27 Aug 2026
Take five with Janine Burling, Emerging Talent Program Lead at Downer New Zealand. Find out what changes she's witnessed in the profession over time, what she enjoys about her role and the engineering behind her hobby of building miniature Christmas villages every year.
Downer Emerging Talent Program Lead Janine Burling. Photo: supplied
Whether it’s a graduate gaining confidence, a cadet completing a qualification, or someone stepping into their first leadership opportunity, it’s incredibly rewarding to know that I’ve played a small part in helping them achieve their goals.
Name: Janine Burling
Role: Emerging Talent Program Lead
Organisation: Downer New Zealand
Location: Christchurch
Favourite chocolate flavour: Peppermint dark chocolate
What does your role entail?
My role is to design, deliver and support programmes that help graduates, cadets, interns and scholarship recipients develop their careers. I work closely with our business leaders, managers and emerging talent to create great learning experiences, career opportunities and pathways that help build the future talent pipeline for Downer.
And what's your favourite part of the role?
Seeing people grow. Whether it’s a graduate gaining confidence, a cadet completing a qualification, or someone stepping into their first leadership opportunity, it’s incredibly rewarding to know that I’ve played a small part in helping them achieve their goals.
How has the engineering profession changed in the time that you've been involved?
The industry has become much more focused on technology, sustainability and collaboration. Digital tools, data, AI and innovative construction methods are changing how we design and deliver projects. There is also a stronger focus on diversity, wellbeing and developing people, which is helping create a more inclusive and future-focused industry.
Why are you a member of Engineering New Zealand?
It helps me stay connected with the wider engineering profession. Engineering New Zealand provides access to professional development, industry insights, networking opportunities and a community of people who are passionate about engineering and making a positive impact.
Why do you encourage graduates and cadets to become members? What's in it for them?
Membership provides so many opportunities early in their careers. It helps build professional networks, supports ongoing learning, provides access to events and resources, and can help individuals work towards professional registration in the future. It’s a great investment in both personal and professional growth.
What's your favourite piece of engineering in Christchurch?
My favourite piece of engineering in Christchurch is the Bridge of Remembrance restoration and strengthening project following the 2011 earthquakes. The bridge is an iconic Christchurch landmark and an important war memorial, so seeing it carefully repaired, strengthened and preserved was a fantastic example of how engineering can protect both our history and our future. The project showcased the skill required to combine modern seismic engineering with heritage preservation, ensuring the structure remains a lasting symbol for future generations while improving its resilience to future earthquakes.
Tell us about your hobby. Is there any engineering involved?
Yes! One of my favourite hobbies is creating a miniature Christmas village each year. The display includes over 150 buildings, a working train, lighting, and hundreds of miniature people and scenes. While it started as a fun Christmas tradition, it definitely has an engineering element to it. Planning the layout, designing how everything fits together, setting up the electrical components, and troubleshooting any issues requires a lot of creativity, problem-solving and attention to detail. Every year I look for ways to make it bigger and better, so it's become a great way to combine creativity with some engineering thinking.
There's plenty of engineering involved in building an entire village every year. Photo: supplied
Peppermint dark chocolate – is that your go-to?
It's my favourite chocolate flavour, bar none! I love the combination of rich dark chocolate with the fresh peppermint flavour. It’s the perfect mix of indulgent and refreshing. If there’s a block of peppermint dark chocolate around, it definitely doesn’t last long!
