Catch up with news stories Engineering New Zealand has contributed to – from advocacy on the most pressing issues affecting your profession, to expert commentary on engineering in everyday life.
2026
Fuel supply disruption arising from conflict in the Middle East is a major and ongoing story. Engineering New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Richard Templer was interviewed by Newstalk ZB after we issued a press release warning the situation could force tough choices in a fiscally constrained environment. Richard urged the Government to maintain a strategic and consistent approach to the infrastructure pipeline.
Meanwhile, The Post and The Press published an opinion piece by Richard supporting science being made compulsory for Year 11 students, after Education Minister Erica Stanford revealed she was seeking advice on the move. The piece linked science education to the broader need for a future workforce capable of tackling New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit. The Minister later confirmed the Government would go ahead with the change and Richard was interviewed by Newstalk ZB and MediaWorks with Engineering New Zealand’s reaction.
We also contributed to a BusinessDesk story about Government agencies underspending on capital investments against what was forecast. Richard provided commentary about “sawtooth” spending hammering the construction workforce.
The Science Media Centre approached Richard to provide a statement in response to a new report shining a light on the human face of science funding cuts.
On a lighter note, we worked with Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Engineering Group chairman Robert Banks to provide expert insight for an RNZ story about getting the office air temperature right as the seasons change.
2025
RNZ, Newstalk ZB and The Platform reported on our press release urging the Government to firm up the infrastructure pipeline. Richard said the halting of work on infrastructure projects has had a devastating impact and called for the urgent release of Government funding.
Richard appeared on RNZ’s Nine to Noon and spoke to Kathryn Ryan about innovation being stifled and major construction hampered by a standards system that's not fit for purpose. The issue was also covered by BusinessDesk after Engineering New Zealand, Business NZ, NZ Certified Builders and a range of industry bodies penned a letter to then Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson.
