Thank you to everyone who attended Constructive 2024. We had great line up of industry leaders, experts, and decision makers at Constructive 2024.

The information below is for our 2024 programme.

Keep an eye out for information about Constructive 2025.


Hon Tama Potaka
Minister for Māori Development, Minister for Whānau Ora, Minister of Conservation, Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, and Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing)

Tama Potaka is from Mōkai Pātea, Whanganui, Taranaki, and surrounding Iwi of Te Tai Hauāuru and Te Kāhui Maunga. 

He is he Minister for Māori Development, Minister for Whānau Ora, Minister of Conservation, Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, and Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing). He is the MP for Hamilton West. Prior to entering politics in the 2022 Hamilton West byelection, Tama was the chief executive of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki. He has been a senior advisor to the NZ Super Fund and served as general manager at Tainui Group Holdings in Hamilton. 

He is married to Ariana and thy have three tamariki (Tiaria, Te Awarua and Aorangi). Tama has a Bachelor of Arts (Māori Studies, Political Science) and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from Victoria University and a Master of Laws from Columbia University.



Hon Chris Penk 
Minister for Building and Construction, Minister for Land Information, Minister for Veterans, Associate Minister of Defence and Associate Minister of Immigration

Chris Penk is the Minister for Building and Construction, Minister for Land Information, Minister for Veterans, Associate Minister of Defence and Associate Minister of Immigration. He is also local MP for the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate in Auckland’s rural north and northwest.

Chris studied at the University of Auckland, gaining a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). After his initial studies, he joined the Royal New Zealand Navy, serving on frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, and then the submarine squadron of Australia’s Navy.  After practising law for a number of years, including in a firm he co-founded, Chris entered Parliament in 2017 to represent the then-Helensville electorate.



Rt Hon Chris Hipkins
Leader of the Labour Party & MP for Remutaka, Spokesperson for Ministerial Services, National Security and Intelligence

Chris Hipkins is the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Remutaka. Chris became the Leader of the Labour Party in January 2023. 

Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Chris held a range of Ministerial portfolios. Following the 2017 election, he became the Minister of Education, Minister for the Public Service and Leader of the House. Chris later took on the ministerial portfolios for Health, COVID-19 and Police, where he delivered a range of measures to make New Zealand safer and fairer for everyone.

Chris is a father of two who loves spending time with his family, particularly in the Hutt Valley, his home.



 

Michael McQueen
Keynote Speaker
Brought to you by Mitre 10 Trade 

Michael McQueen is a multi-award-winning speaker, change strategist and bestselling author of ten books. With clients including Google, Toyota and Mastercard, he has helped some of the world’s most successful brands navigate uncertainty and stay ahead of the curve. Michael is a regular commentator on TV and radio and his work has featured in publications ranging from The Guardian to Forbes and CNN. In addition, Michael is a familiar face on the international conference circuit having shared the stage with the likes of Bill Gates, Mel Robbins, and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Michael has spoken to over 500,000 people across 5 continents since 2004 and is known for his engaging, entertaining, and practical conference presentations. Having been formerly named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year, Michael was inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame.

Preparing Now for What’s Next for the Construction Sector

In this fast-paced & research rich keynote presentation, trend forecaster Michael McQueen will explore:
• The key technological trends will shape the coming 5 years for the construction sector with a specific focus on generative AI and its transformational potential for building design and functionality
• How evolving consumer and societal expectations around sustainability will redefine the
competitive landscape
• The defining attitudes, habits and expectations of Gen Z and how to meaningfully engage next generation customers, apprentices and employees
• A blueprint for innovation and staying at the cutting edge in fast-moving times

Find out more about Michael here.



Ankit Sharma
CEO, Registered Master Builders Association 

Ankit Sharma is the CEO of the Registered Master Builders Association (RMBA) in New Zealand, where he oversees the organisation’s strategic direction, long-term growth, and the development of strategic capabilities. Previously, he served as the Chief Operating Officer at RMBA. An executive with diverse experience across multiple sectors, Ankit has a strong background in corporate governance, strategy, and business transformation.

Prior to joining RMBA, he held senior positions at Todd Corporation, including CEO of Todd Digital, where he spearheaded digital innovation and transformation.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and certifications in Project Management and Business Relationship Management.

Ankit is passionate about driving innovation in the construction industry and believes that the right technology and partnerships can enable the sector to innovate and grow sustainably.
 


Jehan Casinader
MC and Facilitator

For the seventh year, award-winning journalist Jehan Casinader is our MC and facilitator for Constructive. Jehan is one of New Zealand’s top storytellers. He was named 'Reporter of the Year' at the New Zealand Television Awards in 2018, and 'Best Political Columnist' at the Voyager Media Awards in 2022.

In the aftermath of natural disasters, terror attacks, sporting triumphs and everything in between, Jehan has helped hundreds of Kiwis to share their vulnerable, deeply personal stories with the rest of the country. A survivor of depression and suicidality, he is the author of This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life (HarperCollins).

As a facilitator and keynote speaker, Jehan helps to shape important conversations about topics like wellbeing, leadership and diversity. At Constructive, he’ll host lively conversations and debates about the biggest challenges – and opportunities – facing our sector.


Justin Carnie 
Managing Director, CDL Building 

Justin is the owner/managing director at CDL Building. Justin is known for his innovation, integrity and flexibility that forged CDL Building to be a leading residential construction company in Central Otago. 

Justin’s industry knowledge is founded on a 27+-year career starting as an apprentice builder at the age of 16. In 2005, CDL Building came into fruition with Justin at the forefront. During the transition from builder to businessman, Justin has invested his time in mastering all aspects of the business, effectively improving his leadership, and capability to handle high pressure situations.  Justin’s successful approach to business is to lead by example, portraying himself as a soundboard and creating a strong culture from the top down. 

He has committed to an intentional hiring process that has built a reliable team that Justin knows he can trust. In Justin’s words, “Our greatest asset and key to our success is our people, we believe that each of us need a sense of dignity, pride and satisfaction in what we do. Because satisfying our clients depends on the united efforts of many, we are most effective when we work together collaboratively, respecting one another’s contribution and importance”. 

Continuous learning is a priority to Justin, respecting tradition whilst exploring the industries innovations, trends, and developments is at his utmost importance. 

Justin leans on his network of colleagues, mentors and friends—Master Builders being an invaluable resource and wealth of knowledge.  
 


Matthew Cutler-Welsh
Senior Manager - Residential, NZBGC

Matthew’s mission is to inspire people to make a better place to live. He is currently the Senior Manager - Residential at the New Zealand Green Building Council, focusing on Aotearoa’s environmental rating tools for homes. 

Matthew has an Honours Degree in Natural Resources Engineering and has over 15 years of experience leading residential energy efficiency projects in New Zealand and Australia. 

An experienced presenter, facilitator and podcaster, Matthew has interviewed over 300 architects, builders and industry experts from around the World on Home Style Green and the Passive House Podcast.

Prior to training as an engineer, Matthew was an Outward Bound instructor in New Zealand and the US. 
 


Claire Falck
CEO, BRANZ

Claire Falck is the CEO of the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ), an independent building research and testing provider for Aotearoa New Zealand. She is passionate about collaboration, which is at the heart of all BRANZ’s work. She is committed to a future where all New Zealanders can live in safe, healthy and low-carbon homes.
 
Claire has enjoyed a wide-ranging career in both the public and private sectors, specialising in system design and complex transformation assignments. She has held senior roles with New Zealand Police Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa, Ministry of Social Development Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora, and the former Housing New Zealand Corporation. Most recently, Claire was practice lead at MartinJenkins, notably leading the establishment of the all-of-government Covid Command Centre. She joined BRANZ as General Manager System Transformation in February 2021, and was appointed CEO in August 2023. 
 


Dominic Foote
CEO, New Zealand Housing Foundation

Dominic is the Chief Executive of Housing Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable housing provider, which assists lower-income working Kiwis to own their first home. Dominic believes the Housing Foundation is unique in NZ, it is a developer of new affordable housing and a leader in providing affordable homeownership products for households locked out of the homeownership market. 

Housing Foundation focuses on delivering new homes that are affordable, healthy, and sustainable for its families. Key to this is how the Housing Foundation manages its development and construction costs across the development cycle, from land acquisition to property construction. 

Dominic's career has almost entirely been in the development and housing sector, mostly in the private and not-for-profit housing sectors in NZ and the UK; focusing on delivering small to large-scale urban developments. 
 


Di Foster
Business and Mindset Coach 

Di Foster is a storyteller and draws on her lessons from business, her terminal cancer diagnosis, her experience as a fourth-degree black belt and the front row seat from coaching accidental business leaders. Her genius is in her simplicity.  Taking complex issues and distilling them down with her programmatic approach to business and life.  She certainly leaves an audience with a lot to reflect on, a new zest for living and a clear understanding what is holding them back.    


Jane Henley
Innovation Parnter, Aurecon 

Jane is on a mission to improve the performance of the building and construction sector.  She has been driving system transformation across the sector for the past 20 years. Jane has international leadership experience, including at the World Bank, at the nexus of sustainability, innovation and impact investment. 

Since returning to Aotearoa in 2020, Jane’s has been leading strategy development across government and industry on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and digital innovation, at the Construction Sector Accord, now with Aurecon. She has board advisory roles and start-up interests in the construction sector. 
 
 


Stu Hercus
Project site manager at LT McGuinness 

Stu is a leading site manager at LT McGuinness. He has a wealth of expertise in exteriors and facades. He is well regarded and well organised with an ability to get on top of all aspects of a construction challenge and has worked on jobs ranging from schools to top-end apartments and big downtown office towers.

Stu has a Bachelor of Building Science degree and a Diploma in Construction Management. He is a good listener known for his considered and thoughtful approach. Since 2019 he has been displaying his natural leadership skills at the recently completed Takina, Wellington’s new Exhibition and Convention Centre. He is currently working on the Te Matapihi project. 


Bernard Hickey
Financial Journalist and Editor 

Bernard Hickey is an independent economic and financial commentator based in Auckland. He produces a daily email newsletter about the political economy of housing called The Kākā and a weekly podcast through The Spinoff called When the Facts Change. 


Mark Holland 
Partner, Hazelton Law 

Mark Holland is a Partner at Hazelton Law. The Association has partnered with Hazelton Law for over seven years with Hazelton Law providing advice and services to Members, including the free referral service. 

Mark advises client’s on contract negotiations and carries out contract reviews in relation to the commonly used standard form contracts and bespoke contracts.   

Mark’s litigation practice encompasses adjudication, arbitration and court proceedings. He also has experience in alternative dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation, and judicial settlement conferences.  He also advises clients on claim preparation for variations and extensions of time. 


Poul Israelson
Technical Director, Harrison Grierson

Poul is a technical director at Harrison Grierson based in Wellington. He is a town planner with over 30 years experience in the public and private sectors in New Zealand and Australia. He prepares and presents evidence to Councils throughout New Zealand in both a policy and development context and has experience as an expert witness. He has been the lead for many complex consent applications and has experience of the other fast-tracking mechanisms from his project work including the Bothamley Park Trunk Sewer that is currently under construction in Eastern Porirua.


Tony Johnson
Director, Wood Engineering Technologies 

Tony has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology (with Honours) and is a director of WET Gisborne Limited.  He was Chief Operating Officer of Tenon Limited a NZ public listed company until the sale of the business to a partnership.  Previously he was involved in a successful start up that trades globally in manufactured wood products. He previously worked for Fletcher Challenge Limited in general management and international business development roles in wood and steel and prior to that was involved in the meat industry.  He has been involved with the WET project since its inception.


Aidan Jury 
Sales and Franchise Director, Jennian Homes

As the Jennian Franchisor - Aidan is responsible for the Jennian network nationally focusing on Franchisee Sales, Development and Coaching rolling out best practise to Jennian Franchisees across the national Jennian network.
 
Jennian teams feature in most regions on RMBA Regional Boards and are representative of the typical RMBA member base. 
 
Prior to joining Jennian, Aidan held a selection of senior roles with suppliers to the building sector in both Australia and NZ.
 
Aidan chairs the RMBA Residential Working Group and he was instrumental in developing the RMBA Residential Building contract and construction protocols for the Residential sector during Covid 19.


Monique Kelly 
General Manager, Wao Aotearoa

Monique is co-founder and General Manager of Wao Aotearoa, a charitable trust based in the Queenstown Lakes District. Winner of the Ignite Wānaka Business Awards Outstanding Individual in 2019 and finalist in the Sustainable Business Network Sustainability Superstar Awards in 2022, Monique leads with passion and purpose. Wao operates on a whole of community level taking a strategic approach to accelerate systems shift working by with groups in the building sector, tourism and services industry as well as on impact funding, food resilience and with youth to drive transformative change. Wao aims to inspire, educate and enable communities to shape the future from the grassroots up. It’s focus areas are climate and ecosystems action, exploring regenerative economics, building community resilience and strengthening collaboration and partnership. 

Prior to setting up Wao Aotearoa, as a trained lawyer, Monique worked with the International Labour Organisation on international employment policy and standards setting including in the areas of occupational safety and health, migrant workers and child labour. She is the co-founder of Wānaka based Revology, curator of the Revology Concept Store and currently a Director on the board of New Zealand Functional Foods looking at future food opportunities for New Zealand.
 


Nick Lane 
Commercial Captian, Qorox 3D

Nick is a director and Commercial Captain at QOROX. Having founded his own successful construction company in Hamilton in 2009, the opportunity to be a part of NZ's first Concrete 3D printing business landed at his feet.

Nick has spent over 20 years in the building industry, involved in residential and light commercial builds. A mindset of always challenging the staus quo and doing things differently meant the challenge of adopting 3D printing couldn't be ignored.

Nick has been involved in many different sectors, from aviation to retail and believes construction has the largest opportunity to gain from its adoption of innovative solutions. 


Michael Leggat
Barrister and Solicitor 

Michael Leggat is a Wellington lawyer with over 30 years’ experience in employment law.

As well as extensive experience in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court and in employment mediations, Michael provides clients with strategic advice on employment agreements, legislation and legal trends and workplace issues as they arise.

For a number of years, by arrangement with Registered Master Builders, Michael has provided free initial consultations to members on employment and related workplace matters.

Michael has also written extensively on employment law, being a long-time contributing author to the Lexis Nexis publications Mazengarb`s Employment Law and Employment Law Bulletin.


Chris Litten 
General Manager, BRANZ

Chris Litten is the General Manager of Research at BRANZ. He leads a group of 40 researchers focussing on supporting and driving improvements in the building system through evidence based, actionable and accessible knowledge. 

He has a strong background in leadership, business development, knowledge transfer and building relationships and partnerships with industry leaders, Government officials and science providers.  With a background as a research chemist, Chris has led many multi-disciplinary teams in Europe and New Zealand within both Government and Crown Research Institutes. 

Chris enjoys seeing the impact that BRANZ research is making to Aotearoa New Zealand.


John Lucas
Insurance Manager, ICNZ

John Lucas joined ICNZ in 1996 as Insurance Manager. He is responsible for the Motor, Commercial Property, Marine and Finance Committees. John began his insurance career with NZI in the early eighties, specialising in farm insurance and commercial property underwriting. He then moved to the UK where he worked for a number of broker firms before specialising in insolvency insurance placement in the London and Sydney insurance markets. John is a Senior Associate of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.

 


Dan McGuinness
Director and General Manager LT McGuinness

Dan McGuinness is a Director of LT McGuinness, a full-service commercial construction company with over 75 years’ experience in Aotearoa New Zealand.

LTM has delivered many of the major buildings making up our Capital city, and today operates across Auckland, Tauranga, Central North Island and Palmerston North. LTM has evolved from a third-generation family company to a workforce of over 350. With a strong focus on people and relationships, LTM builds deep connections in the communities it works in, employing a strong local workforce and growing talent through its joint venture partnership with Ngāti Toa - Rāranga.

LTM has built some of our country’s most technically challenging projects – from pioneering seismic innovation, to protecting our national buildings. With seven decades of experience across the Wellington region, LTM is a leader when it comes to base isolation and damper technology construction.

Alongside its work in building resilience, LTM is on track to become one of New Zealand's first zero-carbon certified building contractors. It is currently constructing one of Aotearoa’s most sustainable building projects, Victoria University’s Living Pā, which is part of the International Living Building Challenge.

As a Director of LT McGuinness, Dan has over 20 years of hand-on experience in construction, a Bachelor of Construction (QS) from Massey University, and is a NZIQS fellow and an NZIOB member. 
 


Adrienne Miller
CEO, UDINZ

Adrienne Miller is CEO of the Urban development Institute of New Zealand (UDINZ)and before that was General Manager, NZ for the Infrastructure Sustainability Council. She has worked for more than 25 years in and around construction and infrastructure, working in waste (WM), building products(CHH), construction companies (Downer and Fletchers), a public sector water utility (Watercare); consulting (in private practice and her own boutique consulting firm, Cupola)

In addition to her executive work, she has a number of governance and voluntary roles. She is in her second term on the Building Advisory Panel at MBIE, was a foundational member of the WIN Advisory Board at Infrastructure New Zealand and in her capacity as a Trustee of Diversity Works NZ chaired the DWNZ project Steering Committee for the Construction Diversity Roadmap. She also was member of the Infrastructure Reference Group within the Construction Sector Accord 

She is regularly asked to chair and facilitate events and writes and speaks on a range of issues facing the sector. 


Kura Moeahu (QSO)
Tumu Whakarae (Principle Advisor Māori), Parliamentary Services 

Ngā Ruahine, Te Āti Awa, Taranaki –Tuturu, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Toa. Kura Moeahu has strong whakapapa connections to the Wellington Region and Taranaki. Raised amongst his mother’s people of Waiwhetu Marae, he is a tribal leader and is currently the Chair of Waiwhetu and Pipitea Marae, Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa, Atiawa Toa FM Radio and the Harbour Island Kaitiaki Board. He is also a board member of Creative NZ and holds several directorship and advisory roles.

Kura is a Cultural Advisor and Consultant who has a strong background in Māori governance, strategic planning, Treaty of Waitangi facilitation, and Iwi engagement and is the Tumu Whakarae [Principle Advisor Māori] in Parliament, where he oversees and ensures tikanga Māori is upheld and promoted within Parliamentary Services.

In 2022, Kura was a recipient of the Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Award and the Te Awe Māori Business Network Award, which recognises commitment to the Wellington community. In 2023, he received a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for his services to Māori and the arts.

Kura is a true orator of his people and is steeped in ancient karakia, whakapapa, and kōrero tuku iho. He and his wife Alishia are a formidable couple, often seen leading many functions throughout Wellington, at Parliament, and at local, regional, national, and international events.

Kura and Alishia enjoy spending time with whānau and friends, especially with their mokopuna.


Chris Speed
Director, Dunning Thornton Consultants 

Chris Speed is a Director at Dunning Thornton Consultants, an innovative structural engineering consultancy based in Wellington. Chris has been involved in the design and delivery of a number of high-profile building projects, including the new BNZ Centre and Takina (Wellington Convention Centre). Managing risks and balancing long term-thinking (flexibility, resilience, sustainability) with short-term constraints (budget, buildability, programme) have been key to these project’s successes.

Chris has a passion for sustainability through the use of the appropriate materials and a drive for simplicity, efficiency and reduction of waste. When these principles are drivers of a collaborative design process, project risks can be reduced and delivery can be fast, affordable and most importantly best for the environment.


Ronnie Tan
Founder and CEO, CreditWorks

Ronnie Tan founded the CreditWorks Group in June 1998 and is a pioneer in New Zealand Commercial Positive Data Credit Reporting. Through Creditworks innovative products and services, Ronnie has provided New Zealand businesses with credit management tools for improving their credit management. Ronnie has spent 40 Years in the credit industry at management levels including at American Express, Leasing, Finance and trade organisations. Ronnie is also a voluntary mentor and an avid golfer.  


Jennifer Taylor
Business Director, Bright Build 

Jennifer is Director of Bright Build, an award-winning, energy-efficient residential building company; a member of Passive House New Zealand, a Registered Master Builder and was previously on the Wellington Registered Master Builder Executive.  Her passion is to ensure all New Zealanders have access to homes that enable health and eliminate fuel poverty.    

As the Environment Lead at the Construction Sector Accord - Jennifer was working with both government and industry to help New Zealand building be successful, sustainable and low-emission.  Currently Jennifer is consulting to construction entities to create sustainability programmes that generate positive outcomes for both the environment and business.  


Aaron Thule
Programme Manager, Wao 

Aaron (originally from California) has held positions across the public, private and not-for-profit spheres. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Political Economy and holds a career focus in community development. After sailing to New Zealand from San Francisco, he quickly found work for the Ministry of Education in Whangarei. However, the pandemic led him to Wānaka where he now lives with his partner and works for the not-for-profit Wao looking at how to successfully transition communities to a more sustainable future, with a large focus on the construction sector.