Editorial

There’s something wonderful about starting a new project – the anticipation of things to come, learning the ins and outs of the various processes and systems, meeting the new team, setting guidelines and timelines …

And so it was when I was asked to take over the reins of NZ Construction News in April. Of course hitting the ground running with an established magazine – one that is already widely respected within the industry – is in some respects easier than kick-starting a new one, but it also comes with a number of expectations that you will continue to build on the good work and reputation established by the previous team, which Steve and John had surely achieved.

I’m very much looking forward to meeting this country’s leading construction companies, and to reporting on some of the best examples of construction from the commercial, civil and residential sectors, both here and abroad, but always involving New Zealanders.

Whilst it’s a tough time to be doing business, the move by infrastructure minister Bill English in May to set up the new National Infrastructure Advisory Board was welcomed across the industry. Dubbed an infrastructure ‘think tank’, the board’s mission is to provide independent advice to the minister, and to help formulate the first 20-year National Infrastructure Plan, which will be completed by the end of this year.

Make no mistake – the board includes some of this country’s most widely respected and experienced businessmen, all chosen on the basis of their individual skills and collective knowledge of infrastructure planning, investment and asset management methods. Dr Rod Carr – currently vice-chancellor of the University of Canterbury, a former managing director of Jade Software Corporation and deputy governor of the Reserve Bank – will chair the new board, and will be joined by Sir Ron Carter, former chief executive of Beca Group, Lindsay Crossen, former chief executive of Fulton Hogan, Dr Arthur Grimes, a director of the Reserve Bank, Dr Terence Heiler, a director of Landcare Research, Rob McLeod, a managing partner of Ernst & Young, John Rae, the managing director of Stevenson Group, and Alex Sundakov, the executive director of Castalia.

The appointment of the board was welcomed by NZCID chief executive, Stephen Selwood, who said: “Inadequate infrastructure is consistently ranked by the investment and business community as the single most problematic factor to doing business in New Zealand. Now is exactly the right time to invest for growth.”

Gentlemen and minister, in the words of one of this magazine’s regular contributors, please “just get on with it”!
Best wishes …