Following the NZIOB’s recent election, the NZIOB is delighted to formally indtroduce that John Hemi, the new Chair of the NZIOB National Board. John will lead the Board for two years. 

Starting as a Graduate Engineer, John designed drainage, pavements and laminated timber sheds, before being quickly drawn to Construction Management. He thrived being on site, learning the roles of SM, SE and PM and progressing to larger and more challenging projects – the most rewarding being the Manukau Events Centre. Regional and General Management roles for Construction Contractors followed and John is now employed at Te Waihanga (Infracom) as an Advisor on Major Projects and the Construction Sector Accord. 

After finding himself a New Zealand Building Industry Awards finalist in 1999, John joined the NZIOB as a Member, earning the additional accolade of Registered Construction Manager in 2003. After helping the Northern Chapter Committee organise events, he became a Committee Member in 2010. John has also been involved in judging the New Zealand Building Industry Awards and says that meeting our talented practitioners has been both inspiring and humbling. 

“This industry faces many challenges, and these challenges are forever changing. This provides an opportunity for us all is to adapt, innovate, and be better than we were. As an industry, we have huge potential to improve our efficiency and effectiveness, adopt collaboration and technology, and evolve. We still need a passionate, solutions-focused and diverse workforce to make it all come together. 

The NZIOB has a huge role to play in promoting the building industry. The Institute rewards careers, embraces diversity and supports our members – through training, CPD, sharing solutions, current innovations, and mentoring from the many legendary icons within the Institute.

I would like the NZIOB to grow its membership numbers and crystallise our value proposition. We need to focus on providing the most meaningful and effective support to our members and continue to facilitate growing each member’s networks.”