Author Rachel Loo
Opportunities for developers
A survey by The Urban Advisory finds that Kiwis are looking for more housing choices including options for co-housing, rent-to-buy, residential co-operatives, community land trusts and shared ownership models. Continue →
If you are worried AI tools are too complex or risky for your business, the latest edition of Business.govt has an excellent You Tube presentation for those nervous about using this generative AI tool. From writing letters and creating headlines to answering questions and offering feedback, ChatGPT is a versatile tool that you can use to create great writing.
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has spent much of his time in office bemoaning the interference of the government in Auckland plans says Greater Auckland which was established in 2015 to provide evidence-based commentary on transport and other issues. But he happily handed over control of the city’s transport future, labelling it a “major victory for the people of Auckland”.
Has the world’s next big electrical engine been in front of our noses all the time. It’s possible, according to new research published in Nature Materials which says that despite 10 percent of the Earth’s surface being covered by it, ice power remains untapped
Lessons from over the ditch
New Zealand could do well to look at the New South Wales government example of support which will cut housing road blocks and red tape and help bring construction forward. Continue →
The key to a circular economy
The built environment is responsible for almost 40 percent of global energy-related CO2 emissions and produces about one-third of the world’s waste — figures that continue to rise with new waves of construction and retrofitting according to McKinsey. Continue →
Cities reinvented: building urban resilience through Electricity 4.0
Across Asia Pacific, urban transformation is gathering pace. Australia and New Zealand, in particular, stand at a pivotal moment as cities grapple with rising population, denser landscapes and growing threats of climate extremes
From Australia’s devastating bushfires and floods to New Zealand’s vulnerability to earthquakes and storms – resilience is no longer optional – it is essential. Continue →
A new McKinsey report says investors, operators, and governments will need to alter their approaches to funding, construction and maintenance as the definition of infrastructure expands. Traditionally, infrastructure has been synonymous with assets such as power grids, roads, ports, and bridges. Advances in technology mean that newer assets such as fibre-optic networks, hyperscale data centres, and electric-vehicle charging stations are increasingly vital.
This Austroads report highlights several key benefits in the use of mobile point-to-point (MP2P) speed camera systems. The report provides a summary of best practice guidelines in the use of MP2P speed camera enforcement and includes information, the types of technology and equipment available, operational factors and deployment options and considerations.
Comprehensive data on the frequency of AI failures may be lacking but existing evidence makes clear that tragic and ill-informed incidents caused by AI are not isolated instances. The parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, for example, filed the first known wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming ChatGPT contributed to their son’s suicide by advising him on methods and offering to write his suicide note.
Russell King reckons there is about to be a golden opportunity to transform public transport in New Zealand, to make it the preferred choice of 10 times as many people as it is today. This article is abridged from a talk which the transport guru and editor of the Transport Leader Newsletter gave to participants at the 2025 Public Transport Australia and New Zealand conference in Auckland
Construction continues to lead New Zealand’s insolvency statistics with 187 cases recorded in Q2 2025. Business services also saw a sharp rise in insolvencies, jumping 56 percent from Q1 to Q2. Retail trade followed with a 26 percent increase, while food and beverage, manufacturing, and property sectors saw modest declines
State of the Nation
Construction continues to lead New Zealand’s insolvency statistics with 187 cases recorded in Q2 2025. Continue →
Healthspan refers to the years of life spent in good or great health and free from serious diseases or disabilities. The McKinsey Health Institute has extensively examined the drivers that increase healthspan, with particular deep dives on the focus areas of brain health, metabolic health and women’s health. Learn more about why healthspan science is an increasingly plausible field for investment, and dive into seven shifts that could help advance the field.
Safeguards for subcontractor funds
A landmark high court judgement has reaffirmed the rules for safeguarding funds designated for subcontractors. Continue →
Simple steps to counter cyber threats
As the digital landscape expands, so does the threat of cybercrime. Continue →
The danger we still do not see
Asbestos is often seen as a problem of the past. New Zealand banned imports of asbestos products in 2016, but the truth is more confronting says Site Safe NZ Chief Executive Brett Murray. Continue →
Asia Pacific at the forefront of AI development
As AI adoption accelerates across the Asia Pacific, organisations are taking a more strategic approach to integration, focusing on GenAI use cases that enhance operational efficiency, boost productivity and deliver personalised customer experiences. Continue →
