Tall Stories

Tall Stories: Building Smarter – Digital Construction, BIM and the Future of the Industry

In this episode of Tall Stories, host Jared Glue, Associate at RCP in Dunedin and member of the Institute’s Southern Region Committee (Dunedin branch), is joined by Jonathan Dutton, Senior BIM Manager at Southbase Construction, and Blair Collie, Senior Project Manager at RCP.
They discuss their career journeys in construction and explore the growing role of digital construction and BIM in Aotearoa — from how these technologies are used in practice to the challenges of wider adoption and what excites them most about the future of the industry. The conversation also touches on career challenges, influential mentors, work–life balance, and advice for young people considering a career in construction.
An engaging and practical discussion on building smarter, together.

Tall Stories: Emerging Leadership and Industry Impact

In this episode of the Tall Stories Podcast, host Hayden Blucher, Engagement Lead at The Building Institute Aotearoa, sits down with Tuwhakaraua (Tu) Taute and Alice Carmody for a thoughtful kōrero about leadership, growth, and the changing landscape of Aotearoa’s construction sector.
Tu, a foreperson at Naylor Love working on the Wellington Town Hall project and a Special Mention recipient in the Emerging Leader category at the 2024 Building People Awards, discusses the recognition of his leadership, the development of the Whakatupu Ā Mua programme, and the realities of contributing to a high-profile heritage project.
Alice, a Quantity Surveyor at Choice Construction Group and an active supporter of BIA, NZIQS and NAWIC, shares her experiences across diverse projects, her commitment to industry organisations, and the value of mentorship and balance in a demanding profession.
Together, they explore the changes they’d like to see in the construction industry, what authentic leadership looks like on site and in the office, and their advice for young people considering a future in construction.

Tall Stories: Career Journeys in Digital and Construction Leadership

Hosted by Jamie Summers — Project Director at The Building Intelligence Group in Tāmaki Auckland, Chair of the Institute’s Northern Region Committee, and a Stroke Survivor championing the Health-15 initiative with the Stroke Foundation — this episode features two standout guests: Derek Jannings, General Manager Digital, Infrastructure at KiwiRail, and Kierran Tuhi, Project Manager at Savory Construction and winner of the Under $10 Million Project Award at the 2024 Building People Awards.
The conversation explores:• How their careers first took shape• Derek’s rapid rise through digital leadership at Beca and KiwiRail• Kierran’s award-winning approach and his “back yourself” mindset• Defining choices, turning points, and influential people• Projects that challenged them — and the ones that shaped them• Areas they are curious to explore next in construction• Their best advice for others navigating their own career journeys
An inspiring, grounded kōrero filled with lived experience, practical insight, and stories that shape the built environment.
Ngā mihi nui to Derek and Kierran for sharing their journeys with the Building Institute Aotearoa.

Tall Stories Podcast | Michael Richards & Islam Khaled-Abbas

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.

Tall Stories: Mackenzie Barnett & Skye Duncan

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.

Tall Stories: Andrew Holmes & Blair McGill

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.

Tall Stories: Simone Sharp & Anntonina Savelio

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.

Tall Stories: Justin Flitter

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.

Tall Stories: Isaac Kett & Jamie Rodriguez

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.

Tall Stories: Alex Doyle

In this episode of Tall Stories, the Institute’s former Projects Lead, Hannah Nansett, 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.