I S S U E

MOVING TO NEW ZEALAND?

P.1

AUCKLAND

State of the nation

Civil Contracting

In the civil and infrastructure sector there is a genuine expectation of a busy second half of the year as a number of major projects get under way. This month another major project in the north island was awarded with a second due to be awarded in a few months time. Both of these projects are worth half a billion dollars or more and once underway will require significant manpower. Add that to the current projects just getting started and the pressure on the industry will be intense later this year. Acknowledging this, clients are looking closely at their future situation and will be acting to get the right people on their teams. My clients are mindful that their requirements will be broad, including foremen, supervisors, engineers, project managers and everything in between. Watch this space to see the roles as they come through. Although the clocks will be changing soon and the window to speak with the UK will shrink I’ll still be on the phone every morning in preparation of those busy times ahead. If we haven’t spoken already and you’re keen to discuss you options then send me an email to pponder@catalystrecruitment.co.nz and we’ll take it from there.

Building Construction

Another very positive month for the Construction sector. Most of my clients are working at full capacity and there is a lot more work to be awarded from all the hard tendering over the last 12 months. Hiring managers are bracing for what might come out of the mix. And of course – this is not just a temporary peak as the construction sector is expected to grow considerably over the coming years with the Christchurch Rebuild and with Auckland’s population growth.

My clients fit into 2 categories. The large national construction companies and the large regional Tier2 builders.

National Construction Companies. We are preferred suppliers to all of the 5 national construction companies. Only one is recruiting heavily at the moment and they are seeking strong senior level staff in Auckland, Central, Wellington and Christchurch as part of an overall growth strategy to grow by some 40%. More generically, they are finally starting to look at

strong international candidates for Project Management and Site Management roles in Christchurch.

Large Regional Tier 2 builders. These guys are a bit more hit and miss and at present are not in full planning mode. They will hire international candidates – especially QS’s, but they find the turnaround for international Project Managers and Site Managers a little too long. They are falling over quality candidates who can be ready to commence work within 4 weeks, which does not always fit with immigration requirements. Those who are taking the plunge and sorting medicals and police checks and visiting are rarely disappointed, but don’t just make that decision yourself, you really need a great CV and stable tenure for my clients to get excited. If you are thinking about it – give me a call and I can advise +649 307 6112

Consulting Engineers

Great candidates who are ready to commit to a move to New Zealand are always of interest, but the onus is a little on you at present. You have to be well beyond the “I’ll come if you give me a job” stage. But each person’s case is a little different so please give me a call +649 307 6112

There are many ways to keep in touch with us at Catalyst. Obviously this monthly newsletter is one but we are very active on Linked In and would encourage those not already there to join our groups and link to our company page in order to receive the latest news. If that’s not enough we also have our blog pages, job board and Facebook pages to keep you in the loop. Having your details is only the first step in making the move to New Zealand a reality so get in touch now to discuss your plans and aspirations and we’ll do all we can to help.

Follow us via the links below;

linkedin.com/company/catalyst-recruitmentcatalystrecruit.wordpress.com/catalystjobs.co.nz/christchurchrebuild.co.nz/facebook.com/CatalystRecNZ

this issueState of the nation P.1

NZ history P.2550 metre tower for Auckland P.3

Big step for City Rail P.4$140M precinct for Christchurch P.5

Auckland still has world’s third best quality of living P.6The grass isn’t greener P.7

David Howells: case study P.8

68MARCH 2015

Welcome to the State of the Nation for March 2015. As the shops are filling with Easter Eggs and we head towards a glorious long weekend, the New Zealand weather seems to be holding. The nation is however in a philosophical mood as the country reflects on the Black Caps (our national cricket team) efforts at the cricket world cup being overpowered by a dominant Australia. At least it was the first time NZ reached the final.

On a sad note, our colleague of 5 years, Mireille Verdonkschot has moved on to an internal recruitment position working for the Regional Health Board – using her international recruitment experience to hire in Internationally based Doctors to Auckland. We thank Mireille for all of her hard work and support over the last 5 years and wish her well. Andy Hopkins will be taking over the Engineering Consultant desk – one which he set up 7 years ago and managed until recently.

A farewell

to Mireille

Verdonkschot

P.2

New Zealand’s human history is relatively short: it was the last habitable land mass in the world to be discovered, by the ancestors of Māori, probably in the 13th century. Large-scale European settlement began in the 1840s, and the subsequent social, political and economic changes have moved New Zealand from British colonial outpost to multicultural Pacific nation.Full story by John Wilson

New Zealand history

The short story

A quick, easy summary

Read the full story

Māori settlement

The Māori people are Polynesians. Recent research confirms that these first settlers probably arrived from Polynesia between 1200 and 1300 AD. They lived in tribal groups, gardening, catching birds and fish, and making tools, weapons and ornaments.

The first Europeans

The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to discover New Zealand, in 1642. The English navigator James Cook mapped the country in 1769–70. After this, sealers, whalers and traders arrived. Beginning in 1814, missionaries tried to convert Māori to Christianity, and taught them farming skills, reading and writing.

1840s–1850s: a new British colony

As more settlers arrived, the British government decided to take control of New Zealand. In 1840, Māori signed the Treaty of Waitangi with representatives of the British Queen, who sought sovereignty over the country. In return the Queen’s representatives promised Māori ownership of their land, and the rights of British citizens.

1860s–1880s: conflict and growth

Māori were pressured to sell their land for settlements. In the 1860s, war broke out, and land was confiscated or bought. New Zealand made money selling its wool and gold overseas. In the 1870s, the government helped thousands of British people start a new life in New Zealand. Railways were built and towns sprang up or expanded.

1890s–1945: social change and war

In 1893 New Zealand became the first country to give women the vote, among other liberal reforms. In the First World War, it joined Britain in the fight against Germany. In the 1920s and 1930s many New Zealanders suffered hardship in a world-wide depression. They voted for a Labour government which passed laws aimed at giving everyone a decent standard of living. During the Second World War, New Zealand troops again served overseas.

The later 20th century

From the 1950s, New Zealand widened its outlook beyond Britain, which had been the main market for the country’s meat, wool, butter and cheese. It began to sell its goods to many different countries, and was increasingly influenced by the United States. At the same time, it kept its identity as an independent nation.

Changes for Māori

Many Māori moved to the cities after the Second World War. It was not until 1975 that their concerns about their treatment by the government began to be taken seriously. From about this time Māori began reviving their language and culture.

A more diverse nation

For a long time New Zealand wanted to remain ‘white’. But since the 1970s many more ethnic groups have been allowed to settle – from the Pacific Islands, Asia and every corner of the globe.

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history

Kororāreka Beach, by Augustus Earle

P.2

P.3

NZX giant listed landlord Precinct Properties has announced details of its $550 million Downtown skyscraper for Auckland’s CBD and a deal to pay Auckland Council $27.2 million for part of Queen Elizabeth Square.

Scott Pritchard, Precinct chief executive, released the first images of the huge new 36-level glass tower to be built on what is now the Downtown Westfield site between the square, Lower Albert St, Customs St East and Quay St.

The decision means one of the final hurdles to the planned City Rail Link has now been cleared.

Precinct’s 1900 sqm square purchase is conditional on successful rezoning of the land which includes the road stopping process and a plan change so commercial development on what is now public land can go ahead, Precinct said in an investor presentation released to the NZX this morning.

“Auckland Council will use funds to provide alternate public space,” Precinct said, also citing “an agreement with Auckland Council to provide an east-west pedestrian laneway through the Downtown development, linking key transport infrastructure.”

Precinct is only buying part of the square – the area where the volcano fire/fountain now stands outside Whitcoulls, between the HSBC Tower and the Zurich block.

Longer-term council plans are to abolish the busy road which now runs through the centre of that square on public land and shift buses further into Britomart and a block west to Lower Albert St.

Precinct aims to begin building its giant glass skyscraper next year and has also struck a deal with Auckland Transport, so tunnels for the City Rail Link are built, ready for that big public project to proceed.

Pritchard said the skyscraper’s costs have risen 10 per cent from $400 million-$500 million to $550 million due to plans for a larger building as well as construction cost escalations.

Auckland Transport will pay Precinct $9 million compensation for the tunnels’ volume and a further $10.7 million for the additional costs of the developer straddling the land with its piles for the enormous tower.

Precinct described that last aspect of the deal as “payment of additional costs of office tower construction due to CRL tunnels $10.7 million.”

All that provides Precinct with the ability to proceed with its Downtown tower development and it said it also reduced the CRL costs to Auckland Transport.

$550m tower for Auckland CBD

P.4

Auckland Council recently announced a big step forward in its City Rail Link project, revealing details of the deal struck with listed landlord Precinct Properties to have underground tunnels built near the waterfront, under a new $550 million glass skyscraper.

Mayor Len Brown described the deal as a milestone and an historic moment for Auckland.

“This is the first step towards the construction of the CRL. It will lead to an exciting transformation of the public spaces around the Britomart train station area. And it’s an example of how a partnership with the private sector can deliver economic transformation and more jobs in Auckland,” he has just announced.

He also released new images of the Britomart station and a map showing where the tunnels would run.

New rail tunnels must be constructed through the site now occupied by the Downtown Shopping Centre, which Precinct owns, the statement said.

Precinct also owns two adjacent commercial office towers – HSBC Tower at 1 Queen Street and Zurich House at 21 Queen Street, it said.

The deal between the two parties enables the rail tunnels to be built as part of the Downtown Development Project. Elements involved include the sale to Precinct of part of Queen Elizabeth Square for $27.2 million; Payment to Precinct of $9 million for provision of an East-West pedestrian laneway between Queen Street and Albert Street and compensation for tunnels volume; Payment of $10.7 million for additional costs of office tower construction due to CRL tunnels; and the creation of a new downtown civic space between the project and Britomart, the statement said.

Mr Brown said the deal meant a coordinated approach could now be taken to the construction work, with Auckland Transport building the CRL tunnels either side of the Precinct downtown shopping centre site from Britomart to Wyndham Street and Precinct Properties building the tunnels below its site.

Big step for City Rail Link

P.5

Christchurch Hospital

The precinct will include shops, offices, cafes, bars and car parking around a network of laneways and air bridges.

Christchurch’s wealthiest man, central city landlord Philip Carter, is behind the plan. Construction starts soon and the precinct will occupy new and heritage buildings on over a hectare of land between Cashel, Colombo, Lichfield and High streets. It is due to open in October next year.

Carter promised the development would be ‘‘the cornerstone of a vibrant and world-class retail precinct that will be a drawcard for locals and visitors alike’’.

The hospitality area would be open from daytime to evenings and feature a distinctive glass bubble facade.

‘‘It will give the central city a new heart and pump life back into the retail precinct as a whole,’’ he said.

Tenants have not yet been announced but are likely to include fashion and food and beverage outlets.

Carter said tenant interest had been ‘‘very strong’’.

A leading possibility is British global fashion retailer Topshop, as Carter has taken a shareholding in the company’s New Zealand arm.

Office floors will be at either end of the precinct, with hospitality in the middle.

An existing air bridge will link it to Ballantynes to the west and it will also link to The Crossing car park, which Carter has bought from the Christchurch City Council.

Carter has bought 80 per cent of the site since the earthquakes, expanding his smaller holding that was on the Cashel-Colombo corner under the original Crossing name.

He joins other landlords including Tim Glasson, Nick Hunt and Antony Gough in launching his development under special Christchurch Central Development Unit rules for the city’s retail core. Owners must put together masterplanned developments with pedestrian links.

Carter said this requirement had made planning harder but he was very pleased with the result.

‘‘We’ve spent a lot of time making sure there was plenty of sun and light and shelter. Getting the car parking was key to making it work,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s all going to start happening around here now – this area is really changing quickly.’’

Source: The Press, Liz McDonald

$140 million precinct for Christchurch

Plans for a glossy $140 million development in the City Mall have been unveiled.

P.6

Auckland still has world’s third best quality of living -

survey

Christchurch Hospital

Auckland has taken the title of world’s third-best quality of living - for the third time running.

The City of Sails came third in two previous Mercer Quality of Living survey, in 2014, and in 2012.

Mayor Len Brown said the ranking was great news, but Auckland still had a long way to go.

“The major thing we need to address is our transport infrastructure.”

The survey ranks cities on factors such as culture and environment, political stability, safety, infrastructure and ease of doing business.

Austrian capital Vienna was the top-ranked city globally, followed by Zurich in Switzerland (2), with German cities Munich (4), Dusseldorf (6) and Frankfurt (7) all highly ranked.

Wellington came a respectable 12th, while our Australian cousins didn’t fare so well, with Sydney coming 10th and Melbourne well-behind on 16th.

The survey analysed dozens of living standard factors including crime, health, water sanitation, climate, infrastructure, transport, political stability and ease of communication for 230 cities around the world.

Vancouver (5) in Canada was the top city in North America and good results for Toronto (15) and Ottawa (equal 16) prove Canadians live well despite the cold.

San Francisco (27) scored highest in the US, while London

in the UK was ranked 40th.

But Mercer principal Slagin Parakatil said emerging cities like Wroclaw (ranked 100) in Poland, Xian (142) in China and tech-savvy Hyderabad (138) in India were trying to improve.

“These so called second-tier emerging cites are investing, particularly in infrastructure, to improve their quality-of-living standards and ultimately attract more foreign companies,” he said.

QUALITY OF LIVING TOP 10

1. Vienna, Austria

2. Zurich, Switzerland

3. Auckland, New Zealand

4. Munich, Germany

5. Vancouver, Canada

6. Dusseldorf, Germany

7. Frankfurt, Germany

8. Geneva, Switzerland

9. Copenhagen, Denmark

10. Sydney, Australia

Source: Mercer 2015 Quality of Living Index- AAP and NZ Herald

Auckland has again come third in a global quality of life survey.

P.7

The grass isn’t greener: More Kiwis sticking to this side

of the Ditch

Christchurch Hospital

Figures released in Statistics New Zealand’s latest International Travel and Migration survey recorded a net migration gain of 53,797 new migrants in the year to January 2015, more than double the 25,700 that arrived in the year to January 2014.

The total number of immigrants arriving on a permanent and long-term basis was 111,522 in the year to January, while 57,725 people left on a permanent or long-term basis, leaving a net population gain of 53,797.

The country lost a net total of 2888 people to Australia in the year to January, a decrease from the net losses of 17,100 in the January 2014 year and 37,900 in the January 2013 year. This is smallest net loss to Australia since the June 1992 year, when 2800 people crossed the ditch.

ASB senior economist Chris Tennent-Brown said the trend of fewer people leaving for Australia was likely to continue this year.

“If you look at the labour market as an indicator [for migration], the New Zealand labour market is really going from strength to strength at the moment, and the Australian labour market could still get worse over the year ahead,” he said.

He said the work opportunities in New Zealand were more attractive than those in Australia.

Most new migrants came from Australia, but the biggest net gain of migrants in the year to January came from India, followed by China, the UK, and the Philippines.

Most of the new migrants settled in Auckland, followed by Canterbury and Wellington.

• 10,776 net migrants from India.

• 7588 net migrants from China.

• 5072 net migrants from the UK.

• 111,522 long term or permanent residents arrived in New Zealand.

• 57,725 New Zealand residents departed.

- NZME.

The allure of the lucky country is fading, as fewer Kiwis leave for Australia and more return - a brain gain forecast to continue this year.

Photo / Doug Sherring

The Catalyst Team

Andy Hopkinsahopkins@catalystrecruitment.co.nz

Phil Ponderpponder@catalystrecruitment.co.nz

Address:PO Box 17405Green LaneAuckland 1546

490 Coatsville – Riverhead HighwayAlbanyRD3Auckland 0793

Phone:+64 9 307 6111

Fax:+64 9 307 6110

Website:www.catalystrecruitment.co.nzwww.christchurchrebuild.co.nz

Blog:www.catalystrecruit.wordpress.com

P.8

David Howells

Case study of moving to NZ

Current Employer: Maltby’s Ltd

What inspired you to consider moving with your family to New Zealand?

Simply I was looking to provide a better quality of life for me and my family. By this I mean my partner and I both enjoy an outdoor lifestyle and feel the lifestyle on offer in NZ reflected our desires. We both enjoy running and outdoor living and feel NZ would provide an ideal opportunity for us to spend more time doing this. Secondly my son had just turned 1 and felt this would be the ideal age for him to relocate and would provide him with an engaging, vibrant and spacious environment to grow up in. From a professional stand point I also believe that working in NZ would broaden my knowledge and increase my career prospects.

Has New Zealand lived up to your expectations?

Absolutely!

How has your life changed since moving to New Zealand?

On a day to day basis our routine is similar. However during weekends we are able to enjoy varied and relaxing activities that wouldn’t have been possible in the UK. We live on the North Shore in Auckland and are less than a mile away from the local beach so naturally spend a great deal of time there.

What one thing would you have done differently?

Although not always possible I would have liked to have spent more time exploring the country before starting work. I arrived on the Thursday and started work on the Monday.

What one thing do you wish you had known about before moving?

Auckland traffic can be a nightmare at peak time. However I’ve tried to get around this by taking the bus as there is a dedicated bus lane from the North Shore into Auckland CBD.

What advice would you pass to someone commencing the process?

Don’t under estimate the Visa process. As well as completing X-rays, medical examinations and police checks and the time frames involved in each the paperwork can also be slightly complicated and lengthy, particularly if applying for the whole family. However don’t let that put you off. What we found useful was making a checklist, putting it on the fridge and trying to approach it as logically as possible.

Looking back with hindsight, do think you have made the right move for you and your family?

Definitely. If anything we wish we’d done it sooner.