“Yes We Can” says the recently held and aptly named symposium of low carbon associations – of which HERA is an active part. As a research levy funded organisation, R&D is in our blood. Our focus on clean energy technology development through our AGGAT programme and upcoming foray into the wave and tidal space, made our…
It’s hard to ignore that the metal industries biggest clients and influencers are government and the public sector – if we want to successfully work with them, knowing the ins and outs of how they operate and think when it comes to procurement is a no brainer. But is our model good? Does it compare…
Everyone has their views when it comes to the 2016 Budget. “Funding lift a thrill for scientists,” NZ Herald. “Top-ups for research bodies part of (business) growth agenda,” Minister Steven Joyce. “It’s likely that business will be feeling more rather than less confident,” BusinessNZ CEO Kirk Hope. “Budget 2016 held few surprises for business and sent a strong…
During the last month, HERA asked members to endorse or reject a draft policy statement that “all critical building work independent of building material should be required to have reliable third party verification enforced by the MBIE-driven regulatory framework”. With the support of SCNZ, HERA described a pathway for a joint journey to get to…
Responding to the reinforcing steel mesh conformance issue recently highlighted in the media, HERA is driving a policy change that allows our members to deliver better value and remain competitive. With the rapid adoption of the Steel Fabrication Certification (SFC) scheme, our New Zealand steel construction industry has significantly progressed on its way to verifiable…
The Ministry of Business Inovation and Employment (MBIE) and Commerce Commission announcement that some concrete reinforcing steel mesh supplied into the New Zealand construction market doesn’t comply with New Zealand standards has caused considerable concern. Resulting in HERA staff recently being the target of extensive media attention with varying degrees of accuracy in being quoted.…
Over the past few years, there has been a growing body of anecdotal reports by business about the availability and use of Non-Conforming Products (NCP) in the New Zealand market across many product groups, including steel. Background to building conformance issues The March 2016 MBIE and Commerce Commission announcement that some concrete reinforcing steel mesh supplied into the New…
Thank you to all members who completed the February HERA survey on the questions: Should HERA Support a New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Level 5 Program? The 83 responses demonstrated great membership interest in the issue. And in summary there was an overwhelming positive response to the two main questions that our industry wants a…
As members of the steel fabrication chain, we are all aware of the current worldwide steel oversupply situation, leading to steel prices here in New Zealand being at their lowest for some 14 years and virtually unchanged since the HERA steel import statistics started in 2000. This low steel price helps the steel users to…
The purpose of NZQA Level 5 Qualification New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering is to provide our industry with advanced tradespeople. Ones who are able to contribute to the success and competitiveness of a business by demonstrating leadership in a technical and/or operational field. Last year, the NZQA level 5 qualifications have been reviewed by COMPETENZ with…
The thirteen members of the HERA Executive are largely elected by HERA members and typically are representatives of HERA’s key stakeholder groups. Some are co-opted and represent the views of associated organisations such as the Manufacturers & Exporters Association (NZMEA) and Steel Construction NZ (SCNZ) or, as in the case of key stakeholder and member…
When our Director Wolfgang Scholz, advised me it was time for another year’s review, it felt like it was just a short while ago that last year’s review was delivered. The pace has been relentless and it has been another year full of action for our industry and for HERA. The 12 monthly rolling total…