Episodes
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In this episode of Tall Stories Adam Baxter from our Southern Region Committee talks with Samantha Morris and James Woods.
James is Chair of the Institute’s Southern Region Committee and Managing Director of Image Construction. Sam started out her career in Engineering and is now a Project Manager – Red Zone at Christchurch City Council.
The three have a wide-ranging conversation covering topics including:
Finding and building on your core strengths to get the most out of your careerThe changes in the industry over time particularly in how people treat each other and the importance on wellbeing and embracing ‘humanness’Never stopping learning and evolving – at all stages in your career – different generations learning from each other.There is no one right career path and it’s never too late to make a change - side steps can be important to find what suits you best.Challenging ‘hustle culture’ and shifting how we work.Looking after yourself and finding your own ‘sustainability’ when it comes to your workload and the pressure put on you both externally and internally.The importance of feedback from others along with shifting your mindset and your own expectations. -
In this episode of Tall Stories Adam Baxter sits down with Steve Kleehammer and Milly Perkins – all three are members of the Institute’s Southern Region Committee.
Steve is the Regional Construction Manager at Ryman Healthcare and a member of the Institute’s National Board and Milly is a Project Manager at RCP.
The podcast was recorded shortly after the 2024 NZ Building People Awards where Milly was part of the winning Collaboration team who worked on the Papa Hou project in Ōtautahi | Christchurch.
They discuss:
Milly’s part in the winning project team and what made the Papa Hou project different.How collaboration as a concept and practice has changed in the construction industry over the years.Finding your place in the industry by focusing on your natural skill set and working hard to build on it.The most important lessons are learnt from the most challenging projects.Learning through listening and then asking the right questions – whether in a formal mentoring setting or informal setting.Maintaining your wellbeing and looking after yourself – along with checking in on others if they don’t seem like themselves.Listen for the full story.
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Episodes manquant?
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In this episode of Tall Stories Hannah Nansett, Projects Lead at the Institute of Building speaks with Dennise Austin and Stewart Peck, two of the Institute’s Central Region Committee.
Dennise has been in the construction industry for 26 years working in a variety of sales and business roles across a number of New Zealand companies. Alongside sales roles Dennise is also has her own business as the Director of ChainCraft NZ & AU.
Stew is a Senior Project Manager at Naylor Love and has worked in a number of roles between Naylor Love and McKee Fehl since 2006.
Dennise, Stew and Hannah discuss:
The importance of not rushing on to the next thing – taking your time to learn and get the fundamentals right first.Asking all the ‘silly’ questions early on in your career or role so you don’t get stuck not knowing when you’re expected to know and being able to make mistakes in a safe environment and learn from them.The positive changes in they’ve seen in the industry particularly in diversity as well as changes in expectations around work life balance.How impressive the younger generations are coming into the industry – there’s lots to learn from them.The importance of building relationships and trust, and always being nice!Listen to hear the full chat.
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It’s a family affair in this episode of Tall Stories where Hannah Nansett, Projects Lead at the Institute of Building speaks with father daughter duo Stephen and Claire Cummings.
Stephen is a Quantity Surveyor with more than 35 years’ experience in the construction industry and is the Director of Pandion. At the time of recording Claire was just finishing up her construction management cadetship at Maycroft, she’s since been promoted to Project Manager at the company.
In their discussion they cover:
Sticking to the family business of construction and being excited to go to work each morningThe benefits of training through a cadetship – and how being a cadet worksPositive changes in the industry around professionalism and diversityThe balance of having a family and working in a demanding industryLooking forward to the future of construction. -
In this episode of Tall Stories Hannah Nansett, Projects Lead at the Institute of Building speaks with Gracen Luka and Jake Nash.
Jake is the Senior Associate and Digital Support Lead at Warren and Mahoney. He has grown his career with the firm over the past 14 years and is now a leader and mentor to new recruits.
Gracen was the winner of the Emerging Leader award at the 2023 NZ Building People Awards and was also given a special commendation from the Supreme Award judges. After several years growing her career in Aotearoa she is currently c working as a Development Manager at Stockland in Sydney.
They discuss a range of topics including:
Making the leap from study to work – learning to put yourself out there and sell yourself, showing resilience and perseverance when times are tough and learning from those with more experience.The importance of mentors in your career and how to shift from being a mentee to a mentor.The reward of completing projects and passing on knowledge.Navigating changes in technology – try not to get too overwhelmed – you can’t do it all – if possible split things up among a group. The importance of only biting of what you can chew – setting realistic expectations for adopting new tech.Work life balance – it’s the managers who need to put the limits in place and tell people to go home! -
In this episode of Tall Stories, Sophie Prebble, the Institute’s Marketing and Comms lead sits down with Tess Epton and Mana Ashford.
Tess is currently studying a Master’s of Architecture at the University of Auckland and has been successful in a range of extracurricular competitions including being on the winning team in ArchEngBuild 2022 and as a finalist in the Institute’s 2023 Next Gen Awards.
Mana is a NZ Institute National Board member, at the time of recording Mana was the Māori Engagement Manager at MBIE though the future of his unit was in question after the change in government. Since recording his role was disestablished and Mana is heading in a new and exciting career path as a Partnership Manager at I am Hope.
Their discussion covers a wide range including:
What’s driven them both to get into the construction industryChanges in the industry over the yearsThe importance of the industry continuing to become more inclusiveOvercoming self-doubt with support from othersTess’s experiences competing at ArchEngBuildMana’s former life as a professional rugby playerPlus, life outside of work and study including golf, yoga and special effects makeup. -
In this episode Mana Ashford, NZ Institute National Board member speaks with Jane Jujnovich and Darren Knight.
Jane is a Project Director at Kāinga Ora and has been with the organisation in a number of roles for over 20 years. In 2023 Jane won the Innovation Award at the Institute’s NZ Building People Awards for her work leading the transformative Te Mātāwai project in Tāmaki | Auckland.
Darren is the Auckland Commercial Area Sales Manager for Winstone Wallboards (GIB) and has built a career with a range of roles across major products and companies in the construction sector.
In their discussion they cover:
Understanding the cyclical nature of the construction industry and the importance of being flexible within that,Being a part of positive change for the community and in people’s lives,Changes in increased diversity and the need for targets and concrete goals to move forward,Finding your niche and making yourself indispensable,Learning from others at all levels,Taking opportunities and not saying no,Plus, more chat about skincare than you’d expect…
** apologies for the sound in the middle of the episode, someone was unloading a dishwasher.
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In this episode Mana Ashford, NZ Institute National Board member and Capability Development Manager at MBIE speaks with Natasha Possenniskie and Olly Steele.
Natasha is also a member of the Institute’s National Board and is Director of Urban Outcomes Limited. Olly is the Projects Control Lead at The Building Intelligence Group.
They discuss:
The challenges of being a woman in the construction industry,Practical ways to encourage diversity,The growing role of technology and data in the industry’s future,Working in the UK versus NZ.Plus, Mana’s patented lightning round!
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Guy Marriage, academic, architect and author, hosts this episode with guests Julianne Manuguid and George Russell.
Julianne is completing her Master’s at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Architecture. She is a member of both the Institute’s Central Region Committee and the Young Professional Advisors, plus she’s done some excellent contract work for the Institute.
George is a Project Manager at Wilson Building and Commercial, he was the 2023 Supreme winner at the Institute’s NZ Building People Awards for his work on the Samoa High Commission project.
Guy, George and Jullianne discuss the importance of getting on site experience as well as design and theoretical training; using technology and what’s ahead; diversity in Aotearoa’s construction industry; the importance of working in a team and in not burning bridges (NZ is too small for that).
We also hear more about George’s experience leading the Samoa high Commission project from how his firm was successful in the tender to the challenged of working on an extremely steep site (even for Wellington where there is never an easy project). George also touches on what made the project particularly special including how Samoan culture and customs were incorporated not just into the building itself but into how his team worked on site.
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In this episode academic, architect and author, Guy Marriage talks with Matamoana Nuku and Simoné Wright about their life and career journeys.
Simoné and Matamoana both work at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott in their Pōneke office, Simoné as Business Support Manager and Matamoana as a Senior Associate.
They discuss:
the challenges they’ve experiences in the industry of ‘fitting in’ and the importance of being true to yourself,changing tack in your career and making a change if you’re not happy,working on rewarding projects and enjoying your work.Plus, diversity, culture, race and mum guilt…quite a lot for a 30-minute chat!
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In this episode academic, architect and author, Guy Marriage talks to Brittany Irvine and Matt Pattinson about their careers to date.
Matt is a project manager at LT McGuinness and Brittany is a Senior Architectural Graduate at First Light Studio who recently won an award for book design.
In their conversation we hear about how both Brittany and Matt have managed to weave multiple interests and talents into their work. They discuss how they each use technology and BIM in their work and the ever-present importance of the human element in design, building and collaboration.
They also talk about working hard but also keeping up life outside of work – whether that’s putting time and effort into your family or keeping up hobbies.
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This episode of Tall Stories is hosted by Architect, author, lecturer, and natural raconteur Guy Marriage. Join Guy as he speaks with Architect, former NZ Institute of Building President (and first woman president), and NAWIC co-founder, Gina Jones.
They discuss Gina’s her career in architecture and the construction industry; the importance of getting involved with organisations; the significant difference one person can make; and often, being the only woman in the room.
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Join host, Adam Baxter, as he delves into the career journeys of both Donna Howell Project Director - UOC Campus Redevelopment, University of Otago and Tirth Patel, Construction and Digital Twin Enthusiast (Post Doctoral Fellow at UOC). Listen in to get some great tidbits for joining an ever-evolving industry.
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Join host, Adam Baxter, as he delves into the career journeys of both Bridget White, Senior Architect/BIM Director - Nordic Office of Architecture, and Keri Niven, Digital Practice Leader, Aurecon NZ. Two inspiring women who reflect on where they started their careers and how their interests have paved their way to where they are today. Listen in to get some great advice from two very powerful women in the industry!
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Join host, Daiman Otto, as he delves into the career journeys of both Angela Ashworth, Head of Commercial Services at Auckland Airport, and Caitlin Sanford, Commercial Manager at Measureup Flooring Ltd. Two inspiring women who are making their mark on the construction industry.
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Join host, Daiman Otto, as he delves into the career journeys of both Dave Strachan, Director at Strachan Group Architects, and Joanna Jack, Registered Architect at Stratchan Group Architects.
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Join host, Daiman Otto, as he delves into the career journeys of both Jo Duggan, CEO at Facilities Management Association, and Nicholas Botha, Project Manager at Kalmar Construction.
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Join host, Tommy Honey, as he delves into the career journeys of both Pamela Bell, NZIOB CEO, and Ged Finch, Entrepeneur and Founder of X-frame. Both studied Architecture but have found their own journeys to be anything but linear.
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Join host, Tommy Honey, as he delves into the career journeys of both Pamela Bell, NZIOB CEO, and Ged Finch, Entrepeneur and Founder of X-frame. Both studied Architecture but have found their own journeys to be anything but linear.
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Join host Ralph Titmuss, as he talks with Nick and Ben about their study, careers and time spent at LT McGuiness - Ben and Nick were the GIB Supreme Award Winners at the 2019 NZ Building Industry Awards.
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