Auckland is growing up
We mean literally. Auckland is to grow up in many areas....
Auckland is growing up
We mean literally. Auckland is to grow up in many areas....
Read more
Water security - we all have a part to play
Like many parts of New Zealand, this year Auckland has had a taste of what it means to be water vulnerable. ...
Water security - we all have a part to play
Like many parts of New Zealand, this year Auckland has had a taste of what it means to be water vulnerable. ...
Read more
Shifting ground: what the new Government means for…
Despite the many uncertainties of 2020, our new Labour-led government remains committed to building resilience in housing supply....
Shifting ground: what the new Government means for…
Despite the many uncertainties of 2020, our new Labour-led government remains committed to building resilience in housing supply....
Read more
Leadership in 2020: The impact of Covid-19
Our Chair Jo Brosnahan, reflects on 2020 and the leadership qualities needed to charter the unknown territories of a global pandemic. ...
Leadership in 2020: The impact of Covid-19
Our Chair Jo Brosnahan, reflects on 2020 and the leadership qualities needed to charter the unknown territories of a global pandemic. ...
Read more
Wellington going up, not out. Will it work and can…
Recently Wellington City Council released its much anticipated Draft Spatial Plan. What does this mean for Wellington? Let's take a look. ...
Wellington going up, not out. Will it work and can…
Recently Wellington City Council released its much anticipated Draft Spatial Plan. What does this mean for Wellington? Let's take a look. ...
Read more
Game-changing national policy on car parking…
Big changes affecting urban development came into force recently with the Government’s new National Policy Statement on Urban Development....
Game-changing national policy on car parking…
Big changes affecting urban development came into force recently with the Government’s new National Policy Statement on Urban Development....
Read more
BRACE YOURSELVES FOR A WAVE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT…
The Government’s new National Policy Statement on Urban Development comes into force on 20 August....
BRACE YOURSELVES FOR A WAVE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT…
The Government’s new National Policy Statement on Urban Development comes into force on 20 August....
Read more
Out of Every Crisis Comes Opportunity: Reimagining…
The recovery from the Covid-19 crisis provides an opportunity to re-think the way that New Zealand's urban centres are planned and developed. ...
Out of Every Crisis Comes Opportunity: Reimagining…
The recovery from the Covid-19 crisis provides an opportunity to re-think the way that New Zealand's urban centres are planned and developed. ...
Read more
Now is the time for rapid rail
As the Government prepares to invest billions of dollars in the post-Covid-19 recovery, how can we best spend that money to boost the economy?...
Now is the time for rapid rail
As the Government prepares to invest billions of dollars in the post-Covid-19 recovery, how can we best spend that money to boost the economy?...
Read more
Discovering Public Life in Kelburn Park
The Covid-19 lockdown has pushed many people into 'formal' recreational parks for the first time. ...
Discovering Public Life in Kelburn Park
The Covid-19 lockdown has pushed many people into 'formal' recreational parks for the first time. ...
Read more
Fast track consents to speed Covid-19 recovery
HG’s Wellington based Planning Team Leader, Glen Cooper, discusses the Government’s recent announcement on fast-tracking resource consents ...
Fast track consents to speed Covid-19 recovery
HG’s Wellington based Planning Team Leader, Glen Cooper, discusses the Government’s recent announcement on fast-tracking resource consents ...
Read more
Infrastructure NZ Building Nations Symposium
There were some meaty items on the agenda at this years Building Nations Symposium. ...
Infrastructure NZ Building Nations Symposium
There were some meaty items on the agenda at this years Building Nations Symposium. ...
Read more
KiwiBuild Reset
Last month the Government scrapped its KiwiBuild target of building 100,000 homes in 10 years and unveiled a reset of its KiwiBuild policy....
KiwiBuild Reset
Last month the Government scrapped its KiwiBuild target of building 100,000 homes in 10 years and unveiled a reset of its KiwiBuild policy....
Read more
Water announcements long overdue
News that we are to have a national water regulator is long overdue. ...
Water announcements long overdue
News that we are to have a national water regulator is long overdue. ...
Read more
Vote with your backside
Aucklanders who are using public transport are profoundly influencing their city. ...
Vote with your backside
Aucklanders who are using public transport are profoundly influencing their city. ...
Read more
Pioneering Women: Past, Present & Future
International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world on 8 March. ...
Pioneering Women: Past, Present & Future
International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world on 8 March. ...
Read more
Waste not, want not
Increasingly we are facing the effects of climate change and the rapid growth of urban living. ...
Waste not, want not
Increasingly we are facing the effects of climate change and the rapid growth of urban living. ...
Read more
The politics of water
Time for a non-partisan, unified approach from parliament. ...
The politics of water
Time for a non-partisan, unified approach from parliament. ...
Read more
Is the RMA really to blame for housing shortages?
We need to look at the Resource Management Act (RMA) with fresh eyes. ...
Is the RMA really to blame for housing shortages?
We need to look at the Resource Management Act (RMA) with fresh eyes. ...
Read more
Regulation & Policy changes needed for growth in New…
Earlier this year I travelled to the United States looking at how infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered. ...
Regulation & Policy changes needed for growth in New…
Earlier this year I travelled to the United States looking at how infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered. ...
Read more
Water Sensitive Urban Design - the way forward
New Zealand has seen its fair share of extreme weather over recent months. This has prompted discussion on smart stormwater solutions. ...
Water Sensitive Urban Design - the way forward
New Zealand has seen its fair share of extreme weather over recent months. This has prompted discussion on smart stormwater solutions. ...
Read more
bold thinking needed to resolve housing issues
We live in a great city. But like all large cities around the world, we're facing some mammoth challenges around growth. ...
bold thinking needed to resolve housing issues
We live in a great city. But like all large cities around the world, we're facing some mammoth challenges around growth. ...
Read more
International Women's Day - how HG shapes up
Managing Director Glen Cornelius reflects on how HG stacks up in terms of gender parity in a traditionally male dominated industry....
International Women's Day - how HG shapes up
Managing Director Glen Cornelius reflects on how HG stacks up in terms of gender parity in a traditionally male dominated industry....
Read more
Time to change
Elena Trout speaks reflects on her time as President of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ)....
Time to change
Elena Trout speaks reflects on her time as President of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ)....
Read more
Wiser tourism infrastructure spending needed, not…
Funding for tourism infrastructure is not addressing issues such as our vulnerability to natural hazards....
Wiser tourism infrastructure spending needed, not…
Funding for tourism infrastructure is not addressing issues such as our vulnerability to natural hazards....
Read more
Kaikoura's recovery and lessons from Christchurch
Our disaster recovery expert Warren Ladbrook questions whether simply rebuilding what was there before, is the best way forward...
Kaikoura's recovery and lessons from Christchurch
Our disaster recovery expert Warren Ladbrook questions whether simply rebuilding what was there before, is the best way forward...
Read more
Earthquake recovery - getting it right this time…
In late 2014, as the new chair of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors (Canterbury branch), Shane Dixon established a Working Group ...
Earthquake recovery - getting it right this time…
In late 2014, as the new chair of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors (Canterbury branch), Shane Dixon established a Working Group ...
Read more
Integrated planning for Kaikoura
Addressing environmental challenges was at the forefront of my work as a planner for the Kaikoura District Council in the late 1990s...
Integrated planning for Kaikoura
Addressing environmental challenges was at the forefront of my work as a planner for the Kaikoura District Council in the late 1990s...
Read more
RAISING THE BAR FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
In response to the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission’s recommendation that the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand ...
RAISING THE BAR FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
In response to the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission’s recommendation that the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand ...
Read more
THE EARTH ISN’T FLAT? PHLOGISTON DOESN’T EXIST?
You may laugh but a flat earth was a scientific ‘fact’ until people like Galileo and Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier respectively challenged ...
THE EARTH ISN’T FLAT? PHLOGISTON DOESN’T EXIST?
You may laugh but a flat earth was a scientific ‘fact’ until people like Galileo and Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier respectively challenged ...
Read more
Who owns water anyway?
Up to 30,000 litres of Hawke's Bay drinking water will be bottled every hour and shipped overseas when the region's latest bottling plant opens ...
Who owns water anyway?
Up to 30,000 litres of Hawke's Bay drinking water will be bottled every hour and shipped overseas when the region's latest bottling plant opens ...
Read more
Zero Waste by 2040 – Is it Achievable?
Back in 2010, it was reported that Auckland households discard 1.17 million tonnes of municipal waste to landfill each year...
Zero Waste by 2040 – Is it Achievable?
Back in 2010, it was reported that Auckland households discard 1.17 million tonnes of municipal waste to landfill each year...
Read more
What New Zealand can learn from San Francisco
There are five key lessons to learn from San Francisco and the wider Bay areas recovery and rebuild...
What New Zealand can learn from San Francisco
There are five key lessons to learn from San Francisco and the wider Bay areas recovery and rebuild...
Read more
Simplify Legislation for Better Urban Planning
Can we come up with a better planning system for the country than the one we have now?...
Simplify Legislation for Better Urban Planning
Can we come up with a better planning system for the country than the one we have now?...
Read more
Pragmatic and positive changes proposed for Resource…
The Resource Legislation Amendment Bill was recently introduced to Parliament by the Hon. Nick Smith...
Pragmatic and positive changes proposed for Resource…
The Resource Legislation Amendment Bill was recently introduced to Parliament by the Hon. Nick Smith...
Read more
Water Leaders Must Drive Reform
The problem the Drinking Water Assessors, Councils and other water suppliers have is the position we’re in currently...
Water Leaders Must Drive Reform
The problem the Drinking Water Assessors, Councils and other water suppliers have is the position we’re in currently...
Read more
Health & Safety Needs Cultural Change
This year will be ground-breaking for Health & Safety in New Zealand with the introduction of the new Health and Safety at Work Act...
Health & Safety Needs Cultural Change
This year will be ground-breaking for Health & Safety in New Zealand with the introduction of the new Health and Safety at Work Act...
Read more
Water Reform Lessons From England & Wales
It comes as no surprise that the New Zealand water industry is staring down the barrel of reform...
Water Reform Lessons From England & Wales
It comes as no surprise that the New Zealand water industry is staring down the barrel of reform...
Read more
Why bother with smart monitoring water?
There is an explosion of data and information for testing the quality of our drinking water...
Why bother with smart monitoring water?
There is an explosion of data and information for testing the quality of our drinking water...
Read more
So Much Rain = Flood Risk
Mike Chapman shares his thoughts on planning for more severe flooding due to climate change...
So Much Rain = Flood Risk
Mike Chapman shares his thoughts on planning for more severe flooding due to climate change...
Read more
User Pays - But Who Are the Users of Infrastructure?
The concept of user pays is well entrenched in New Zealand. People mostly accept that if you benefit from something, then you pay ...
User Pays - But Who Are the Users of Infrastructure?
The concept of user pays is well entrenched in New Zealand. People mostly accept that if you benefit from something, then you pay ...
Read more
Is the Housing Project Office a new blueprint for…
With National winning the general election, we can expect much of the same for the next three years. ...
Is the Housing Project Office a new blueprint for…
With National winning the general election, we can expect much of the same for the next three years. ...
Read more
Earthquakes - What is the Risk?
Has the risk of earthquakes been overestimated in New Zealand? The Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 put a huge toll ...
Earthquakes - What is the Risk?
Has the risk of earthquakes been overestimated in New Zealand? The Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 put a huge toll ...
Read more
Less Prescriptive Consent Conditions More Effective
Are consent conditions for wastewater discharge becoming too prescriptive? ...
Less Prescriptive Consent Conditions More Effective
Are consent conditions for wastewater discharge becoming too prescriptive? ...
Read more
Let sustainability be a matter of fact not an…
What is sustainability? At the moment sustainability is driven by poor science, bad accounting, large subsidies and emotion. ...
Let sustainability be a matter of fact not an…
What is sustainability? At the moment sustainability is driven by poor science, bad accounting, large subsidies and emotion. ...
Read more
Seismic Strengthening Of Existing Buildings Vs…
Strengthening existing buildings to achieve a higher performance in earthquakes is an everyday task for ...
Seismic Strengthening Of Existing Buildings Vs…
Strengthening existing buildings to achieve a higher performance in earthquakes is an everyday task for ...
Read more
Is it time for NZ to consider regulation for low…
Telecommunications are an essential part of life. We use telecommunication services for personal and business communications, to transfer criti...
Is it time for NZ to consider regulation for low…
Telecommunications are an essential part of life. We use telecommunication services for personal and business communications, to transfer criti...
Read more
REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOT PRINT – MOVE TO INDIA
In New Zealand we emit eight times more greenhouse gas per head of population than India and twice as much as China...
REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOT PRINT – MOVE TO INDIA
In New Zealand we emit eight times more greenhouse gas per head of population than India and twice as much as China...
Read more
A recall of the initial structural engineering…
At 5.03pm on Sunday 21st July 2013, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Wellington. Media reports indicated widespread cracking...
A recall of the initial structural engineering…
At 5.03pm on Sunday 21st July 2013, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Wellington. Media reports indicated widespread cracking...
Read more
In our modern world, information is power.
Ultimately we all perceive the world in 3D and therefore it is a natural progression ...
In our modern world, information is power.
Ultimately we all perceive the world in 3D and therefore it is a natural progression ...
Read more
A New Plan for Auckland: What Next?
The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan has attracted widespread interest ...
A New Plan for Auckland: What Next?
The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan has attracted widespread interest ...
Read more
Sustainable Retrofits. Can we use leftover spaces in…
Melissa Davis draws our attention to other ways of providing produce in urban areas...
Sustainable Retrofits. Can we use leftover spaces in…
Melissa Davis draws our attention to other ways of providing produce in urban areas...
Read more
Catchment Management in the Indian Himalaya
In 2000 I worked with a local NGO on catchment management in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the Indian Himalaya. ...
Catchment Management in the Indian Himalaya
In 2000 I worked with a local NGO on catchment management in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the Indian Himalaya. ...
Read more
What is this Project Trying to Achieve?
OK, so now we have the project specifications - one of the first questions we ask on any project is, “What are the objectives of this project?”...
What is this Project Trying to Achieve?
OK, so now we have the project specifications - one of the first questions we ask on any project is, “What are the objectives of this project?”...
Read more
The Power of Good Design in the Built Environment
Design is a creative process by which complex issues are resolved in order to produce a product that is fit for purpose. In this context, the...
The Power of Good Design in the Built Environment
Design is a creative process by which complex issues are resolved in order to produce a product that is fit for purpose. In this context, the...
Read more
Enabling Growth
According to the revised Unitary Plan, Auckland is forecast to grow from a population of 1.4 million in 2013 to approximately 2.4 million over...
Enabling Growth
According to the revised Unitary Plan, Auckland is forecast to grow from a population of 1.4 million in 2013 to approximately 2.4 million over...
Read more
How to get the best out of your consultant
There is a common phrase you only get out what you put in, which is typically applied to the amount of effort you invest into a task but can...
How to get the best out of your consultant
There is a common phrase you only get out what you put in, which is typically applied to the amount of effort you invest into a task but can...
Read more
Annex the local Landfill to your Wastewater…
Annex the local landfill to your wastewater treatment plant and defer expenditure on treatment process upgrades and keep nutrients out of the...
Annex the local Landfill to your Wastewater…
Annex the local landfill to your wastewater treatment plant and defer expenditure on treatment process upgrades and keep nutrients out of the...
Read more
