In this Tall Stories podcast, host Juliana Wilson speaks with Michael Richards, Customer Success Manager at Revizto, and Islam Khaled-Abbas, 2024 Next Gen Winner at the Building People Awards. Michael has carved out a career at the cutting edge of digital innovation. Known for his curiosity, collaborative spirit, and ability to communicate complex technologies in simple, engaging ways, he now helps teams across Aotearoa and beyond unlock the power of digital tools in construction. Islam represents the exciting future of the industry. Based in Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland, he is completing his carpentry apprenticeship with BCITO. His award-winning “big idea” calls for integrating counselling skills into the Licensed Building Practitioner programme, equipping site leaders with better tools to support mental health on construction sites. Alongside his training, he’s building experience with the goal of one day owning his own residential construction business. Their conversation explores: Starting out in the industry – two very different career journeys and what shaped them The role of technology in bridging gaps between digital natives and hands-on builders Big ideas that can shift culture, from digital innovation to mental health support Influential people and pivotal moments that shaped their careers The rewards and challenges of projects that make a real impact Advice for others starting their construction careers and looking for inspiration Full of insights, lived experience, and fresh perspectives, this kōrero is about embracing change, curiosity, and big-picture thinking. When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Tāmaki Makaurau Listen for the full conversation.

In this Tall Stories podcast, The Institute’s Southern Region Committee (Otago branch) member and Associate at RCP, Jared Glue speaks with Mackenzie Barnett and Skye Duncan. Mackenzie is in the early stages of her career in the construction industry, she studied as a Quantity Surveyor and is now learning the ropes as an Assistant Project Manager at RCP in Dunedin. Skye had her start in Architecture before completing her master's at Columbia University, working in New York in City Government and then starting up the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI). After being based in the US for a number of years she now works remotely from her hometown of Dunedin. Their conversation spans multiple topics including: More about the GDCI, how it came to be and what it does to transform urban spaces to improve people’s lives The challenges of working at a global scale including navigating world politics and cultural differences Starting out and moving past your nerves – making the most of experienced people around you. You’ll never know everything. How to help people accept and embrace change – people can’t imagine what they don’t know The need for more visibility about construction career paths in school – particularly for girls and young women. Plus, a whole lot of passion for the industry and being part of positive change. Listen for the full conversation. When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Ōtepoti | Dunedin at RCP’s offices.

In this Tall Stories podcast, The Institute’s Southern Region Committee (Otago branch) member and Associate at RCP, Jared Glue speaks with Andrew (Holmsey) Holmes and Blair McGill. Between them Blair and Holmsey have over 70 years of construction industry experience Holmsey is the Project Director Outpatients - Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora on the New Dunedin Hospital, and Blair is the Regional Manager at Cook Brothers Construction. The pair have experience, stories, advice and wisdom in spades and share it in this episode. They discuss: Challenges they have overcome in their career including taking a big step up and managing hundreds of people and getting crushed by 3 tones of steel (two name just two!) Trying things out early in your career to learn and see what fits – trying different things and get a broad range of experience. Changing your mindset – pressure rather than stress and a challenge not a problem. Using every project as a learning opportunity – even the ones you don’t enjoy can help you to learn. Ask others for help and advice – they are happy to give it but make sure you stay authentic to yourself and your own ideas rather than just taking on someone else's ideas. The bespoke nature of New Zealand’s construction industry – for good and bad. The importance of taking opportunities and upskilling to keep from being left behind – particularly when it comes to technology. + so many excellent pieces of advice they have accumulated during their time in the industry. Listen for the full conversation. When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Ōtepoti | Dunedin at RCP’s offices.

In this Tall Stories podcast, Northern Region Committee member, Juliana Wilson, speaks with Simone Sharp, Director at Rubix, and Anntonina Savelio, Zero Harm Advisor at Hawkins. They discuss: Growing up in Manurewa, South Auckland (something they happen to have in common). Their shared experience of receiving Keystone Trust scholarships and how important the network of support from Keystone Trust has been to them both. How important mentors have been in their career and how they are both giving back to others through being a mentor. Pushing yourself further to try new things and take on new challenges in your work. Learning something new on every project and using that experience on the next project. Being proactive in your own career – not being afraid to make big decisions about your career or changing tack. Working on challenging projects and getting through communication challenges. Listen for the full conversation. When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Tāmaki | Auckland at the ProClima Hub.

In this episode of Tall Stories, Sophie Prebble, the Institute’s Marketing and Communications Lead, talks with Justin Flitter. Justin has a background in Tech Marketing, as the Chief AI Officer at AI New Zealand he provides independent and practical advice to help business leaders decide how to leverage AI across their organisation. He is also a Director and Board member at Business Mentors New Zealand. Hespoke at the Institute’s annual conference in 2025 - DigiComm25. Justin discusses: Staying at the forefront of technology throughout his career His work at New Zealand AI including the AI Academy, and the Great AI Roadshow where they visited smaller regions as well as the big cities. The common fears of and resistance to working with AI. Advice for where to start with AI – Find ways that AI can help you and enhance your capabilities. How New Zealand’s Construction industry could use AI to help with efficiency including: Using it to translate between different languages on site Saving time and money finding the right information in documents Automating drafting of written documents Quickly comparing estimates vs realities Listen for the full conversation packed full of advice for starting or continuing your AI journey. When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.

In this episode of Tall Stories, Jamie Summers, Project Director at The Building Intelligence Group and Northern Region Committee Member speaks with Isaac Kett and Jamie Rodriguez. Isaac is a Senior Associate at Frequency, and won the 2024 GIB Supreme Award at our NZ Building People Awards. Jamie is the Sustainability Manager at Winstone Wallboards (GIB) and has had an impressive start to her career in the emerging area of sustainability. They discuss: Pivotal moments in their careers including moving overseas and back again and shifting tack to follow your passions and interests. Learning lessons from others along your career path and passing the good ones on to others. Making your own path when there isn’t a clear one ahead of you. The importance of working collaboratively and bringing others on the journey – particularly when you want to bring about change or innovative ideas. Plus, we hear about Isaac’s award-winning work on Pukekohe to Papakura project, what he did that set him apart, and how the win has shifted things for him. Listen for the full conversation. When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Tāmaki | Auckland at the Pro Clima Hub.

In this episode of Tall Stories, the Institute’s former Projects Lead, talks with Alex Doyle. Alex is an Assistant Project Manager at The Building Intelligence Group (TBIG) based in Wellington. He's still new to the industry with just a couple of years’ experience under his belt. Alex discusses: Growing up in Timaru and his love of the South Island Getting thrown in the deep end as a positive Having influential mentors who bring different perspectives – being ‘a sponge’ and learning from everyone. The importance of building trust and strong personal relationships – then following through on what you say you’re going do. The skills needed as an Assistant Project Manager – Accuracy, people skills, communication and what a day in his role looks like. Being positive, open, hardworking, and not having an ego and ultimately being a good person. Listen for the full conversation. When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.

In this episode of Tall Stories Sophie Prebble, the Institute’s Marketing and Communications Lead, talks with Christina de Boer. Christina is the Head of Design Delivery at Summerset and the Chair of the Institute’s Central Region Committee. Born and raised in rural Scotland, Christina always new she wanted a career where she could do something practical. Starting in Engineering, Christina’s natural leadership qualities quickly led her into management roles and then onto Design Management. Meeting and marrying a Kiwi led her to a life here in Aotearoa. Christina discusses: Working in the UK versus NZ Current technical challenges she faces in her work including managing multiple different consent processes around the country. How having kids and not being able to control everything changed her perspective and made her a better manager. Being open to trying different technologies and software. How all those in the construction industry would benefit from having a broader understanding than just their own role. A positive change she’s seen in the last five years of a greater understanding of people who have different opinions (i.e. designers and builders). How having a positive, can-do attitude is the greatest asset. Listen for the full conversation. When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.

In this episode of Tall Stories Hannah Nansett, the Institute’s former Projects Lead speaks with Emily Newmarch and Professor Robyn Phipps. Emily is the Sustainability Lead, Low Carbon Specialist at Warren and Mahoney and completed her PhD at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Robyn is the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and was named as a Fellow of the Institute in 2023. They discuss: Their shared passion for sustainability in construction Overcoming imposter syndrome – including advice such as trusting yourself, remembering no matter peoples titles they are all just people, pushing through the doubt and finding people whose ideas resonate with you. The challenges of being a woman in a male dominated industry and way that is changing. Along with the importance of financial literacy for women in particular. The importance of finding good mentors – surround yourself with people you admire and then watch how they work. How mentoring and volunteering is a two-way street – you’ll get out even more than you put in. Plus, advice including: find your fire, believe in yourself, and don’t compare yourself to others. Listen for the full conversation. When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.

In this episode of Tall Stories Hannah Nansett, the Institute’s former Projects Lead, sat down with James McLean and Emily Hall. Emily is a Master of Architecture student at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and at the time of recording had just started a summer internship as an Architectural Assistant at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott. James McLean has a background in Structural Engineering and is a project Manager at LT McGuinness working most recently as the Project Manager on the ambitious Living Pā project. Both James and Emily were successful at our 2024 NZ Building People awards with Emily coming away as one of the Resene Next Gen Winners and James receiving a Highly Commended in the BCITO Emerging Leader Award category.   In their conversation they discuss: The importance of networking and mentoring in furthering your career The tricky state of the industry particularly for those entering it - how important it is to take all the experiences and opportunities you can to help your chances Working on a cutting-edge ambitious project like The Living Pā including examples of technology used on the project. How being less experienced may have helped when taking on such a challenge project. Dreaming big and taking risks to make changes to how the construction industry views sustainability – including the importance of taking lessons learnt from one project to the next. Maintaining mental and physical health through physical activity and keeping up connections with likeminded people. The opportunities brought by being part of the Institute and entering the Awards. Listen for the full conversation. When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.

In this episode of Tall Stories Adam Baxter one of the Institute’s fantastic Southern Region Committee members sits down with Kyle Pol and Heath Turnbull. Kyle is an Area Manager with CPB Contractors and has been with the company for over a decade. Heath is the Technical Director, Design and Sustainability at Preformance Building Technologies. They discuss: Working overseas on large projects and lessons they brought back with them to Aotearoa. Technical challenges on previous projects. The rate of change in the industry – are we moving fast enough? How can we nurture that change? The positive change that’s taken place in health, safety and wellbeing – this is one way our country is leading the charge. How they approach leadership and mentoring the next generation. Finding balance while pursuing excellence – something’s got to give. Plus, we hear about their shared experiences working together in the past – Christchurch is a small place! When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Ōtautahi | Christchurch at Aurecon.

In this episode of Tall Stories Adam Baxter from our Southern Region Committee talks with Samantha Morris and James Woods. James is Chair of the Institute’s Southern Region Committee and Managing Director of Image Construction. Sam started out her career in Engineering and is now a Project Manager – Red Zone at Christchurch City Council. The three have a wide-ranging conversation covering topics including: Finding and building on your core strengths to get the most out of your career The changes in the industry over time particularly in how people treat each other and the importance on wellbeing and embracing ‘humanness’ Never stopping learning and evolving – at all stages in your career – different generations learning from each other. There is no one right career path and it’s never too late to make a change - side steps can be important to find what suits you best. Challenging ‘hustle culture’ and shifting how we work. Looking after yourself and finding your own ‘sustainability’ when it comes to your workload and the pressure put on you both externally and internally. The importance of feedback from others along with shifting your mindset and your own expectations.

In this episode of Tall Stories Adam Baxter sits down with Steve Kleehammer and Milly Perkins – all three are members of the Institute’s Southern Region Committee. Steve is the Regional Construction Manager at Ryman Healthcare and a member of the Institute’s National Board and Milly is a Project Manager at RCP. The podcast was recorded shortly after the 2024 NZ Building People Awards where Milly was part of the winning Collaboration team who worked on the Papa Hou project in Ōtautahi | Christchurch. They discuss: Milly’s part in the winning project team and what made the Papa Hou project different. How collaboration as a concept and practice has changed in the construction industry over the years. Finding your place in the industry by focusing on your natural skill set and working hard to build on it. The most important lessons are learnt from the most challenging projects. Learning through listening and then asking the right questions – whether in a formal mentoring setting or informal setting. Maintaining your wellbeing and looking after yourself – along with checking in on others if they don’t seem like themselves. Listen for the full story.

In this episode of Tall Stories Hannah Nansett, Projects Lead at the Institute of Building speaks with Dennise Austin and Stewart Peck, two of the Institute’s Central Region Committee. Dennise has been in the construction industry for 26 years working in a variety of sales and business roles across a number of New Zealand companies. Alongside sales roles Dennise is also has her own business as the Director of ChainCraft NZ & AU. Stew is a Senior Project Manager at Naylor Love and has worked in a number of roles between Naylor Love and McKee Fehl since 2006.   Dennise, Stew and Hannah discuss: The importance of not rushing on to the next thing – taking your time to learn and get the fundamentals right first. Asking all the ‘silly’ questions early on in your career or role so you don’t get stuck not knowing when you’re expected to know and being able to make mistakes in a safe environment and learn from them. The positive changes in they’ve seen in the industry particularly in diversity as well as changes in expectations around work life balance. How impressive the younger generations are coming into the industry – there’s lots to learn from them. The importance of building relationships and trust, and always being nice! Listen to hear the full chat.

It’s a family affair in this episode of Tall Stories where Hannah Nansett, Projects Lead at the Institute of Building speaks with father daughter duo Stephen and Claire Cummings. Stephen is a Quantity Surveyor with more than 35 years’ experience in the construction industry and is the Director of Pandion. At the time of recording Claire was just finishing up her construction management cadetship at Maycroft, she’s since been promoted to Project Manager at the company. In their discussion they cover: Sticking to the family business of construction and being excited to go to work each morning The benefits of training through a cadetship – and how being a cadet works Positive changes in the industry around professionalism and diversity The balance of having a family and working in a demanding industry Looking forward to the future of construction.

In this episode of Tall Stories Hannah Nansett, Projects Lead at the Institute of Building speaks with Gracen Luka and Jake Nash. Jake is the Senior Associate and Digital Support Lead at Warren and Mahoney. He has grown his career with the firm over the past 14 years and is now a leader and mentor to new recruits. Gracen was the winner of the Emerging Leader award at the 2023 NZ Building People Awards and was also given a special commendation from the Supreme Award judges. After several years growing her career in Aotearoa she is currently c working as a Development Manager at Stockland in Sydney. They discuss a range of topics including: Making the leap from study to work – learning to put yourself out there and sell yourself, showing resilience and perseverance when times are tough and learning from those with more experience. The importance of mentors in your career and how to shift from being a mentee to a mentor. The reward of completing projects and passing on knowledge. Navigating changes in technology – try not to get too overwhelmed – you can’t do it all – if possible split things up among a group. The importance of only biting of what you can chew – setting realistic expectations for adopting new tech. Work life balance – it’s the managers who need to put the limits in place and tell people to go home!

In this episode of Tall Stories, Sophie Prebble, the Institute’s Marketing and Comms lead sits down with Tess Epton and Mana Ashford. Tess is currently studying a Master’s of Architecture at the University of Auckland and has been successful in a range of extracurricular competitions including being on the winning team in ArchEngBuild 2022 and as a finalist in the Institute’s 2023 Next Gen Awards. Mana is a NZ Institute National Board member, at the time of recording Mana was the Māori Engagement Manager at MBIE though the future of his unit was in question after the change in government. Since recording his role was disestablished and Mana is heading in a new and exciting career path as a Partnership Manager at I am Hope. Their discussion covers a wide range including: What’s driven them both to get into the construction industry Changes in the industry over the years The importance of the industry continuing to become more inclusive Overcoming self-doubt with support from others Tess’s experiences competing at ArchEngBuild Mana’s former life as a professional rugby player Plus, life outside of work and study including golf, yoga and special effects makeup.

In this episode Mana Ashford, NZ Institute National Board member speaks with Jane Jujnovich and Darren Knight. Jane is a Project Director at Kāinga Ora and has been with the organisation in a number of roles for over 20 years.  In 2023 Jane won the Innovation Award at the Institute’s NZ Building People Awards for her work leading the transformative Te Mātāwai project in Tāmaki | Auckland. Darren is the Auckland Commercial Area Sales Manager for Winstone Wallboards (GIB) and has built a career with a range of roles across major products and companies in the construction sector. In their discussion they cover: Understanding the cyclical nature of the construction industry and the importance of being flexible within that, Being a part of positive change for the community and in people’s lives, Changes in increased diversity and the need for targets and concrete goals to move forward, Finding your niche and making yourself indispensable, Learning from others at all levels, Taking opportunities and not saying no, Plus, more chat about skincare than you’d expect… ** apologies for the sound in the middle of the episode, someone was unloading a dishwasher. 

In this episode Mana Ashford, NZ Institute National Board member and Capability Development Manager at MBIE speaks with Natasha Possenniskie and Olly Steele. Natasha is also a member of the Institute’s National Board and is Director of Urban Outcomes Limited. Olly is the Projects Control Lead at The Building Intelligence Group. They discuss: The challenges of being a woman in the construction industry, Practical ways to encourage diversity, The growing role of technology and data in the industry’s future, Working in the UK versus NZ. Plus, Mana’s patented lightning round!

Guy Marriage, academic, architect and author, hosts this episode with guests Julianne Manuguid and George Russell. Julianne is completing her Master’s at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Architecture. She is a member of both the Institute’s Central Region Committee and the Young Professional Advisors, plus she’s done some excellent contract work for the Institute. George is a Project Manager at Wilson Building and Commercial, he was the 2023 Supreme winner at the Institute’s NZ Building People Awards for his work on the Samoa High Commission project. Guy, George and Jullianne discuss the importance of getting on site experience as well as design and theoretical training; using technology and what’s ahead; diversity in Aotearoa’s construction industry; the importance of working in a team and in not burning bridges (NZ is too small for that). We also hear more about George’s experience leading the Samoa high Commission project from how his firm was successful in the tender to the challenged of working on an extremely steep site (even for Wellington where there is never an easy project). George also touches on what made the project particularly special including how Samoan culture and customs were incorporated not just into the building itself but into how his team worked on site.