MAGIC ABROAD IN THE AIR

Time for rational debate

The release by the government of its long-awaited stocktake of conservation areas listed in Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act is the perfect time for a rational debate over mining in this country.

Crown land already protected

While there is concern of opening Schedule 4 land to mining, there is little pulbic awareness of the current protections against adverse and potentially negative impacts of such activities.

Fifty years of moving earth

For half a century, since the age of 15, Rick Goodman has been self-employed. Now a special birthday gift from his family brings back memories of his early working life.

A partnership founded on clay

Te Uku near Raglan, Meridian Energy’s latest wind farm, is ahead of schedule thanks to its close working partnership between developers and contractors.

Fifty years in the trenches

Graeme Blackley takes a look at his career and the industry in general as he and his company mark a half-century in contracting.

The bridges of the ETA

More than just the clients were happy with Fulton Hogan’s performance on the East Taupo Arterial project.

Winning lift

This year’s crane project of the year was different to most – highly complicated and technically precise, and, unusually, a maintenance job rather than a new build.

Signed, sealed, delivered

E Carson and Sons has secured the New Zealand agency for an internal pipe sealing system that allows leaks to be repaired quickly, without having to expose the pipe.

Looking back - the making of big Benmore

At the time of its construction Benmore was the largest earth-fill dam in the Southern Hemisphere and certainly the biggest construction job ever attempted in New Zealand.

Harnessing a cold wind

The southernmost and coldest wind farm in the world was completed this year thanks to a collaborative effort between New Zealand and the US, and innovative designs by Kiwi engineers and construction teams.

Full steam ahead

Construction of Nga Awa Purua, the second power station on the Rotokawa geothermal resource north of Taupo, has just been completed. Contractor reviews its unique design and construction.

Seal of approval

We should give a collective thumbs-up to the nation’s premier state highway finally being sealed from end to end. Completion of the last few kilometres to Cape Reinga was United Civil Construction’s biggest ever project, and the company has done the job in style.

A lesson in small hydro

A scheme that revitalised an abandoned 250-kW hydro scheme on the Onekaka River can thank a small group of enthusiasts who battled today’s environmental red tape nightmare to become investors in valuable renewable electricity.

Crown land already protected

While there is strong concern over opening Schedule 4 land to mining, there is little public awareness of the current protections against adverse and potentially negative impacts of such activities.

Fire on the mountain

Removing debris and replacing a skifield café and groomer shed destroyed by an arsonist high up Mt Ruapehu is a long and costly project that is testing men and machines.

Ocean imagery

The spectacular new bridge on New Plymouth’s coastal walkway looks from one angle like the bleached skeleton of a whale, and from another, evokes the image of a breaking wave.