Nov 21 2017  - The valuable role played by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in supporting women in construction for the past 20 years has been recognised with a President’s Award from the New Zealand Institute of Architects at their recent awards.  NAWIC’s immediate past president, Donna Howell, who accepted this award on behalf of the organisation, says the award is a testament to the increased profile of women in construction resulting from decades of hard work by a dedicated team of volunteers and supporters.

“It is such an honour to receive recognition from the NZIA, as NAWIC is run by a team of volunteers with everyone from committee members right through to the board donating their time for this important cause.

“We run businesses, hold down demanding jobs and strive for a work-life balance but still find the energy and passion to honour our strong commitment to improving the construction industry, not just for women, but for everyone. Our focus on diversity will continue to drive improvements which will benefit everyone involved in construction.”

NAWIC has over 600 members throughout New Zealand. It has chapters in Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, along with a satellite group in Taranaki which was formed last year following requests from women working in the local construction sector.

Donna says that further satellite groups are likely to be established during the coming year in response to demand from the regions. She encourages women and men in all sectors of the construction industry from students and apprentices through to trades people and business owners to connect with NAWIC.

“We are keen to continue our fast pace of expansion. A number of men have approached our organisation following our recent successful women in construction panel event at Auckland Build, and are keen to get involved. We already have a number of male members and are keen for more to get on board as the only way we can achieve real progress in New Zealand’s construction industry is through everyone working together to build a better future.”

| A NAWIC release  ||  Vovember 20,  2017   |||

Nov 21 2017  -  The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Agriculture today announced that the New Zealand Government has nominated Dr John Barker for the position of Director General of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).   The successful candidate will take up the position in January 2019.   The OIV is an intergovernmental organisation which issues recommendations on viticulture and winemaking practices. It has 46 Member States and 13 Observers.

“Dr Barker understands the challenges and opportunities that face the organisation and the wine sector, and he has both the vision and the competence to ensure that the OIV can fulfil its role as the trusted vine and wine reference body for a rapidly changing market,” said Mr Peters.

“New Zealand’s membership in the OIV gives us the opportunity to identify and influence strategic global debates in areas affecting one of New Zealand’s most successful and fastest growing export industries,” he said. 

Wine is New Zealand’s fifth largest goods export, worth approximately NZ$1.7 billion in the year ended June 2017. Global exports are growing at approximately 10 percent per annum, and are expected to reach NZ$2 billion by 2020. 

“New Zealand’s nomination of Dr Barker for the role of OIV Director-General signals our commitment to an organisation that is critical to the way wine is regulated in our key export markets,” said Mr O’Connor. 

“The OIV plays an important role in helping to facilitate ongoing trade through establishing relevant technical standards for wine and wine products,” 

Dr Barker is currently a Principal at John Barker Law. He has long-standing experience as New Zealand Winegrowers’ General Counsel, and has held several roles in the OIV – including the Presidency of the OIV’s Law and Economy Commission. He knows the people and the issues within the OIV, and also has positive and longstanding wine sector relationships with the countries and organisations outside the OIV.

| From the Beehive  ||  November 21,  2017   |||

Nov 21 2017  -  New Zealand hopes to be exporting fresh avocados to China soon after talks to meet regulatory requirements.   A protocol has been signed between the Ministry for Primary Industries and China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

AQSIQ will audit New Zealand's system for exporting avocados in mid-December.

New Zealand already exports fresh apples, kiwifruit, cherries, plums, citrus and persimmons to China and it's hoped a significant market can be built for avocados.

In the 2016/17 season, New Zealand produced a record 7.9 million trays of avocados worth more than $200 million.

About $155.5m worth of avocados were exported to markets such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, Korea and Thailand.

"China is very aware of the significant global increase in avocado consumption, the associated health benefits and the strong growth and huge potential in the avocado category," says New Zealand Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular.

| FreshPlaza  ||  November 20,  2017   |||

Nov 20  2017  --  A major technological breakthrough by a Kiwi company makes it simple for New Zealanders to be tested for vitamin C blood levels.  Newly released data from a University of Otago study shows more than two thirds of Kiwis over 50 are low in vitamin C, more than one in 10 severely so.  The Otago researchers say it is time blood is routinely checked for vitamin C levels, as it is now for cholesterol and iron. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy and other illnesses.

To date, existing technology using a blood sample extracted in a laboratory is only available in some parts of the country and not often utilised.

That is why Auckland company Feedback Research Limited spent five years developing its Feedback C Meter, a more accessible, easier point of care test for vitamin C.

Ground-breaking product

CEO for Feedback Research Jackson Perry says the company believes its patented test for vitamin C is a world first. The company hopes to market the Kiwi-developed product locally next year and worldwide within two years.

Mr Perry is confident the finger prick test would allow vitamin C testing to become as commonly used as blood glucose or cholesterol finger prick tests.

“We are very close to the finish line, and the last piece of the puzzle is finding a local company that can help with vacuum packing the electrodes in foil, which is commonly used for glucose test strips. Our goal is to keep the design and manufacturing of the meter in New Zealand.” If the company can’t find a local partner for this step, it would have to be shipped offshore, Mr Perry says.

“It is very common in New Zealand to test for vitamin B12 and D, but for reasons unknown to us, vitamin C is not routinely tested.”

Scurvy risk identified

In the University of Otago study 400 Christchurch people’s blood was tested for vitamin C.

Only 7% had optimal levels and 13% had very low levels showing pre-clinical signs of scurvy.

“Vitamin C plays a significant role in health, as a wide range of bodily functions depend on optimal levels,” Mr Perry says.

“Dietary changes are effective in overcoming most basic deficiencies. Where appropriate there are a multitude of dietary supplements available, some of which are government subsidised.”

Mr Perry believes low vitamin C levels are largely due to our modern diet and lifestyle.

“Processed, over cooked foods contain very little vitamin C. Stress, chronic and acute illnesses all increase the need for vitamin C, which can only be replaced by eating enough vitamin C rich foods and or supplementation.”

| A Feedback Research Limited release  ||  november 20,  2017   |||

Nov 20  2017  -  The biggest and most important international tech conference to be staged in New Zealand will be held in Auckland early next year which may pave the way for faster advances for the Kiwi economy.  NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says changes and tech developments are happening globally at a phenomenal and unprecedented rate.  “This year alone we have seen the launch of a self-driving vehicle firm in New Zealand, face-detecting systems to authorise payments, the creation of new solar devices that could create cheap and continuous power and the relentless push to add connectivity to home gadgets. “As self-driving cars become common in this country, we need to gauge if New Zealand’s is living up to its reputation as a standout digital nation. The Digital Nations 2030 Global Future summit, organised by NZTech and Conferenz bringing together the tech sector and the government, will put the spotlight on Kiwi tech advances.” The Digital Nations conference on 19 and 20 February 2018 will be a forerunner to the D5 summit to be held later that week in Wellington. The D5 is a network of the world’s most advanced digital nations, with a shared goal of strengthening the digital economy. It was founded in London in 2014 by the United Kingdom, Estonia, Israel, New Zealand and South Korea. Among the 10+ international speakers and panellists at the Digital Nation 2030 summit are South African futurist Graeme Codrington, chief executive of TomorrowToday; Singapore’s Sandra Ng, group vice president Asia Pacific, for IDC; Siim Sikkut, Government chief information officer, Estonia; Martin Lundqvist, partner at McKinsey & Co, Sweden; and Shai-lee Spigelman, chief executive of Digital Israel. Technology, business, social and government leaders from across New Zealand are also on the agenda including Simon Moutter, chief executive, Spark; Carolyn Tremain, chief executive, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment; IanTaylor, chief executive of Animation Research; Te Aroha Moreehu, general manager for digital transformation, Ngati Whatua Orakei Whai Maia. Muller says the conference will cover every aspect of how a digital economy is shaping. His comments come hard on the heels of the 2017 Digital Planet report by the Fletcher School at Tufts University that shows New Zealand is one of the world’s leading digital nations. “The Digital Nations conference offers a great moment to bring together New Zealand’s digital leaders, with international experts, business leaders, societal change agents and policy makers to envision what New Zealand could look like as a digital nation by 2030, and then agree on investments and policy to help us get there. “By listening to the plans of other leading nations and then working on what it could mean for New Zealand’s education, health and financial systems, our productive sectors and the society, this should help us move together as a country towards a more prosperous future during a period of profound change. “NZTech is pleased with the close and proactive partnership with in the Department of Internal Affairs and the Government Chief Digital Office as industry and government work together to prepare New Zealand for a tech focused future. “New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem and institutional environment are both noted as strengths for New Zealand in the 2017 Digital Planet report and this Digital Nations conference partnership between industry and government is a great example of why we are seen as a leading country,” Muller says. The Digital Nations conference is expected to attract more than 450 people including D5 Ministers and their delegations, invited international experts and New Zealand digital leaders and influencers representing all sectors.

| A NZTech release  ||  November 20,  2017   |||

Nov 20  2017  -  The news that the road toll for 2017 has now surpassed the total for 2016 is tragic news, says Associate Minister for Transport Julie Anne Genter.  “This year we’ve already seen 330 people lose their lives on New Zealand’s roads.  “Every death on our roads is a tragedy and the high number this year is quite simply unacceptable. “The road toll has been going up over the last four years and is now the highest it’s been since 2010. My number one priority in the transport portfolio is to bring the road toll down. “In recent years expensive roading projects have been the priority and road safety has taken a back seat. “This government will be exploring all options to improve road safety including reallocating funding to target high risk roads. “Every life lost leaves behind a devastated family and community. We have to do better. “In addition, all of us have a responsibility to make our roads safer. It’s the basics, like wearing a seatbelt at all times, driving to the conditions, and stopping a mate from driving home drunk,” said Ms Genter.

| A Beehive release  ||  November 20.  2017   |||

Nov 17 2017  -  The annual Directors Sentiment Survey reveals an overwhelming majority of boards (91%) consider stakeholder interests a high priority (up from 86% in 2016). Released by the Institute of Directors (IoD) and ASB, the Director Sentiment Survey takes the pulse of the director community in New Zealand. The survey reveals key challenges for New Zealand boards, including stakeholder interests, leading on organisational ethics, strategy and risk in the age of technological disruption, and access to skills and talent in a tight labour market. The emphasis on stakeholder interests could also be seen in the high number of directors who considered sustainability and social issues as very important to their organisation (69%). IoD Governance Leadership Centre General Manager Felicity Caird says “for boards to succeed in today’s environment, they will need to think beyond compliance in assessing risks and the drivers of business sustainability.” Comprehensive reporting from management to boards on ethics and conduct risk is even more crucial in a business environment with greater stakeholder expectations about corporate behaviour and activities, including their social and environmental impact. “Boards play an important role in setting the tone on ethics and culture for the organisation, and communicating it. In order to hold management to account for ethical risk and conduct, it is essential they receive comprehensive reporting.” The survey also revealed an opportunity for boards to request improved reporting from management to guard against ethics risks. Just under half (44%) of New Zealand company boards have assessed organisational ethics risks, and less than a third (32%) of boards had discussed how they could make whistleblowing and speak-up provisions more effective in their organisations. Capacity constraints remained a key concern in the economic outlook with more than half of directors citing labour capability and quality as a key restraint (54%). This is up from last year, when 46% of directors identified this as one of the top three issues. While the survey indicates business optimism, there is more caution on the economic outlook. ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley says this may be due in part to the survey’s post-election timing, before a government was formed, and also due to perceptions the economy may be past its peak in the current business cycle. “We are continuing to see the impact of the tight labour market register highly in directors’ key challenges,” Mr Tuffley says. “This tightening in labour is due to strong economic performance, which has created a highly competitive market for talent. Directors identified this as a key barrier to business performance and the economy more generally.” Digital leadership within boards and in organisations remains a concern, with just 30% of directors feeling their boards had the expertise to lead their organisation into a digital future. While half of boards were discussing cyber risks, less than half of boards (45%) felt that they received comprehensive reporting on cyber breaches from their management. This year saw a continued increase in the number of directors considering their boards had the capability to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 obligations, up from 51% in 2014 to 76% in 2017. This is a welcome trend but vigilance in the boardroom is still needed, Ms Caird says. “The ability for directors to navigate the rapid changes caused by the digital revolution is a key challenge, and should be a priority for boards. “Social media and the risk of cyber breaches also mean that companies operate in a more complex environment, where comprehensive ethics reporting and risk management is vital to sustainable success”. The survey was conducted in October 2017 by the IoD and involved 934 members of the Institute of Directors. This is the fourth annual Director Sentiment Survey, and the second year the IoD has partnered with ASB on the survey.

| An IOT release  || November 17, 2017   |||

Nov 21 2017  -  An Energy Research Strategy for New Zealand released this week by the National Energy Research Institute (NERI) is an important step toward securing a sustainable future for the country’s energy needs, says Victoria University of Wellington Vice-Provost (Research) Professor Kate McGrath.  NERI is a consortium of research providers and other stakeholders in the energy sector, including Victoria, and works to stimulate, promote, coordinate and support high quality energy research and education in New Zealand.

Its strategy, launched at Victoria Business School by the Hon Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Energy and Resources and of Research, Science and Innovation, was developed in association with over 150 energy stakeholders in research organisations, businesses, industry associations and government agencies, with the aim of providing a framework to develop more detailed research programmes.

“The actions set out in the strategy are all within New Zealand’s grasp, given the necessary commitment and backing,” says Professor McGrath.

“Victoria is proud to be a research member of NERI and myself to be one of its trustees. Academics from across the University, including our computer scientists, Robinson Research Institute, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences and School of Architecture and Design, are conducting ground-breaking research to transform how the country’s energy is produced and used. This strategy gives them, other researchers around the country and those commissioning and funding research an important framework.”

The strategy highlights long-distance transport, both domestic and international, as one of the biggest medium-term issues facing New Zealand’s energy sector, noting that about half the country’s energy is used servicing transport needs and that long-distance transport uses the biggest share of that.

Given our physical isolation and distances to markets, long-distance transport is critical for trade and travel, says the strategy. But because it is fossil fuel intensive, it faces significant risks, with few simple alternative such as the electric vehicles available for short-distance transport.

Food and tourism export earnings are particularly vulnerable, says the strategy, with fossil fuels featuring large in their production and delivery.

However, says the strategy, there are opportunities to manage this risk.

Dr Nick Long, Director of the Robinson Research Institute, explores these and other opportunities in an article for the Newsroom website.

The Robinson Research Institute’s own research includes collaborating with international partners to develop the technology for long-range hybrid-electric aircraft and that for rapid electric vehicle charging.

Alongside transport, other key focus areas in the Energy Research Strategy are in industrial processing, electricity generation and distribution, and the residential sector.

Affordable and clean energy is the seventh of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030.

Victoria was earlier this year the first New Zealand university to sign up to a new international initiative known as the University Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

‘Enhancing the resilience and sustainability of our natural heritage and capital’ is one of Victoria’s areas of academic distinctiveness.

| A Victoria University release  ||  November 17,  2017   |||

16 Nov 2017  – New Zealand is calling out for expert help from the U.S. to fill a massive construction and engineering skills and talent shortage as it struggles to cope with the largest infrastructure and housing build in the Pacific nation’s history.

The new Labour-led Government is introducing a special “KiwiBuild” fast track visa system to facilitate the search for top construction talent, spearheaded by an innovative international recruitment campaign called LookSee Build NZ.

LookSee Build NZ is a consortium of private companies, local body entities and government organisations. The aim of the campaign is to attract some of the more than 56,000 construction and engineering staff, including 2,200 high-end specialist positions, New Zealand needs for the more than NZ$125 billion program of infrastructure works over the next decade.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also announced a new NZ$2 billion housing program for the construction of 10,000 homes a year for 10 years, as well as a program of infrastructure works in addition to the existing pipeline.

Looksee Build spokesman and construction consultant Aaron Muir says it is the first time New Zealand’s public and private construction sector have combined in a single cause but the need for top talent is so acute it required an innovative approach to talent procurement.

Engineers, particularly in the areas of geotechnical, seismic, civil and structural, are top of New Zealand’s shopping list because of the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes, a nationwide seismic audit of buildings and significant compliance issues with historic buildings around the country.

But a broad range of specialist skills are required across the board and the campaign is offering a sweetener to entice Americans to migrate with a range of quintessential ‘Kiwi experiences,’ such as fishing, surfing and canoeing safaris, cultural events and the chance to see stunning sites of natural beauty, Muir says.

If people do get a job as a result of LookSee Build NZ their airfares to New Zealand will be repaid, he adds.

Over the past 12 months LookSee has seen unprecedented interest from US professionals looking to relocate to New Zealand. “We had a great response earlier this year to our LookSee Wellington campaign for tech workers to come to our capital and we believe New Zealand’s work and lifestyle environment will also appeal to construction professionals,” says Muir.

Former Californian Casey Giberson, a Discipline Manager, Resilience, for environmental and engineering consultancy Tonkin + Taylor, says the attraction of New Zealand is twofold: lifestyle and the breadth and complexity of construction work.

“It’s a small country and you can come down here and really make a difference for public good and that’s a rare and precious thing,” says Giberson. “We’re not looking for over designed or over engineered infrastructure and buildings however we are looking for people who can come up with simple and ingenious ways to create a tailored solution to a complex problem – we need those skills.”

Giberson started out in California doing transportation engineering and planning and then land development and associated infrastructure. In his 11 years in New Zealand he has covered a diverse range of disciplines, including exposure to specialist technical areas which Giberson believes has future-proofed his career.

In addition to the world class construction projects across the country Muir says the ‘Kiwi experiences’ will give them a real taste of the lifestyle that is available if they choose to live in New Zealand”.

More information about the recruitment campaign can be found at www.lookseebuildnewzealand.co.nz.

About LookSee Build NZLookSee Build NZ is an innovative international talent procurement program that turns the traditional recruitment process on its head by taking the opportunities in New Zealand to the world and, in turn, bringing the world back to New Zealand. It is specifically designed to address an acute skills and talent shortage in the construction and engineering sectors and future-proof the building industry as the country gears up for the largest infrastructure and housing build in the nation’s history. Acting on behalf of a range of participating employers, including public and private sector entities, the LookSee Build NZ campaign is targeting highly skilled professionals from the US, particularly seismic and structural engineers, to assist them in becoming ‘New Zealand-ready’ before match-making candidates who are interested, qualified and available with the appropriate employer.

| Published in The American Surveyor  Nov 10, 2017  |||

16 Nov 2017  -  Sales of Anchor UHT milk were particularly strong and the brand was the leading imported UHT product across all online sales platforms during the sales window.  Double 11 is characterised by deep-discounting and wide-ranging promotions, generating a level of hype similar to a holiday festival in China. According to data from Syntun, China’s 16 largest e-commerce merchants achieved a combined RMB 254 billion (NZD $55.1 billion) in sales this year during the period, up 43 per cent on last year’s total.

President of Fonterra Greater China Christina Zhu said Fonterra’s strong growth on last year reflects the strategic partnerships that the Co-operative has been building with China’s e-commerce giants.

“Forming win-win relationships with the major platforms has been a point of focus for us over the past 12 months,” said Ms Zhu. “We’ve gotten closer to Alibaba and its Tmall platform, demonstrated by how we secured a feature spot on the platform’s homepage in the lead up to November 11. We’ve also developed a good relationship with JD.com, having been identified as one of the platform’s strategic growth partners in the dairy category.”

Fonterra’s Vice President of Brands in Greater China, Chester Cao, said that the Co-operative took a different approach to this year’s sales period, which was the fifth time Fonterra had taken part.

“We were pleased to offer a much broader portfolio of product to consumers this year,” said Mr Cao. “In addition to our strong-selling Anchor UHT and powder products, Anlene and Anmum, we were also able to push our new premium and organic Anchor range and our Anchor Dairy Foods range of cream, cheese and butter.

“For us, it’s much more than just a window to sell more product than usual,” said Mr Cao. “With high levels of online traffic, it’s a real chance for us to reach a greater number of consumers with our brand and educate them about the goodness of our dairy. Given this, we had a strong focus on investing in the right media channels by using a data-driven approach, and creating engaging content for a range of different online and social channels. This approach paid off, as we had more than 30 million consumers visiting our online stores.”

Fonterra has flagship stores for Anchor, Anmum, Anlene products and has partnerships with eight major e-commerce platforms, including front-runners Tmall and JD.com as well as other companies such as Suning and Yihaodian.

China’s e-commerce market is far-and-away the world’s largest and an estimated USD $800 billion is set to be spent this calendar year according to figures from McKinsey & Company. This matches the market size of the next six largest countries combined: the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Korea, and France. Growth is set to continue, with a compound annual growth rate of 18 per cent expected between 2016 and 2018.

“We are excited by the future of e-commerce,” said Mr Cao. “While some categories like electronics or apparel are starting to show signs of maturity, the fresh and packaged food categories have very low online penetration rates by comparison, so there is a lot of room for growth and we’re positioning ourselves well to capture it.”

| A Fonterra release  ||  November 16,  2017   |||