Tall Stories

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.

Tall Stories: Christina de Boer

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.

Tall Stories: Robyn Phipps & Emily Newmarch

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.

Tall Stories: James McLean & Emily Hall

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.

Tall Stories: Kyle Pol & Heath Turnbull

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.

Tall Stories: Samantha Morris & James Woods

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.

Tall Stories: Milly Perkins & Steve Kleehammer

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.

Tall Stories: Dennise Austin & Stewart Peck

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.

Tall Stories: Stephen Cummings & Claire Cummings

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.

Tall Stories: Gracen Luka & Jake Nash

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!