Industry news and Institute of Building insights

Launching the Digital BIM Guidance (DigiGuide) Project

Posted on Friday 02 June, 2023

New Zealand Institute of Building and the BIMinNZ Steering Group are launching a Digital BIM Guidance (DigiGuide) Project. The project will bring together key stakeholders to form an inclusive network of subject matter specialists lead this project. The Construction Sector Accord is providing funding through its Innovation workstream.

Leading this project are members of the BIMinNZ steering group: Andrew Field, Melanie Tristram and Glenn Jowett, along with Pamela Bell and Hannah Keir-Smith from the NZ Institute of Building. 

Andrew Field explains what the group aim to achieve through this work and why it is necessary. 

What will the future of the construction industry look like?

Posted on Thursday 04 May, 2023

At the Building our Digital Community Conference in March we spent the day looking at what's possible in the future of construction - focusing on digital innovations. 

At the end of the day of presentations we asked delegates to send through their thoughts on what the future of construction looked like. We've some of their ideas along with thoughts from Pamela Bell. 

Reflecting on DigiComNZ2023

Posted on Tuesday 04 April, 2023

I recently had the pleasure of attending the 2023 NZIOB/BIM+NZ Building our Digital Community conference (DigiCom 2023) held in Wellington at Te Papa. The event brought together construction professionals from across the country to discuss the latest technological advancements and trends within our Building Industry.

One of the most impressive aspects of the conference was the diversity of roles represented by the attendees. Members of the Institute of Building were present in a variety of roles, including Contractors, Architects, Engineers, Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Client bodies and more.

What is the next 40 years at the Institute going to look like?

Posted on Monday 27 March, 2023

This year the Institute of Building is turning 40.

We’ve taken this anniversary as a moment to reflect on where we have come from and where we are going. This isn’t a mid-life crisis – but it could be a turning point - an opportunity for growth...

Does the construction industry have the capacity and capability to rebuild after Cyclone Gabrielle?

Posted on Thursday 02 March, 2023

Professor Suzanne Wilkinson - Associate Dean of Research at the School of Built Environment at Massey University considers what Is needed from the construction industry in order to rebuild after Cyclone Gabrielle. 

Professor Wilkinson looks at the challenges faced by the industry after the Christchurch earthquakes and the lessons we can learn from them. 

Congratulations to Institute member Dr Negin Imani - Welly Awards finalist

Posted on Tuesday 28 February, 2023

Finalists for the 2022 Wellingtonian of the year Awards (The Wellys) have been announced and we are proud to share that Institute of Building member Dr Negin Imani has been named as a finalist in the Environment category.

The Wellys celebrates people across nine categories, with one overall Welly Recipient recognised as the supreme winner - The Wellingtonian of the Year. The Awards evening will be held on 29 March at the Embassy Theatre.

When you look into Dr Imani’s work it’s hardly surprising she’s been named as a finalist. Her list of accomplishments is impressive and ever growing!

We are proud to have Dr Negin Imani as a member of the Institute and we will have our fingers crossed for her on the night of the Wellys!

Encouraging young people in the construction industry

Posted on Thursday 02 February, 2023

Adam Baxter, Construction Project Manager at Placemakers, reflects on his 10 years in the construction industry and explores whether we are offering enough encouragement to the next generation in the industry. 

"In a complicated field of specialists and technicians, we are in need of good leadership.

Whether or not my generation have been trained well enough or are as ready as can be to face the challenges that lay ahead, we will have to step up to the plate all the same.

So surely the risk in not sincerely encouraging young people in construction is greater than anything else at stake in the industry."

We Are Here For You - An Industry Insight From A Sales Viewpoint

Posted on Wednesday 07 December, 2022

OPINION

Dennise Austin, Business Development Manager for XLam NZ Ltd gives us an insight into our industry from a sales representative point-of-view.  Not just hers, but from the many sales professionals. Their roles encompass many things, whether it’s assisting you by ensuring the correct products/systems are specified, organizing project specific pricing, facilitating the logistics of getting the right product on site at the right time, ensuring the right applicators are installing the products specified, providing sustainability credentials or going to bat for you with council when you try some innovative design ideas. They Are Here For You.

Five tips to make client complaints disappear

Posted on Friday 02 December, 2022

ADVICE

Client complaints, I don't want them, heck nobody does. I recently read an article in Carters Tradie Leader magazine that tackled this very issue. To recap, here are author Daniel Fitzpatrick's five tips that'll have those client complaints set sail for good.

1. Invest in your onboarding (and win back your time).
   Create a brief "how we work" guide, setting out your standards from the outset and something you can go through with every new client. ....

The Future Is Bright

Posted on Wednesday 02 November, 2022

OPINION 

There are some exciting and attractive opportunities for young up-and-coming tradespeople and building professionals being provided by the New Zealand construction industry.