Michaela Murray is the National Health, Safety, Sustainability & Quality Manager at Cook Brothers Construction, based in Ōtautahi | Christchurch.
Michaela won the Health, Safety and Wellbeing | Wairuatanga category at the 2024 NZ Building People Awards. She was awarded for her successful implementation of the ‘RESET’ programme at Cook Brothers which engaged workers with health and safety in a fun, game show style.
Judges applauded Michaela’s creativity and dedication in implementing the nationwide programme which effectively addressed high-risk incidents while simultaneously fostering a culture of engagement, continuous improvement and fun.
Michaela is a former nurse and has brought those skills over to help improve health and safety outcomes in the Construction Industry.
We wanted to get to know Michaela better, so we asked her some questions about her life a work.
What does a typical day in your job look like?
A typical day can be anything from sitting around the Executive table and strategic planning, to boots on the ground with the teams and discussing their projects.
What would you love to do in the coming years?
I currently have an international internship with INSHPO. The opportunities and people I have met in this role have really inspired me and broadened the options I see for my career. I would really like to look for governance positions with small organisations or charities that do not have the capacity to have a health and safety resource and give back that way.
Recently I have taken on overall responsibility for quality and sustainability in the company (in which I am supported by an amazing team). I find this space really interesting and would like to learn and develop more within these areas.
I also want to spend as much time as I can with my kids.
What did your NZ Building People Awards Win mean to you?
The programme that I won the award for was such a fun programme and one that so many people were involved in, so I think it was a really nice way to see their work recognized as well. It only recently became a company leadership tool, so the timing felt right as that was a big achievement from which I feel confident that it will remain within Cook Brothers culture for years to come.
I mentioned in my speech that the programme was based on Probuild (which is now unfortunately in receivership) but they had a website called Building Safety Greatness and also presented at the Procore Groundbreak conference. On their website they shared all their internal resource for their practical site initiatives that were underpinned by the “Why”. I think the win really highlights how much of a difference it can make when we work together as an industry.
Why did you enter the construction industry and what’s kept you there?
I entered the building industry on a bit of a whim. Someone said we have a health and safety coordinator role going, would you want to apply? I have stayed because I find the building industry fascinating. I have always been very curious, I like to see behind the scenes, so the fact that I get to be involved with airside projects, see hotels before they open or how the back end of a swimming pool works keeps me motivated. It’s so dynamic, there is always something to learn or find a solution for.
What is one change you would love to see made in the building industry in NZ?
I would love to see the trades promoted as career paths more, especially for women. I recently signed up with Inspiring the Future and I love doing those events in schools. I hope it allows students to see the opportunity in the trades and also that career paths are not linear, there is so many ways they can apply their experience and skills to different industries.
Who inspires you in the Building Industry and why?
I am quite a fan of Fred Mills. Although not in NZ he runs an I Love Construction campaign / Youtube channel. I believe his campaign resonates with me and many people because it underpins why so many of us are in the industry and it has the power to attract so many more to the industry.
What construction project in NZ do you wish you could have worked on?
I have not really thought about this one. I find the Scott Base Redevelopment really interesting though. It would be an amazing project to be involved with.
What’s something you do in your spare time?
I have kids – which is pretty much my free time. I dabble in running and enjoy getting out for a hike (they are few and far between though). I also quite like decorating cakes.
What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment?
I have just finished the Court of Thorns series, social media influenced me and once I got through the first one, I was hooked. I was recently given a book called “I’m a Boss, Not a Shrink” which I have just started reading. I am a big podcast fan current favourites include British Scandal, The Curve, The Polkinghorne Trial. Workwise I flick between the Health and Safety Podcast and have just started listening to The Circus of Safety.
