Bringing in more migrant workers could help ease the skill shortage in the scaffolding sector short term. However the path needs to be smoothed for those interested in settling in New Zealand long term, says SARNZ chief executive, Graham Burke. “Scaffolding is not currently on the Skilled Occupations List, which means migrant workers struggle to […]

Marking the 10-year anniversary of industry organisation Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) has been a good opportunity to reflect on the progress of the steel sector in New Zealand, says manager Alistair Fussell. “It wasn’t long ago that steel lagged behind other construction materials in multi-level construction. Now it has a 50 percent market share […]

Around 110 SCNZ members, their partners and clients attended the organisation’s 10th Anniversary Members’ Forum and Social at Queenstown in April. SCNZ manager Alistair Fussell opened the general forum sessions with a presentation celebrating the history of SCNZ and the “remarkable” people who contributed to its success. The organisation existed under several different incarnations (under […]

The rise of fabricated steelwork imported from low costs economies is the biggest challenge facing the structural steel industry in New Zealand, says Steel Construction New Zealand manager, Alistair Fussell. “Learning to live with this challenge is a key focus of SCNZ and the industry moving forward. Clients have choices in a global market. Our […]

Construction is progressing well on the new Christchurch Adventure Park, which is expected to bring international attention as well as numerous social and economic benefits to the Canterbury region. When she turned the first sod, to mark the start of construction at the park back in March Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said the park would […]

Not all risks on a construction site are obvious. Some you can’t even see, such as toxic fumes and asbestos fibres in the air. But out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. Hazardous substances can do just as much damage as a regular workplace accident. In fact they can do more. WorkSafe New Zealand […]