Getting a vehicle stuck is frustrating enough when it happens on the side of the road. When it happens halfway across a muddy paddock, deep in soft sand or down a difficult access track, getting it moving again can become a much more complicated job.

Farm tracks, beaches and rural properties present conditions that ordinary roadside towing is not always designed for. Soft ground can prevent a tow truck from getting close to the vehicle, while mud or sand can leave wheels buried and unable to gain traction.

In these situations, recovery becomes less about simply towing the vehicle away and more about working out how to get it back onto stable ground safely.

Why Difficult Terrain Changes the Job

A standard towing job usually begins with relatively predictable conditions. The vehicle is on a road or driveway, the towing truck can reach it, and there is a firm surface available for loading.

That changes quickly once a vehicle leaves sealed ground.

Wet paddocks can soften after prolonged rain, farm tracks can become slippery or deeply rutted, and sand can give way underneath a vehicle that appeared to have plenty of traction only moments earlier.

The position of the vehicle matters as much as the terrain itself. A ute sitting on firm ground with one wheel in mud may require a relatively straightforward recovery. A vehicle sitting heavily in soft ground or positioned on a bank can require a very different approach.

Operators generally need to consider the vehicle's weight, how deeply it is stuck, available access and where firm ground can be reached before recovery begins.

Farm Recovery Can Involve More Than Cars

Vehicle recovery on rural properties can involve everything from passenger vehicles and utes to tractors and construction machinery.

Heavy equipment presents its own challenges.

A tractor, excavator or loader can become difficult to move once it loses traction because its weight may cause it to sink further into wet ground. Continuing to drive the machine can sometimes make the situation worse by digging the wheels or tracks deeper.

This is where specialist winching equipment can become important.

Rather than relying on wheel traction, a winch can be used to apply controlled pulling force and gradually move the vehicle or machinery towards firmer ground.

For particularly heavy machinery or difficult terrain, specialist equipment such as a winch tractor may also be used.

Auckland-based East Coast Bays Towing and Salvage provides farm and difficult-terrain recovery alongside conventional vehicle towing, heavy truck towing, machinery transport and heavy haulage.

Beach Recovery Brings Different Problems

Beaches create another set of challenges entirely.

Even vehicles designed for off-road use can become stuck when sand conditions change. A surface that feels firm closer to an access point can become much softer further along the beach.

Once tyres begin spinning, they can quickly dig into the sand rather than moving the vehicle forward.

At that point, repeatedly accelerating can leave the vehicle sitting lower and make recovery more difficult.

Beach recoveries can also become time sensitive when tides are involved. A vehicle stranded near the waterline may need assistance sooner rather than later, particularly if the tide is coming in.

For drivers, getting an accurate location and contacting a recovery operator early can make the situation considerably easier to manage.

Why Winching Is Useful

Winching is one of the main tools available for recovering vehicles from places where a towing truck cannot simply reverse up and load them.

The vehicle can be pulled gradually towards a more suitable position while the operator monitors how it is moving.

This controlled approach is particularly useful on muddy ground, sand, banks and uneven surfaces.

It also allows the recovery truck or tractor to remain on firmer ground when driving directly to the stranded vehicle would create unnecessary risk.

The direction of the pull is important too. The shortest route is not necessarily the safest one if it requires dragging a vehicle sideways, further down a bank or across particularly unstable ground.

Heavy Trucks and Machinery Need More Capacity

The same basic recovery principles apply to larger vehicles, but the forces involved increase significantly.

Heavy truck towing requires equipment capable of dealing with the additional size and weight of commercial vehicles. Machinery recovery can involve similar considerations, particularly when excavators, tractors, loaders or other equipment becomes immobilised.

This is also where the difference between towing and heavy haulage becomes useful.

Heavy truck towing generally relates to recovering or transporting larger commercial vehicles, while heavy haulage is commonly used to transport large machinery, equipment and oversized loads.

A recovery job can sometimes involve both. Machinery may first need to be winched out of a paddock or worksite before it can be loaded and transported elsewhere.

Difficult Recoveries Are Not Limited to Farms and Beaches

Many Auckland recovery jobs fall somewhere between roadside towing and full off-road recovery.

Vehicles can become stuck on lifestyle blocks, construction sites, grass verges, steep driveways, gravel tracks or soft roadside shoulders.

Accidents can also leave vehicles down banks or in positions where they cannot be loaded normally.

For East Coast Bays Towing and Salvage, having access to different towing trucks, winching equipment and heavy recovery options means the recovery method can be matched to the situation rather than treating every callout as the same type of tow.

That becomes particularly important when the vehicle cannot roll, access is limited or the ground will not support conventional towing equipment.

What to Do When a Vehicle Becomes Stuck

One of the simplest things a driver can do is stop before the situation gets worse.

If a vehicle is clearly sinking into mud or sand, repeatedly spinning the wheels may only bury it further.

It can also help to take a few photos showing both the vehicle and the wider surroundings. These can give a recovery operator a much better idea of the terrain, available access and equipment that may be required.

The vehicle type, location and whether it can still steer or roll are also useful details to provide.

In many cases, what initially looks like a simple towing job is really a recovery problem.

Farms, beaches and difficult terrain all create their own complications, but with suitable equipment and a planned approach, vehicles and machinery can often be brought back onto stable ground without turning one stuck vehicle into two.

As Canterbury farmers look at their fertiliser spend, one number from the research stands out. Since 1990, New Zealand’s nitrogen fertiliser use has climbed roughly nine-fold, driven mainly by the dairy sector. Average application rates on dairy pasture have gone from about 31 kg N/ha in 1990/91 to around 168 kg N/ha by 2019/20, and as a soil scientist working across New Zealand, I want farmers thinking about what that shift has done to their clover.

What began as a tactical tool for filling feed gaps has become, on many farms, a year-round habit. In my view, that habit has a cost that is easy to miss because it happens below the surface.

Clover is doing a lot for you. Working with Rhizobium bacteria in its roots, it pulls nitrogen out of the atmosphere and feeds it straight into your pasture, with measured fixation rates of 79 to 212 kg N/ha per year where visually clover in pasture was found to be between 9% to 20%. That is free nitrogen, with no spreader and no invoice. On top of that, clover is high-quality feed for your animals with ME values around 13 MJ/kg DM, so it does two jobs at once.

The problem is that fertiliser nitrogen works against it. For every kilogram of N applied, clover’s own fixation can drop by an estimated 0.25 to 0.5 kg. In effect, you pay for nitrogen and then lose some of the nitrogen you were getting for nothing.

Clover is also under pressure from other directions. It often makes up less than 20% of pasture dry matter, it is patchy, and its contribution swings with the seasons. Clover root weevil has made productive stands harder to hold. Meanwhile, about two thirds of our urea is imported and its manufacture is energy intensive, which leaves farmers exposed on both cost and supply.

So where do microbes fit in? Beyond clover’s partnership with Rhizobium, nitrogen-fixing bacteria live free in the soil. The catch is that fixing nitrogen takes a lot of energy, and these bacteria usually have to draw it from plant or soil carbon. My research is asking whether the right microbial partnerships could ease that constraint and add to the nitrogen your pasture already gets from clover.

My view of the bigger picture is that nitrogen should complement clover, not crowd it out. Used strategically, fertiliser fills genuine gaps. Used constantly, it can undermine the free biological nitrogen and feed already growing in your paddocks. With fertiliser costs under pressure, my message is straightforward: look closely at how much nitrogen you are applying and what it is doing to your clover, rather than repeating last season’s programme out of habit.

Watch out for my next column, where I reveal more findings from the research.

For more information, please contact:

Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466077

rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact Media PA

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

027 458 7724

New Zealand's most significant health and safety reforms in a decade are on the horizon, and Waikato business leaders will have an important opportunity to hear what they could mean for their organisations at the upcoming NZ Business Connect members-only networking event being held at Innovation Park on 28 October.

Keynote speaker Simon Devoy, Head of Membership and Export at the EMA, will provide updates to NZ Business Connect members on a range of issues affecting New Zealand employers, including changes to employment relations legislation, Holidays Act reforms, proposed health and safety changes, and the organisation's broader advocacy priorities ahead of the election.

As part of the presentation, Simon will explain the implications of the recently amended Health and Safety at Work Act and what businesses need to know before the changes come into force on 1 April 2027.

A major feature of the reforms is the introduction of a two-tier system that distinguishes between small and large businesses. Most New Zealand businesses are expected to fall into the small PCBU category, with health and safety obligations focused primarily on identifying and managing critical risks rather than all workplace risks.

The changes are intended to create a stronger focus on real-world safety outcomes by reducing unnecessary compliance activity and directing attention towards the hazards most likely to cause serious harm. Businesses will also need to understand new provisions relating to governance responsibilities, mental health risks, contractor management and Approved Codes of Practice.

For employers, directors and business owners, now is the ideal time to start understanding how the new framework may affect their operations.

Join us at Waikato Innovation Park on 28 October to hear from Simon Devoy and gain practical insights into one of the most significant workplace law changes facing New Zealand businesses, alongside updates on the wider policy and legislative issues shaping the business environment. The event runs from 4.30pm to 6.00pm and combines valuable networking opportunities with expert business updates.

For event attendance and NZ Business Connect membership information please email info@nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

An older car can be one of the cheapest ways to get around Auckland.

If it's paid off, reliable and reasonably inexpensive to maintain, there may be little financial reason to replace it simply because it's getting old.

But there can also come a point where keeping an ageing vehicle stops saving money.

The difficult part is recognising when you've reached that point.

A $500 repair doesn't necessarily mean a car should be sold. Even a $2,000 repair can sometimes make sense on the right vehicle.

The problem usually isn't one repair bill.

It's what happens when repairs, maintenance, reliability problems and declining vehicle value begin stacking up at the same time.

For South Auckland vehicle owners wondering whether another repair is worthwhile, here are seven warning signs worth considering.

1. You're Visiting the Mechanic More Often

One unexpected repair can happen to almost any vehicle.

What deserves more attention is the pattern.

Think about the previous 12 to 18 months.

Have you replaced one component only for something else to fail several weeks later?

Perhaps you've recently paid for brakes, then suspension work, followed by a cooling-system problem—and now another warning light has appeared.

As vehicles age, multiple components can reach the later stages of their useful lives at roughly the same time.

That doesn't automatically mean the vehicle should be replaced.

But once repairs stop being isolated events and become a regular expense, it's worth calculating what the car is actually costing you.

2. The Next Repair Is a Significant Percentage of the Car's Value

Imagine your vehicle is worth approximately $4,000 in reasonable condition and you're presented with a $2,000 repair estimate.

Should you spend the money?

There isn't a universal percentage that provides the answer.

A $2,000 repair on an otherwise excellent and reliable vehicle may be completely reasonable.

The same repair on a car with worn tyres, an approaching WoF, high kilometres and another major mechanical problem could be much harder to justify.

Instead of looking only at the repair bill, ask:

What condition will the car be in after I've spent this money?

That's often the more useful question.

3. Your WoF Is Becoming Expensive Every Year

A failed Warrant of Fitness doesn't mean a car has reached the end of its life.

Many WoF failures involve problems that can be repaired economically.

But if every inspection is uncovering another substantial list of issues, the numbers deserve closer attention.

For example, you might be facing tyres, suspension work and brake repairs to pass the WoF while also knowing the vehicle has an unrelated engine or transmission problem.

Each repair may appear manageable when considered individually.

Combined, they can represent a significant percentage of the vehicle's value.

Before approving substantial WoF work on an older car, consider the condition of the whole vehicle, not simply what is required to obtain the next WoF.

4. Reliability Is Starting to Affect Your Life

Not every cost appears on a mechanic's invoice.

A vehicle that becomes increasingly unreliable can also cost you time and inconvenience.

Repeated breakdowns can mean missed work, disrupted school runs, cancelled appointments, towing costs and the constant uncertainty of whether the vehicle will start tomorrow morning.

For someone who relies heavily on their car, reliability itself has economic value.

An ageing vehicle doesn't have to be perfect.

But if you no longer trust it to complete ordinary journeys, that should form part of your repair-versus-replace calculation.

5. You're Repairing the Car Because of What You've Already Spent

This is an easy trap to fall into.

Perhaps you've already spent several thousand dollars maintaining the vehicle.

Then another large repair arrives.

The natural reaction can be:

“I've already spent so much on this car that I can't give up on it now.”

But money already spent shouldn't automatically justify the next repair.

Instead, ask a different question:

If I acquired this car today in its current condition, would I spend this amount repairing it?

Past expenditure can tell you something about the vehicle's reliability, but the decision about the next repair should be based primarily on what happens from today onward.

6. The Engine or Gearbox Is Showing Warning Signs

Major mechanical problems can quickly change the economics of keeping an older vehicle.

Warning signs might include unusual noises, overheating, excessive oil consumption, persistent fluid leaks, transmission slipping or recurring warning lights.

These symptoms don't necessarily mean the engine or gearbox has failed.

Proper diagnosis matters.

But if a high-kilometre vehicle already needs substantial WoF or maintenance work and is also developing a major mechanical problem, it's worth understanding the potential total cost before committing more money.

The objective isn't to assume the worst.

It's to avoid spending heavily on one part of a vehicle without understanding the condition of the rest.

7. The Next 12 Months Look More Expensive Than the Last Repair

Perhaps the best way to evaluate an ageing vehicle is to stop thinking about individual invoices altogether.

Instead, estimate what keeping the car could cost over the next 12 months.

Consider:

The repair required today
Known mechanical problems
Upcoming servicing
Tyres
WoF-related work
Registration
Expected maintenance
The vehicle's recent reliability

Then compare that figure with the vehicle's approximate value and the realistic cost of replacing it.

Sometimes this exercise shows that repairing the existing car is still clearly the cheaper option.

Other times it reveals that what looked like a $1,500 decision could realistically become $3,000 or $4,000 of spending over the coming year.

Does That Mean You Should Automatically Sell an Old Car?

No.

Age alone isn't a good reason to replace a vehicle.

Neither are high kilometres.

A well-maintained older Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Honda, Mitsubishi or other vehicle can potentially remain useful for many years.

Likewise, replacing an older car carries its own costs. A newer used vehicle isn't automatically free from mechanical problems.

The decision becomes more compelling when several factors occur together:

Low vehicle value + substantial repairs + declining reliability + additional expenses approaching.

That's when it makes sense to compare your alternatives before automatically authorising another repair.

What If You Decide the Car Isn't Worth Repairing?

One misconception is that an unwanted vehicle needs to be repaired before it can be sold.

That isn't necessarily the case.

Depending on the buyer and the vehicle, cars with failed WoFs, mechanical problems, accident damage, high kilometres or non-running condition may still have value.

Factors such as the make, model, age, condition, reusable components and recyclable materials can all influence what happens to a vehicle after its useful road life ends.

For owners who have already decided against further repairs, Cash For Cars South Auckland purchases old, unwanted, damaged, scrap and non-running vehicles throughout South Auckland and offers vehicle collection across its service area.

The Better Question to Ask

Instead of asking:

“Is my car too old?”

ask:

“What is this car likely to cost me from today onward?”

A 15-year-old vehicle that remains reliable and inexpensive to maintain may still make excellent financial sense.

A younger vehicle requiring repeated major repairs may not.

Look at the car's current value, immediate repair requirements, likely 12-month expenses, reliability and overall mechanical condition.

Once those numbers are considered together, the decision usually becomes much clearer.

A missing tooth affects more than appearance. When a gap is left unaddressed, surrounding teeth drift out of place, biting pressure becomes uneven, and the underlying jawbone gradually recedes from lack of stimulation.

Why Implants Outperform Dentures

Traditional removable dentures sit on top of the gums and can slip, click, or accelerate bone loss over time. Dental implants rebuild the tooth from the root up:

• Bone preservation: A titanium post integrates directly with the jawbone, keeping the bone active and healthy.
• Natural chewing power: Topped with a custom crown, implants function and feel like natural teeth without moving or requiring adhesives.
• Long-term stability: Implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support, protecting the rest of the smile.

Candidacy and Recovery

Most adults with healthy gums and sufficient jawbone density are strong candidates. Even if bone has thinned over time, modern bone grafting techniques can rebuild the site. While the implant fuses to the bone over three to six months, a comfortable temporary tooth ensures there is never an open gap.

Schedule a consultation with Team Dental to explore restorative options and regain smile confidence.

Read this practical guide comparing dental implants vs dentures to discover which solution fits best.

Window Film vs Blinds: Which Is Better for Keeping Auckland Homes Cool?

With warmer weather approaching, many Auckland homeowners are looking for practical ways to reduce indoor heat, minimise glare and improve comfort without sacrificing natural light.

Two popular solutions are solar-control window film and traditional blinds. While both can help manage sunlight, they offer different benefits depending on the home's needs.

Window Film for Heat Reduction

Solar-control window film is designed to reduce the amount of solar energy entering through glass. Unlike traditional indoor blinds, window film works continuously throughout the day without needing to be opened or closed.

High-performance window films can help reduce heat, glare and UV exposure while maintaining natural light and outdoor views. This makes them particularly useful for west-facing windows, living rooms and home offices exposed to strong afternoon sunlight.

Blinds for Privacy and Insulation

Blinds offer greater flexibility for controlling light and privacy, especially at night. Thermal and honeycomb blinds can also help retain indoor warmth during winter.

However, standard internal blinds may be less effective at preventing summer heat buildup because some solar energy has already passed through the glass before reaching them. External shading, such as awnings, can provide particularly effective summer protection.

Combining Window Film and Blinds

For many Auckland homes, combining both options provides a practical year-round solution. Window film helps manage daytime heat, glare and UV exposure, while blinds provide adjustable privacy, darkness and additional winter insulation.

Homeowners considering window tinting should also ensure that the selected film is compatible with their existing glass, particularly double-glazed windows.

HLWrap, based in East Tāmaki, Auckland, provides professional residential and commercial window tinting solutions, including solar-control, privacy and UV-protection films.

For a detailed comparison of window film and blinds, including their benefits for different rooms and window types, read HLWrap's full guide:

Window Film vs Blinds for Heat: Which Works Better?

Source: HLWrap Limited – Auckland Window Tinting Specialists

Website: https://hlwrap.co.nz

With Labour Weekend approaching, visitors heading to Queenstown are finalizing their long weekend plans. For those trying to balance world-class adventure with downtime, local operators recommend keeping the schedule focused rather than overbooking every hour.

Here is the three-day breakdown for couples and groups heading south:

Friday: Arrival and Lakefront Dining

Arrive, check in, and skip the complicated plans. Take a stroll along Lake Whakatipu, grab dinner, and settle into town.

Saturday: Historic Jumps and Wine Country

Start where commercial bungy began at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre. After leaping 43 metres above the Kawarau River, spend the afternoon winding down. Visitors can head into Gibbston for vineyard tastings or explore Arrowtown for lunch and lakeside walking trails.

Sunday: The Nevis Playground

Level up the adrenaline in the Nevis Valley. The site features New Zealand’s highest bungy at 134 metres, the Nevis Catapult, and the tandem Nevis Swing. Return to town by late afternoon for lakeside drinks and dinner.

Monday: Long Brunch and Departure

Wrap up the weekend without an alarm. Enjoy a relaxed brunch at local spots like Vudu Cafe or The Dishery before heading to the airport.

Local Travel Tip: Labour Weekend is one of the busiest holiday weekends in Central Otago. Bungy jump slots and Nevis transport fill up quickly, so visitors are strongly advised to secure activity bookings before arriving in town.

Read the full Queenstown Labour Weekend 3-day itinerary and bungy guide for packing essentials, spring weather tips, and booking details.

NOT A PARTY HAS A RADICAL PROPOSAL—LEAVE POLITICS BEHIND

New Zealand’s political problem may not be which party wins—but why we keep asking parties to govern us.

Not A Party believes it has the best idea in New Zealand politics precisely because it is not trying to be a winning political party.

Recent surveys have revealed a party political landscape in which support is increasingly polarised between parties on the left and parties on the right, while the traditional centre struggles to maintain a clear identity. The major parties appear increasingly dependent on positioning, polling and coalition arithmetic, while minor parties compete to capture the votes of the disenfranchised.

Not A Party proposes something considerably more radical.

Exit politics.

Not through apathy. Not through authoritarianism. Not by pretending that disagreement can disappear. Instead, Not A Party asks New Zealanders to consider whether we could design a completely different way of making collective decisions.

Political parties were designed for a particular kind of representative democracy. They organise people into competing groups, develop policies, seek votes, acquire power and then attempt to govern on behalf of everyone else. But what happens when the competing groups no longer represent the complexity of the people? What happens when citizens are forced to choose a package deal—agreeing with one party on housing, another on the environment, another on taxation, and none of them on the rest? What happens when the political system becomes better at producing political careers than producing good decisions?

Perhaps we don’t need better parties. Perhaps we need a better system.

Not A Party is therefore proposing a national conversation about governance beyond party politics.

That could mean experimenting with citizens’ assemblies, deliberative democracy, local decision-making, participatory budgeting, digitally enabled consultation, rotating civic representation, transparent public deliberation and new mechanisms for allowing expertise and lived experience to enter decision-making without requiring people to join or identify with a political tribe.

The point is not to arrive at another ideology and call it the answer. The point is to experiment.

A functioning society is not a reality television show in which two teams fight for the trophy while everyone else watches from the stands. It is a complicated living system constituted by millions of people with different knowledge, interests, skills and experiences.

Why should the machinery for governing that system be built around choosing a team every three years?

Not A Party does not claim to have found the final replacement for representative party politics. That is precisely the point. We don’t need another group of politicians arriving with a ready-made answer and asking the public to vote for it. We need citizens, researchers, technologists, artists, workers, communities, businesses and political thinkers to build and test alternatives together. New Zealand has an opportunity to become a laboratory for innovation in governance.

The political parties can keep arguing about who should run the country.

Not A Party wants to ask a more fundamental question.

What if we stopped trying to run the country through parties at all?

Not a new party.
A new question.

ENDS

https://nap.org.nz/exit-politics/

The Office of the Ombudsman has published new guidance on official information and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for requesters, agencies and complainants.

Chief Ombudsman John Allen says the increasing use of AI is reshaping the way information is accessed, interpreted and understood.

"Ministers and public sector agencies have told us there has been a significant increase in the number of people using AI to make information requests. Our investigators are also seeing an increasing number of complaints that appear have been generated by AI."

"This is putting pressure on the entire official information system."

"There are some benefits in using AI, but it must be used responsibly. Our guidance offers practical advice to help all parties get the most out of AI, while avoiding some of the common problems that can occur."

"If you're a requester, be clear, concise and focused about the information you really want. If you're not sure how to describe it, calling the agency and talking to officials will always be a good option to get through the request process quickly."

"Agencies are responding to a high volume of information requests. In the last financial year, central government agencies (excluding Police and Defence which are reported separately) completed over 87,000 information requests."

"Straightforward requests will ensure that the Minister or government agency will be able to understand the exact nature of the information you're looking for and quickly respond."

"The key is to use AI responsibly and don't rely on it entirely for accurate advice. It can make mistakes and refer to legislation, cases and obligations that don't exist."

"If requests are very large, wide‑ranging or complex, there's a high chance the response will be delayed, and requests could also be refused under certain provisions of the Official Information Act."

The guidance also gives tips for agencies on how to deal effectively with official information requests made using AI.

"Using AI can be helpful, for example, in preparing a first cut of a response especially around identifying relevant information and proposing possible redactions," Mr Allen says.

"It may save time, free up resources and make the information available to a requester more quickly."

"Ultimately, however, the human element in this process is vital. Ministers, government agencies and local authorities remain accountable for any decisions made on official information requests regardless of the technology they use to assist their decision."

There is also guidance for people using AI to make complaints to the Ombudsman.

AI can improve access for complainants who need help constructing or expressing their concerns. However, it can also make complaints overly complex, emphasise small insignificant details, and add information that is not accurate, or relevant.

"This can be challenging for our investigators because some of these complaints can lack focus, making them time‑consuming to progress," says Mr Allen.

"Complainants should state clearly who and what they are complaining about and the outcome they are seeking."

The guides were developed and informed by best practice advice published by the Ombudsman's overseas counterparts, as well as feedback from our own staff and agencies.

AI is a developing area, and the guidance will be updated as and when required.

Read the guidance:

• Practical advice on AI for requesters
• Practical advice on AI for complainants
• Advice for agencies on information requests and AI

Tubman Heating joined energy, carbon and sustainability professionals at CEP Conference 2026 in Hamilton to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping New Zealand’s energy future.

The conference highlighted practical approaches to energy efficiency, decarbonisation, electrification and renewable energy, with discussions around how businesses can improve performance while reducing emissions.

Tubman Heating shared insights on steam system efficiency, boiler upgrades, biomass heating, heat recovery and commercial hot water solutions.

The event reinforced the importance of practical, reliable solutions as New Zealand businesses work towards more efficient and sustainable operations.

Read the full article to learn more about the key insights from CEP Conference 2026.

Most of the time, we're too busy focused on the next site visit, the next programme deadline, the next client meeting, or the next challenge that needs solving. The projects we are most proud of often become "just another job" because we are so immersed in the day-to-day process of delivering them.

It is only when you step back and view the finished result through a different lens that you truly appreciate the collective effort, creativity, problem-solving and craftsmanship that went into bringing a vision to life.

The 2026 SPASA New Zealand Awards of Excellence, held on 6 June, was one of those moments for our team at Auckland Inground Pools Ltd.

We are incredibly proud to announce that Auckland Inground Pools was awarded SPASA New Zealand's Safety Barrier Award, recognising excellence in the design and installation of a compliant swimming pool safety barrier associated with any type of pool construction.

What made the evening even more special was learning that the same project has now progressed to compete for the prestigious Australasian Enhancement of the Year Award, to be announced on 19 August 2026. To be standing alongside the best projects from New Zealand and every Australian state and territory is both humbling and exciting!

The SPASA Awards of Excellence represent the highest level of recognition within the swimming pool and spa industry, celebrating the people, projects, products and innovations that continue to raise standards across Australasia.

For us, this project demonstrates something we have always believed: exceptional outcomes are never the result of one company alone. There are many more behind the scenes!

This award-winning project brought together a talented team of designers, fabricators, landscapers and installers who are all part of creating something both beautiful and functional.

The flowing steel barrier was designed to complement the contours of the landscape, protect users, satisfy compliance requirements, and enhance rather than interrupt the rural outlook.

The result is a safety barrier that feels less like a fence and more like a sculptural architectural feature.

A special thank you goes to:

MH Design and Dinusha for the structural design.

Richard Neville at Neville Design Studio for the landscape design and original concept - from way back in 2020!

MacWeld Drury for the exceptional fabrication quality and craftsmanship.

Taumata Lowe from Otera Landscapes for his strength and expertise during installation!

Our own Auckland Inground Pools construction team, whose attention to detail and commitment to quality ensured the project was delivered to the standard it deserved.

In an industry where compliance is often viewed as a pain point and therefore a limitation, this project proves that safety, innovation and aesthetics can work together seamlessly.

As we now look ahead to the Australasian Awards of Excellence on 19 August, we do so with a great sense of pride. Regardless of the outcome, being recognised amongst the finest pool and spa projects from across Australasia is already a significant achievement for our team and our industry here in New Zealand.

To everyone involved, thank you.

This recognition belongs to all of you.

P: 09 294 7572

E: info@aucklandpools.co.nz

Flood Roofing Limited has been named the winner of the Northport Excellence in Business - Medium Business Award, recognising the company’s significant growth, operational improvements and investment in technology.

The award acknowledges Flood Roofing’s transformation over the past three years, during a period when the wider roofing and construction industry has faced challenging business conditions.

The judges highlighted Flood Roofing’s willingness to recognise the limitations within the business, invest in learning and make meaningful changes to the way it operates.

In their comments, the judges said they were “immensely impressed” by the changes Flood Roofing had made after identifying areas where the business could improve.

A key part of that transformation has been the development of systems and technology designed to improve internal efficiency and profitability while also creating a better experience for customers.

The technology gives customers greater involvement in the early stages of their roofing project, helping them identify their needs and develop a clearer understanding of the scope of work required.

The judges noted that these improvements had contributed to significant business growth over the past three years.

They also said:

“The judges are excited to see where the use of the learnings and technology will take this business in the future.”

For Flood Roofing, the award recognises a deliberate commitment to building a stronger business behind the scenes so customers receive a more efficient, transparent and consistent roofing experience.

“Winning this award means a great deal to our team. Over the past few years, we’ve put a lot of work into improving the way we operate and finding better ways to support our customers from the first conversation through to the completed roof. To have that progress recognised by the judges is something the whole team can be proud of.”

The company plans to continue developing its systems, technology and processes as it grows, with a focus on delivering an increasingly streamlined experience for customers without losing the personal service and practical expertise at the heart of the business.

Media enquiries:
Aron Flood
Owner
Flood Roofing Limited
0800 435 663
office@floodroofing.co.nz

https://www.floodroofing.co.nz/