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Auckland is growing up

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....

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Water security - we all have a part to play

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. ...

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Shifting ground: what the new Government means for urban design and development

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....

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Leadership in 2020: The impact of Covid-19

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. ...

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Wellington going up, not out. Will it work and can mixed use activate suburbs?

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. ...

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Game-changing national policy on car parking requirements

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....

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BRACE YOURSELVES FOR A WAVE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT REFORM

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....

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Out of Every Crisis Comes Opportunity: Reimagining Aotearoa's Urban Centres Post Covid-19

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. ...

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Now is the time for rapid rail

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?...

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Discovering Public Life in Kelburn Park

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. ...

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Fast track consents to speed Covid-19 recovery

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 ...

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Infrastructure NZ Building Nations Symposium

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. ...

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KiwiBuild Reset

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....

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Water announcements long overdue

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. ...

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Vote with your backside

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. ...

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Pioneering Women: Past, Present & Future

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. ...

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Waste not, want not

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. ...

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The politics of water

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. ...

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Is the RMA really to blame for housing shortages?

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. ...

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Regulation & Policy changes needed for growth in New Zealand

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. ...

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Water Sensitive Urban Design - the way forward

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. ...

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bold thinking needed to resolve housing issues

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. ...

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International Women's Day - how HG shapes up

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....

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Time to change

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)....

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Wiser tourism infrastructure spending needed, not just toilets and carparks

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....

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Kaikoura's recovery and lessons from Christchurch

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...

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Earthquake recovery - getting it right this time around

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 ...

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Integrated planning for Kaikoura

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...

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RAISING THE BAR FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

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 ...

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THE EARTH ISN’T FLAT? PHLOGISTON DOESN’T EXIST?

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 ...

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Who owns water anyway?

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 ...

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Zero Waste by 2040 – Is it Achievable?

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...

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What New Zealand can learn from San Francisco

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...

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Simplify Legislation for Better Urban Planning

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?...

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Pragmatic and positive changes proposed for Resource Management

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...

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Water Leaders Must Drive Reform

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...

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Health & Safety Needs Cultural Change

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...

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Water Reform Lessons From England & Wales

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...

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Why bother with smart monitoring water?

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...

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So Much Rain = Flood Risk

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...

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User Pays - But Who Are the Users of Infrastructure?

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 ...

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Is the Housing Project Office a new blueprint for Councils?

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. ...

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Earthquakes - What is the Risk?

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 ...

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Less Prescriptive Consent Conditions  More Effective

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? ...

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Let sustainability be a matter of fact not an emotional response.

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. ...

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Seismic Strengthening Of Existing Buildings Vs Structural Maintenance & Durability

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 ...

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Is it time for NZ to consider regulation for low impact telecommunications infrastructure?

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...

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REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOT PRINT – MOVE TO INDIA

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...

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A recall of the initial structural engineering process following an earthquake

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...

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In our modern world, information is power.

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 ...

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A New Plan for Auckland: What Next?

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 ...

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Sustainable Retrofits. Can we use leftover spaces in the landscape for food production?

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...

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Catchment Management 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. ...

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. ...

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What is this Project Trying to Achieve?

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?”...

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The Power of Good Design in the Built Environment

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...

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Enabling Growth

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...

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How to get the best out of your consultant

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...

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Annex the local Landfill to your Wastewater treatment plant and defer expenditure

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...

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