Editor's Blog

This is my last issue as editor of New Zealand Construction News. Since the magazine was launched at the end of 2006, I’ve had an immense sense of fascination and achievement being involved in this marvellous industry.

John Clarke and I relished the opportunity to present material that we both found interesting and thought provoking and we both enjoyed meeting so many people in the construction and contracting industries. It seemed that every appointment we had opened our eyes to possibilities we had never considered and to the freakish ingenuity of human beings.

John has moved on to other things and New Zealand Construction News has been purchased by Aston Publishing with David Silver at the helm. I’ve worked with David for a number of years and I have every faith that he will take this magazine even further than I could have imagined.

The new editor of the magazine is Lynne Richardson – we both started out in trade publishing at the same time and I have probably learnt more about being an editor from her than anyone else. She is extremely passionate about her magazines and the material she selects. I know she is really looking forward to sinking her teeth into this industry and, like me, I know that she’s going to enjoy it immensely.

I’d like to thank all our advertisers for their wonderful support and involvement in the magazine. I’d also like to thank all our readers who sent in stories, opinions, criticisms, and congratulations.

In these current times of bust I hope we all remember that boom will surely follow, even if it is not as heady as we may hope. There is little doubt that the world economy may alter to be unrecognisable from what it was before. If this means that the greedy and the irresponsible are no longer part of the picture then that will be a good thing. Far too many people amassed capital that was not theirs and in the process put the lives of others at risk. Too many risky, stupid plans were launched to make huge amounts of money and ultimately failed – leading to job losses and altered circumstances for those whose lives are already hard enough.

With that said, I wish all of you the best for the future in your business and personal lives. Thanks for the opportunity to present you with the material I found engaging and amazing every two months.

Steve Best, editor (this issue)