Director Update - Looking Past COVID-19
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The challenges faced across the course of 2020 left many people wondering about the short- and long-term impacts on their business and industry. The land development industry and all associated businesses ‘braced for impact’.
As we moved into lockdown, CKL was thankfully in a strong position, already having put in place the necessary IT infrastructure to facilitate rapid deployment of our workforce to home offices. Our team demonstrated amazing resilience to cope with the changes – restricted site visits and the mandatory social distancing, less interaction with clients and colleagues, and the juggle of work and family life under the same roof.
Business finances were placed under the microscope and every effort made to ensure we were able to remain in a robust economic position. We were always optimistic that the underlying economic and market factors were strong, and it was our belief that the return to normal market conditions for our industry would be swift and strong once the uncertainty and disruption around the pandemic subsided.
Navigating the post-lockdown period and then the most recent political changes, has been challenging. We are proud to have been able to retain all our employees, and our teams are now as busy as they were pre-COVID. This is a good indicator for the future, although there are no doubt further disruptions ahead for both our industry and the New Zealand economy.
The re-election of the Labour Government may provide us with the stability required for recovery and we hope they can drive the New Zealand Economy forward, stimulating the implementation of ‘Shovel-Ready’ projects.
Looking specifically at private land development, we are seeing homeowners continuing to invest in their properties and investigating subdivision opportunities. There has been a steady stream of enquiries across all CKL offices as people look to maximise value from their investments. Developers are continuing to drive projects forward to meet the growing demand for quality housing, and the establishment of new communities is progressing in major centres across New Zealand. What we thought could be a standstill in land development as people tightened their belts, has actually resulted in a return to pre-COVID levels of activity.
On balance, our projections for the coming year remain positive, yet cautious, as we navigate the impacts of COVID and any future challenges. As infrastructure projects come on line we hope to see a further strengthening of the land development industry and business growth.
Bevan, Geoff, Bronwyn, Mark and Cam.
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CKL Tauranga Celebrates 1st Anniversary
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November 29 marks exactly 12 months since we officially opened the doors to our CKL Tauranga office. Over the past 12 months the team has celebrated a number of milestones including team growth, securing new clients, introducing existing CKL clients to land development projects in the Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty region and collaborating with long established consultancies on mutually beneficial projects.
Business is strong and the CKL team continues to grow to meet the local demand for Planning, Surveying, Engineering and Environmental expertise.
Alan Wilkinson, Tauranga Branch Manager, says development opportunities in Tauranga and the surrounding region have remained strong in the face of the global pandemic. Many locals have taken the time during lockdown to firm up plans for residential development as well as commercial and industrial growth. CKL surveyors, planners, and engineers have been busy on the ground in and around the region. Alan Wilkinson along with Mark Batchelor, Planning Manager, and Dan Vernall, Senior Engineer, have also been busy strengthening local business connections as clients are often seeking recommendations for local businesses and contractors to support their development objectives.
Congratulations team on your first year and here’s to many more!
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Welcome to Our New Team Members
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CKL has been extremely busy with land development projects, and COVID-19 hasn’t slowed the work down. Over the past few months we have welcomed new team members to the CKL family.
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Daniel Vernall
Daniel, a senior engineer, has joined our Tauranga team and is working on projects across the greater Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions.
His start date with CKL was postponed a little as a result of lockdown but we are pleased he has finally been able to get his feet under the desk (and out on site!).
Daniel was referred to CKL by a friend in the industry knowing CKL would be a perfect fit for Daniel. That we had an office in Tauranga was also a big attraction as Daniel and his wife Lucy were keen to move to Tauranga to be close to family.
Daniel has slotted right into the CKL team, and he has wasted no time learning new systems and procedures whilst running straight into land development projects such as Doncaster Road Papamoa (link to 3 July FB post), a 100ha development in Taupiri, and a 200-lot subdivision in the Matamata Piako Local Council area. Daniel loves seeing engineering designs transformed into infrastructure and buildings that will be a part of history and impact people’s lives.
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Tracey Morse
Tracey recently joined the CKL team as a senior planner. Able to turn her hand to projects of any scale and relentlessly client focussed, Tracey divides her time between between our Hamilton, Te Awamutu, and Auckland offices according to project requirements.
Tracey has a background in land development and loves challenging and complex projects – “the curlier the better!”. This attitude has seen her apply her expertise to projects with consenting requirements that include contamination, ecological, archaeological, special character, and heritage elements. Tracey is outcome driven and is able to effectively navigate a pathway within the RMA to ensure the best solution for all parties. The diversity of work at CKL keeps her motivated as every day is different.
Most recently, Tracey has been successful in achieving full membership of the New Zealand Planning Institute. A panel interview was the final step in the application process which includes portfolio assessment work, competency assessments, and multiple full member endorsements. Full membership demonstrates a well-rounded breadth and knowledge of planning (all things theory and practice) and is the recognised pinnacle in the profession for a practising planner. Congratulations Tracey!
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Connor Muir
Fresh out of his Bachelor of Environmental Planning degree, Connor started with CKL as a Field Assistant before moving across to a role as a Planner. Originally from Taranaki, Connor has relocated to the Waikato and works from our Hamilton and Te Awamutu offices. He is working mainly on subdivisions at the moment but is keen to learn and spread his wings. Connor has come to us with some great work experience, gained whilst studying at the University of Waikato, including internships with Fonterra, Taranaki Regional Council and Waikato Regional Council. We are looking forward to supporting his career growth and development.
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Hayley Evis
Working outdoors and as part of a team in a new and challenging role is what motivated Hayley to contact CKL and apply for the Survey Field Assistant role in our Hamilton office. With a background in horticulture and having recently purchased a lifestyle block in Waitetuna, Hayley was keen for a career change. She is a great fit for our team and brings a high level of energy and enthusiasm to her work. Outside of work and on weekends, Hayley can be found surfing the left hand break at Raglan or riding her mx bike at the track.
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Mitchell Drain
Mitchell completed his Bachelor of Surveying at the University of Otago in November 2019 and worked for 12 months as a graduate surveyor before he joined the CKL team in Hamilton. He has already demonstrated good professional knowledge and time management skills whilst working with the surveying team on a number of local projects. He is looking forward to gaining greater surveying experience with the broad range of projects CKL is undertaking.
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2020/21 Interns
CKL also welcomes the 2020/21 interns. We have a strong group of future engineers, planners and surveyors, each at different stages in their studies. Each intern will be with us for 3 months during Uni holidays and have the opportunity to contribute to a range of client projects. The real-world exposure provided through intern placements such as this is a great way for students to fully immerse themselves in their chosen field of work and get experience under their belt.
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(L-R) Jack Wade (Transportation Engineering), Simon Williams (Surveying), and Regan Lafferty (Surveying) in Hamilton.
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Thomas Edwards (Environmental Engineering) in Auckland.
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Sian Potter (Surveying) in Te Awamutu.
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We are actively recruiting for new team members. If you would be interested in joining the CKL team, or know someone who is looking for their next career move, get in touch with us now - contact Anna.Redwood@ckl.co.nz
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Project Update: Remote support for Vanuatu during COVID-19
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Bronwyn Rhynd and Andy Dow in Vanuatu in December 2019
(when we were able to travel!)
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CKL has been working with UNICEF, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Department of Water Resources since 2019 to improve community, school and healthcare water and sanitation facilities in Vanuatu. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project became even more important as access to clean water and handwashing was a critical element in disease control.
CKL applied a consultative design process, and the ability to work remotely, to continue to support Vanuatu throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The CKL environmental engineering team provided technical support to the Department of Water Resources in Vanuatu by creating standard drawings for:
- Tapstand soakaway retrofit
- Tank stand only (for rainwater tank)
- Air valve box
- Inclusive tapstand design
- Flow splitter general arrangement
- Typical pipe road crossing.
These designs relate to the improvement of water supplies, access to handwashing, and reduction of waterborne and communicable diseases. The inclusive tapstand design removes barriers to access for people living with disabilities. The features include wheelchair friendly ramps and easy-to-turn tap handles.
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Project Update: Kimihia Lakes Restoration
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CKL is very proud to support the Kimihia Lakes Restoration and Development project through the Waikato District Plan Change process.
This amazing project to rehabilitate Huntly East Mine and create a major recreation and youth development asset for the towncame about when locals Murray and Jennifer Allen bought the former Huntly East opencast coalmine in 2018, which neighbours their family farm. They held a vision to create a lake that would provide opportunity and facilities for the local Huntly community in terms of employment, recreation, and training and education opportunities. Talking about the project, CKL’s Judith Makinson says, “We work on a range of projects every year every once in a while a really special project comes along that you know is going to make a difference to a whole community. Kimihia Lakes is one of those ‘specials’ and we feel truly privileged to be part of the team helping Murray, Jennifer and the Kimihia Lakes Community Trust giving back to Huntly”.
CKL prepared an Integrated Transportation Assessment (ITA); considering the traffic and transportation effects of the proposed development. The ITA is focused around enabling the proposed zone change, which will support a range of land uses on site such as outdoor education and recreation of the restored lake, camping and lodge style accommodation, a community hub, and a potential coalfields museum showcasing the coal mining heritage of Huntly.
The Kimihia Lakes Community Charitable Trust has been established and with the support of the Huntly Karioi Outdoor Trust and Momentum Waikato, plans are taking shape to rehabilitate what once was one of the largest lakes in the Waikato. The lake was drained in the 1950s to allow for opencast mining operations. Rainwater is now slowing filling the mine pit and over time is expected to create a 1.2km-long, 500m-wide and 59m-deep roto. This is already attracting waterbirds such as the previously endangered New Zealand Dabchiks (also known as Weweia or Grebe).
The rising water will eventually top out at a culvert and start draining into the adjacent remnant of the original shallow Kimihia peat lake, saving it from toxicity and dry off.
In the future the Kimihia Lakes Community Centre will be built on the new lakeshore providing a multi-purpose recreational and community complex.
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Project Update: Land development at Halls Farm East, Orewa
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CKL has been involved in a multi-stage, 43ha land development project with Orewa Developments Limited at Halls Farm East for a number of years, and we have recently hit the halfway mark. The project has seen CKL team members from all practice areas come together and work with our development and construction partners to deliver innovative solutions for what is a challenging site, in terms of both planning and engineering. Team members were drawn from our planning, surveying, civil engineering, transport engineering, and environmental engineering teams. The project has been defined by innovation and collaboration, particularly with the Geotech.
Planning and consents have been completed, and services, roading, and pedestrian accessways have been built. Stage 1 was completed in the 2017/18 construction season and Stage 3 in 2019. After a detailed market assessment and redesign, Stage 2 is now about to commence. This provides a solution which our client is sure will attract both builders and potential residents to a new and unique land and house concept.
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Project Update: New recycling facility for Waste Management, Hamilton
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Waste Management is investing in a new, purpose-built refuse transfer station and waste management facility in Wickham St, Hamilton. The site is off SH1 and accessed from Kahikatea Drive. As industrial and public access to the facility is required, road safety is paramount. CKL was engaged to survey the site and provide transportation engineering expertise. The CKL team conducted an Integrated Transportation Assessment and provided a Traffic Management Plan to facilitate driver and pedestrian safety. To avoid southbound traffic turning across SH1 at the point of a sweeping bend, access via Killarney Rd and Higgins Rd has been recommended. CKL liaised with Councils and NZTA to ensure road use was approved by all parties, and site access information is now available on the Waste Management website. The new site will include a waste sorting facility, an upcycling area for public access, a recycling facility, as well as an area for the disposal of green waste.
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Career Milestone for Phillip Nicholson
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Phillip Nicholson (right) on a development site.
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Phil has been a core part of CKL’s Auckland engineering team as a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor for almost three years. Having gained greater exposure to a diverse range of projects, he had been thinking about taking the next step in his professional development by applying to become a Registered Professional Surveyor (RPSurv). The first COVID lockdown period provided him with the opportunity to act on his intentions. Phil used his weekends to compile a portfolio that demonstrated the breadth and depth of his professional expertise in Project Management and Land Development Engineering and made a submission to the industry body representing survey and spatial professionals - Survey and Spatial New Zealand Tātai Whenua.
His portfolio was assessed for technical competence, innovation, critical thinking, integrity, professionalism and ethical behaviour. The RPSurv distinction has been awarded to Phil, and he becomes one of a limited number of New Zealand surveying and spatial professionals to achieve this recognition.
Phil is now able to sign off on engineering work submitted to Auckland Council and WaterCare in conjunction to surveying work and assume greater responsibility for land development projects.
We are extremely proud of Phil’s achievement and congratulate him on the new post-nominals - Phillip Nicholson Engineer – RPSurv LCS MS+SNZ.
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Congratulations on PMP Certification
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In a season of examinations, two members of CKL’s team achieved notable ‘Project Management’ examination success in November 2020. Ingrid Howard and Kane Beadle, both located in CKL’s Hamilton office, have successfully gained their ‘Project Management Professional’ (PMP) Certification from the internationally-recognised Project Management Institute (PMI) based in Philadelphia, USA. Gaining such a prestigious global qualification is no sinecure, and the achievements of both Ingrid and Kane have involved considerable capability, commitment and tenacity on their parts in acquiring the high levels of knowledge, experience and performance necessary in successfully managing and delivering a range of significant projects on behalf of clients over a number of years.
CKL applauds their achievement which will enable the successful delivery of more complex land-development projects in the future and provide a sound basis for the on-going growth of CKL as a company.
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Once again, CKL was well represented with five teams for the Rodney Coastal Challenge held on the 15th November. This iconic multisport race traverses the Rodney district from Muriwai Beach on the west coast, to Wenderholm Regional Park on the east coast, and consists of a 10 km forest run, 30 km road bike, 25 km mountain bike, 8 km paddle and a 100 m run to the finish. This event has been organised and run by the Kaukaupakapa Scout Group for 24 years and attracts over 300 participants from the Auckland area and beyond. It was a great day enjoyed by all. We look forward to participating again next year!
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Kuki reka for Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust
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Here at CKL, our people get to work with a wide range of clients – from your small scale “mum and dad” one-off developers, to corporate developers, commercial and industrial clients, and community groups. It’s great to get the best possible results for each of these clients. Every now and then though, a special project comes along that gives you the extra special warm fuzzies and reminds us just how special what we get to do is. Recently, one of those rare warm fuzzy projects, an upgrading of the facilities in Frankton for our kaumatua run by the Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, reached a significant milestone of gaining resource consent approval to complete the next stage in their upgrading plans.
That milestone itself was enough to have all of the team involved feeling pretty awesome, so you can imagine how blown away the Hamilton CKL team were to receive an assortment of their delicious kuki reka (cookies) that they are selling as part of fundraising efforts for the upgrade project.
If you think these kukis look extra tasty (they really are – they didn’t last long in our tea room!), we recommend you check out buying some from the Trust – either contact the Trust via 0800 333 359 or reception@rauawaawa.co.nz, or pop into their whare at 50 Colombo Street, Frankton. They’ll also be selling kuki reka kani (cookie cutters, to make your own kuki reka at home!) – tu meke!
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CKL Christmas and New Year office hours
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Christmas and New Year celebrations this year will bring together family and friends with a renewed sense of perspective and gratitude. Whilst loved one overseas may not be able to take a seat at the dinner table, we hope technology provides you with some form of connection and togetherness. The team at CKL send you every best wish for a safe and happy festive season - Meri Kirihimete!
Our offices will be closed from 12 noon on Wednesday 23 December 2020, and reopen Wednesday 13 January 2021. Should you have an urgent requirement over the break, please call 09 524 7029
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