Stirring The Pot

In this episode of Stirring the Pot, Humans of Steel edition, we're having a kōrero (conversation) with Dr Charles Clifton, the civil engineer who started HERA's structural steel division in 1983 and has spent more than four decades reshaping how New Zealand builds with steel.

Charles grew up on a farm in southern Hawke's Bay, the son of an army engineer, before studying civil engineering at the University of Canterbury and designin...

NZ has one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world. So why are we shipping our scrap steel overseas to be recycled?

Cambridge University researcher Michael Allison modelled 28 scenarios to find the decarbonisation pathway for Aotearoa New Zealand's steel industry. In this episode he shares what he found, what the Electric Arc Furnace actually unlocks, and what fabricators, engineers and contractors can do right now.

Aotearoa New Zealand is one of the most seismically active countries on Earth. The performance of steel structures during an earthquake depends, in large part, on the weld. So how confident are we in the science behind how those welds are designed and sized?

In this episode, HERA's lead research engineer Hafez Taheri walks through the Seismic Research Programme; what 30 years of testing has shown about NZS 3404 weld sizing criteria,...

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, made lieutenant commander by 28, then bought a tiny engineering division out of receivership and grew it past $100M. He chaired HERA for 30 years as the only non-engineer to ever hold the role, becam...

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 curiosity to capability. What felt unclear just a year ago is now shaping real projects, real workflows and real decisions. The team talks through where AI is already adding value, ...

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 bigger role than many realise. 

Richard explains how the levy underpins HERA’s research, capability building and industry support, and why this kind of stable investment is essential if...

🌏 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 air quality and biodiversity. And many of them have already crossed critical limits.

In this episode of Stirring the Pot, we sit down with Dr Kate Meyer, founder of Planetary Accounting, to un...

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 pressure mounting to build more sustainably, the idea of reusability and circular economy is no longer on the fringes. It is becoming central to how we prepare this sector for the future.

Mick, co fou...

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 revolutionising the way Aotearoa designs for seismic and fire resilience, Charles reflects on his incredible four-decade career in engineering. We explore the big turning points that shaped ...

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 his take on where we’re already seeing AI in action (even if we don’t realise it), the challenges we need to prepare for, and how to take the first step if your business...

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 the thinking, coding, and collaboration that brought CompWebPen to life – a tool designed to simplify the analysis and design of composite steel–concrete beams with web pene...

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 structural fire engineering with minimal prior exposure—only to come out with hands-on experience, deep insights, and a newfound passion for the field. From modelling structural members to...

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 shifting from a “tick-box” approach to real conversations that drive change. Louise from Site Safe NZ shares insights on helping businesses see safety as an investment rath...

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 explore the hidden dangers welders face, from toxic fumes and radiation to electrocution hazards and hearing damage.

Advancements in technology, such as voltage reduction devices (VRD) and impr...

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 the challenges of modern fire safety in steel and hybrid construction. With new materials and building techniques emerging, engineers must find ways to balance cost, sustainability, an...

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 to help the steel industry meet sustainability standards and has finalized its roadmap to carbon zero by 2050. These efforts aim to support industry members in adapting to evolving reg...

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 4.0 and speak about how it is revolutionising structural health by using cutting-edge technology and real-time data to make construction smarter, safer, and more sustainable. From de...

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 transformed a demolished shed into a world-class structure, earning global recognition at the ConstructSteel Awards. Learn how they overcame challenges like compliance and quality assurance to success...

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 Construction 4.0 research project!

Kenneth, project lead for the theme of Knowledge Transfer, shares how this unique initiative prioritises not only developing new technologies but ens...