Spotlight on... Mechanical Engineering Group

Vital statistics

Your name: Simon Hall
Your role: Management Committee Chair
Your Group’s name: Mechanical Engineering Group
Your Group’s field or special interest area: Mechanical and mechatronic engineering

What value or experiences do members gain from being part of your engineering Group?

Our members keep up to date with the latest developments in mechanical and mechatronic engineering through our programme of technical presentations, site visits and monthly newsletters. They benefit from networking with their fellow members at in-person events and have opportunities to comment on and help develop public policy. Our young members have the opportunity to enter the Speak Out for Engineering competition, and our student members benefit from Group sponsorship of their Formula SAE team, and industry judging and prize sponsorship of final year projects.

What is your Group Committee most proud of, and why?

Our Group committee has been able to hold our membership fee at $40 per year for many years – without impact on delivery of services – through prudent financial management and the generous support of our committee’s employers. We’ve also been able to retain free membership for students, which has seen our member numbers steadily rise.

How does your Group work with Engineering New Zealand and other organisations to advance your field or interest area?

The MEG works with other technical interest groups to co-deliver events, in particular EMCONZ – the biennial conference we hold with the Electrical Engineering Group. We contribute to public policy affecting mechanical and mechatronic engineers; for example the issue of standards funding being championed by Engineering New Zealand and the review of vocational engineering qualifications run by VEE.NZ.

How does your Group’s mahi contribute to the lives of Kiwis?

Primarily through discussion of energy and resource topics, as many of our members are involved in these sectors.

What’s a common misconception about your field or interest area that your Group would like to correct?

The general public has a misconception that mechanical engineers are the people who fix their cars. In reality, we are the people who design most of the products they encounter (directly or indirectly) in their daily lives; the machines that are used to make those products, and the equipment that refines raw materials and processes their fuel, food and beverages.

What challenge do engineers in your Group’s field or interest area need to solve right now?

Geopolitical and environmental issues are driving a push to electrify (decarbonise) many mechanical industrial processes, which comes at a high capital cost for companies who (in New Zealand) have little access to capital for investment. This lack of capital is also seeing New Zealand companies fall behind in measures to improve productivity through greater use of automation.

What advice does your Group have for the next generation of engineers in Aotearoa?

Consider heading overseas to gain initial graduate experience, before bringing it back to New Zealand and using it to improve the practices and technologies used in New Zealand engineering. Talk to the current and previous generations of engineers as they have a massive body of experiential knowledge which needs to be passed on. Be flexible about working in office and on-site, as this will provide a superior development of engineering practice compared to working remotely.

About the Mechanical Engineering Group

The Mechanical Engineering Group (MEG) aims to encourage social and technical liaison between engineers of all levels who have an interest in mechanical technology.

Our Spotlight On... series showcases Engineering New Zealand’s Groups and their place in Aotearoa New Zealand’s engineering landscape.