Stirring The Pot
Business & Finance
About
Created by metal minds for metal minds – join us for practical conversations that get to the nuts and bolts of the metals industry here in New Zealand. Connect with leaders & experts from across the globe who talk overcoming key industry challenges, and influencers who cast their eyes to the future. Perfect if you’re time poor but want to keep your finger on the pulse. Prepare to be challenged, informed & inspired!
Episodes
- It's all about the people!
In today's Humans of Steel edition of Stirring the Pot, we sit down with Noel Davies, director of Hydro Link, former chair of HERA, and one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most quietly influential business leaders. Noel joined the Navy at 16, ma…
- Ai sustainability and the state of engineering
In this episode of Stirring the Pot , we’re joined by HERA’s leadership team for a wide-ranging kōrero on AI, sustainability and what’s really changing inside engineering right now. The conversation looks at how quickly AI has moved from c…
- It's time to rewrite the rules
In this episode of Stirring the Pot, we’re having a kōrero with Richard Templer , Chief Executive of Engineering New Zealand | Te Ao Rangahau , about how Aotearoa funds its engineering system and why the levy on steel producers plays a big…
- Beyond Carbon: Rethinking Sustainability Through Planetary Accounting
🌏 A kōrero on why sustainability is about more than just carbon When it comes to sustainability, carbon gets most of the attention. But the reality is our planet’s health depends on nine interconnected systems, from oceans and forests to…
- Digital Steel Passport: Rethinking construction for a circular future
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we are having a kōrero with Osama Mughrabi, Mick Fritschy and Caroline James about one of the biggest shifts facing construction: digital product passports. With costs rising, resources tightening and pr…
- A grit engineered legacy
In this episode of Stirring the Pot , we’re having a kōrero with Professor Charles Clifton — legendary structural engineer, longtime HERA collaborator, and newly named Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. From early experiments to revo…
- Artificial Intelligence: Skill up or sit out?
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Matt Ensor. AI strategist and industry innovator — he unpacks what the rise of AI really means for the construction sector. From practical tools to mindset shifts, Matt shares…
- Cracking the CompWebPen code
In this episode of Stirring the Pot, we’re having a kōrero with Maryam Hasanali. Maryam is a structural research engineer at HERA and the brain behind the scenes driving our newly launched software tool, CompWebPen. Join us as we dive into…
- Sparking a passion for structural fire
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Lydia Frater. Lydia's journey through her HERA internship has been nothing short of transformative. As a third-year engineering student at UC, she stepped into the world of str…
- Busting through constructed barriers
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Louise Jordaan. Workplace safety is more than compliance, it’s about fostering a culture where employees feel responsible and empowered to speak up. In this episode, we discuss…
- Welding hazards and how to stay safe
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Patrick Fenemor. Ensuring safety in welding is crucial for protecting workers, minimising long-term health risks, and keeping industries running smoothly. In this episode, we e…
- Fireproofing the future with HIT
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Mayank Shrivastava. Fire protection is about more than just buildings—it is about saving lives, ensuring resilience, and keeping businesses running. In this episode, we explore…
- From carbon-heavy to carbon-zero
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Jeremy Sole. Jeremy, Executive Officer of the Sustainable Steel Council (SSC), shares the council’s key initiatives for 2025. SSC is launching a Green Star-related audit scheme…
- Real-time insights for safer structures
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Kaveh Andisheh. Kaveh is the project led for the theme of Monitoring 4.0 in the Endeavour Funded and HERA led Ngākopa Construction 4.0 research project. We dive into Monitoring…
- From shed to spotlight
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Grier and Jill Fuller. We explore the award-winning Hinuera Sheds project with Steelworks NZ, a standout example of sustainable construction. The team shares how they transform…
- Construction’s knowledge currency
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Kenneth Husted. Unlock the secrets of successful tech transfer in the construction industry with our insightful discussion on the Endeavour Funded and HERA led Ngākopa Construc…
- Wired for data success
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Professor Xun Xu. Is data connectivity the key to transforming the construction industry? In this episode, we talk with Xun, who is the project led for the theme of Data Connec…
- A circular rethink for construction
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Michail Karpenko, Kaveh Andisheh and Holger Heinzel. In this episode, Michail, Kaveh, and Holger discuss the transformative concept of circular design in the context of Constru…
- Tactics to achieve low carbon design
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Helena Gervasio. What if the key to a sustainable future lies with structural engineers? Join us as Associate Professor Helena Gervasio, from the University of Coimbra in Portu…
- Sustainability 'beyond the build'
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Sarah McLaren. In this episode, we chat with Sarah McLaren, Professor in Life Cycle Management at Massey University, and Sustainable Future Project Lead for the HERA led and En…
- Designing for well-being: The role of interactive healing environments in modern cities
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Yvonne Chan Cashmore. This podcast delves into the transformative concept of Interactive Healing Environments (IHEs) and their potential to enhance urban well-being. Dr. Yvonne…
- The untold story of BIM
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Robert Amor. Robert Amor, Emerging Technologies Project Lead for HERA’s Construction 4.0 research, breaks down BIM as both a detailed model and a collaborative process. Discove…
- Skill set reset – vocational education at a crossroad
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re having a kōrero with Phil Alexander-Crawford. As CEO at Hanga Aro Rau Workforce Development Council (WDC), Phil leads the discussion on transforming vocational education, forging strong industry pa…
- 'The smart shift’ in construction
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Dr Alice Chang-Richards, Dr Yuqian Lu and Dr Yang Zou. All based out of the University of Auckland, together they make up the research team focused on Smart Construction in the HERA le…
- From old school to next gen
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Naomi Manu. Join us in this enlightening episode with Naomi Manu, founder of Pūhoro STEMM Academy and co-founder of Auraki Group, as we discuss the Tohu app. This innovative tool integ…
- Ngākopa - bridging tech and tikanga
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Saul Roberts, Fleur Palmer, and Patricia Te Whatu. Together, they delve into the steps taken to blend Māori knowledge systems and tikanga to represent modern construction practices thr…
- Pioneering seismic research in Aotearoa
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Shahab Ramhormozian. Shahab is a Senior Lecturer in Structural and Earthquake Engineering at Auckland University of Technology. Join us as we chat about him being awarded the #INN0V8 i…
- Fix it at the beginning – design low carbon!
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Troy Coyle, Kaveh Andisheh, and Craig Stevenson. We’ve brought together the team involved in HERA’s $772K project titled “Circular design for a changing environment – a design framewor…
- 2023 year in summary
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with our CEO Troy Coyle and the technical lead team Michail Karpenko and Kaveh Andisheh. Together, they reflect on an amazing year of mahi to support the heavy engineering industry of Aotea…
- Reuse the past – the quest for net zero construction
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Neil Horsfield. Neil is Beca’s General Manager Global Building Structures. Join us as we chat about the potential for adaptive reuse of our building stock. Connect with Neil: LinkedIn:…
- Constructing for resilience and durability
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Raed El Sarraf. Raed is Technical Principal at WSP New Zealand. He has extensive experience in corrosion engineering and asset integrity management of structural steel and other metal…
- Student of the year on fire!
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Fanqin Meng. Fanqin, who is no stranger to HERA, is a Structural Fire Research Engineer within our team! We are shining the spotlight on him as the recipient of the Student of the Year…
- Addressing the skills gap through diversity… 4 years later
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Byron Konia. Byron is a Senior Mechanical Engineer and Māori Advisor at Stantec in Wellington. We last spoke to him back in 2019 when he was just starting off his career as a young Gra…
- Celebrating a mind of steel
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Geoff Bird. Geoff Bird was this years recipient of the HERA Foundation Keith Smith Memorial Award, for distinguished service to Aotearoa New Zealand’s metals industry. Join us as he ch…
- The connection between steel + timber (pardon the pun)
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Robert Finch. Robert is Director of Timber Unlimited and is also a member of HERA’s Industry Advisory Group for the "Low Carbon Design Framework for Low Rise Buildings” project. He has…
- Innovating for the global stage
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Cliff Ellery. Cliff Ellery is General Manager - Innovex at Tīra. From grassroot beginnings in the Taranaki, to receiving the 2023 #INN0V8 change industry award for exporting spiral wel…
- Top tips to push steel bridge design boundaries!
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Phil Gaby. Phil is Project Director at Holmes ANZ and a civil structures designer, with expertise in bridges, wharves and water retaining structures. Specialising in design and constru…
- Building green – carbon offsetting in practice
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Nico Patchay. In this episode, we’re having a korero with Nico Patchay, Technical Manager of Niche Modular Construction. As the first company to use HERA’s zero carbon steel program, H…
- World’s first fossil free steel
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Thomas Hörnfeldt. Thomas is the Vice President of the Sustainable Business at SSAB, coming from a background in the metals, construction and process automation industry. Join us as he…
- A case of BeLongEng?
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Enda Crossin. Enda Crossin is an Associate Professor and Director of Engineering Management Programmes at the University of Canterbury. Join us as we delve in to the BeLongEng project…
- Pacific leadership in business
10 May 2023 | Ep.90 – Pacific leadership in businessIn this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Rob Woolner. Rob is the Managing Director of Autex Industries Limited. In episode 87, we spoke with Rob about alternative education…
- Addressing the barriers to become a sustainable business...
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we're talking with Mumin Bhat. Mumin is the National Business Development Manager for Ecostruxure Power at Schneider Electric and is passionate about helping businesses who need guidance to become more s…
- House of Science
5 April 2023 | Ep.88 – House of ScienceIn this episode of Stirring the Pot we're talking with Andrea Lun. Andrea is the South Auckland House of Science Manager who is passionate about making science more accessible for rangatahi (youth). J…
- Vocational education and business skill development
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we're talking with Rob Woolner. Rob is the Managing Director of Autex Industries Limited. Like many, we all have that subject we enjoy talking about - join us as Rob chats about alternative education pat…
- Engaging in sustainability
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with Marie-Salome Duval-Chaneac. She is currently re-entering a Research Master in Engineering studies on Sustainable Resources Recovery at the University of Auckland on the circular econom…
- Succession planning for SME’s
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we're talking with John Luxton. John is Founder of Regeneration HQ - a self-professed ‘anti-consultant’ hand crafting solutions for SME’s in Aotearoa with practical, hands-on support. Join us as we discu…
- Deconstructing bias - Te Tiriti or The Treaty?
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we're talking with Tīmoti Harris. Tīmoti is Managing Director of Empowering Change and is on a mission to bring about transformation in people and organisations by unpacking the ins and outs of Te Tiriti…
- Closing the loop
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we're talking with Kelly McClean. Kelly is a Senior Consultant for Circular Economy at Aurecon with a background in materials, design and research. She is tasked with helping clients design and implement…
- Building better. Building Less. Building Different.
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we're talking with an expert in the circular economy - Ken Webster. We were lucky enough to steal some of his time to chat about the intersection between the circular economy and construction whilst he w…
- Looking under the hood: Kaveh Andisheh
In this episode of Stirring the Pot we’re talking with our General Manager of Structural Systems, Kaveh Andisheh. One thing we have come to recognise is that one of the strengths of HERA is our amazing multi-cultural team who bring their l…