JANUARY 2022 ISSUE

Submission - Tasman District Council Long Term Plan

CCNZ made a submission on the Tasman District Council's draft Long Term Plan.

Submission: Industry Classification Codes

CCNZ made a submission to Statistics New Zealand on industry classification codes, calling for better relation to the work people do and highlighting where the codes can be misleading for decisionmakers.

Media release: Changes to civil construction immigration short-sighted

Recently announced immigration changes are short-sighted, risk undermining the New Zealand’s ability to deliver on its infrastructure work programme and will inevitably increase the cost of delivering transport and water infrastructure.

Submission - Draft Government Policy Statement for Land Transport 2024-34

CCNZ made a submission on the Draft Government Policy Statement for Land Transport 2024-34.

Land transport policy needs long-term stability

Civil Contractors New Zealand welcomes an increased focus on maintenance and renewals in the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024-34, but warns against the long-term dangers of an increasingly politicised work programme.

Submission - initial consultation on RMA fast track consenting

CCNZ, along with other industry organisations, engaged with Ministry for the Environment to help inform the government’s preliminary resource management reform policy around fast tracked consenting of infrastructure projects.

RMA reform - the next steps

CCNZ, along with other industry organisations, is engaging with Ministry for the Environment to help inform the government’s Resource Management Reform policy.

Briefing for incoming government

CCNZ provided a briefing to key ministers in the coalition government, including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers for Infrastructure, Transport, Finance, Regulation, Education, Immigration, Building and Construction, Emergency Management, Mental Health and Social Development.

NZ’s civil contractors welcome incoming government

New Zealand’s civil contractors welcome the formation of New Zealand’s next government and congratulate the incoming Ministers across the three coalition partners.

Submission: Emergency Management Bill

CCNZ submitted on the draft Emergency Management Bill, based on feedback from members. The submission calls for more recognition of the role contractors play in responding to emergencies, including examples from severe weather events earlier this year. It also calls for a wider review of the emergency management system.

Retentions changes come into force today

A new amendment to the Construction Contracts Act comes into force today, providing further protection to contractor retention money.

Upcoming submission: Emergency Management Bill

CCNZ will be making a submission on the The Emergency Management Bill, which will replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.

Retentions changes to Construction Contracts Act come into force 5 October

The Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act 2023 will come into effect on 5 October 2023, and will become part of the Construction Contracts Act 2002. There are key changes civil contractors should be aware of.

Draft National Engineering Design Standards in progress

CCNZ is working to inform the draft National Engineering Design Standards. These standards are a technical code for drinking, waste and stormwater reticulation infrastructure is being developed to create national alignment on methods of design and construction and to provide more efficient and productive delivery of water of water infrastructure.

CCNZ Submission: Government Policy Statement on Land Transport

CCNZ made a submission on the Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport, agreeing with the strategic focus, increased funding, renewed focus on network condition. However, ongoing issues around how the transport network was funded in the long term and huge variances in the upper and lower spending limits for some activities were raised.

Upcoming submission: Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport

The government has released its draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024/25-2033/34. Submissions on the draft GPS close 15 September 2023. CCNZ will be making a submission.

Confidence in infrastructure resilience going underwater

New Zealand’s infrastructure is not able to cope with increased severe weather events. That’s one of the key findings from the annual Construction Industry Survey, a partnership between Teletrac Navman and Civil Contractors New Zealand.

Government transport policy gets back on the rails

New Zealand’s civil contractors welcome the focus on consistency, resilience and maintenance in today's Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024/25-2033/34 - but caution there is a long road ahead to resolve historic underfunding and build resilience into the country’s transport network.

Submission: Lifting the resilience of New Zealand’s critical infrastructure consultation

CCNZ made a submission on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet's stage one consultation on Lifting the resilience of New Zealand’s critical infrastructure.

Column - let's keep the politicians honest

CCNZ Chief Executive Alan Pollard's 27 July column focuses on the need to keep politicians from across the political spectrum on track in the leadup to the 2023 election.

Joint letter to Minister of Transport on policy delays

CCNZ wrote a joint letter to Minister of Transport David Parker alongside Infrastructure NZ about ongoing policy delays in the transport portfolio, calling for the Government to clarify its intentions regarding the Government Policy Statement for Land Transport and the review of road user charges.

Submission: Response to Climate Change Commission's advice on Second Emissions Reduction Plan

CCNZ made a submission to He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission on “2023 draft advice to the Government to inform the strategic direction of the Government’s second Emissions Reduction Plan”

Construction Industry Survey 2023 - help set the direction for NZ's civil construction industry

The 2023 Construction Industry Survey is open for entries. Take the survey, let us know about the challenges and opportunities you see, and help set the direction for NZ's civil construction industry.

Submission: Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill

CCNZ submitted on the draft Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill, calling for greater engagement with contractors around conducting emergency response works.

CCNZ submission: Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill and Water Services Legislation Bill

CCNZ made submissions on the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill and Water Services Legislation Bills, calling for better consultation with the contractors involved in the physical construction and maintenance of the country's water infrastructure and raising concerns around impact for council-owned contractors.

CCNZ submission on RMA reform

CCNZ has made submissions on the Natural and Built Environment (NBE) Bill and Spatial Planning (SP) Bill, which are two parts of the legislation proposed to replace the Resource Management Act.

Immigration changes show NZ ‘open for business’ once again

After several years of closed borders, government moves to incorporate skilled civil construction trade roles into the Immigration New Zealand Green List can’t come soon enough, say New Zealand’s infrastructure construction contractors.

CCNZ submission on the future of the skilled migrant visa category

CCNZ made a submission on the future of Immigration New Zealand's Skilled Migrant visa category.

Government’s Infrastructure Strategy response a positive start

The Government’s response to the national 30-year Infrastructure Strategy released by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga is a welcome starting point, but illustrates there is a lot of work to go to resolve the country’s infrastructure challenges.

CCNZ Industry Statement on Quantification and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

CCNZ's Sustainability Working Group has produced an industry statement on the Quantification and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Industry battles resource shortages and escalating costs to meet heavy demand for infrastructure

New Zealand’s civil construction industry is battling skills and worker shortages, cost escalations, and increasingly complex contract terms to deliver on the country’s vital infrastructure works programme.

CCNZ submission on draft Water Services Entities Bill

CCNZ made a submission on the draft Water Services Entities Bill, calling for continued investment in the construction and maintenance of water networks throughout any transition period.

CCNZ submission on Draft National Adaptation Plan

CCNZ made a submission on the Government's Draft National Adaptation Plan for climate change, calling for better visibility and a coherent package of planned construction works to defend against severe weather events and ensure any managed retreat from areas susceptible to sea level rise can run smoothly.

CCNZ submission on modern slavery

CCNZ put forward a submission on the government's consultation on modern slavery, providing industry feedback and encouraging the Government to look closer at the work underway from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council Modern Slavery Coalition and business certification programmes and other work currently in progress.

CCNZ response to Immigration Rebalance consultation

CCNZ provided consultation feedback to Immigration New Zealand, providing feedback on proposed sector agreements for low-wage migrants within industries under the Immigration Rebalance.

CCNZ submission on Fair Pay Agreements Bill

Civil Contractors New Zealand made a submission to the Employment And Workforce Select Committee on the Fair Pay Agreements Bill on 19 May, opposing the Bill and urging the Committee to abandon the Bill in any form.

CCNZ submission on Road User Charges consultation

CCNZ made a submission on the review of the Road User Charges system, supporting the need for a review of the system in a way that ensured adequate funding for road construction and maintenance, and maintained the nature of RUCs as a user-pays cost recovery system, rather than a system of public behaviour control.

Temporary traffic management guide an opportunity to focus on what’s important

Waka Kotahi released its draft New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (NZGTTM) on 8 March. This document was produced in consultation with the wider industry, including Civil Contractors New Zealand, and provides one part of a proposed framework to how temporary traffic management can be delivered.

CCNZ nominations for 3910 review accepted

CCNZ's two nominations for the standards development committee for the revision of NZS 3910:2013 project have been accepted, with Paul Buetow of Dentons Kensington Swan and Jim Juno of Juno Civil appointed to represent feedback from the civil construction industry.

CCNZ submission: Managing our Wetlands discussion paper

CCNZ put forward a submission on the Ministry for the Environment Managing our Wetlands discussion paper, supporting the proposals to change the definition of a 'natural wetland', better enable wetland maintenance and restoration and establish new consenting pathways for quarrying, landfill, cleanfill, managed fill, mining and urban development.

CCNZ backs review of standard conditions of contract used in infrastructure

Civil Contractors New Zealand has taken a lead role in launching a project to Review “NZS 3910 Conditions of contract for building and civil engineering construction”, committing $65,000 over two years to fund the civil construction industry’s share of the review costs.

National Infrastructure Strategy ‘long overdue’

Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock welcomed the Draft New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy, saying it provided vital vision and direction for the country’s infrastructure networks, framing challenges and solutions in a way that was ‘long overdue’.

Maintenance and investment key for National Land Transport Programme

New Zealand’s civil contractors have welcomed record central and local Government investment in transport but say it will not be enough to catch up with the effects of years of deferred road maintenance.

CCNZ makes Select Committee submission on retentions

CCNZ Chief Executive Peter Silcock and Brendan Cash of CCNZ Core Associate Dentons Kensington Swan presented to the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee on the Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Bill. The submission called for faster implementation of changes and better separation of retention money.

Initial Civil Workforce Forum workshop explores entry points to industry

CCNZ held its first Civil Workforce Forum workshop on 28 July at the Basin Reserve. The event was attended by 50 people, who explored the entry points to the civil and infrastructure construction workforce and shared information on upcoming initiatives and changes in infrastructure workforce development.

CCNZ makes submission on Exposure Draft of Natural and Built Environments Bill

Civil Contractors New Zealand made a submission on the Exposure draft of the Natural and Built Environments Bill, requesting greater recognition of the relationship between the built environment and natural environments, amongst other key issues.

Submission on Infrastructure for a Better Future

The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission recently called for submissions on its 30-year Infrastructure Strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand. Civil Contractors NZ made a submission on 2 July as part of this consultation process.

New housing infrastructure fund requires long-term thinking

New Zealand’s national civil construction industry association has welcomed the Government’s $3.8b Housing Acceleration Fund, but called for long-term thinking so infrastructure constructed through the fund can be well maintained in addition to well constructed.

Draft submission on creation of the CIWDC

The Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council will be created by an Order in Council. Submissions on the draft Order are currently open, and CCNZ has written a draft submission commenting that without major amendments the Order will not create an organisation that is fit for purpose.

CCNZ supports extending Procurement Rules

CCNZ has made a submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, strongly supporting proposed moves to extend the application of the procurement rules to a wider set of Government agencies including local government.

CCNZ supports review of NZS 3910

The construction sector has taken the first formal steps towards a comprehensive review of the standard contract, NZS 3910:2013 Conditions of Contract for Building and Civil Engineering Construction (NZS 3910) which is the underlying model contract for at least 75 per cent of non-residential construction contracts in New Zealand.

Construction contracts after COVID-19

Contractors should be aware that contracts signed since February 2020 are likely to be interpreted differently than those signed before that time. In particular, clause 10.3.1(f) (of a standard NZS 3910 contract) in terms of unforeseeable events may not be able to be relied on, as it could be argued that further lockdowns are now foreseeable.

Increased road maintenance investment welcome

New Zealand’s civil contractors welcome increased investment in transport funding, announced in today’s Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS) 2021. CCNZ Chief Executive Peter Silcock said the GPS rebalanced priorities so the country’s roads could be kept safer and better maintained, as well as investing in new improvements.

Shovel-ready delays, but stability ahead for civil construction in NZ

Civil Contractors New Zealand and Teletrac Navman announce results of 2020 Construction Industry Survey

Shovels at the ready, but where’s the work?

Construction and infrastructure industry leaders are calling for urgency around the release of the government’s full list of ‘shovel-ready projects’ as increasing numbers of workers face redundancy and business confidence amongst construction and infrastructure companies nose-dives.

Project timing critical for infrastructure workforce

A new package of infrastructure investments has the potential to help kick-start the post-COVID rebuild, but projects need to get started soon to ensure the construction industry can retain its skilled workforce.

Shovels ready... but no projects?

CCNZ has been working with industry partners Infrastructure New Zealand and the Association of Consulting and Engineering New Zealand to request urgent action, ensuring funds Government has committed to support construction jobs and economic activity are quickly mobilised.

Infrastructure investment will benefit everyday Kiwis

New Zealand’s national association for civil contractors has welcomed increased investment in infrastructure announced in today’s budget, and the opportunity for the civil construction industry to create jobs and take a lead role in New Zealand economic recovery.

Rapid construction restart key to economic recovery

Government guidance on handling construction contracts will give many construction companies the confidence to continue to employ their people and take a lead role in the economic recovery following the lockdown, say New Zealand’s civil contractors.

CCNZ survey on COVID-19 impact

CCNZ received 72 responses to a member survey around how civil construction businesses are impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown - thank you to all those who gave their perspective. This information was valuable to us, and was used to inform our approach to the Construction Accord steering group and government.

CCNZ COVID-19 briefing paper

Civil Contractors New Zealand has presented a civil construction industry briefing paper on COVID-19 to Government and the Construction Accord Steering Group.

Video series shows the road to a new career in 2020

A new video series featuring the young infrastructure workers who build New Zealand’s roading, water and internet networks will be released over the next month to demonstrate the inspiring careers people can find in civil construction and infrastructure.

Contractors keen to get started on NZ Upgrade Programme

New Zealand’s civil contractors welcome today’s coalition government announcement of a range of infrastructure projects funded under the New Zealand Upgrade Programme.

Details needed on $12b infrastructure investment

A Government announcement to invest $12 billion in new infrastructure projects has the potential to fill a major gap in the transport infrastructure work pipeline and start to overcome NZ’s infrastructure deficit – now details are needed for civil contractors to get to work.

Insolvency clawback period to be reduced?

The Government has agreed to a number of changes to insolvency law, publishing a Cabinet paper outlining proposed reforms based on recommendations made in a May 2017 report from the Insolvency Review Working Group. CCNZ made a submission on these reforms in 2017, also mobilising the civil construction industry to take on high-profile cases where...

Shovel-ready infrastructure projects needed

The weekend announcement of the Government’s plans to bring projects forward and lift spending on significant infrastructure projects in the short to medium term is welcome news for Kiwi civil contractors and communities. Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock said Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s announcement...

Climate change is on the agenda

We have a Government which is committed to New Zealand becoming a world leader in climate change action, and New Zealand is on the path to a ‘low emission, climate resilient future’. At this stage, whether you believe in human influence on climate change or not has become irrelevant.

CCNZ presents Vocational Education submission to Select Committee

CCNZ presented to the NZ House of Representatives Education and Workforce Select Committee on the Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Bill, calling for the legislation to include more of a focus on strong connections with employers and industry, increased recognition of on-job-training and the need to transition....................

Clearer work programme critical for NZ infrastructure

The civil construction industry is eagerly awaiting ‘record spending’ on three waters, public transport and road safety improvements to bring financial certainty and stability so it can work towards overcoming New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit.

New Commission key to healthy infrastructure industry

The draft New Zealand Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga Bill is a positive step towards better and more efficient infrastructure planning and investment on a national scale but needs fine-tuning to be successful in its objectives, say New Zealand’s civil contractors.

Better infrastructure planning welcome

The release of a prototype Infrastructure Pipeline to forecast major projects being delivered by Central Government agencies has been welcomed by New Zealand’s civil construction sector as a move towards better infrastructure planning.

Construction Sector Accord a long-term commitment

A New Zealand Construction Sector Accord was announced on Sunday by five ministers, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, signalling long-term commitment between government and industry to collaborate on key work areas for a healthy construction sector.

2019 Construction Industry Survey – speak up for your sector

This annual survey is commissioned by Civil Contractors New Zealand and Teletrac Navman, and gauges the big issues for New Zealand’s civil construction companies. Make your voice heard before 25 May 2019 and automatically go in the draw for one of five $100 Prezzy cards!

Arrow’s downfall reflects high risk of construction

The voluntary administration of Arrow International (NZ) announced today will impact not just on the employees of the company and its clients, but the wider network of contractors and subcontractors who supported its construction projects.

Infrastructure Commission welcome

Civil Contractors New Zealand welcomes a Government proposal to create Te Waihanga – The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission as the new Autonomous Crown Entity to deliver long term strategy and coordination of infrastructure planning.

Government yet to fill gap in infrastructure pipeline

Short-term gaps in the infrastructure pipeline are causing long-term headaches for the country’s civil infrastructure contractors, who have criticised a vague forward work programme that sees roading projects down nearly three billion dollars in the next two years.

Government yet to fill gap in infrastructure pipeline

Short-term gaps in the infrastructure pipeline are causing long-term headaches for the country’s civil infrastructure contractors, who have criticised a vague forward work programme that sees roading projects down nearly three billion dollars in the next two years.

Water review needs coherent leadership

Recognising a need for change in New Zealand’s water industry is a small step closer to addressing issues with decaying water infrastructure, but coherent leadership from central government will be needed to make a change, say New Zealand’s contractors.

Focus on lowest cost undermining major infrastructure projects

The construction industry is under strain to build a record amount of infrastructure on thin margins, but issues in the procurement phase could destabilise the construction industry and set these large-scale projects up to fail.

Forecast shows national infrastructure pipeline needs work

Kiwi civil contractors warn that while a recent construction forecast looks to steady the ship, the current course risks an underwhelming response to major challenges and losing talent to a booming overseas infrastructure markets.

Civil contractors warn of construction gap in Government transport policy

New Zealand’s civil contractors have welcomed a record level of investment in transport, but expressed concern at a medium-term construction gap in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport which risks losing Kiwi civil construction capability and capacity to overseas markets.