Tonkin + Taylor is supporting several pivotal events this October, providing opportunities to connect with industry leaders and address key challenges in infrastructure and environmental resilience. Highlights include the NZSOLD symposium (15-16 October), which focuses on dam safety updates and engineering excellence, and the NZ Rail Conference (16-17 October), offering insights into rail industry innovations. The National Lifeline Utilities Forum (17-18 October) will explore infrastructure resilience and emergency management, while Futurespace (23-24 October) brings together consultants and leaders to foster courageous change in leadership and innovation. These events provide valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking across critical sectors.
New Zealand SOLD Symposium
This symposium marks a crucial year for dam safety and engineering in New Zealand, amidst regulatory, technical, and political shifts. As the demand for energy and water security rises, our industry faces challenges such as updated seismic and flood models. Our core mission remains clear—protecting people, property, and the environment from dam failures.
The event offers timely insights into the 2024 updates to the New Zealand Dam Safety Guidelines, following a year of applying the 2023 revisions. Day one will focus on preparing dam safety systems ahead of regulatory deadlines, while day two covers technical updates crucial to the design, maintenance, and renewal of critical assets. We look forward to reconnecting with engineers, regulators, and the wider NZSOLD community.
Tonkin + Taylor Event Attendees:
- David Bouma, Technical Director – River + Dam Engineering | Speaker
- Dewi Knappstein, Business Leader – Dams | Convenor
- Cameron Paintin, Senior Water Resources Engineer
- Dominic Fletcher, Water Resources + Dam Engineer
- Joe Newhouse, Senior Dam Engineer
- John Harris, Dam Engineer
- Nowshin Humayun, Water Resources Engineer
- Paul McCallum, Water + Geotechnical Engineer
- Savanna Weller, Water Resources Engineer
- Tung Hoang, Senior Dam Engineer
New Zealand Rail Conference 2024
The New Zealand Rail Conference is the premier event for the rapidly expanding rail industry. As the key gathering point for industry professionals, the 2024 conference will feature cutting-edge insights, project updates, and policy developments from top industry leaders. Attendees will explore the latest rail technology and innovations at the exhibition, while also benefiting from excellent networking opportunities to connect with both new and established contacts.
Doug Johnson, Principal Consultant – Strategic Consulting at Tonkin + Taylor, will contribute his expertise to the panel discussion on “Safety through the project lifecycle: Roles, responsibilities, and real-world applications,” sharing insights from his extensive experience in strategic consulting for infrastructure projects.
Tonkin + Taylor Event Attendees:
- Doug Johnson, Principal Consultant – Strategic Consulting | Panelist
- Andrew Kennedy, Geotechnical Engineer
- Chris Soutar, Engineering Geologist
- Mark Child, Principal Geotechnical Engineer
National Lifeline Utilities Forum
This event offers a unique opportunity to stay informed on the latest infrastructure resilience developments and critical reforms in emergency management. Attendees will engage with like-minded professionals, expanding their networks within the industry. Key sessions include: Canterbury in Focus, Making the Case for Change, National Perspectives, Applying Lessons in Infrastructure Recovery, Planning for the Big One: How Ready Are We? and The Value and Challenges of Coordination and Information Sharing. Join us to explore cutting-edge research and gain insights into the future of infrastructure resilience.
Tonkin + Taylor Event Attendees:
- James Hughes, Technical Director: Climate + Resilience | Speaker
- Morgan Lindsay, Climate Risk + Geospatial Consultant | Speaker
- Chris Soutar, Engineering Geologist
- Emma Singh, Senior Natural Hazard + Climate Risk Consultant
- Mark Dawson, Discipline Manager – Geotechnical
The Art of the Possible
Join us at Tonkin + Taylor’s Christchurch office for The Art of the Possible, where we showcase how digital expertise is transforming workflows, cutting costs, and solving real-world challenges. Explore AI-powered tools, Digital Stakeholder Engagement for road design, and tech for early hazard detection. Hear from David Wyllie, our Group Innovation Programme Director, as he shares market insights and practical strategies for integrating digital solutions into your projects.
Unlock the future of digital transformation with us.
During this session, you will:
- Gain valuable insights from our technical expert, David Wyllie
- Engage in compelling Digital Case Studies that have unlocked opportunities and provided efficiencies for client projects, including our Data Driven Digital twin model
- Network with Tonkin + Taylor’s experts and a range of like-minded industry professionals
NZ Land and Groundwater Conference 2024
The NZ Land and Groundwater Conference 2024, organised by The Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA), provides an essential platform for open dialogue on how current practices within the sector can better adapt to the challenges and opportunities the sustainability movement brings.
This year’s theme is “Emerging Frontiers: Navigating Risk, Innovation and Sustainability”, and with over 70 different abstracts, there will be a wealth of insights to learn from. The presentations range widely, with speakers offering expertise on managing contaminated land and water from a relational approach, the value and importance of indigenous knowledge on water quality, strategies for vapour intrusion remediation, and more. The event will also feature valuable contributions from the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC). Don’t miss Tony Cussins, Hydrogeology Technical Director at Tonkin + Taylor, who will join a panel to discuss “RMA reform in Aotearoa New Zealand – Faster, cheaper, better…?”. Colter Carson, Sylvie Maclean, and Robyn Edwards will also be speaking on topics ranging from soil greenhouse gas emissions and transforming residential redevelopments, to the long road to remediation.
Tonkin + Taylor Event Attendees:
- Tony Cussins, Technical Director – Hydrogeology | Panelist
- Colter Carson, Environmental Consultant | Speaker
- Robyn Edwards, Environmental Scientist | Speaker
- Sylvie MacLean, Environmental Consultant | Speaker
- Anton Bernasconi, Environmental Scientist
- Julia O’Brien, Environmental Geoscience Consultant
- Natalie O’Rourke, Senior Contaminated Land Consultant
- Paul Walker, Technical Director
FutureSpace
Being a top consultant requires staying ahead of market trends and innovations. Strong business acumen, cultural awareness, and an understanding of the latest ideas are essential to elevate both people and businesses. This means connecting with the right people, having impactful conversations, and immersing ourselves in environments that push us to grow. Futurespace is a key opportunity for C-suite executives, emerging leaders, innovators, and consultants to sharpen their leadership and business development skills. Gathering the best minds in Aotearoa, this event focuses on courageous change—stepping up when the market is tough and leading in times of uncertainty. The two-day conference features international and local speakers, mini masterclasses, rapid-fire discussions, and ample networking. It’s your chance to work on your business, not just in it.
Join Tamsyn Fenton, Tonkin + Taylor’s Early Careers Advisor, for her session on how to effectively engage with the TikTok generation. Discover why traditional communication methods, like phone calls, fail with Gen Z, and learn practical strategies to connect with this digitally native workforce. Tamsyn will also share how Tonkin + Taylor has integrated Māori engagement into our graduate programme, setting a new benchmark for inclusivity. Gain key insights on how to engage with Gen Z through authentic, future-focused approaches.
Tonkin + Taylor Event Attendees:
- Penny Kneebone, Chief Executive – Tonkin + Taylor NZ
- Grant Lovell, Sector Director – Land
- Tamsyn Fenton, Early Career Advisor | Speaker
- Dilys Fong, Transport Engineer
- Kumeroa Pihama, Pou Whanake – Technical Director Māori
Tonkin + Taylor Award Finalists:
- Emerging Leader Award Finalist | Dilys Fong
- ACE Futurespace Award Finalist | Cole Brown
- Project SH25A Taparahi Bridge in collaboration with Beca for clients McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan.
After the devastating weather events of 2023 that wiped out 120 metres of State Highway 25A in the Coromandel, reconnecting the region became urgent. The road was a lifeline for communities, and its closure had significant economic impacts. Our team developed a solution that allowed the bridge – spanning the major slip area – to be designed and constructed in just seven months. This also helped boost the local economy, adding an estimated $69 million in tourism revenue. By working closely with our partners, we were able to set a new industry standard for rapid, safe infrastructure recovery, delivering results that exceeded expectations.
Read more about Tonkin + Taylor’s projects in Water, Energy, Transport and Climate + Hazard Resilience.
