National Update CCNZ – August 2022

Executive council meeting – held on Wed 3^rd August 9-2.30pm.

This was a good session, with focus on recognizing the wide range of members and associates we have and that while many have common themes, there are subtle (or not so subtle) differences in needs between the various membership categories and business sizes.  The overarching aim is to provide value to all members, equally.

Summary;

Financial;

• CCNZ is in a strong financial position.
• Very strong membership base, growing continually.
• Contrafed is providing good returns
• Still working through options for Margan House sale – currently with an agent to go to market.

Staff;

• New Regionals are going well in Nth Island and providing a lot of value and support.
• Ollie is retiring and options to replace are being considered (ultimately Eve was successful, and it is now a fulltime role)
• Rebecca Fox, work force development, is making really good progress very early on – look forward to seeing what she can do as she is very good.
• Several business cases being worked on to add more resource to this space within the National Office team to provide more strength and support to this critical area of our industry
• An understanding that Regionals, Branch Chairs, secretaries are not inducted well Nationally (or regionally), and this is a focus for the CEO and his team to improve.

Advocacy / Technical;

• TM reforms – Stacy G is right into this and in direct comms with Waka Kotahi around where this is heading.
• The Waka Kotahi conference – Future Roads – will have a panel that will discuss this in depth (with Contractors included)
• Water reforms – a lot of direct advocacy to Government with little response at this stage – ongoing.
• Very unclear how this will play out as there is a lot of resistance at local body level
• Careers development and pathways
• Access to people – immigration settings – a lot of advocacy to ministers on the current settings – minimal appetite to listen or change currently - ongoing
• Labour reforms – as above          
• Bitumen – The move towards Waka Kotahi taking on all bitumen supply has gone quiet as Waka Kotahi is now starting to understand what it really means for them.
• Provides some uncertainty and some concern around supply chain certainty and fair market pricing post June 22, but main players will ensure supply is continued - ongoing
• 3910 subcontractor review – review at first draft stage for consultation now
• Working on a CCNZ members “Fairness” Charter for subs and main contractors – intended to support subs when working with head contractors around expected behaviours and alignment, treatment of VO’s, claims, payment etc – can talk to this more at the meeting
• Mates in Construction is not being Gov funded going forward– risk that this may fall over or reduce significantly if not supported by Gov – CCNZ signed a letter to Gov to support investment.

Regional Reports - Common issues

• Staff shortages, potential huge issue on the horizon with Nth Island predicted investment in capital projects – see immigration settings advocacy and workforce development plan above.
• Staff poaching – not something that CCNZ can manage – other than use the Codes of Conduct
• Poaching is very subjective in how it is viewed – continually discussing how to deal with this
• Cost escalations – support around “Fairness” charter and pushing Gov Agency to be fair within contracts in this space
• Lots of work in most areas, but nervous around private market
• Frustration at lack of investment by Gov in Sth Island

AGM held on Thursday 4th August.

• This was the last meeting by Tony Pike as President, with Bailey Gair being accepted as the new President.  The first ever female in this role for our industry.
• David Howard was accepted as vice Chair.
• Tim Ford stood down from the National executive committee as past chair.