Big Names, Big Issues, Big Ideas: join us at New Zealand’s premier infrastructure conference
Building Nations is one of the most significant events on Australasia’s infrastructure calendar, attended by 800 plus delegates and a key forum for discussing upcoming trends and challenges in the infrastructure sector.
With the theme Building Regions, key topics at this year’s symposium will be:
- Planning, funding and shaping regional growth
- Lifting the productivity of the infrastructure section
- Regional connectivity
- Water sector reform and
- Delivering affordable housing at scale.
Hear from a compelling line up of high-profile international speakers, including Sir Howard Bernstein (Former Chief Executive Officer Manchester City Council), Andrew McNaughton (Strategic Advisor HS2) and Alan Sutherland (Chief Executive Water Industry Commission for Scotland), Hon. Phil Twyford (New Zealand Minister of Transport), Hon. Shane Jones (New Zealand Minister of Infrastructure), Hon. Grant Robertson (New Zealand Minister of Finance), Steve Chadwick (Her Worship the Mayor of Rotorua) and Jim Boult (Mayor of Queenstown).
Then relax and build lasting relationships with the industry at more than 12 networking events, including special events for women in infrastructure.
Attending Building Nations is the ideal way to start your New Zealand holiday.
This year’s conference will be held in Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s premier tourist destinations.
Rotorua is home to a range of unique experiences including stunning landscapes, geothermal activity, Māori culture, and is the perfect gateway to exploring wider New Zealand.
Enjoy iconic Rotorua experiences at an industry networking day, where delegates can choose from a range of complimentary activities, from the relaxing to the adrenaline-fuelled.
Not just a regional event, Building Nations is attended by delegates from the United Kingdom, Australia, China and Japan.
Here, Nick Hudson from Infrastructure Partnerships Australia talks about his experience attending the conference from Australia last year.
Why did you attend building nations?
“The New Zealand infrastructure market is undergoing unprecedented change in terms of governance, institutional arrangements, investment priorities and delivery.
“Building Nations exposes delegates to decision-makers, plans and innovations that will shape the market for years to come.
“Two reasons – I was invited to speak on a panel, but more importantly because it is a key event for New Zealand and Australian bilateral relations on infrastructure policies and projects.
“It’s a really good way to build and maintain networks with key players in the New Zealand market.
“The conference has everyone there and it gave me clear understanding and visibility of the infrastructure investment pipeline.”
What value does this event offer to delegates from Australia?
“In terms of infrastructure investment, New Zealand is the third largest market in the region behind New South Wales and Victoria. Australian delegates are provided with an open platform to understand this dynamic infrastructure market.
“All the key government and industry players are present at the forum.
“If you are an Australian organisation working in the New Zealand market, or looking to enter, there is no better opportunity to build relationships and understand the market.
“It also helped me understand the key Australian players operating in the New Zealand market and their business operations.”
Who attends the conference?
“It’s the most senior levels of public and private sector leaders in the New Zealand infrastructure market.
“There’s also excellent international representation – from Australia, the United Kingdom, and keen interest from the Chinese market. It really has an international flair to it.”
Why would you recommend infrastructure leaders from Australia attend Building Nations?
“It strikes the right balance between high quality infrastructure debate and information, with many excellent social and networking opportunities.
“It’s all delivered within a relatively concise timeframe and the sessions cover the whole infrastructure lifecycle, so there is something for everyone.
“Building Nations also has an excellent profile in New Zealand.
“There is good Ministerial participation, and the New Zealand Herald produces a lift out infrastructure section that covers all the topics and announcements – evidence of the significance of the issues being discussed and the calibre of the people participating.
“The infrastructure challenges that Australia and New Zealand are facing are actually very similar, so there is a lot that we can learn from each other.”
If you would like to find out more about Building Nations and to reserve tickets and accommodation, visit our website infrastructure.org.nz/BNS-2019/
*Copy supplied by Infrastructure New Zealand
