to meet the growing demand from Aotearoa’s engineering and project management professionals who want more control over when and how they study. Lulu says this is particularly good for mid-career engineers who can then work and study at the same time. We do have some early-career students also enrolling, which is good, because it shows that to become managers, they can’t just rely on what they learned as engineers, but they also need to acquire leadership and business skills.” In time, the University plans to offer a suite of master’s degrees.

It accelerated something that was happening a bit before Covid, which is more of an on-demand culture.

– Richard Clarke

what skills are important to develop. When designing environments and structures that should enhance people’s lives, we must remember that, ultimately, it’s about the people.”

While evolution is inevitable, the engineering education sector will remain resilient.

“The world is always changing. There will always be events like Covid or new technologies cropping up,” says Mike. “As engineers, we have to accept change and adapt to it.”

Engineer in the (self) driver’s seat

WRITER | KAITUH I RACHEL HELYER DONALDSON

University of Auckland mechatronics engineering alumni Alex Kendall is the driving force behind one of the world’s leading AI companies, and a front-runner in the race to bring self-driving cars to market, aiming to make the tech accessible and driving safer.

2024 was a big year for Wayve, the United Kingdom-headquartered Embodied AI company co-founded by New Zealander Alex Kendall. It made headlines in May when it secured over a billion-dollar (USD) investment (from heavy hitters such as SoftBank, Microsoft and Nvidia) to bring its AI self-driving system to market. Not only was it the largest-ever capital raise by a British or European AI firm, it was seen as a strong signal that self-driving cars are back on track, after several years of setbacks and scepticism.

The financial backing was also vindication of Alex’s belief since cofounding Wayve in 2017 while completing an award-winning PhD in deep learning, computer vision and robotics at Cambridge University, that the solution to self-driving vehicles was using AI to physically interact with the world. Alex was motivated by the conviction the technology “would be one of the most transformative things of this century”.

“I was convinced that this was the way to build intelligent machines that we could trust with complex tasks like driving… End-to-end machine learning would allow us to build intelligent, safe, scalable autonomy.”

That approach, which he calls “AV2.0”, spurns techniques such as high-definition maps and hand-coded robotics for cameras and sensors to monitor the road environment and react when needed.

At the time, few others agreed. Now, some of Wayve’s leading rivals such as Tesla are taking this AV2.0 approach. Alex says Wayve is different because it is working with a range of vehicle manufacturers. It’s like the Android versus the iPhone.

“We want to be the system that lets the entire automotive industry benefit from the advantages of AI.”

Alex says it’s “challenging” to specify when driverless cars will be commonly available.

“In the really near-term we will be able to get this deployed at large-scale as a driver-assistance system.”

Wayve can use that data “to grow the system into one that’s not just handsoff, or eyes-off, but truly driverless… you don’t need a steering wheel or a driver’s licence”.

In terms of recognition, what Alex loves is seeing people ride in Wayve’s cars –whether it’s Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella or former All Black Dan Carter.

“They get out with a smile on their face and they’re wowed with the possibilities it opens up.”

Taking Microsoft founder Bill Gates – “an incredible engineer and amazing businessman” – for a ride around central London in 2024 was inspiring, Alex says.

“He built a lot of what the modern software world is… and Microsoft is now one of the biggest companies in the world. Yet he’s still incredibly curious and just wanted to learn. I also learned quite a bit from him as well, about what it takes to get software in OEMs [original equipment

Photo: Wayve

manufacturers]. In his case, personal computers, in my case vehicle OEMs.”

As Chief Executive, Alex manages 500 staff in three offices in different time zones, overseeing everything from hardware to simulation, and juggling relationships with partners, customers and regulators. He’s “fairly nomadic” but tries to set regular time aside for some reflection. He enjoys holding meetings in the back seat of Wayve’s self-driving cars (with a safety driver on hand).

“It’s fun, you get to chat and once in a while you see an interesting situation.”

He says every day is different. “It’s very fast paced, full of challenges and long hours, but I absolutely love it.”

Alex says self-driving cars can help improve road safety, accessibility and the

move towards increased electrification of vehicles. AV2.0 offers “a new trillion-dollar economy and so many opportunities” that he will “never be satisfied” with where Wayve’s technology is at. “It has the potential to operate all kinds of robotics, and be deployed at scale. It is a neverending journey of opportunity. I see an endless road of impact that AV2.0 can bring the world.”

AI systems are just like the wheel, calculator and X-ray, he says, calling them “the next generation of tooling”, adding that it’s “critical” all engineers learn to use these tools effectively. “If not, you’re at real risk of being disrupted and not being competitive.”

He describes his time at the University of Auckland as “awesome” both in

We want to be the system that lets the entire automotive industry benefit from the advantages of AI.

and out of the classroom. He worked on his own robotic projects, including building and flying drones on his family’s Canterbury property, and learned leadership and entrepreneurial skills through sport and social activities. He says university engineering programmes are brilliant because they are so diverse, but building things and learning creativity, learning to use AI and software, and leadership skills are critical components they should offer. He believes STEM subjects at school are key to inspiring the next generation of engineers, but recalls how students who excelled were encouraged to go into law or medicine.

“But I think engineering is the greatest field of them all: you get to build the future.”

The low-down on low-carbon design

WRITER | KAITUHI MATT PHILP

Be it buildings, energy or transport projects, keeping low-carbon design in focus from the outset is making a difference.

AUT's Tukutuku building has an innovative lightweight mass timber structure (atrium pictured). Photo: Jasmax

In the face of a climate crisis, the goal of designing buildings for low-carbon outcomes is urgent. But a bit like the proverbial oil tanker, the construction industry is notoriously slow to turn, and in any case, who’s going to start the revolution?

In fact, according to the Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA), radical change is not required.

“Achieving our national carbon reduction targets in the built environment is not just possible, it’s within our grasp,” writes HERA CEO Dr Troy Coyle in the foreword to a new HERA-led study, “Circular Design for a Changing Environment”. She adds, “With the right design choices, carbon emissions can be cut by more than 50 percent –starting today.”

The benefits of clever design

It’s a bold call, but it’s supported by the evidence. The HERA study employed a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis to gauge the emissions impact of a range of different construction materials and design approaches on six low-rise buildings. For their baseline, the researchers selected a 2014 Christchurch office building that had been constructed with a conventional steel-concrete composite flooring system and a seismic system involving concrete shear walls and steel moment resisting frames. (It was chosen because its cradle-tocradle embodied emissions were the closest to average from among the six.) Against this reference building, they explored three variations of materials – low-carbon steel, low-carbon concrete and a combination – plus three design alternatives, including replacing the steel frames with reinforced concrete frames, replacing with them low-carbon concrete, and switching the flooring system for a steel-timber hybrid.

The takeaways? Clever design can significantly cut carbon, with steel, timber and concrete all having a role to play.

“Our case study showed a reduction of 57 percent was achieved using our low-carbon and circular design hierarchy,” says Troy, who notes that the various design and specification choices involved in the study are all readily available in Aotearoa today, including low-carbon steel and concrete.

HERA’s next step will be to develop practical guidance for designers, specifiers, engineers and other practitioners with an interest in low-carbon and circular design, initially with a focus on low-rise buildings. The study itself will be made freely available on HERA’s website early in 2025, along with webinars to help with adoption.

Meantime, Troy offers some general observations on how we should be thinking about low-carbon design and circularity.

“There’s a focus on up-front carbon because we’re in a climate crisis, but we also need to make sure we design for a low-carbon future. Extending the life of a building has obvious carbon benefits, but ideally we should be designing for multiple lives and resilience also.”

Top left: HERA CEO Dr Troy Coyle. Photo: Tim Hamilton/Visionworks Photography

Battom left: A low-rise office building was used as a case study for HERA’s low-carbon design research. Photo: Aurecon

Opposite left: Steel, timber and concrete will all have a role to play in the journey to cutting our carbon emissions.

Opposite right: Beca's Carbon Navigator, Phoebe Moses. Photo: Beca

Designing for longevity

Designing for disassembly, for instance, involves using reversible connections such as bolt studs rather than welded shear studs. Designing for longevity, meanwhile, will rely on innovations such as reusable low-damage moment resisting frames with optimised sliding hinge joints to enable the structure to withstand and recover from seismic events. As for materials, the focus should be on specifying low-carbon.

On that point, Troy warns that the HERA-led study found that some LCA tools don’t include the most up-to-date material options, including the low-carbon steel and concrete that’s already in use in this country.

“We’d advise engineers to familarise themselves with the latest Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and low-carbon material options, because without that knowledge the use of LCA tools can lead to design choices that aren’t evidence-based.”

Her comment says something about the potential for getting things wrong when taking a low-carbon approach to building design. It’s complex, and even seemingly minor decisions tend to have carbon consequences.

“Any decision you make that means new materials are used or there’s a change in the amount or type of energy used to complete a function or a change in process, you impact carbon for better or worse,” remarks Phoebe Moses CMEngNZ CPEng.

Phoebe, a trained structural engineer, has spent the past couple of years operating as a “Carbon Navigator” for Beca. It’s a role that isn’t so much focused on internal

Buildings alone are responsible for around 20 percent of New Zealand’s emissions.

– Phoebe Moses

practice changes, but on helping Beca’s clients and project teams reduce the emissions associated with building designs from the very start.

“I make sure people involved in a project have the information they need at any given time to make a carbon-informed decision. At the start of a project this will typically begin with me leading workshops… and I will stay closely involved through the early design stages, providing targeted analysis of options and feeding back to the team the carbon impacts of their design decisions.

“I also become more involved in the specification and procurement process, making sure that decisions made earlier are carried all the way through.”

Engineers have a key role to play, Phoebe says.

“Buildings alone are responsible for around 20 percent of New Zealand’s emissions. And when you consider all the other realms in which engineers have influence such as industrial processing, food and beverage, and waste management, that number increases to almost half of our total emissions. Obviously, engineers aren’t the only

people in the room making decisions, and there are other factors at play (time, cost, quality). But that’s what makes a good engineer: someone who can optimise for all of these aspects. We’re just asking that people add one more lens to their decision-making.”

She cites a couple of recent examples of successful buildings where engineers were closely involved in achieving a low-carbon outcome.

“The first is AUT’s new Tukutuku building, which opened in July 2024. The architect and sustainable buildings engineer coordinated to design a super high-performing facade, designed to balance daylight and energy performance, and followed a passive-first approach, using building physics to minimise any mechanical interventions.

She says that the building services engineer and structural engineer collaborated to choose systems that were super-low embodied carbon and operational carbon, with a mass timber superstructure and raised floor with displacement ventilation.

“Another example is the University of Auckland B201 building, which opened in February 2024 and is a case of adaptive reuse. Hopefully most people are aware that this is one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions from building activities.”

Phoebe continues: “It saved all of the carbon emissions that would have been needed to build a new structural frame. While reusing the building, the project team also replaced the facade with a new high-performance facade, changed the building systems to be all electric, and added solar panels on the roof to reduce operational energy and carbon.”

Having the energy to change

Of course, low-carbon design isn’t only applicable to buildings. The University of Waikato’s Ahuora Centre for Smart Energy Systems, for instance, is bringing the same thinking to bear on industrial process heat, which contributes 28 percent of New Zealand’s energy emissions and is a formidable decarbonisation challenge.

Working with companies trying to achieve net zero, the Ahuora team focuses on three areas, says Assistant Director Dr Tim Walmsley MEngNZ. “The first is looking at how you become more efficient in your factory – so process and energy efficiency. Then it’s how do you transition your energy production or utility systems to convert purchased fuels and electricity into the heating and cooling your system needs in an efficient way. Finally, it’s about provision of renewable energy, both fuels and electricity, and the strategic and timely generation of that energy.”

Above: University of Auckland B201 building’s double-height atrium, enclosed by an innovative hybrid steel and glulam timber roof structure.

Right: AUT's Tukutuku building’s sawtooth facade effectively excludes the intense north and west sun. Photos: Jasmax

The centre, which is partly funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Advanced Energy Technology Platform and collaborates closely with the University of Auckland and Massey University, currently has 22 PhD students. (Master’s students and undergraduates are also involved.) Of the 130-odd projects so far, Tim highlights a recent one in which a student worked with a Christchurch biosciences company on the problem of a new heat pump interacting problematically with a chilling unit. To solve it, the student first created a dynamic model of the system, then developed advanced control features. He also picks out an ongoing project in Kinleith where a student is investigating how to lower energy demand at the Oji Fibre Solutions’ pulp and paper mill.

These aren’t just one-offs, Tim stresses.

“Our mission is to help New Zealand industry transition to net zero, following the lowest-cost pathway. So, we work with individual companies on very specific and complex problems that they’re facing, but then once the student is finished, we try to find ways to generalise what they’ve done. From there, we aim to develop software that semi-automatically or automatically addresses that same kind of problem elsewhere for a range of companies.”

For that reason, after process and chemical engineers, the next biggest engineering discipline on the Ahuora team is software.

Tim says while the pathway for the team to make an impact on industry is through training, collaborations and the work of former students, it will also be achieved through software.

“We’re building a digital twin platform that companies will be able to use to model and optimise what they do in the factory.”

Below: WSSC Piscataway Bionenergy Facility.

Photo: PC Construction/Stantec

“Poop to Power” project

Kiwi engineers are working globally to decarbonise industry through low-carbon design. Take Chris Baddock CMEngNZ CPEng IntPE(NZ), for example.

The Christchurch-based Electrical Discipline Leader for Stantec was Lead Process Control and Automation Designer on a recently completed cutting-edge bioenergy and thermal hydrolysis project for US water utility, WSSC Water. Quickly branded the “Poop to Power” project, the Piscataway Bioenergy Project treats wastewater and, rather than releasing the byproducts, captures them for beneficial reuse.

The project got its colloquial tag because it upgrades methane to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), part of which is used on site as fuel for the plant’s combined heat and power generators, with the excess powering Montgomery County’s fleet of RNG public buses.

“I detailed what equipment is required to monitor and control the process and how this equipment would function and operate,” says Chris, who became involved while working for Stantec in Vancouver, Canada, and continued his involvement remotely after transferring with his wife Alisha to Stantec New Zealand when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020. They now work with a team of four to six New Zealand-based engineers on similar bioenergy projects in Kentucky, Virginia, Manitoba and Hawaii.

Distinguished careers

Congratulations to our Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau members who were recently promoted to Fellowship and Distinguished Fellowship, recognising their outstanding contribution to the engineering profession. Here, we showcase our four new Distinguished Fellows.

John Duder ONZM DistFEngNZ

John is recognised for his contributions to water engineering. His consuming passion for rivers, lakes and the sea has resulted in a career that has traversed the globe, investigating and designing dams and control structures in some of the world’s most remote rivers. More recently, he has focused on safety inspections of hydroelectric and water resource dams, including the potential impact classification of large dams under the latest dam safety regulations.

Following his early career with Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners, including periods on the Mangla and Tarbela Dams in Pakistan and an irrigation project in the Niger River swamps, John returned to New Zealand as Gibb’s designer representative on the Tongariro power scheme. He then joined Tonkin + Taylor where he was involved in hydroelectric and river works in New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In the 1990s, John was instrumental in setting up the New Zealand Coastal Society, of which he is a Life Member and former President’s Award winner. He is also a Life Member of The Sustainability Society. John has published more than 30 technical papers and won three Furkert Awards and three Arthur Mead Awards. Passionate about supporting and developing young engineers, John was a convenor of the Ardmore Fund for University of Auckland engineering students, and he gave presentations to secondary school and engineering students. He has been involved with a range of organisations in governance roles, including Auckland War Memorial Museum, Watercare Services Ltd, the Spirit of Adventure Trust and the Dental Council Disputes Tribunal. He has continued to work into his 80s as a Recognised Engineer Dams.

How do you hope people feel about the work you do?

I find that when people understand the benefits of what engineers do, they then recognise the challenges and skills involved and put aside criticisms. The recent dam safety legislation requires assessment of the potential impacts of a dam failure. Some dam owners initially saw that as unnecessary bureaucracy until they appreciated their obligations as dam owners and realised it is in their interest to safeguard their asset. It’s been great when people have given thanks for flood protection works at Turangi and Thames. So, publicity around design as well as construction is vital; EG can contribute to this and should be widely circulated, not just for the profession.

What has surprised you most about your career?

My good fortune in the people I have worked for, with Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners for 13 years out of London, and the opportunities overseas and at home. I acknowledge the encouragement of my civil engineer father Nelson and the support of my wife Tessa with a young family

while on those sites and in New Zealand. Over my 50 years associated with Tonkin + Taylor, I’ve been fortunate again in the support of my colleagues, in particular Don Taylor, and the wide range of investigations, broad design and construction supervision. Nor do I forget David Thom’s inspiring environmental leadership. I learned the hard way on projects in Nigeria, Malaysia and Indonesia the importance of engineers visiting and inspecting the sites for which they are preparing detailed designs.

How have you pushed boundaries in your career?

I have tried to think outside the square; always trudge a bit further upstream to find a better intake or dam site. I prepared the Environmental Impact Report for the 25MW Aniwhenua project on the Rangitaiki River, Bay of Plenty, in 1975, the first for a small local authority hydro. I recognised the need for dialogue between engineers and scientists by being a founding member in 1992 of the New Zealand Coastal Society, an IPENZ Technical Group. For inundation protection of the Moanataiari subdivision in Thames, I reused excavated road material in the waterproofing of the sea wall on the dry side; so far so good. I’m currently pushing for Engineering New Zealand to circulate more information about what the Technical Groups are doing, to reinforce the organisation’s role as a learned society.

How do you keep learning as an engineer?

Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest; talk to younger and more IT-savvy engineers, attend NZSOLD and Coastal Society Conferences and Branch meetings. Keep working as a Recognised Engineer for Dams and refer to the latest version of NZSOLD Dam Safety Guidelines.

What are three key factors that will impact on the engineering sector in the next five years?

Shortsighted political interference and a dearth of longer-term planning.

Market uncertainties and loss of corporate memory. Slow but hopefully steady recognition of sustainability in resource use and timely action.

Martin Feeney DistFEngNZ

Martin is recognised for his contribution to furthering fire engineering in Aotearoa through his engagement in developing the practice, and his leadership of groundbreaking projects.

Most of Martin’s more than 40-year career has been spent with Holmes, where he was a founding member of one of the longest running performance-based fire engineering teams in the world. He began his career as a structural engineer, also making a significant contribution in this field. During a period of secondment to HERA, he co-authored the 1995 Seismic Design of Steel Structures, which was at the time one of the most advanced and influential steel structure seismic design guides in existence, much of which is still in current use.

At HERA, Martin developed an interest in the performance of structures in fire and went on to complete a master’s degree in fire engineering. From there, he has become an expert in structural fire engineering. He has written and presented many papers and contributed extensively to the development of standards and guidelines that advance the state of fire engineering practice. He was instrumental in developing Engineering New Zealand Practice Note 22, Documenting Fire Safety Designs. He has also contributed to fire design guidelines for very tall buildings, structural design, hospitals and mass timber structures. He continues to contribute widely through his roles in the international Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Society of Fire Protection Engineers’ New Zealand chapter, the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand and other industry bodies.

How do you hope people feel about the work you do?

I want my work to inspire people to embrace both analytical rigour and creative thinking in their problem-solving, looking beyond traditional prescriptive approaches to find better ways to deliver fire engineering. It’s hugely gratifying to spark that moment when engineers realise that complex analysis and creative thinking aren’t mutually exclusive. The challenges we face are complex and multifaceted— there’s rarely a single “right” answer. The most elegant solutions often emerge when we give ourselves permission to think outside conventional approaches.

What has surprised you the most about your career?

I’ve been surprised and inspired to watch New Zealand fire engineering go from a few enthusiastic specialists 30 years ago to a thriving and important part of the industry today. When we started out, we were often talking to people who had never even heard of fire engineering and weren’t all that keen to listen! Now, we’re involved in all phases of design, construction and maintenance of buildings.

How have you pushed boundaries in your career?

When our established design approaches don’t serve good engineering principles, I’m not afraid to challenge them and propose different solutions. I always aim to push boundaries by starting with the fundamental problem rather than opening with a playbook of conventional solutions. I try to be a very good listener and keep an open mind, so I don’t just respond with “let’s do what we did last time”, when there are opportunities to do better. I combine careful listening with evidence-based analysis to help develop solutions and outcomes that are directly suited to the project in question.

How do you keep learning as an engineer?

Engineering feeds my natural curiosity and I like to think I learn new things every day. I learn a lot by observing how others think and how they solve problems and I get ideas from our recent graduates who approach things differently from seasoned engineers. New technologies also fascinate me, especially when they help enhance engineering outcomes. I also read widely across disciplines.

What are three key factors that will impact on the engineering sector in the next five years?

AI language models have the potential to transform how we articulate complex engineering concepts and collaborate on solving problems. They will help us design better solutions through clear and unambiguous communication.

Targeted regulation of engineering practice, particularly for complex fire engineering decisions, will bring more rigour to design and approval processes. This will also challenge us to improve the way we document and justify our engineering judgements. Increasing computational power will transform our ability to explore a wide range of design alternatives.

Dean Kimpton DistFEngNZ

Dean is recognised for his extensive work delivering and managing public-facing infrastructure in the public and private sector, and in highly complex environments.

Dean is known for his leadership and organisational skills. Most recently, he has led the recovery of the transport system in Auckland as it responded to impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2023 flood events. In his current role as Auckland Transport Chief Executive, Dean has realigned the organisation with a renewed focus on customers and delivery. This includes rapid growth of public transport services, transformation of investments such as City Rail Link, Eastern Busway and contactless payment solutions; delivery of a 10-year, $14 billion capital programme; technology to lift transport network performance and productivity; and ensuring every customer interaction counts.

He is often sought for director roles on boards, many of which he chairs. These include QuakeCore, the Waka Kotahi Speed and Infrastructure Programme, the NZ Upgrade Board, Infrastructure NZ, Auckland Eastern Busway Alliance, the Bay of Plenty Transport System Programme, MBIE Building Advisory Panel and The Parenting Place.

He is former Managing Director for AECOM NZ and Chief Operating Officer for Auckland Council. Dean has served on the Board of Engineering New Zealand, including as President in 2018–2019, during which time he championed diversity and supported the launch of The Diversity Agenda.

How do you hope people feel about the work you do?

First, as a CEO, I want people to enjoy a strong sense of purpose and direction. And in delivering on those, satisfaction and pride in their performance, and in customer and community outcomes achieved. I also want people to have a sense of hope for what they can do and achieve, and to enjoy themselves and have fun – life is short.

What has surprised you the most about your career? How much I have enjoyed the diversity and experiences throughout my career journey. When you start out, its too hard to imagine, but looking back, it’s honestly a surprise how much has been squeezed in, both in New Zealand and overseas and in technical and people leadership, and governance roles. Another surprise is the depth of impact we have on the world around us and the communities we serve. An engineering career is an awesome doorway into a world of many opportunities and experiences.

How have you pushed boundaries in your career?

Quite simple really: it has been to take risks and not always need to know the answer. This has resulted in a career pathway of zig zags, giving great diversity of experience. With that came more confidence to keep pushing boundaries, learning and trying new things, as interesting or as hard as they might be.

Another key is being values driven, particularly in relation to people, the customer and integrity in all I do. So, when you do push boundaries, you remain true to yourself and those around you.

A longstanding commitment to great customer and community outcomes has always been a driver. That is a great boundary to push on, and when you do, many other things fall into place. But no boundary is successfully pushed without great people alongside you, and in my case support from an awesome family.

How do you keep learning as an engineer?

Mostly it has been about constantly putting myself in challenging and new situations, to keep trying new things. Alongside this, knowing the wisdom is “in the room” and not necessarily inside my head – I’ve learnt to listen and then adjust. Also, I appreciate the fact that learning never stops.

What are three key factors that will impact on the engineering sector in the next five years?

Technology, and with it continued innovation and improved productivity and services outcomes.

Urbanisation and how we support growth, social, climate and environment outcomes. Leadership, and the next generation – there are a lot of great things to be done.

Peter Spies DistFEngNZ

Peter is recognised for his significant leadership in the delivery of many of Aotearoa’s largest infrastructure projects through the development of innovative forms of contracting, and through governance.

After studying in his native South Africa and working there and in England, Peter moved to New Zealand around 27 years ago. In 2009, he became Chief Advisor, Engineering, at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). In this role he has procured and delivered significant roading infrastructure projects including the Waterview Connection, the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery Alliance (Kaikōura earthquake) and the opening of Transmission Gully.

Peter is deeply respected throughout the industry by contractors, consultants and colleagues and has a knack for facilitating collaboration. He’s regarded as the person who transformed NZTA’s procurement style from one of “fixed price” contracts to one of commercial collaboration through the development of contracting models such as design and construction alliances. He is a regular appointee to alliance contract boards, known for his pragmatism and ability to align people with a common goal.

More recently, Peter developed a fair settlement process for contracts frustrated through the Covid-19 pandemic. His contract solution model avoided substantial litigation which would have been costly and time consuming, and the process was able to be used by other key organisations including Watercare, Auckland Transport and numerous local authorities faced with the same issues.

Peter is an accredited Treasury Gateway reviewer and has also been active on the University of Auckland Advisory Board which helps focus the training of future engineers to support current and predicted industry needs. An active mentor, Peter is also a regular guest lecturer and is frequently recruited onto governance groups.

How do you hope people feel about the work you do?

What I do has evolved over the years from hands-on doing to a mixture of doing but also mentoring, advising and occasionally instructing others. I hope that the people I interact with recognise my integrity and see value in what I do, but are open to challenging my thinking.

What has surprised you the most about your career?

I have been fortunate that having a Washington Accord degree has allowed me to work in a number of different countries. Leaving university, I thought that engineering was all about the “science” but learnt over time it is also about ensuring you have the support and “licence” from

the communities that benefit from, or are affected by, the project you are involved with. I now usually find myself asking “what is important to the people” type questions before embarking on developing the technical or commercial solution.

How have you pushed boundaries in your career?

To push boundaries, one needs to be willing to pursue opportunities in the first place. I was always willing to take on roles or projects that my first instinct might have been to be cautious about. In doing this, I learnt that you will get the support you need, sometimes from unexpected places, and you need to back yourself in dealing with issues as they arise. I have also consciously identified role models – those who I would want to emulate, but also perhaps more importantly, people’s behaviours and traits that I would not want to copy.

How do you keep learning as an engineer?

I am naturally inquisitive and that encourages me to seek solutions to problems, but I’m also aware that it’s a big world and I’m unlikely to be the first person trying to solve a similar problem. Doing a bit of research and discovering what others did and how those solutions can be modified and adapted is a large part of how I keep learning in my role.

What are three key factors that will impact on the engineering sector in the next five years?

Ageing infrastructure, particularly in the western world. Technological changes, either subtle or drastic and the resulting consequences of these. Funding pipeline certainty (or lack thereof) to ensure planning for and provision of resources (people and plant).

A holistic approach to engineering

Why water engineer L’Rey Renata is working to increase the incorporation of Māori values and principles into modern environmental practices.

When L’Rey Renata was 15, she was inspired by a humanitarian engineer on YouTube who took technology and innovation back to their village in India to improve the lives of their community.

“I realised that’s what I wanted to do, to serve people with innovation, strive to make things better,” says the Emerging Professional Member of Engineering New Zealand. “None of my family had been to university at the time. I wondered, what would it take to become that, and what was the pathway.”

Now a water engineer at GHD, she says she realised at university that there was very little recognition of Te Ao Māori.

“There are dedicated papers in law, medicine and education regarding Māoritanga and Treaty obligations, but it’s absent in engineering studies.”

In an effort to right this, she’s completing a PhD in reevaluating engineering best practice through an indigenous Te Ao Māori lens.

“My focus is to create synergy and cultural capability across university accreditation and ultimately, within the industry itself. When I began working in engineering, it really hit home – we’re providing these solutions as an industry, but they often lack consideration of the values and cultural systems I’m so familiar with.”

L’Rey says she loves the holism of indigenous knowledge in the sense that it doesn’t look at parts in isolation.

“It doesn’t look at a single puzzle piece and wonder how it’s going to create a picture from it. It’s the reverse: it gathers all the pieces of the puzzle together with the understanding that you can’t just bring one point of the value chain forward, you have to bring them all.”

In her role at GHD she attends meetings with mana whenua and the technical team, acting as a bridge between the two.

“At times, it seems like they are speaking different languages to each other but in actuality there is so much common ground that we could build on.”

She continues: “Indigenous knowledge is completely whole in the sense that it provides the total sum of each interconnected part, weaving context, intentions and purpose into solutions for longevity, contrary to the short-sighted solutions often suggested that serve the purpose in the moment.”

L’Rey says there are “blatant” cultural gaps in understanding in engineering “… but that’s not out of malice or illfeeling... It’s just about not knowing”.

“We engineers often operate within strict physical constraints, which can make our approach seem quite black and white,” she explains. “However, Te Ao Māori encourages a holistic perspective in our work. This approach allows us to consider broader impacts, including whakapapa (intergenerational,

interconnectedness), wairuatanga (the spiritual or unseen aspects), te Taiao (the environment), and tikanga (cultural practices and protocols).”

L’Rey says the “ideal end-state” would involve a cultural and environmental revitalisation through engineering solutions.

“In Te Ao Māori, the prioritisation is the water. If the water’s good, it feeds the land. If the land is good, then the people are good. In terms of hierarchy, people come last in the value chain.”

L’Rey is also involved in a range of waste management activities, including as an advisory board member for the Right to Repair Network Aotearoa; recycling textile organisation UsedFULLY and sustainability research and innovation centre CIRCUIT. She was also part of the steering group of The Packaging Forum, which recently made a submission to government around plastic product stewardship.

A keynote speaker at the International Congress on Sustainability Science and Engineering in February and a panellist at the 2024 Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council, L’Rey is good at communicating complex ideas as actionable insights.

“A kaumatua once shared with me that waiora transcends the mere concepts of wellbeing or health. It embodies the essence of reflection. In the mirror of water and our surroundings, we glimpse our true selves. With that in mind we can then ask ourselves, does this reflection align with our aspirations, or can we do better?”

WRITER | KAITUH I ALEXANDRA JOHNSON

Photo: Tim Hamilton/VisionWorks

Landmark sets benchmark

WRITER | KAITUHI KATHY CATTON

Manganui Gorge suspension bridge

Span: 109m

Height above valley floor: 49.5m

Width: 1.2m

Design life: 100 years

Person limit: Unrestricted

Steelwork: 4 tonnes (Steelwork fabrication: Pace Engineering)

Designed to withstand 210kph wind speed

The 2024 ACE award-winning Manganui Gorge suspension bridge helps increase the resilience and sustainability of Taranaki’s outdoor infrastructure while demonstrating engineering excellence, cultural significance and repeatable practices.

Built to last 100 years and withstand a one-in-250year avalanche and one-in-1,000-year earthquake, the Manganui Gorge suspension bridge showcases cuttingedge technology and high levels of community involvement.

The project was born from a Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation (DOC) tender in 2022 which called for the design and construction of a bridge close to the summit of Mt Taranaki, across the Manganui Gorge, as part of the Taranaki Crossing Project. The location is highly scenic, but challenging.

“One of the key drivers for the bridge is safety: getting walkers out of the avalanche path,” says Wayne Boness, Senior Project Manager at DOC.

“The project, part of the Taranaki Crossing, was safetydriven, but a secondary benefit was its utility for the [Manganui] ski area.”

Winter sunrise in the Manganui Gorge, the day before the official bridge opening. Photo: Wayne Boness/DOC

Initially, DOC expected a more traditional bridge design adhering to SNZ HB 8630 Tracks and outdoor visitor structures, a standard that has not been updated in more than 20 years. This design approach, typically using timber masts and cable support systems, had limitations, particularly in addressing issues like wind fatigue, pedestrian vibrations and cable loss.

Early engagement with local iwi was also crucial to the brief.

“It’s not a consultation with iwi, it’s a partnership,” says Wayne. “And that’s really important.”

Recognising these elements, DC Structures Studio, led by Dan Crocker CPEng IntPE(NZ), won the tender with a considerably more innovative design than initially envisioned.

It might seem odd to share our intellectual property but we were driven by the shared goal of improving New Zealanders’ enjoyment of the outdoors.

– Dan Crocker

“Unlike traditional suspension bridge design, we used 3D analysis software to better understand and predict the bridge’s behaviour, particularly under dynamic conditions like pedestrian use and wind loads,” says Dan.

“We used Computational Fluid Dynamics to model and test the aerodynamics of the bridge. Pedestrian dynamics and vibration control were crucial for this design.”

The bridge features an asymmetric design, due to a steep rock face on one side of the gorge and a sloping terrain on the other. The design also used a calibrated force system to adjust and fine-tune the stiffness of the structure.

“This method ensures precision and reduced construction time, as the design was fully modelled and calculated even before construction began,” explains Dan.

“Our forward-thinking approach doubled the bridge’s design life from 50 to 100 years at no additional cost, and reduced live loading by 30 percent, greatly enhancing efficiency and minimising long-term maintenance needs.”

DOC’s internal engineering team worked alongside DC Structures Studio from the beginning.

“We wanted to work alongside DOC to build their knowledge and capability for the future,” says Dan. This collaborative approach, through meetings, presentations and workshops, ensured that DOC’s engineers gained a deeper understanding of modern bridge design, equipping them with the tools and insights to adopt these innovations on future projects.

“It might seem odd to share our intellectual property but we were driven by the shared goal of improving New Zealanders’ enjoyment of the outdoors,” says Dan.

DOC staff are already applying what they learned here to new projects, including a new 190m suspension bridge planned for the Hooker Valley.

“The design principles, the materials and the construction methods – everything we’ve done here will inform future bridges. It’s not just about building for today but for the next 100 years,” says Wayne.

The collaborative ethos extended to the connection with Ngā Iwi o Taranaki. From the outset, iwi expressed a desire for the bridge to be safe, capture and reflect their cultural narratives, and complement the surrounding alpine environment.

“Dan and Te Papa Atawhai worked with members of the 16 surrounding hapū who hold a significance to this maunga,” says Nicola Coogan from Ngāti Ruanui.

“We liked the safety technology he was proposing, and his enthusiasm. We wanted something that would encourage our people to participate, something that we’d be proud of... something that would last for a long period of time.”

The bridge features five pairs of large stainless steel panels along its span, etched with cultural artistic elements representing phases of an avalanche, an important symbol for Ngāti Ruanui. In addition, two large stainless-steel shrouds around the masts feature artwork by artist Wharehoka Smith, who was commissioned by Ngāti Ruanui to create a narrative to be expressed through the structure.

This project also reflects a broader shift towards more inclusive, culturally sensitive approaches in engineering. As Nicola says: “This is a great example of how things should work... a real shift in genuine interest in our cultural narrative.”

“The sculpture (Rakahore) was a gift from iwi and it was developed alongside the bridge’s construction,” says Wayne. “It was really about respecting the space and making sure that the art reflected the local story.”

The bridge has become a tourist destination, drawing more than 70,000 visitors since its opening in May 2024.

“It’s become more than just a bridge; it’s a symbol of what happens when everyone works together to create something special,” Wayne concludes.

Opposite: Rock control staff drilling rock backspan anchor holes in southern bluffs above bridge site.

Photo: Wayne Boness/DOC

Top right: Staff from main specialist contractor Abseil Access set up to receive the bridge hangars transported by helicopter.

Photo: Wayne Boness/DOC

Bottom right: Ngāti Ruanui complete karakia and waiata to open the bridge and unveil “Rakahore”, the sculptural element.

Photo: Jeremy Beckers

Snapshot The multi-award-winning teaching campus, Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture in Gashora, Rwanda, has planet and people in mind. Materials include quartzite stone foundations, compressed stabilised earth block walls and timber roof trusses, ensuring the project is low in embodied carbon. The campus infrastructure operates off-grid, powered by an on-site solar array. With local employment prioritised during construction, 90 percent of the 2,500-person workforce came from the district. The project site leadership team was 58 percent female, which is rare on construction sites in Rwanda.

Photo: Iwan Baan

43 Initiatives underway to enhance industry

Intersection 45 Supporting your voice 46 Fluid mechanics making a splash

After the cyberattack

KATE KERRIGAN

How to appropriately respond to a cyberattack that results in a privacy breach.

Cybercrime is an ever-present threat in today’s increasingly online society, and one of the more damaging issues arising from cyberattacks is privacy breaches. Not only can these attacks have financial and legal implications, they can also harm your organisation’s reputation and potentially reduce client trust. Accordingly, engineering firms should consider what actions they may need to take in the event of a cyber incident to adhere to any legal obligations and to prevent reputational issues.

Operating an engineering firm inevitably involves storing client data such as names, contact details, addresses or other possibly sensitive information. This gives rise to certain obligations under the Privacy Act 2020 and potentially any internal privacy policies. It is important to be mindful of these obligations so you can manage and respond to any potential privacy breaches appropriately.

In the unfortunate event of a cyberattack, your first step should be to identify what data has potentially been compromised and the extent of the breach, while taking any possible steps to limit its impact. Questions to consider include whether personal information has been compromised and how many people are affected.

The next step is to assess the severity of the breach. Section 114 of the Privacy Act 2020 dictates that you must report

any notifiable privacy breaches to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC). Notifiable privacy breaches are ones that are likely to cause serious harm. This may include situations where the exposure of personal information could cause safety concerns, financial harm or emotional harm for an individual. Other relevant factors to consider are any steps that have been taken to mitigate the risk of harm, the sensitivity of the information and the potential recipients of the information. It is probably reasonable to conclude that a breach resulting from a cyberattack is likely to cause serious harm as the information has been accessed unlawfully. However, you can consult the OPC website’s “Privacy breach selfassessment” tool to determine whether a breach should be reported.

Additionally, you may need to consider whether other third parties should be informed of the breach, such as credit card companies, employee representatives or the Police. Internal privacy policies should also be consulted to ascertain any further obligations.

Acting quickly is important – this will give you the best chance at limiting the impact of a breach. The OPC expects notifiable privacy breaches to be reported within 72 hours of the incident. Failure to notify the OPC of a notifiable privacy breach is an offence under section 118 of the Privacy Act with a maximum fine of $10,000. Additionally, an inadequate response may open you up to liability if an impacted individual chooses to pursue

a claim at the Human Rights Review Tribunal. If your organisation is unsure whether a breach is worth notifying, or you have limited information to hand, it might be best to report. The OPC will assess whether further action is required and can receive new information as your organisation establishes the situation. Unless an exception applies under the Privacy Act, affected individuals will also need to be made aware of any notifiable privacy breach as soon as reasonably practicable, through direct contact or public notice. Not only can this be a legal obligation, but clear and honest communication with your clients will allow them to take appropriate steps to mitigate potential harm from the breach and will help to maintain client trust.

In the aftermath of a cyber-attack, an organisation should reflect on the incident. Identify what might have led to it, and consider how further cyber incidents or privacy breaches could be prevented. This may include increasing cybersecurity measures, reviewing any privacy policies in place, implementing new procedures or increasing staff training on cybersecurity matters.

Engineering firms should consider what measures they are taking to prevent cyberattacks and what plans are in place if one occurs. A quick, organised response will mitigate financial, reputational and legal consequences.

Kate Kerrigan is a Legal Advisor at Te Ao Rangahau.

AI and engineering competence

DANIEL VAN DER WALT / DAVID DEMPSEY

With engineering students increasingly using generative AI (GenAI) in their studies, what are the implications for engineering competence and how can risks be mitigated?

Almost all engineering undergraduates are using GenAI in their studies. We can expect this to affect workplaces, notwithstanding the fact that many engineers have been early adopters. But, as engineers increasingly outsource tasks to GenAI, what are the implications for engineering competence? Should an AI that performs at the same level as a professional engineer be registered as a CPEng? Obviously not, but what are the implications of this type of thinking? Getting a job and advancing through the ranks requires mastery of three things: engineering knowledge, technical skills and responsible attitudes. We have been researching how this knowledgeskills-attitudes paradigm applies in the fast-evolving landscape of GenAI and engineering education at the University of Canterbury. Here is what we think all professional engineers need to learn in this new era.

Knowledge: To appreciate its strengths and limitations, you need to understand GenAI as more than a magic black box of answers. Peering under the hood, you’ll see familiar probability concepts but also new ideas like next-token prediction, semantic meaning and context. Armed with that knowledge, you’ll then recognise how the arms race to build ever larger

language models has underpinned “emergence”: a wave of unplanned GenAI capabilities like mathematical calculation and few-shot reasoning (learning from examples) is rapidly extending the capabilities of newer GenAI models. What will emergence bring when the next-generation of reasoning GenAI arrives, like GPT-5 or 6? With each new tranche of engineering tasks brought into frame, engineers will be increasingly relied upon to judge whether the AI has sufficient competence to handle them, and where to draw lines in the sand, for themselves, their employees and their organisation. A shift away from content creation toward content verification may be what’s needed.

Skills: Most professional engineers don’t use GenAI to its full ability. They make simple prompting errors like “give me a brief answer” (preventing in-context analysis) instead of “think it through step by step” (a chain-of-thought prompt). Have you tried using AI to write its own prompts so you can customise them (meta-prompting)? Or writing a multimodal prompt that analyses images and documents before answering a query? It can be hard to keep up with the multitude of advanced prompt engineering techniques: self-criticism (“critically evaluate your prior answer”), persona prompting (“analyse this like a professional engineer”), and ensembling (repeated prompt requests to build a “consensus” answer). But using these can make the difference between a vague, inaccurate response and a nuanced,

detailed suggestion.

As you get better at prompting, you can start to build custom GPTs – small computer programs – for common use cases. Try combining a few-shot template and some chain-of-thought reasoning to do high-level analyses of new datasets. Or build a multi-modal prompt to crossreference your work against a design standard, applying self-criticism and ensembling to get a second (third/fourth) opinion before a peer review.

Attitudes: An underappreciated strength of the experienced engineer is their intuition and judgement. An AI can generate a risk management report, but will it consider the near misses you’ve seen on previous jobs? Or your company’s strategy, as well as recent tests of legal thresholds and your ethical judgement?

Cultivating a responsible attitude towards human-in-the-loop oversight will ensure that experiential knowledge is not replaced. Continue to lean on your engineering values, like performing quality assurance by checking AI output for misinformation. Or reflecting a commitment to continuous learning by staying on top of new GenAI techniques and emergent capabilities (and don't rely on just one GenAI tool). And most importantly, never hand over your engineering competence, either by accident or on purpose.

Daniel van der Walt is a Senior Lecturer and David Dempsey is an Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury.

Electric transition: Auckland’s future ferry fleet

WERNHER RODING MEngNZ

The transition to modern, low-emission ferries is expected to bring significant benefits to the Auckland region’s public transport network, while the associated technology brings both challenges and opportunities.

As part of a mission to create a transport future for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland that’s cleaner, quieter and more comfortable, Auckland Transport (AT) has ordered four new technology ferries to replace the existing fleet that is reaching the end of its useful life. The transition to modern, low-emission ferries is expected to bring significant benefits to the region’s public transport network. These include improving ferry reliability, capacity and customer experience. Also, a significant reduction in diesel particulate and greenhouse gas emissions, and lower whole-of-life costs, driven by the significantly lower cost of electricity as a fuel, plus expected maintenance savings.

To operate effectively, the ferries require resilient, fast and high-power battery charging of up to 3.3MW per berth, using novel technology, distribution and control solutions.

The Megawatt Charging System

To enable this transition, the programme relies upon the introduction of megawatt

level charging infrastructure capable of fuelling the in-production and future ferry designs. The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is a standardised system currently under development by industry organisation group CharIN. The Auckland project is one of the first marine MCS deployments globally, and the first in New Zealand.

A key benefit of standardised MCS is that it enables the interoperability between existing and future ferry and charging designs. This means AT avoids being locked into a single ferry or charging provider and can adopt future product designs as they emerge.

The first four ferries under construction are of two different types: 200-passenger fully electric and 300-passenger plugin hybrid electric. Despite differences in design and manufacturer, both ferry platforms will share common MCS chargers.

Power conversion

To provide power to the ferries, electricity from the utility (at either 11kV or 22kV) is transformed to 466 Vac via a 3.7MVA transformer which has delta and star secondary LV windings. Each LV winding supplies a liquid cooled charging unit which rectifies the AC to a controllable variable voltage DC output. Two smaller chargers are required per berth to provide the full

berth capacity with the vessels having independent port and starboard battery banks that are charged concurrently.

The DC power is conveyed by multiple parallel circuits of four core conductors (two parallel DC circuits per cable) to the MCS dispenser, located on a floating pontoon. The MCS dispenser provides the pluggable side of the interface, with power being conveyed via two plugs per dispenser connected to sockets on the vessel. The MCS dispenser uses a glycol cooled cable and plug system to reduce the amount of copper required to convey the current, which in turn makes the cable flexible and the arrangement light enough to be manually handled for charging operations.

Once physical connections are made between the landside and the vessel, control systems take over via handshaking and prescribed protocols to confirm correct operation and safety before the charging process begins.

Various other systems are required to support the main charging equipment. These include ancillary power supplies, HVA, chiller systems for charger liquid cooling, HV switchgear and networking.

Technology challenges and opportunities

While MCS will provide the Auckland ferry network with current and future flexibility

in ferry designs, the introduction of new technology comes with plenty of practical challenges. Technical challenges include managing intermittent load profiles causing network peaks; the availability of sufficient network power supplies; and planning, designing and constructing installations close to and above water. Also, constructing and operating in some of Auckland’s most high profile public locations, and using non-typical isole-terre earthing systems.

The new technology is also being delivered while the relevant international MCS standards are being finalised. This creates additional complexity with respect to validating regulatory compliance and ultimately demonstrating a safe installation for maintainers, operators and the public transport users of Auckland. This is being managed via engagement with regulatory authorities and following processes detailed by WorkSafe to comply with the Electricity Regulations.

Along with technical challenges, there are planning, construction and operational challenges, all of which are overcome by solution development using an iterative design process involving AT (the owner), Beca and Tonkin + Taylor (the design team), ABB (charging system designer and supplier), Brian Perry Civil (the constructor), Vector (the utility) and multiple stakeholders within a collaborative programme team.

With ferry electrification underway in a number of overseas jurisdictions, and New Zealand’s first electric ferry Ika Rere already successfully operating in Wellington, this project provides a great opportunity to grow our local knowledge and expertise in the electrification of marine transportation.

Moving towards operation

Auckland’s new ferries will be operated on public transport services by transport operator Fullers360, who are closely

involved in the design and construction of the ferries and preparing to migrate key ferry routes from diesel to electricity as an energy source.

The staged nature of the programme will allow for lessons to be captured from the first charger installation at Half Moon Bay ferry terminal, and incorporated into design and installation improvement at future sites within the first stage and beyond.

This project is of regional and international interest as marine electric propulsion technology continues to mature and global momentum in marine decarbonisation continues. With rising fuel costs, the ability to embrace lower cost fuel sources is an attractive opportunity. Many interested parties will be watching closely when the first ferry charger and low-emission ferries arrive in Auckland this year.

Wernher Roding MEngNZ is Principal Electrical Engineer at Beca.

Image: EV Maritime

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Initiatives underway to enhance industry

The Engineering Practice team at Te Ao Rangahau are involved with a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing engineering standards, accessibility and member resources across the industry.

We're regularly asked about our workflow in Engineering Practice and we inform the membership through annual Member Connect events and EG magazine. The following updates show some of our recent and ongoing work to support members.

AI and Engineering programme

AI is a hot topic and not going away anytime soon. It is essential that we empower our members to harness the potential of AI in engineering responsibly and ethically. The AI and Engineering work programme has been approved by the Board and we'll provide members with resources and tools such as guidelines, webinars and user case studies.

Practice Note 19

This project to update Practice Note 19: Seismic Restraint of Pressure Equipment is still in its initial stage, with the project start date planned for first quarter 2025. We’re communicating with relevant industry stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the issues and concerns driving the update, and the potential scope of the project.

Practice Note 22 update

This Practice Note focuses on the communication and documentation of fire

safety design. The update was kickstarted at the 2022 FireNZ conference, and a stakeholder working group has been working on the update since February 2023. At the time of writing, the revision is undergoing a final member feedback review with the aim of publishing version two of the Practice Note in early 2025.

Webinars on common RFIs

This project began last year with a presentation by Christchurch City Council about common geotechnical RFIs and how to avoid them. (The webinar and case study are available for members at engineeringnz.org). Since then, we have collected more information from councils around the motu. The March webinar will address common issues with Producer Statements.

Quality assurance/control project

Under the CPEng Rules 2002, an engineer must undertake engineering activities within their scope of competence and undertake engineering activities in a careful and competent manner. Additionally, the Rules state that the minimum standard for competence is to identify, assess and manage engineering risk. Doing that requires a robust quality assurance and control process. However, buying or developing those systems and processes can be expensive and they are often unsuitable for small engineering firms or sole practitioners. To help, we have developed a simple but robust template system that members can access for

free. The engineer remains responsible for ensuring the quality assurance and control process used is fit for purpose. We are also developing training through our Continuing Professional Development area to complement the system.

Online producer statements

We will update the online producer statement system this year. The aim is to have an easy-to-use, fraud-resistant system which provides regulators with surety that the documents come from a verified source. The online system will be free for members.

Design tips for warehouses

This is a continuation of the warehouse project. Stage one was a high-level evaluation of warehouses and the production of the warehouse report. Stage two was a more in-depth look at the warehouses to ascertain the likelihood of any of them being earthquake prone. In Stage three, we're currently developing resources for engineers designing warehouses and they will be available for free for members as one- or two-page high-level advisories focusing on different parts of the structure. They will show what not to do and why, and provide an example of good design and things to consider, without worked examples.

Siobhan Lilley MEngNZ is Project Engineer and Martin Pratchett CMEngNZ CPEng is Engineering Practice Manager at Te Ao Rangahau.

SIOBHAN LILLEY MEngNZ / MARTIN PRATCHETT CMEngNZ CPEng

Intersection sectionInter

Crossing paths with engineers.

Ben Green MNZM qualified as an architectural draughtsman early in his career with the New Zealand Army and went on to spend 20 years as an army officer. He served three operational deployments to BosniaHerzegovina, Bougainville and Afghanistan, and participated in international exchanges with the New Zealand Defence Force. In 2004, Ben was awarded a Royal Honour for operational leadership in Afghanistan. After his military career, he spent 14 years as a corporate manager in the veterinary sector. Since joining Gisborne District Council in 2020 as the Emergency Group Manager, he has led numerous emergency responses in the region. He was recently selected as an alternate national controller as part of a cohort that will support the national controller and the National Emergency Management Agency during a national emergency.

How do you work with engineers in your role?

Engineering is a key component that sits across the four Rs (readiness, response, recovery, reduction). I am inquisitive by nature and seek out the opportunity to innovate and improve how we do things. As such, I define problems and seek the input of engineers to develop solutions or provide subject matter expertise to test and develop these. A current project that is in the operational deployment stage is emergency water desalination units,

initially developed as a prototype by an Australian aeronautical engineer which now provide a significant emergency capability for our communities.

How does your work impact on engineers? Emergency managers seek to use data to develop hazard mitigation strategies that have to balance technical feasibility with practical implementation. It is a symbiotic relationship with engineers that is a mutually beneficial partnership where both roles enhance each other’s effectiveness.

How do engineering decisions impact on your work?

These have a profound impact on my work including infrastructure resilience, risk mitigation, technical integration and planning.

What are three observations you’d make after working with engineers?

1. You must ask the genie a smart question in order to get a smart answer!

2. Articulate the “why” and present the end-to-end aspects that make up the project story to connect the IQ to the EQ.

3. I am always impressed with the very talented professionals who make a genuine difference to people’s lives.

Role: Tairāwhiti Emergency Group Manager and Group Controller Based in: Tairāwhiti Gisborne

What do engineers all seem to do so well?

They see the iceberg in its entirety. The visible aspects (above the surface) of design and problem-solving along with the hidden (below the surface) that includes systems, thinking, research, planning and analysis.

What do you wish all engineers knew/ understood better about your role?

Emergency management involves a comprehensive approach to risk that includes not just physical infrastructure but also human factors, communication and coordination. Assimilating these can help engineers design solutions that are resilient and adaptable to various scenarios across the four Rs.

Ben Green MNZM

Supporting your voice

DIANNE PATRICK

At Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau, we’re working to increase our influence on the direction of key public issues by increasing the volume, visibility and effectiveness of our advocacy work. This means working to ensure that engineering knowledge and experience help to influence the direction of major decisions, whenever possible. In effect, we’re amplifying your influence. As 2025 gets underway, here’s a look at what we’re focusing on.

Standards

We’re meeting Government officials to seek improvements to the delivery of standards in Aotearoa. This follows increasing concerns from members about outdated or non-existent standards, the difficult development process and the cost to buy standards. We’re also investigating whether standards collections can be created at a discount, catering for members’ needs.

Building systems reforms

We want to ensure engineering knowledge informs the Government’s reforms. Ahead of the expected tranche of Government proposals for consultation in the first half of the year, we are developing a position statement, leveraging our earlier reports and thinking.

Earthquake-Prone Buildings (EPB)

We are taking a close interest in the review being undertaken by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

into how well the current EPB system for managing seismic risk in existing buildings is working. It’s great to see several engineers on the Steering Group, providing expert oversight of the review. We intend to be an active participant during the consultation phases.

Long-term skills shortage Engineering contributes around $16.3 billion (5 percent) of Gross Domestic Product. This is in jeopardy. New Zealand is experiencing a longterm engineering skills shortage, which is being exacerbated by the current downturn in Government work. Along with ACE New Zealand and Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure, we’re releasing an Action Plan highlighting the problems, and outlining our work to help meet these challenges.

The mahi from our members and partners is key to ensuring that our advocacy work meets the profession’s needs, so keep an eye out for how you can get involved.

See engineeringnz.org for past advocacy work, and future editions of EG magazines for more updates.

Dianne Patrick is Acting General Manager, Policy and Advocacy at Te Ao Rangahau.

Quiz

Test your knowledge around the lunch table. (It’ll pay to read through EG before attempting this quiz if you want full marks.)

1. Which engineering discipline deals with a building’s external envelope and the performance of the materials in its complete system?

2. If a wire stretches by 4mm under a load, how much would a wire of double the diameter stretch, subject to the same load and all else remaining equal?

3. In what year did the Toyota Corolla surpass the Volkswagen Beetle to become the highest-selling nameplate of all time?*

4. How many New Zealand universities offer Washington Accord accredited degrees?

5. What postnominals would a member use if they were a Distinguished Fellow and Chartered Professional Engineer?

6. One of the minimum standards for competence under the CPEng Rules is to identify, assess and manage what?*

7. Which bridge – a Gold Award winner at the 2024 ACE Awards – will help to increase the resilience and sustainability of Taranaki’s outdoor infrastructure?*

8. How many Engineering New Zealand Branches are there? A) 17. B) 18. C) 19.

9. Of the four Distinguished Fellows to be celebrated at the 2025 Fellows’ Dinner, who played an instrumental role in setting up the New Zealand Coastal Society?*

10. Wellington-based OpenStar Technologies achieved a significant milestone in the global energy fusion race last year, using their levitated dipole reactor to create and confine what?*

*This issue of EG holds the answer you’re after – hunt around and get reading!

Got a question that’ll leave your peers stumped? Submit it to egquiz@engineeringnz.org

Fluid mechanics making a splash

MATHIEU SELLIER FEngNZ

A new report quantifies the value of fluid mechanics to Australasia’s society and economy.

Fluid mechanics is the science and engineering of fluids at rest and in motion, be they gases, liquids, slurries or granules. It is central to countless natural and industrial processes including weather forecasting, propulsion, energy production or conversion, transport, food production, agriculture and healthcare to name but a few. In fact, fluid mechanics is arguably so pervasive in our daily lives

our society and economy. It is also easy to forget how mastering fluid flows is an ancient endeavour which was achieved well before we could develop theories and complex equations, with Māori known to have sailed from East Polynesia to Aotearoa on double-hulled waka, demonstrating their deep understanding of ocean currents and wind patterns, passed on through generations.

Most mechanical, civil or chemical engineers have had to go through multiple fluid mechanics courses as part of their tertiary education. For some, the

which govern fluid flows will bring back distant, unpleasant memories of incredibly complex equations with lots of unusual symbols. For others, like me, they represent the perfect marriage of science and engineering for which centuries of fundamental science research have led to so many engineering breakthroughs such as space exploration, understanding disease transmission, developing more sustainable transport, saving the few milliseconds required to win a gold medal on a bike or in a swimming pool, or predicting when a tsunami will hit our

Love it or hate it, the recent report Riding the wave, commissioned by the Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society, has quantified for the first time the role of fluid mechanics in our economies and societies and the punchline will undoubtedly surprise more than one engineer.

The report was generated using a methodology tried and tested in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. It combines identifying companies and businesses that add value to the products and services they provide using fluid mechanics and expert opinion to apportion a fraction of their revenue which can be attributed to the discipline.

The report estimates that fluid mechanics contributions from industries in New Zealand represent NZ$7 billion generated across 1,140 firms employing 12,100 staff. For comparison, milk powder exports were valued at NZ$9.7 billion in the year ended April 2024, or 14 percent of the total value of exports for the same period. Traditional sectors related to primary industries like oil and gas, resource engineering, and liquid controls (pump, valves, meters) represent a large proportion of the fluid mechanics-related revenue generated across Australia and New Zealand. But fluid mechanics also features very strongly in sectors of the economy driven by technological

For some, the sound of the Navier-Stokes equations which govern fluid flows will bring back distant, unpleasant memories of incredibly complex equations with lots of unusual symbols.

innovation, including aerospace, healthcare or renewable energy, or by environmental impact with activities related to environment and rivers, climate and ocean, fire modelling or water processing.

Importantly, and looking ahead, the report stresses that fluid mechanics is growing rapidly into diverse markets. The survey results indicate that three out of four industrialists forecast that the fluid mechanics portion of their business will grow over the next three years. The discipline is also expected to play a determinant role in all the major societal challenges ranging from climate change, energy transition, food and water security, response to pandemic/future of healthcare, or defence and national security.

These numbers and statistics should reassure every engineering student that though fluid mechanics is an “old” discipline and difficult as it may be, it remains a critical component of an engineering curriculum.

Finally, the report makes important recommendations to best leverage the potential of fluid mechanics to generate wealth for our communities and protect our environment. These include raising awareness of the role of fluid mechanics in our society and the key role it plays in

addressing pressing societal challenges, and creating networks of knowledge across Australasia to maximise local expertise and facilities. The report also recommends increasing investment in high-performance and experimental fluid mechanics facilities, enhancing collaboration across New Zealand and Australia in research, maximising engagement between industry and government-funded research, and increasing educational investment –particularly in STEM at all levels – to grow and diversify the pipeline of talent.

New Zealand and Australia have a strong fluid mechanics heritage and this report demonstrates its impact. Hopefully, we’ll see a constructive conversation between the tertiary education sector, crown research institutes, industry partners and government agencies to ensure that New Zealand builds on this now quantified momentum to fulfil its full potential.

The full report can be found at bit.ly/afms-ridingthewave

Mathieu Sellier FEngNZ is Professor of Fluid Mechanics at the University of Canterbury and President of the Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society.

52 Secret life of engineers

51 Inside job

52 Passing the baton

56 Bedside table

53 Leading questions

57 Preview

54 Inside job

56 Bedside table

58 Leading questions

59 Obituaries

57 One to watch

58 Obituaries

60 Engineering genius

60 Engineering genius

Ngā tūhinga poto me ngā pito kōrero Shorts

Secret life of engineers

Trevor Kempton MNZM CMEngNZ has recently retired after a career that saw him progress from being Naylor Love’s first graduate engineer, to CEO. Awarded a Fletcher Construction Civil Engineering Cadetship in 1971, he began his career as a field engineer, with moves into the private sector then project management with the Ministry of Works. He joined Naylor Love in 1987 and retired as Board Chair in 2023. A Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and a Chartered Director, he was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024 for services to the arts and local government.

What was the work that led to a Royal Honour?

As a musician, my focus has been brass bands, but the honour related to national governance work in brass banding and the choral sector along with regional governance of arts festivals and community music initiatives. My three terms as an Otago Regional Councillor made up the local government component.

When did you start learning music?

Quite late, as a 14 year old with the Invercargill Garrison Band on the tenor horn.

Are you from a musical family?

My mother was a violin teacher and my older sister was an accomplished violinist.

How long have you been involved in brass bands?

For 57 years, but with some reduced involvement at times determined by family and business commitments.

What is your current involvement?

Two evening rehearsals a week and occasional weekends leading up to major competitions. My band, St Kilda Brass, has an annual programme of two contests and around six concert engagements a year.

Do you have a favourite piece to play?

Over time, brass bands have become more versatile and the modern brass band repertoire covers all genres. I enjoy anything played well, but the Act 3 prelude to Wagner’s opera Lohengrin takes a lot of beating as a concert opener. From the modern repertoire a major work for brass band entitled Tallis Variations by Phillip Sparke based on a hymn tune written by Thomas Tallis in 1567 is a technically and musically challenging work. Executed well, it is immensely satisfying.

What are three words to describe brass banding?

Creative, collegial and lifelong.

What do you love most about it?

I gain great pleasure from being involved in and watching the growth of young players, the best of whom are getting better with each successive generation. There are often two or more generations of families in bands, which offer safe environments where musical and life skills can flourish.

Have you passed on your love of music to your own family?

My wife Carol and I are both musicians. She is a chorister and a preschool music specialist, so for our children, music was second nature. Our daughter Jenny was a member of the National Youth Choir and is now an arts management consultant in Edinburgh and an active chorister.

David was a member of both the National Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Band and is now a professional musician and educator in Sydney, while our youngest, Sam, is a West African drummer.

What’s your greatest achievement with music?

In 1992, after several years as a “bridesmaid”, I won my first National Solo Championship followed two days later by my band, St Kilda Brass, winning the New Zealand Championship after a 20-year dry spell. My proudest moments haven been watching Carol and our children perform.

Tell us something about your involvement with bands that might surprise readers. In recent years my band has appeared in an Air New Zealand safety video and we were extras for an American film shot in Oamaru in January.

Any advice for parents who want their children to play an instrument?

Many brass bands run teaching programmes and lessons are readily accessible. However, don’t lock your child into one instrument or genre. They will want to experiment and try different things. Having done so and found their niche they will settle and progress quickly.

Anything else you’d like to add?

While brass bands originally flourished in the north of England, and the antipodean colonies, they’re now enjoying huge growth in Europe, North America and Japan, while the highest number of brass bands per capita is in Tonga.

Trevor Kempton MNZM CMEngNZ

Based in: Ōtepoti Dunedin

Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Civil), University of Canterbury, 1975

Photo: Trev Hill Photography

Passing the baton

JENNIFER BLACK

The daughter of an engineer who generously bequeathed a substantial sum to the Engineering New Zealand Foundation says she knows that supporting other professionals to learn and grow would make her Dad happy.

“The word ‘dams’ is synonymous with my father,” says Tracey Limond, whose father, Wallace Gordon McQuarrie FEngNZ, better known as Wal, passed away in December 2023.

“They were his passion for his entire working life, and he would speak extensively about them to anyone who would listen.”

Dams also feature strongly in Tracey’s early memories with her Dad, as the pair would visit them during the school holidays.

“The locations felt so remote and exotic. I’d slap on my hat and sunscreen, take a photo, and off we would go. We’d stop for fish and chips for lunch, and pick flowers to bring back for Mum.”

Tracey believes her father’s upbringing played a part in his choice of engineering as a career. Wal’s own father died when Wal was just eight years old, so he had to help his mother run their farmlet in Invercargill.

He loved being outdoors and had a propensity for hard, manual labour, which grew into a passion for finding out how things worked, Tracey says.

Graduating from the University of Canterbury with a degree in civil engineering in the 1960s, Wal then spent 53 years at what is now Watercare, working on Auckland’s key water infrastructure, advocating for dam safety, and mentoring colleagues. He was made a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand in 2011.

Tracey says her Dad loved the fact that engineering was always evolving.

“His work continuously changed throughout the years, keeping it fresh and interesting for him. He never felt like he could retire, as there was always some big project going on.”

Wal has been described by former colleagues as someone who loved seeing other people grow and develop their careers. This was important to him because he was future-focused and recognised the need to “pass the baton” on to others, to ensure the ongoing success of the industry, Tracey says.

“For his 50-year celebration at work he received a standing ovation,” she says, adding that the words “kind-heartened, generous, principled and loyal” are just some of the ways to describe her father.

For Wal’s 50th anniversary, Watercare renamed the Mangatangi Visitors Centre “The Wal McQuarrie Visitors Centre”. The company also recently held a memorial for the much-loved former employee.

Wal also contributed 31 years of service to the New Zealand Society on Large Dams Management Committee, helping to shape national standards and practices.

Tracey says her father was always willing to help others with their projects and he had an endless capacity for sharing his

knowledge. She believes he would want his donation to the Foundation to support others to learn and grow as professionals in the field. It was a way of “… continuing on with his mentorship, which he was so well known for throughout his career”.

“I think he would like to contribute to the field that gave him so much during his life. The people he worked with were his extended family, and he treated them as such. He would want to see them supported to achieve their best.”

Established as a charitable trust in 2002, the Engineering New Zealand Foundation supports the organisation’s current and future members with their careers and wellbeing through scholarships and financial assistance in tough times, and by funding a range of innovative initiatives that drive systemic change. It is complementary to Engineering New Zealand – related, but independent. It’s overseen by a Trust Board who are stewards of the trust fund and drive the Foundation’s strategic direction, to bring its purpose to life. Foundation Board Chair Glen Cornelius FEngNZ CPEng IntPE(NZ) says: “The Foundation is only able to continue its important mahi due to the generosity of people like Mr McQuarrie and his family. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to them for this significant donation, which will help to ensure we’re supporting engineers to be innovative, forward thinking, and leaders within their communities.”

The Engineering New Zealand Foundation welcomes bequeaths and donations to help support current and future engineers. Find out more at engineeringnz.org/programmes/ foundation

Leading questions

Dr David Carter FEngNZ trained as a civil engineer and has been part of the Beca whānau since 1987. As well as working on engineering projects across Aotearoa, Asia and the Pacific, he has held various leadership roles at Beca including Managing Director – Australia and Managing Director –Corporate. Serving as Executive Chair since 2017, he plays a vital role in the firm's longterm strategic direction. David received the Outstanding Leadership and Contribution to Infrastructure Award at Infrastructure New Zealand’s Building Nations 2024 Impact Awards.

What attributes make you a good leader?

A genuine interest in people, a love of the profession and the satisfaction that comes from making a difference. An ability to operate comfortably both within the detail, as well as at a governance level has also been key.

At the end of each day, what tells you whether you’ve been successful?

I think if we let ourselves feel, we ultimately know in our hearts whether we have contributed our best and whether it has made a positive difference. But the real test comes from firstly engaging with stakeholders to define what success looks like, then circling back upon completion to confirm what was actually achieved.

What inspired you to become an engineer?

My father, Sir Ron Carter ONZ KNZM DistFEngNZ, was a fantastic role model and always seemed to love his job. To a teenager, civil engineering seemed like an opportunity to remain an overgrown child in a sandpit – just with much bigger toys – and I still feel that way. I have absolutely loved every minute.

Who opened a key door for you?

I am fortunate in that, throughout my career, I have been surrounded by people operating at all levels who have contributed to my development. I never really had a career path mapped out, rather I tended to grab opportunities of interest as they came along and, thankfully, people trusted me enough to let me take them.

How do you connect your work with a sense of greater good?

All infrastructure shapes places; great infrastructure enhances communities. Early on in your career, you are able to explore project-specific opportunities to make a difference such as the recycling of concrete airport pavements, or the stabilisation and reuse of dredged sediments. However, as you become more senior, by putting in place sets of guiding principles, you are able on occasion to influence the types of projects to be pursued and enable broader impacts to be made. Lastly there is the commitment of personal time to initiatives that are close to your heart – education and helping reverse nature loss are two such causes.

What mistake have you learned from most?

There have been numerous mistakes. One that comes readily to mind is a project design lead role where a key component was being addressed too slowly, so I dove into fixing it. The issue was duly resolved, but it took many months to get my actual role back under control. As projects increase in size and complexity, they can only be delivered by a team, and everyone within the team needs to deliver their role. What I should have done is agitated for others to resolve, rather than seeking to fix it myself.

Dr David Carter FEngNZ

Role: Executive Chair, Beca

Based in: Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Education: Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Hons), University of Auckland, 1983; Master of Engineering (with Distinction), University of Auckland, 1985; Doctor of Philosophy, University of California, Berkeley, United States, 1988

How do you approach a difficult conversation with someone you lead? By being empathetic, open and honest. Do your homework before raising any issues so that you can speak to them firsthand, as opposed to relying on hearsay.

Who is a leader in Aotearoa you admire?

Izzy Fenwick is one, for both continuing the legacy of her father, the late Sir Rob Fenwick, who was an environmentalist and businessman, while remaining true to her ideals and charting her own course. Her irrepressible energy helps.

What questions have you been asking yourself lately?

How do we get Aotearoa to the state where we’re valuing nature and regenerating biodiversity? When thinking about my children, who are teenagers, what state does our country need to be in and what vision needs to be espoused, for them to want to continue to call Aotearoa home?

Katie Gotlieb – Emerging Professional Member

Role: Project Engineer, Farra Engineering

Based in: Ōtepoti Dunedin

Education: Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hons), University of Canterbury, 2022

Photo: Lynda Henderson

Inside job

I describe my role to non-engineers as… leading Farra’s Building Maintenance Units (BMUs) projects through tendering, design, in-house manufacture, and site installation and commissioning. BMUs are basically big cranes, permanently installed on high-rise buildings. We focus on bespoke projects, so I’ve managed little 20T BMUs with 13m outreaches, through to a 50T BMU with a 35m outreach that launches out of a hatched dome at the peak of one of Sydney’s newest high-rise buildings.

The part of my job that always surprises people is… how much project engineering relies on relationship management.

The best emoji to sum up me on a typical workday is…

In the past year, I’ve pushed boundaries by… supporting our priority to go back to the basics. It’s easy as an engineer to get caught up in “novel engineering solutions”, but at the end of the day we invented the wheel for a reason.

I admire engineers who… have the guts to say no in high-stakes environments. It’s tough to hold your ground when everyone is screaming to just sign off something, but quality design, and health and safety always come first, no matter the cost.

At school, teachers always described me as… “needs to be kept engaged”, “strongwilled” and a “self-starter”. In other words, a bit of a pain but a high achiever when I was interested in the work.

My luckiest break was… having Farra sponsor my final-year project at university, which resulted in an awesome job.

The best thing I’ve introduced at my workplace is… helping to clear the way for the people working on the floor to work much more closely with the design team – their knowledge is invaluable and their input from the get-go increases efficiencies immensely.

In my role, I always challenge… whether something is a “world is ending right this second emergency” or should we take a deep breath and prioritise? Commercial high-rise construction in Australia is a high-stakes game, and problems can quickly snowball if you don’t stay grounded.

At work, I’ve never been afraid to… ask questions and admit if I don’t know the answer. Do it right and it’s one of the best ways to gain respect.

The bravest thing I’ve done to get where I am today… taking on so much project management responsibility so quickly. It’s been a rollercoaster, but I got 10 years’ worth of experience in just over two years, and it contributed to my recognition as Runner-up for Steel Construction NZ’s 2024 Young Achiever of the Year.

Best career advice I’ve received… learn the balance between keeping the customer happy and being a pushover.

I’d advise other people interested in my type of role to… get comfortable with technical writing and public speaking. If you can’t communicate it clearly, it won’t happen.

things I love about my job: Getting to build a career in such a niche and interesting specialisation. Every job is different in terms of the client requirements, design components and challenges –it keeps me on my toes. Working in a global market is awesome in terms of international experience and travel.

reasons why I chose to study engineering:

I’ve always been at my best when I’m solving complex problems and getting to nut things out both at a high level and down to the details. Plus, engineering is very much rooted in the fundamentals – if it defies the laws of physics, you’ve probably done something wrong! Mechanical engineering is such a vast field – it’d be impossible to run out of things to learn and experience.

thing I wouldn’t change about my workday:

The people. From the people on the floor to our client teams, everyone keeps it fun.

Bedside table

Dr Philippa Martin FEngNZ

Role: Leadership Coach, Philippa Martin Coaching; Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Canterbury

Based in: Ōtautahi Christchurch

Education: (All from the University of Canterbury) Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) (First Class Hons), 1997; Doctor of Philosophy (Electrical and Electronic Engineering), 2001; Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching, 2015; Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership, 2018; Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies, 2021; Certificate in Arts (Te Reo Māori), 2023

Philippa Martin FEngNZ has been designing next generation wireless communications technology for more than 25 years (3G–6G), resulting in more than 90 international research papers and a United Kingdom patent. She’s passionate about empowering young leaders and creating inclusive engineering environments where all people can thrive, excel and contribute. This was evident in her work as vision setter and founder of the UC ENG ME! peer mentoring programme (2023 ENVI Award winner). This work was part of a broader strategy she led as Dean of Engineering (First Year). Her impact on engineering education was recognised with a 2023 Te Whatu Kairangi Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Award and 2024 UC Teaching Medal. Philippa is now leveraging her expertise in leadership and coaching to support engineering leaders and teams to thrive.

What’s on your bedside table?

A Tiffany style lamp, water bottle, old iPad mini (for logic games and books) and a clock radio. My paper books are beside my reading chair overlooking my garden. I love Fish! A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results by Stephen C Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen. You can’t always be where you want to be, but you can choose your attitude and make the best of it. Another favourite is Juliet’s School of Possibilities by Laura Vanderkam. It is a great reminder to look at the possibilities and how you are spending your time and energy, while

among the noise and busyness of modern work life.

How do they help you in your role?

The attitude we bring to the table has an impact not only on our enjoyment of the working day, but on the people who work with us. We can choose our attitude, regardless of the circumstances. It’s easy to get focused on busy work and miss the impactful opportunities and possibilities that surround us. It is important to zoom out and live with intention.

Which group of engineering professionals are these books most helpful for?

Fish! is great if you or your team members are feeling flat or disengaged. When you can’t change the work you are doing, you can still change how you are doing it and have more fun at work. Juliet’s School of Possibilities is an easy-to-read short fable if you’re feeling completely swamped with email and work demands and feel life is happening to you, not for you.

What’s the top book you’d recommend to other engineers and why?

The Māori Made Easy book series by Scotty Morrison. Understanding language is a key part of understanding culture and hence providing a foundation for partnership. Inclusion on Purpose by Ruchika Tulshyan is a thought-provoking read on individual and organisation behaviours for intentionally fostering inclusion, which is an impactful read for all engineers.

What book has most changed the way you work?

There are many. The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey by Ken Blanchard brought awareness and intention to what tasks and problems I chose to take on.

What work-related books are on your must-read list?

For my engineering research I go to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers journals for the latest advances in wireless communications. The technical aspects often feel like the easiest part of engineering. So, there is a stack of coaching, equity and leadership books in my reading pile to best support engineering leaders to thrive in their roles and create empowering and inclusive environments for their teams.

What do you read for fun?

I enjoy reading autobiographies and memoirs such as Becoming by Michelle Obama, Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E Frankl.

SPEED READ

Ebook/paper copy – both + audio books

Borrow/own – both Bookmark/turn down page (my interpretation of the word “bookmark” is expansive).

One to watch

In what they described as “New Zealand’s most significant scientific milestone in decades”, Wellington's OpenStar Technologies reached a crucial milestone in its quest for fusion energy late last year – first plasma. That’s the moment a fusion device first confines a super-hot cloud of ionised gas. Plasma creates the conditions necessary to spark a fusion reaction. OpenStar Senior Mechanical Engineer Theo Wordsworth MEngNZ tells us more.

How do you sum up this work when someone asks: “What do you do?”

We’re a full stack fusion energy company based on the levitated dipole concept. The method was first proposed in the ’80s and researched at MIT in the early 2000s, before being shelved as the industry explored other concepts. I design and build really strong magnets that form the heart of our machines. (We have a donut-shaped magnet that floats in a vacuum chamber, surrounded by really, really hot gas.)

If OpenStar becomes a household name, how do you hope people will describe it?

“That fusion company.”

How are engineers critical to OpenStar’s success?

We are in the business of eliminating technical risk, fast. We design, build, test and iterate components that allow the science to progress. We don’t just design the cool tech, we build it.

Who are your biggest competitors?

There are more than 40 private companies worldwide that are pursuing fusion. We’re the only one developing the levitated dipole concept for commercial application.

Though we’re doing it against more mature technologies, our rate of achieving milestones is unmatched.

What’s your greatest hope with this technology?

Not only will it provide an additional renewable energy source to mitigate the effects of climate change, but it will make electricity an affordable commodity for everyone.

And your greatest fear?

It is our duty to give this technology our best shot and keep dipoles in the minds of those pursuing commercial fusion. It would be terrible if the concept is abandoned while the physics remain promising.

What’s the next eureka moment you’re working towards?

Levitating Junior, our first and current magnet prototype, so it will float without any physical support, proving a key requirement for the dipole concept.

What can you tell us about OpenStar’s current growth phase?

Last year, we doubled in size (we have about 60 full-time staff). Over the next year, we will double again. Growth allows us to tackle more ambitious challenges as we move towards commercial-scale devices.

Photo: OpenStar Technologies

Obituaries

Born in the United Kingdom, Dave Marriott FEngNZ’s family emigrated to New Zealand in 1959, settling in Gisborne, where they worked on a sheep station. Dave gained a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) in 1971, then joined Sperry Vickers as a Sales Engineer in Hydraulics, and worked for heavy engineering companies including Andersons Engineering and Tasman Pulp & Paper. In 1986 he became Chief Executive of Gas and Geothermal Trading, a role which included management of the Crown’s investments in the Maui Gas Field development.

In 1990 he was awarded a Commemorative Medal for Services to New Zealand.

He spent five years as Principal Advisor at CCMAU – Crown Company Monitoring and Advisory Unit (a division of Treasury), looking after 29 state-owned enterprises, followed by strategy and business development roles. Over

Gordon McPherson FEngNZ grew up in Dunedin, attended King Edward Technical College and started his Post Office career as a Junior Mechanician, aged 16. A few years later he was singled out for Post Office headquarters in Wellington, completing his engineering qualifications part time.

In the 1960s Gordon was put in charge of converting the Tauranga telephone network from manual to automatic, further demonstrating his engineering prowess and his ability to achieve results by motivating his staff – a marker of his time in the Post Office.

He inherited antiquated technology from World War I days, so set about standardising New Zealand’s system by working for a period in the United Kingdom with British manufacturers who would later supply New Zealand.

As Supervising Engineer, he was in charge of staffing and maintenance for all telephone

his career, his key skills crystallised into providing governance, strategic advice and support to companies undergoing stress.

Dave served on many boards in the private and public sector. His final governance role was Chair of the Advisory Board of engineering consultancy Vitruvius in Tauranga, where he had been formerly been Leader – Business Development.

Beyond work, Dave was a competitive wave skier, had a lifelong passion for radio-controlled model aircraft, and loved skiing.

Diagnosed with terminal neuroendocrine cancer in 2008, he worked hard to keep informed about new treatments, living for an additional 16 years and advocating for better treatment for fellow patients with this disease. He’ll be remembered for his sense of humour, his considered approach to tasks, supporting his friends and his love for family.

exchanges throughout New Zealand. Computerisation led to drastic staff reductions, causing robust discussions with the Post Office Union and requiring significant negotiations, with Gordon an advocate for the changes. In 1982 he became Engineer-in-Chief, responsible for 23,000 staff.

Notable achievements include implementing his vision for the country’s telecommunication technology, helping New Zealand become one of the first countries to introduce a national cellular mobile system, and opening up employment opportunities for women in technical areas.

A member of Engineering New Zealand for 65 years, he was promoted to Fellow in 1994.

Gordon has been described as a man of character, known to be scrupulously honest and trustworthy, and with a great sense of humour. He was a committed Christian and is survived by his wife Suzanne and his large family.

David Vale Marriott FEngNZ 1948–2024

Gordon Thomas McPherson FEngNZ 1930–2024

Murray Meyer

CMEngNZ CPEng

1946–2024

A graduate of the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) and a Bachelor of Commerce, Murray Meyer CMEngNZ CPEng began his career at the Ford Motor Company in Wellington, where he developed a lasting passion for cars. His early experience in the automotive industry made him a recognised authority on New Zealand-built Fords. In 1977, he became the manager of Midland Coachlines’ coachbuilding division, overseeing the construction of buses and ambulances for the Order of St John. This association with St John Ambulance led him to serve on the Christchurch Area Committee for 35 years, and in 2013 he was honoured as a Knight of Justice and Grace (KStJ) for his contributions. Throughout his engineering career, Murray certified a wide range of mechanical projects,

Stephen Craig Raynor CPEng CMEngNZ IntPE(NZ) 1963–2024

Louis Robinson FEngNZ CPEng IntPE(NZ) 1943–2025

Steve Raynor CPEng CMEngNZ IntPE(NZ) was born in Nelson and grew up interested in mechanical things and how they work. He worked as a draughtsman while competing the New Zealand Certificate in Engineering, then a Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Auckland. After a short time overseas, he joined DWK in Invercargill where he worked on the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal and the Tiwai Point Smelter upgrade. Steve moved to Dubai to take up the role of Civil Engineering Instructor at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, also completing his master’s degree in Dubai. He joined COWI in Muscat, Oman, as Chief Engineer and Head of Structures, leading a multinational and multidisciplinary team on significant projects. Returning home in

Lou Robinson FEngNZ was born in Invercargill and attended Marist Brothers School, finishing his schooling at Marist Brothers Juniorate in Tuakau. Returning to Invercargill, he applied for the only position advertised in The Southland Times that required his University Entrance qualification: draughting cadet with New Zealand Railways. In the ensuing years, Lou joined Utah Williamson Burnett, based at Lake Manapouri, where he worked at Deep Cove on the Manapouri power scheme, then with Duffill Watts and King in their Invercargill and Dunedin offices. He gained a Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Canterbury and in 1967 and joined Wellingtonbased engineers, Bruce-Smith Chapman and Amos, before co-founding Hadley & Robinson Ltd with Dunedin engineer and professor Jim

including amusement devices and heavy vehicles. In the mid-1990s, he became a Low Volume Vehicle Certifier, a role he held until 2010. He was also a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) appointed Heavy Vehicle Specialist Certifier.

Murray helped pave the way for many engineers, generously sharing his knowledge, work ethic and professionalism, and offering employment and training opportunities. He was an early member of the Heavy Vehicle Engineers group and was a prominent certifier of amusement devices in the South Island. He established safety standards for equipment that was previously untested here, and was a founding member of the Recreation Safety Engineering certifiers group.

He’s survived by his wife Marie, three children, and grandchildren.

2018, he joined Vitruvius and became involved in Engineering New Zealand’s Tauranga Branch. A lifetime learner, he was nearing completion of a PhD. Beyond work and family life, he was interested in fossils and rocks, wildlife photography, motor racing, and sharing his love for Jesus. Described as “a true mentor and educator” he readily shared his passion for science and engineering and he’s been described as “a great friend of the School of Engineering at the University of Waikato”. A former colleague says Steve’s kindness, wisdom and selflessness were constants in his professional life. “He was a true gentleman, deeply committed to sharing his knowledge… and his legacy lives on through the countless individuals he inspired.”

Hadley, in 1968. He was active in the development of NZ Building Standards and served on many Standards NZ committees, and was on the study group for the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering. Many of Lou’s greatest achievements are related to the country’s heritage buildings – particularly in the south. It’s been said that Dunedin would look very different today if it weren’t for some tough battles he and others fought around structures including the Town Hall, the Law Courts and the Railway Station. He won David G Cox Memorial Awards for work on the Oamaru Police Station and Opera House, and The Southern Heritage Trust acknowledged his commitment to heritage buildings with its Bluestone Award in 2019. Lou is survived by his wife Sandra, two daughters and three grandchildren.

Signs of (digital) human life

Supports real-time translations across diverse platforms and applications.

Hyper-detailed facial expressions and body movements for conveying emotion and contextual meaning.

Biomechanically modelled to replicate natural, precise movements for accurate signs.

Supports localisation, adapting to the unique grammar and syntax of multiple languages.

Aotearoa-based Kara Technologies’ AI-driven digital humans are designed to deliver realtime sign language translations, transforming accessibility and inclusivity around the world for the Deaf community. Kara’s engineers use advanced motion-capture systems to replicate the intricate gestures and expressions essential for sign language. The digital human’s hyper-realistic appearance is powered by innovative rendering and material technologies, while the AI engine provides instant translations from text or speech to sign language.

Kara Technologies has undertaken deep collaboration with the Deaf community, including with Deaf team members who play a pivotal role in ensuring cultural authenticity and practical usability. Their expertise and lived experience are integral to refining gestures, expressions and translations, overcoming challenges like complex grammatical structures and ensuring that gestures appear natural.

AI engine translates linguistic data into precise hand gestures, facial expressions and body movements.

Created in collaboration with Deaf community members for a culturally informed design, ensuring authenticity and usability.

AI-driven real-time translation engine converts text or speech to sign language almost instantly.

Set yourself apart –navigate ethical dilemmas with confidence.

Ethical practice is at the core of engineering. Te Ao Rangahau members are set apart from other engineers by their demonstrated commitment to a Code of Ethical Conduct.

Increase your knowledge and confidence in ethical practice so you can protect yourself professionally and personally. There are two learning options available:

• an online module available year-round at no cost to members

• a new full-day in-person course that dives into real world examples (available from April).

The 2025 ENVIs are just around the corner. Get ready to celebrate the innovators, the educators, the campaigners and the pathfinders. Who’ll be recognised at the 2025 ENVIs among the profession’s most inspiring engineers? Join the best of the best at Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier engineering awards – celebrated better than ever. Find out more at envis.nz