MinterEllisonRuddWatts in the market

Sarah Sinclair shares key trends at the Society of Construction Law

On 12 April 2021, Partner Sarah Sinclair joined Dean Kimpton at the Society of Construction Law April meeting to share their observations around key trends that they expect to see in the construction and infrastructure sectors. They discussed how the construction and infrastructure sectors are playing a critical role in contributing to New Zealand’s economic recovery and the broader economic and social outcomes sought by New Zealand.

Stephen Price features in leaky homes documentary

Partner Stephen Price recently featured in a leaky building documentary – A Living Hell: Apartment Disasters. The documentary uncovered the severe issues with monitoring and regulatory standards of construction in New Zealand and the legal framework and governance matters of apartment complexes. In the documentary, Stephen shares his insight on the Ocean Side Apartments in Mount Maunganui.

Watch the documentary here.

Articles / News Alerts

Downstream 2021 – Practical considerations for the construction sector

Downstream 21 took place on 29 – 30 March 2021 in Wellington. The event offered valuable insights into how the energy sector was progressing towards New Zealand’s zero carbon emission targets, the challenges that the industry was facing but also, the opportunities that result from the move towards net zero carbon emissions. A number of our lawyers attended Downstream 21 and we reflect on some key considerations that will be of interest to those involved in the project delivery and construction in the renewable energy sector.

Read the full article here.

Market Activity

The Government procurement business survey 2021 is now open!

Each year approximately $42 billion is spent on a wide range of goods and services from third party suppliers. The government aims to deliver broader social, economic and environmental benefits as well as value for all New Zealanders, while supporting the delivery of better public services through its procurement activity. Working effectively with business is crucial to achieving this goal.

The Government is currently seeking feedback from organisations that supply government entities on how the procurement of goods and services is undertaken across government. This includes any government department, ministry, crown entity, district health board, tertiary education institution or local authority – not just MBIE.

The anonymous survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes and closes on Monday 10th May.

New Zealand’s first hydrogen bus unveiled

New Zealand’s first hydrogen fuelled bus will be travelling on route 70 from Botany to Britomart via Panmure from early April. The bus was commissioned by Auckland Transport as part of its efforts to transition to an emissions-free fleet. The bus will be used in a two-year trial to see how its operating costs compare to diesel and electric busses of similar configurations.

Read the full story here.

New Parliament building to house MPs, staff planned for 2022 build

The Speaker has unveiled Parliament’s plans for three new buildings, including a new building for MPs and their staff, a delivery building and rebuilding the quake-prone Executive Wing annexe. The project is expected to cost more than $200 million and funding would be sought in the 2022 budget.

The goal is to have the work completed by 2026.

Read the full story here.

Iwi’s multi-million dollar housing development a first of its kind for New Plymouth

A first of its kind 30-unit terraced iwi housing development near New Plymouth’s prestigious Pukekura Park is in the works, with iwi members having first dibs on the townhouses. The largest Taranaki iwi, Te Ātiawa, has called for expressions of interest in its latest multi-million dollar residential development, Pukekura – The Parade, on Liardet St.

Since negotiating a Treaty of Waitangi settlement in 2014, the iwi has since embarked on a broad property investment programme, which has seen it purchase and develop a number of residential sites in and around New Plymouth, including a 14-section residential development at Record St, Fitzroy, known as Te Kekeu.

“These projects exemplify Te Ātiawa’s commitment to being a ‘best in the class’ property developer over the long-term, delivering outcomes for our Te Ātiawa hapū and whānau to be proud of,” Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa chairwoman Liana Poutu said.

Read the full story here.

Women tradies say they’re dealing with barriers including sexist comments, toilet access

No toilets, topless calendars and comments about their appearance are just some of the things female tradies say they deal with on a daily basis. They say big changes are needed if the industry wants to attract more of them to a sector that is struggling to fill jobs.

An industry survey run by the Women in Trades Collective is asking employers and women about the barriers that need to come down in order to find out what it would take to attract some of the 22,000 wāhine who lost their jobs during Covid-19.

Read the full story here.

Large subdivision plan could transform rapidly growing rural Canterbury town

New homes for 5400 residents could be built in the town of Lincoln if a bid by Carter Group succeeds.

The company, headed by developer and investor Philip Carter, wants the Selwyn District Council to rezone 186 hectares of farmland for 2000 new sections and a small commercial area.

The project would hugely increase the size of Lincoln, which now has about 2900 households and 8100 residents. It is planned for land now used for dairying and grazing on the south side of the central Canterbury town.

Read the full story here.

Council plans spending $316 million over next decade on Christchurch’s Ōtākaro Avon River corridor

Christchurch City Council has set aside $316m in its draft 10-year budget to start transforming 602-hectares of red zone land into the “jewel in Christchurch’s crown”. Another $21m will be set aside for red zone land in Brooklands, Port Hills and Southshore.

The council said the $316m would be spent on a city to sea pathway, ecological restoration, cultural and recreational facilities, flood protection and storm water management, and the Pages Rd bridge. Although the legacy project is expected to take 30 years or more to complete, almost 40% of the projected spend has been earmarked for the next 10 years.

Read the full story here.

Far North’s biggest retirement village launched in Kerikeri

The Far North’s biggest retirement village to date has been launched in Kerikeri with local hapū Ngāti Rēhia and mayor John Carter opening the first stage of the $170 million development. The complex will house about 340 people in 200 villas and townhouses with up to 80 more in care. The project is expected to contribute significantly to Northland’s economy, providing more than 100 jobs in the construction phase, and a further 60 fulltime jobs once complete.

Read the full story here.