Author Rachel Loo
Master Electricians leads education, and advocacy for an estimated 10,000 electricians and their employers. Top spot in an array of recent awards went to Seven Electrical which also picked up the prize for the “Projects over $5 million” category for its work on the architecturally awarded Wellington Convention Centre. Other Excellence Awards categories included Emerging Business, Lighting Design, Sustainability, Innovation, and the other two Project Awards: $1 to $5 million and un der $1 million. The winner of the Industry Champion Award was also announced, along with the 2024 Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge,
The demand for oil and gas is expected to remain a critical component of the energy landscape over the next decade In New Zealand government has reacted to supply challenges by lifting embargoes on the search for new fossil fuels. A recent McKinsey report says global demand for oil is projected to continue to grow in the short term before plateauing over the next five to seven years and then declining. In the case of natural gas, demand is projected to rise in the medium term across all scenarios.
The first ever Certificate in Fluid Power Engineering Fundamentals (Level 3) has been approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as a result of sustained effort by several key people in the industry. Newly formed New Zealand Fluid Power Association along with Gisborne Hydraulics Natasja Paulson were among those who spearheaded the development. The group is looking to add a Level 4 and possibly a Level 5 qualification to further upskill workers and managers.
The latest MBIE business letter is a feast of good advice including five videos taking less than two minutes apiece on how to prevent yourself becoming a victim of cyber attack. There is also an excellent tax tool box for tradies and advice on new law for businesses that own a unit in a unit title property. There are features on making sure your Christmas promotion are fair and legal and tool kits for sole traders and manufacturers tool kit.
Ten years ago, CEOs and top teams typically focused on four or five critical issues at any one time. Today, the number is double that says a recent McKinsey report. There are distinct differences between the personal attributes, best practices, and approaches to leadership development required in today’s organisations and those of yesteryear. What will it take to be a leader for this century and how organizations can shape, develop and mentor the next generation of managers.
More continuous professional development and improved education in the construction sector are required before a self-certification scheme can be trusted to solve homebuilding woes says the Institute of Building Surveyors. It is wary of the government’s proposed changes to allowing trusted building professionals and accredited businesses to carry out low-risk building work. The government says “it’s about placing the requirements of the system and the resources to where they’re most needed… rather than having that regulation for regulation’s sake.”
Inc Australia reports on a management guide that is targeted at small business. The guide lists four savvy insights including sleeping on the job that anyone can use to grow a business. The insights come from a survey of marketing and creative consultants which asked top earners what they did right to make the big money. It is produced by HoneyBook is a client management platform that helps small businesses streamline projects, contracts and payments
The Yeah, Nah Awards is an only just tongue-in-cheek look at businesses and services “that have been especially disappointing” to Consumer NZ and its readers. To be a contender you must meet criteria such as failing a standard, stinging customers with hidden charges, using false claims or broken promises and using unclear messaging that causes consumer confusion, frustration or just plain outrage.
Restrictions on the use of weedkiller
The NZ EPA has placed by red alert restrictions on the use of products containing the chemical
herbicide Chlorthal-dimethyl, used to control broad leaf weeds and grasses in horticulture. Continue →
The New Zealand Chemical Industry Association , Responsible Care NZ, is advising members of an EPA red alert relating to the use of DCPA weedkiller (chlorthal-dimethyl). The EPA permits only restricted use of products containing this chemical, subject to strict conditions. It warns of the possible risk to foetal development from exposure of pregnant individuals or individuals who may be pregnant.
Administration costs account for about 25 percent of the money spent on healthcare in the US according to a recent McKinsey report — it is probably more in New Zealand. The healthcare sector here is facing government pressure to cut frontline costs while hospitals are under pressure to improve consumer experiences. Advancements in AI could transform the industry, boosting operational efficiencies across internal and customer-facing operations.
The online resource is designed to enhance road connectivity for rural and remote communities across Australia and New Zealand. Where there are few road options to communities, these are known as lifeline routes which ensure communities remain connected when alternative routes are cut-off due to natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes. Investing in lifeline routes does not always stack up using a traditional cost- benefit analysis but is vital for the resilience of remote communities and to support the freight industry in times of crisis.
When the pandemic hit, QR codes were suddenly everywhere, providing a fast, contact-free way to access websites with important health information. Inc Australia reports that today code there’s a chance that the website to which you are redirected could be a fake log-in page that harvests data or a link that automatically downloads malware. Cybersecurity companies have responded by updating malware scanners but criminals have evolved as well, developing new methods to evade those systems.
In conversations about mental health, spiritual health is often an overlooked aspect. According to the McKinsey Health Institute, spiritual health—meaning in life, connection to something larger, and a strong sense of purpose—is not merely a “nice to have” but a core health dimension. Individuals reporting poor spiritual health were up to about four times less likely to say they had good or very good mental health than those reporting neutral or good spiritual health.
While reducing emissions is crucial, reaching net-zero goals will also require substantial carbon removal initiatives. Innovation in every sector, including waste management, is essential to mitigate climate change effectively. The world is currently emitting ca. 60 gigatons of CO2 equivalent GHG emissions. The current carbon budget is estimated to be 500 and 1200 Gt CO2 equivalent GHG emissions for the 1.5°C and 2°C limit, respectively. Meaning the 1.5°C limit will be reached in less than one decade and the 2°C limit within two decades.
Dave Segal found himself onstage at the Edison Awards, the annual Oscars of innovation. Attendees included elite scientists and executives from every corner of tech, from adhesives to robotics. About 10 years ago Segal asked himself if thought control was even real? What if I can create a novel neural interface that would allow somebody to command, control, and navigate computers, phones, wheelchairs, smart homes, IoT, robotics, AI—in a hands-free, voice-free, and sometimes even screen-free manner?
You could be forgiven for thinking this report is about the acute GP shortage in New Zealand. But no, physician shortages in the US and the reasons behind them are hauntingly familiar. This McKinsey Report talks of the increasingly difficult task of attracting and retaining doctors in the US, the high median age of our current crop of physicians, a lack of involvement in decision making and being burdened with delegable tasks that have little to do with patient care.
Multinational companies have been looking around Christchurch for greater operational stability in the face of expected transport pressures between the North and South Islands through 2025, according to Savill which operates in 70 cities around the globe. The group’s Christchurch office reports signs of construction associated with anchor projects in Christchurch supporting an anticipated shift by investors from fixed interest investments to higher-yield options which is expected to bolster the city’s industrial sector.
