Covid-19 has caused massive disruption and change to the world as we know it. As a nation we united to fight the virus and showed that together we are stronger. The future is not what we thought it would be only a few short months ago. To rebuild the economy we need to unite again: to rethink, adapt and reimagine. We need to find a new balance – which will require us to identify what to stop, start and accelerate. In partnership with the Construction Sector Accord, our professions seek to build a more resilient, sustainable, productive and community-minded New Zealand.

Engineers and architects are fundamental to New Zealand’s recovery. We are problem solvers and visionaries. Our work makes people’s lives better, healthier and more connected. From planning and designing the physical structures and communities we live and work in, to developing resilient infrastructure and creating new technologies, engineers and architects create opportunities to partner and collaborate for a better future. Engineers and architects focus on delivering good outcomes from start to finish. We take a holistic end-to-end leadership approach over projects. We are ideally placed to respond to the challenges and opportunities of rebuilding New Zealand’s economy following the disruption caused by Covid-19.

This leadership statement shows our commitment to helping with the economic recovery. Our professions are united in our passion to help New Zealand prosper.

Our commitment to the recovery

As we support New Zealand to recover, we will partner in the Construction Sector Accord’s shared goals of increased productivity, raising capability, improving resilience and restoring confidence, pride and reputation. We stand by the Accord and the principles that drive it. We commit to building a better New Zealand.

We are committed to a safe, healthy, inclusive, sustainable and resilient New Zealand

• We take every reasonable step to safeguard the health and safety of people.
• We put the wellbeing of our communities front and centre.
• We drive work on sustainability, recognising the effects of our work on the environment and avoiding adverse consequences.
• We hold each other to account and speak up when we see behaviours that could lead to adverse outcomes.

We are committed to the ongoing success of our industries

• We prioritise maintaining the capacity and capability of our industries.
• We work together to support the wider success of our industries, including through early engagement and collaboration with all parties.
• We drive high performance, quality and value for money.
• We think differently and take an innovative approach to problem solving for the future.

We are committed to improving the systems we work in

• We break down fragmentation and supporting long-term planning, collaboration and joint decision-making.
• We work effectively with our partners to scope and deliver on programmes and projects consistent with these commitments.
• We enable high-trust relationships, built on collaboratively agreed outcomes, clear accountabilities and a shared understanding of risks.
• We keep an eye on the long term and don’t sacrifice it for short-term gains.

We are committed to our people and our professions

• We support our future profession.
• We support our training institutions by placing emerging professionals within our organisations.
• We provide development pathways and opportunities to upskill.
• We drive diversity and inclusion, and support mental health and wellbeing.