NZCBIA and BIET jointly launch management training courses
Since its establishment in 2015, the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA) has worked to raise professional standards in the Chinese building industry, accumulating extensive experience through regular training and technical exchanges for its members.
In November 2018, NZCBIA and BIET jointly launched two management training courses: “Advanced Project Management Training (Project Excellence Group)”, and “Residential Construction Management Training (Residential Construction Supervision)”.
Both courses are designed to meet the construction industry’s urgent need for specialist professionals. The advanced project management course addresses demand for senior project managers as projects become increasingly complex, while the residential construction management course aims to systematically improve management standards in residential construction, the mainstay of the Chinese building industry.
Association president Xu Li said: “These two courses fill a gap in the market. Polytechnic graduates mainly go into large companies, while BCITO primarily trains tradespeople. Our courses are also more practical, with greater flexibility in their duration and structure. I have full confidence in the quality of the training.
In future, we also plan to offer commercial construction management training and other specialist courses urgently needed by the industry, such as fire protection project management, precast concrete panel project management, and small- and medium-scale subdivision project management. These will provide practitioners who lack experience, capability or technical skills with a platform to improve their professional knowledge and skills.”
NZCBIA and YIJU jointly host a debate on profitability woes in New Zealand construction
On 31 January 2019, NZCBIA and YIJU jointly hosted a distinctive debate in Auckland, bringing industry professionals together to discuss profitability woes in New Zealand’s construction industry. Association president Xu Li moderated the debate.
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A panel of 4 representatives from the client side (developers) debated 4 representatives from contractors and consultancy firms on the question: “Who is ultimately to blame for cost overruns and delays on medium- and large-scale commercial construction projects in New Zealand?” By the end, both sides agreed that New Zealand’s construction industry has no win–lose outcomes: either both sides win or both lose, so every part of the supply chain must work together in good faith. They also agreed that design consultants and construction contractors, including subcontractors, should be involved as early as possible to control budgets and schedules. Finally, a crucial point was ensuring that qualified professionals oversee every stage.
Representing contractors and consultants were:
Zhan Feng, representing WMZA Architects (NZCBIA vice-president),
Zheng Lu, representing Oriental Construction (NZCBIA board member),
Huang Zhongyuan, representing LiveFirm construction company,
Long Dezhi, representing Hawkins construction company (NZCBIA board member).
Representing developers were:
Hu Hailong, representing Longchamps Group (chair of the NZCBIA board),
Pan Xin, representing Top Harbour Limited (NZCBIA vice-president),
Neo Wang, representing Avanda,
Zhang Shenfeng, general manager of Three Dukes Homes Limited.
Did you know? The New Zealand Chinese building industry’s two premier events are set for a major return
There is no doubt that New Zealand’s construction industry was booming in 2018, with demand increasing by the day. New Zealand’s population continued to grow, while many residential and commercial buildings in Canterbury still faced a lengthy post-earthquake rebuild. The Government’s KiwiBuild pledge to deliver 100,000 affordable homes continued to enjoy strong support from the coalition Government.
Last year, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) latest National Construction Pipeline Report forecast that Auckland’s non-residential construction activity would peak in 2019.
With China being New Zealand’s largest trading partner, Chinese-funded businesses have actively invested and established operations in New Zealand, making an important contribution to its construction sector.
According to figures from BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander, Chinese investors have invested approximately NZ$7,000,000,000 in the New Zealand market. Chinese builders, investors and other Chinese-related groups have been involved in the construction of 30% of properties built in Auckland.
Opportunities inevitably bring challenges. Such a vast market places higher demands on the Chinese building industry in New Zealand in areas such as design standards, construction quality and project management. Since its establishment, the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA) has made it its mission to keep addressing industry problems and improving conditions. It is committed to building a healthy construction industry ecosystem and making full use of its organisational strengths to encourage cooperation and the division of work across the supply chain, supporting the Chinese building industry’s healthy, sustainable development.
NZCBIA’s platform for the Chinese building industry in New Zealand now connects mainstream New Zealand suppliers, Chinese contractors, suppliers from China and the local construction market, as well as Chinese developers and local professional consultants. It has encouraged constructive cooperation between companies and professionals across the construction supply chain and enhanced the Chinese building industry’s professional image.
Since 2015, NZCBIA’s annual summits have given practitioners opportunities to communicate with and learn from industry leaders. Hundreds of professionals have come together at these wide-ranging seminars to explore new ideas and develop fresh insights.
In 2017, NZCBIA held the New Zealand International Building Expo & Summit (NZIBES) to give construction businesses a platform to expand their markets, communicate and build connections, encourage deeper engagement with potential customers and create sales opportunities. Over the two-day expo, more than 100 businesses exhibited, attracting more than 8000 visits.
In 2018, the event continued to grow in scale and reach. The three-day exhibition brought together professionals and businesses from across New Zealand’s mainstream and Chinese property and construction sectors, with 120 exhibitors and 33 well-known brands presenting to 9,720 visitors.
A seminar focused on KiwiBuild drew 450 participants, while more than 630 guests attended the gala dinner. New Zealand’s construction market faces many challenges in 2019, but even more opportunities.
From 16 August 2019 to 19 August, the Vodafone Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, will once again host the Chinese building industry’s two premier events: the 2019 New Zealand International Building Expo & Summit.
If you plan to develop business in New Zealand’s property and construction markets, particularly its Chinese property and construction sector, and establish direct connections with local developers, designers, suppliers, contractors and other project specialists, NZCBIA warmly invites you to its 2019 annual event.