Building Nations 2025
6–7 August | Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington
New Zealand’s infrastructure is more than the projects we deliver; it is the foundation for how we live, move, connect, and thrive. As the demands on our systems evolve, so too must our ambition. To create an infrastructure landscape that truly reflects who we are and what we value, we must plan not only for delivery, but for long-term resilience, equity, and impact.
Building Nations brings together leaders from across government, industry, iwi and community to shape a shared vision for future infrastructure in Aotearoa. This year’s programme challenges us to lift our sights, look beyond the next build, and think critically about how we enable enduring outcomes for people and places. We’ll also have a keynote session on day two – authored by Dr Penny Kneebone, Chief Executive of Tonkin + Taylor NZ, and delivered by Rhys Clark, Commercial Director, Government Advisor, and Infrastructure New Zealand Board Member – on building the infrastructure workforce of the future. Building Nations will explore the strategies, partnerships and workforce needed to realise this vision.
Join us as we work together to shape the infrastructure New Zealand needs for generations to come.
Attendees
- Andrew Kennedy, Geotechnical Engineer
- Angela Young, Corporate Marketing + Indigenous Director
- Bruce Symmans, Design Manager
- Chivaughn Webster, Marketing Events Manager
- Chris Perks, Sector Director – Transport + Delivery Partners
- Emma Christie, Design Manager, Principal Civil Engineer
- Glen Nicholson, Sector Director – Energy + Industry
- James Russell, Sector Director – Finance + Insurance
- Jan Noering, Discipline Manager – Civil
- Kate Searle, Technical Director – Planning
- Ken Macdonald, Sector Director – Water
- Louise Hardman, Discipline Manager – Project Delivery
- Manea Sweeney, Pou Arahi – Planning, Engagement + Partnerships
- Mark Hooker, Principal Water Engineer
- Penny Kneebone, Chief Executive – Tonkin + Taylor NZ
- Raye Powell, Project Delivery Specialist
- Rhys Clark, Commercial Director, Government Advisor, Infrastructure New Zealand Board Member
- Shiraz Soysa, Sector Director – Land + Buildings
- Tim Fisher, Managing Director
- Vanessa Stoddart, Tonkin + Taylor Board Chair
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Shaping the Future of New Zealand’s Infrastructure Workforce
Tonkin + Taylor is proud to participate in Building Nations 2025, New Zealand’s premier infrastructure conference, with a keynote address on day two titled: Kia tū pakari mō āpōpō: Building an infrastructure workforce for our future, authored by Dr Penny Kneebone, Chief Executive of Tonkin + Taylor NZ, and delivered by Rhys Clark, Commercial Director, Government Advisor, and Infrastructure New Zealand Board Member.
This session will explore practical strategies to grow and sustain a workforce that reflects the diversity of New Zealand, embraces Te Ao Māori, and champions innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. This vision is grounded in values that put people and communities at the heart of everything we build.
Investing in Workforce Capability
As infrastructure investment builds across New Zealand, developing a skilled, adaptable and diverse infrastructure workforce is critical to long-term success. We will highlight how strategic asset management, proactive planning and radical collaboration can help the sector respond to growing demands while advancing social and environmental outcomes.
Building our future workforce is about laying the foundation for an infrastructure sector that is resilient, inclusive, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
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Te Ara Tupua: Systems thinking in infrastructure for multi-benefit outcomes
What if one project could deliver climate resilience, cultural revitalisation, and safer transport all at once?
Te Ara Tupua, the shared path between Ngā Ūranga and Pito-One, is more than infrastructure, it’s a legacy. Tonkin + Taylor is proud to be part of the Alliance delivering this future-focused, climate-ready project in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.
“We’re not just building a pathway – we’re building a legacy of resilience. Te Ara Tupua shows how infrastructure can adapt to climate realities while honouring the whenua and its stories.” — Andrew Kennedy, Design Manager
Anchored in Te Ao Māori and guided by iwi partners, Te Ara Tupua brings together:
- Climate adaptation and coastal defence
- Health outcomes through active transport (walking + cycling)
- Cultural expression and local economic growth
- Systems thinking
- School engagement
It’s the first in the world to use XBlocPlus with seismic modelling, designed to withstand 0.6m sea level rise by 2075 — protecting key routes while enhancing biodiversity.
This is future-focused systems thinking in action.
Read more about how this coastal pathway became a legacy of resilience and innovation
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Tonkin + Taylor Team Wins “The People’s Plan” at Building Nations 2025
Earlier this week on Tuesday night, emerging infrastructure professionals gathered in Wellington for The People’s Plan — an interactive event hosted by TIC Wellington.
This fast-paced, high-energy session challenged participants to collaboratively design a 10-year infrastructure pipeline for Aotearoa. The Tonkin + Taylor team rose to the occasion and were named the winning team of the night!
- Hayden Sander, Civil Engineer – Wellington Civil Team Leader
- Janine Sziklasi, Transportation Engineer
- Mackay Blaikie, Civil Engineer
- Rubie McLintock, Senior Planner
- Tess Breitenmoser, Transport + Civil Engineer
The Challenge: Designing a Decade of Impactful Infrastructure
Participants were grouped into teams and given a clear but complex brief: to plan a pipeline of theoretical infrastructure projects that would benefit local, regional, and national communities — all while working within a fixed budget.
Adding to the challenge, each team member took on a stakeholder role — such as a local or central government official, iwi representative, climate advocate, or private investor — each with their own priorities and strategic goals. As the simulation evolved, teams had to adapt to shifting political dynamics, including a government change that imposed new mandates and cut infrastructure funding mid-way through planning.
Tonkin + Taylor’s team stayed focused on long-term, bipartisan solutions, prioritising projects that supported sustainable, resilient communities despite the changing conditions. The event showcased the next generation of infrastructure leaders and their ability to collaborate, innovate, and make decisions under pressure.
Congratulations to our winning team for demonstrating a commitment to leading projects with purpose and impact.
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Tonkin + Taylor is part of the Te Ara Tupua Alliance delivering the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua, alongside Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Downer NZ, and HEB Construction. This project recently won International Transportation Project of the Year.
Stay tuned for more updates on Building Nations 2025.
