Latest news with #AlanPollard
Techday NZ
28-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
NZ civil construction sector faces confidence drop, workforce shortage
New research from Civil Contractors New Zealand and Teletrac Navman shows that New Zealand's civil construction industry is contending with a drop in business confidence and shrinking workforce numbers, but many businesses remain focused on finding solutions. The 2025 Construction Industry Survey, now in its ninth edition, compiles feedback from sector professionals and reveals a mixed picture. Of those surveyed, 16 percent reported a positive business outlook - a significant decrease from 50 percent in 2021. Alongside this decline, 42 percent of businesses reported downsizing or laying off staff over the past 12 months, with 73 percent citing a lack of work as the industry's predominant challenge, compared to just 15 percent in 2021. Despite the difficult operating environment, almost half (47 percent) of civil construction businesses expressed confidence in their ability to withstand and overcome current challenges. Many are responding by investing in new technology and climate-resilient projects with the aim of supporting business growth and meeting community needs. Government pipeline concerns Industry leaders point to uncertainty surrounding the project pipeline as a critical factor in declining business confidence. Alan Pollard, Chief Executive at Civil Contractors New Zealand, said: "New Zealand's civil construction industry is facing a confidence crisis where a lack of work, and uncertainty is placing the long-term health of the industry at risk, but there is plenty of hope on the horizon." The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, currently forecasts projects worth USD $207 billion across central government, local government and private sector contributions. Despite this, Pollard says there is often a gap between forecasted investments and projects reaching the market, with many projects delayed for prolonged periods. He emphasised the need for more transparent communications regarding project opportunities and more stable investment to provide certainty for infrastructure construction workers. The impact is particularly pronounced for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up 60 percent of the sector. The survey found that 27 percent of SMEs expect their revenues to decrease in 2025, which is three times the number from the 2021 survey. Pollard continued: "It's never been more important for central and local government to step up with a clearer, more consistent and visible pipeline of infrastructure construction and maintenance work, rather than just announcements. We see this playing a central role in strengthening business confidence, helping to keep skilled workers in the industry, and ensuring we're ready to meet not just today's needs, but also New Zealand's future infrastructure needs." Skills and workforce challenges The survey highlights that human resources and skills are a significant issue. Seventy-three percent of respondents reported a lack of available work for contractors, up from only 15 percent in 2021. This environment increases the risk of skilled professionals seeking employment overseas or leaving the sector to maintain income security. Looking ahead, 85 percent of civil construction professionals believe that clarity around central and local government projects is needed to restore business confidence and financial stability in the sector. Climate change and infrastructure Resilience to climate change is another matter raised by respondents. Fifty-eight percent are not confident in New Zealand infrastructure's current ability to withstand climate change. Civil construction professionals are unified in calling for greater investment in resilience infrastructure, such as seawalls and stopbanks, seeing these developments as essential for community safety during flood or fire events. Role of technology Technology is increasingly being recognised as a strategy for business efficiency and growth in New Zealand's civil construction sector. More than 40 percent of those surveyed indicated that adopting technology could help improve efficiency and manage ongoing challenges. Over half of business leaders say that mandated technology assists them in securing new work, indicating a shift in how projects are approached. James French, Construction Industry Specialist ANZ at Teletrac Navman, said: "While confidence in the sector is under pressure, our research with CCNZ clearly shows that businesses that embrace digital tools and connected platforms are positioning themselves to win work and navigate today's industry uncertainty. Technology isn't just a nice-to-have for civil construction businesses – It's become a business imperative. This year's Civil Construction Industry Report revealed that 60 percent of business leaders in the sector say that mandated technology helps them win work, so its clear technology is playing a key role in building a more resilient and competitive civil construction industry." The annual report by Teletrac Navman and Civil Contractors New Zealand aims to provide data-driven insights to support the sector as it navigates changing market conditions and prepares for future demands. The 2025 survey was based on 172 responses from civil construction professionals gathered between May and June 2025.
NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Civil Contractors Conference 2025 tackles NZ infrastructure challenges
Traffic banked up on State Highway 2 north of Tauranga. The TNL would bypass this route. Photo / File Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Traffic banked up on State Highway 2 north of Tauranga. The TNL would bypass this route. Photo / File New Zealand civil infrastructure construction leaders will converge in Tauranga this week to discuss how to get the country's infrastructure pipeline back on track. More than 600 people are expected to attend the Civil Contractors Conference 2025 at Mercury Baypark from July 23 to 25, including infrastructure construction chief executives, local government employees and representatives from major political parties, a statement from event organisers said. Civil Contractors New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard said central and local government efforts to create and communicate a clear programme of work were critical for the industry's ability to deliver key projects that support the country's development. 'If we want to retain talent locally and deliver on the urgent infrastructure needs of Kiwi communities, our industry needs to have confidence that the future stream of work will be protected from the political winds of change. 'I'm grateful for the commitment made by senior central and local government politicians and officials to join us in Tauranga, and to work with us as we try and move the country's vision for infrastructure from a plan to a reality.'
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Apprenticeship and training changes 'fundamentally flawed', industry groups warn
Civil Contractors NZ chief executive Alan Pollard said the reforms were about cutting costs and protecting unsusustainable polytechnics. Photo: Supplied Industry bodies say the government's overhaul of apprenticeship and workplace training will short-change employers. Organisations representing groups including dairy farmers, mechanics, and roading and infrastructure companies warned Parliament's Education and Workforce Select Committee on Thursday the changes would not give them sufficient say over skills training and qualifications for their employees. They said the government's Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill would give the government and its agencies authority over standard-setting and qualification development, but that power should rest with industries. The bill would replace mega-institute Te Pūkenga and standards-setting Workforce Development Councils with stand-alone polytechnics and Industry Skills Boards next year. Some of the industry bodies told the committee replacing the councils with boards receiving half the level of government funding was a mistake. Civil Contractors NZ chief executive Alan Pollard said the decision was "fundamentally flawed". He said the government's reforms were about cutting costs and protecting unsustainable polytechnics. They were also critical of plans for the workplace-training organisations currently in Te Pūkenga to come under control of industry skills boards for up to two years before becoming independent training providers. Motor Trade Association head of advocacy James McDowall said the former Motor Trades ITO should be shifted directly from Te Pūkenga to an industry-controlled charity. Business NZ education and skills manager Rachel Simpson told the committee the legislation risked "knocking the knees out" of the VET system. Simpson said the system was already failing to provide workers with the skills industry needed, which represented wasted investment. Recreation Aotearaoa chief executive Sarah Murray said high-cost but important programmes such as outdoor leadership would remain under-funded and at risk under the government's changes. Ringa Hora, the Services Workforce Development Council warned that disestablishing the councils at the end of the year and replacing them with industry skills boards with half the government funding was unworkable. Toi Mai the workforce development council for sectors including arts and technology said the VET system already did not meet the needs of those sectors. It warned the bill would entrench a system for a world of work that was already being left behind.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Finalists Named For NZ's Peak Infrastructure Construction Awards
Press Release – Civil Contractors New Zealand The finalists for the 2025 Civil Contractors New Zealand Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards have been announced, with awards to be presented on the big stage during the Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards Dinner at Mercury Baypark in Tauranga on Friday 25 July August as part of CCNZ National Conference. The entries are documented in an awards book, which features the work New Zealand's civil infrastructure construction contractors have put in to deliver great outcomes for their communities in the form of new roads, water systems, wharves, airport runways and more. CCNZ Chief Executive Alan Pollard congratulated the finalists on their outstanding achievements in constructing and maintaining the country's vital infrastructure. 'All this year's finalists and their local communities should be proud of the amazing infrastructure their hard work has created. Their efforts have made a huge difference, ensuring transport networks, ports and airports are open for business, properties are protected, assets are maintained and communities have access to power and clean water.' Expert judges tour projects nominated for the awards each year to assess their performance, as well as reviewing comprehensive information provided by entrants. This year, 37 exceptional finalists have been announced from 63 outstanding entries. Tickets for the awards dinner are available at The Civil Contractors Conference website. First presented in 1978, the CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards represent the pinnacle achievements of New Zealand's civil infrastructure construction industry. Winners are awarded with carved Toki for their work each year. The CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards Book for more information on the entries and finalists. The awards book is available for download from the CCNZ website. And the finalists are: Category 1 – Projects up to $2m Bridge It NZ – Tukemokihi Station 50m bridge (Hawke's Bay) Cassidy Construction – Upper Nihotupu Headworks (Auckland) Fulton Hogan – Masterton District Council Post Cyclone Road Repairs (Wairarapa) Geovert – Lennel Road Slope Stabilisation (Wellington) HEB Construction – Bridge 57 Pier Wash Out (Canterbury) Pipeline & Civil – Auckland Harbour Bridge 90 Degree Bend Pipe Replacement (Auckland) Category 2 – Projects between $2m and $5m Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure – Fish Passage Pumps Churchill East Pumpstation Construction (Waikato) Brian Perry Civil – Te Ara Tupua Reef – Precast supply and install (Wellington) Geovert – Brynderwyns Slope Stabilisation and Resilience Project (Northland) Isaac Construction – Aldwins-Ensors-Ferry roads Intersection Upgrade (Christchurch) McConnell Dowell – Waikouaiti Water Treatment Plant Intake Upgrade (Otago) Utilities Infrastructure New Zealand – Scruttons Road Pipeline (Christchurch) Category 3 – Projects between $5m and $20m Brian Perry Civil – Project Burgundy (Taupō) Brian Perry Civil – Matiu Soames Island Wharf Replacement (Wellington) CB Civil & Drainage – Kahika Rising Main & Diversions (Auckland) G.P Friel – Taranaki St Wastewater Rising Main Upgrade (Wellington) HEB Construction – Wynyard Crossing Bridge Coating Remediation (Auckland) HEB Construction – Westport Wharf Repair (West Coast) MAP Projects – Brenwe Hydro Power Project (Vanuatu) MAP Projects – Morey Street Flood Detention Dams and Wetlands (Rotorua) McConnell Dowell – Greville Road Stormwater Upgrade (Auckland) Category 4 – Projects between $20m and $100m Brian Perry Civil – Peacocke Strategic Wastewater Transfer Station (Hamilton) Brian Perry Civil – Kaitoke Flume Pipe Bridge Replacement (Wellington) Brian Perry Civil – Whenuapai Air Base Hardstand and Taxiway Replacement (Auckland) Downer – Wellington Railway Station Re-signalling project (Wellington) Fulton Hogan – Te Marua Water Treatment Plant Optimisation (Wellington) HEB Construction – Waltham Mechanical Hub (Dunedin) HEB Construction – Ōpōtiki Harbour Development (Bay of Plenty) McConell Dowell – Ports of Auckland Outfall Upgrade (Auckland) Category 5 – Projects with a value greater than $100m Fulton Hogan Taylors Contracting Joint Venture – Waimea Community Dam (Nelson) HEB Construction – Peacocke Waikato River Bridge & Strategic Service (Waikato) McConnell Dowell Constructors – Warkworth to Snells (W2S) transfer Pipeline and Pump Station (Auckland) Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance – Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway (Manawatu) Category 6 – Excellence in the management and maintenance of assets Downer – Connect Hamilton Collaborative Corridor Agreement (Hamilton) Fulton Hogan – Hastings District Council Three Waters Maintenance Contract (Hawke's Bay) Downer – North Canterbury Network Outcomes Contract (Canterbury) ASM Alliance – Auckland System Management (Auckland) ABOUT CIVIL CONTRACTORS NEW ZEALAND Founded in 1944, Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) is the national association for infrastructure construction in New Zealand. An incorporated society, CCNZ represents 540 contractor members who work to physically construct and maintain the country's transport, water, energy and other infrastructure networks; and 320 associate members who provide equipment and services to contractors. Collectively, CCNZ's contractor members undertake approximately $12 billion in capital and maintenance works each year, and employ approximately 60,000 people. Find out more at
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Finalists Named For NZ's Peak Infrastructure Construction Awards
Press Release – Civil Contractors New Zealand Expert judges tour projects nominated for the awards each year to assess their performance, as well as reviewing comprehensive information provided by entrants. This year, 37 exceptional finalists have been announced from 63 outstanding entries. The finalists for the 2025 Civil Contractors New Zealand Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards have been announced, with awards to be presented on the big stage during the Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards Dinner at Mercury Baypark in Tauranga on Friday 25 July August as part of CCNZ National Conference. The entries are documented in an awards book, which features the work New Zealand's civil infrastructure construction contractors have put in to deliver great outcomes for their communities in the form of new roads, water systems, wharves, airport runways and more. CCNZ Chief Executive Alan Pollard congratulated the finalists on their outstanding achievements in constructing and maintaining the country's vital infrastructure. 'All this year's finalists and their local communities should be proud of the amazing infrastructure their hard work has created. Their efforts have made a huge difference, ensuring transport networks, ports and airports are open for business, properties are protected, assets are maintained and communities have access to power and clean water.' Expert judges tour projects nominated for the awards each year to assess their performance, as well as reviewing comprehensive information provided by entrants. This year, 37 exceptional finalists have been announced from 63 outstanding entries. Tickets for the awards dinner are available at The Civil Contractors Conference website. First presented in 1978, the CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards represent the pinnacle achievements of New Zealand's civil infrastructure construction industry. Winners are awarded with carved Toki for their work each year. The CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards Book for more information on the entries and finalists. The awards book is available for download from the CCNZ website. And the finalists are: Category 1 – Projects up to $2m Bridge It NZ – Tukemokihi Station 50m bridge (Hawke's Bay) Cassidy Construction – Upper Nihotupu Headworks (Auckland) Fulton Hogan – Masterton District Council Post Cyclone Road Repairs (Wairarapa) Geovert – Lennel Road Slope Stabilisation (Wellington) HEB Construction – Bridge 57 Pier Wash Out (Canterbury) Pipeline & Civil – Auckland Harbour Bridge 90 Degree Bend Pipe Replacement (Auckland) Category 2 – Projects between $2m and $5m Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure – Fish Passage Pumps Churchill East Pumpstation Construction (Waikato) Brian Perry Civil – Te Ara Tupua Reef – Precast supply and install (Wellington) Geovert – Brynderwyns Slope Stabilisation and Resilience Project (Northland) Isaac Construction – Aldwins-Ensors-Ferry roads Intersection Upgrade (Christchurch) McConnell Dowell – Waikouaiti Water Treatment Plant Intake Upgrade (Otago) Utilities Infrastructure New Zealand – Scruttons Road Pipeline (Christchurch) Category 3 – Projects between $5m and $20m Brian Perry Civil – Project Burgundy (Taupō) Brian Perry Civil – Matiu Soames Island Wharf Replacement (Wellington) CB Civil & Drainage – Kahika Rising Main & Diversions (Auckland) G.P Friel – Taranaki St Wastewater Rising Main Upgrade (Wellington) HEB Construction – Wynyard Crossing Bridge Coating Remediation (Auckland) HEB Construction – Westport Wharf Repair (West Coast) MAP Projects – Brenwe Hydro Power Project (Vanuatu) MAP Projects – Morey Street Flood Detention Dams and Wetlands (Rotorua) McConnell Dowell – Greville Road Stormwater Upgrade (Auckland) Category 4 – Projects between $20m and $100m Brian Perry Civil – Peacocke Strategic Wastewater Transfer Station (Hamilton) Brian Perry Civil – Kaitoke Flume Pipe Bridge Replacement (Wellington) Brian Perry Civil – Whenuapai Air Base Hardstand and Taxiway Replacement (Auckland) Downer – Wellington Railway Station Re-signalling project (Wellington) Fulton Hogan – Te Marua Water Treatment Plant Optimisation (Wellington) HEB Construction – Waltham Mechanical Hub (Dunedin) HEB Construction – Ōpōtiki Harbour Development (Bay of Plenty) McConell Dowell – Ports of Auckland Outfall Upgrade (Auckland) Category 5 – Projects with a value greater than $100m Fulton Hogan Taylors Contracting Joint Venture – Waimea Community Dam (Nelson) HEB Construction – Peacocke Waikato River Bridge & Strategic Service (Waikato) McConnell Dowell Constructors – Warkworth to Snells (W2S) transfer Pipeline and Pump Station (Auckland) Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance – Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway (Manawatu) Category 6 – Excellence in the management and maintenance of assets Downer – Connect Hamilton Collaborative Corridor Agreement (Hamilton) Fulton Hogan – Hastings District Council Three Waters Maintenance Contract (Hawke's Bay) Downer – North Canterbury Network Outcomes Contract (Canterbury) ASM Alliance – Auckland System Management (Auckland) ABOUT CIVIL CONTRACTORS NEW ZEALAND Founded in 1944, Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) is the national association for infrastructure construction in New Zealand. An incorporated society, CCNZ represents 540 contractor members who work to physically construct and maintain the country's transport, water, energy and other infrastructure networks; and 320 associate members who provide equipment and services to contractors. Collectively, CCNZ's contractor members undertake approximately $12 billion in capital and maintenance works each year, and employ approximately 60,000 people. Find out more at
