AROTAHI - In this special edition: We celebrate 150 years of the infrastructure & environments that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand - WSP
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AROTAHI
PEREHITANGA TUAWHĀ / ISSUE 04
In this special edition:
We celebrate 150 years of the
infrastructure & environments that
have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand
PAGE 04 PAGE 06
Powering up Powering to
Aotearoa the future
Welcome to the 150th anniversary issue of Arotahi magazine.
2020 marks 150 years of WSP in Aotearoa New Zealand.
PAGE 08 From the earliest roads and railways that connected
communities, to the power stations that created energy for
How earthquakes the nation, the airports that have connected Aotearoa to the
rest of the world and enabled regional growth, and the buildings
that facilitate democracy, health and learning, we’ve been there.
shaped our As we started the year our focus was on how we would recognise such a
momentous milestone in our history. We had big plans to celebrate with
infrastructure
current and former staff, clients and the communities that we have been part
of for so long.
But 2020 hasn’t been a year for best laid plans to play out. There isn’t anyone
reading this that hasn’t had to adjust due to the short and longer-term
implications of COVID-19.
In this issue we explore some of the major milestones that have shaped
Aotearoa. Many of the challenges we faced at the time were also huge,
PAGE 10 PAGE 12 from forging transport and power networks in difficult terrain to earthquake
response and recovery.
Reshaping Ahuriri Napier Adapting to First as the Public Works Department, evolving into Ministry of Works, Works
Consultancy Services, Opus International, WSP Opus, and now WSP. The history
Resilience
of WSP is in many ways the history of the built environment in Aotearoa.
We continue to leverage this pioneering legacy on behalf of our clients to
create adaptive and resilient design solutions which will stand the test of time
for the next 150 years.
On behalf of the WSP team, I’d like to thank you for your continued
collaboration and support.
Ngā mihi,
PAGE 14 PAGE 16
Connecting Designing
Communities transport Ian Blair
Managing Director,
in Aotearoa for people WSP in New Zealand
not cars
Editor & Writer: Kate Palmer // Designer & Illustrator: Anisha Panchia – Creative Solutions
Cover Image: Ministry of Works, Archives New Zealand, R19849452, Christchurch-Lyttelton Tunnel
publicity illustration 1963, CH639/55, box 3
© WSP, The Westhaven, 100 Beaumont St, Auckland, New Zealand // wsp.com/nz
PAGE 18 Tō Tātou Whakapapa - Our Whakapapa
THE
PEOPLE PAGE 20
THAT The history of
SHAPED US WSP in Aotearoa
PAGE 03 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHI
Powering up Aotearoa
Aotearoa New Zealand has a Harnessing energy Lake Coleridge was the first major Demand and supply least 60% self-sufficient in energy
world-leading electricity system from water hydro power plant to open and
In the second half of the 1920s
and to attract foreign investment
that is affordable, secure, reliable is credited with establishing in energy-intensive industries. The
In 1903, the rapid growth in demand for supply dramatically
and renewable. the country’s commitment to strategy called for more hydro
demand for electricity could be increased, driven by the availability
renewable hydro energy. Opened in development, intensified oil
At present around 40% of our foreseen and the government of electricity and electrical
1915, it was built to supply electricity exploration, and the use of
primary energy and 85% of our commissioned a series of appliances. By the start of WWII
to Christchurch and high users recently-discovered natural
electricity is from renewable investigations and reports. demand had outstripped supply
of power from the new station gas reserves, either directly
sources, the third highest level in and the need to generate more
The development of hydropower included tramways, the freezing or to manufacture synthetic
electricity was urgent.
the OECD. in Aotearoa was initially fostered works, and the dairies and butter petrol.
through a report on national factories. The Christchurch tramway An investigation carried out by
The foundations for this were Concurrently, a new debate
hydropower resources by the had already been electrified, being the Chief Electrical Engineer in
laid over the last 150 years. 1945 estimated that allowing for a
was emerging about how to
Superintending Engineer of fed by power generated in four provide ample electricity without
Investigating, designing, building natural rate of growth, the limits of
the Public Works Department. steam turbines, and the switchover unduly harming the environment.
and maintaining the dams, to power from Coleridge led to hydro-electric capacity in the North
The report was based on field Environmental campaigners were
schemes and stations have investigations and provided a a saving of £2,000 per year in Island would be reached between
delivered economic expansion critical of the effect big dams had
basis for systematic and prioritised electricity costs. 1959 and 1962. It was around this
and improved living conditions on the landscape and wildlife and
hydropower development to meet time that investigatory work into
through nationwide access to By 1918, it was widely recognised the last major hydro project to be
national needs. thermal power also began and,
that water provided the most completed was the Clyde Dam.
renewable electricity. Continuing in 1948, the Commissioner of
Because it was directed to finding economical power source for Now, as Aotearoa transitions
this today our experts look to how Works went to Italy to study the
cheap sources of hydro-electricity large scale development. The towards a 100% renewable
we’ll power our future in a way geothermal scheme at Lardarello.
near known or expected centres government investigated large electricity future, WSP experts
that meets changing needs and of load, it didn’t cover the full schemes in the North Island with While the commitment to hydro
resources. continue the tradition of powering
potential of the country. As such, the intention of creating an island- power existed, at one stage in the
the country. This includes helping
some sites were excluded as being wide system and this became the 1950s, more money was being
to establish the early wind
outside the foreseeable needs foundation of a fully integrated spent on power development from
farms, exploration on the
of the country, or the technical electricity system based on hydro steam and coal than on hydro
potential of hydrogen and
competence of the day. power. projects. In 1963 the geothermal
ensuring the grid can
Wairakei Power Station was
withstand the impact of
delivering more energy than any
increased demand as
other station in the North Island.
companies move to
By the early 1960s most North electric vehicle fleets.
Island hydro sites had been
developed and the opening of
the HDVC Inter-Island link in 1965
helped increase hydro capacity in
the South Island.
The late 1960s saw the introduction
of natural gas from Kapuni and the
possibility of exploitation of the
Maui gas field.
Following the 1970s global energy
crisis which saw oil prices increase
exponentially, the Government
embarked on the ‘Think Big’
growth strategy. This aimed
to make New Zealand at See more about our current
NZ’s first major hydroelectric and historic Power projects at
power station at Lake Coleridge wsp.com/nz/arotahi
PAGE 05 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHI
Powering to
the future
With over 80% of our electricity coming from renewable resources, Aotearoa is well ahead of the world.
As part of WSP’s 150 anniversary, Rebecca Tjaberings, Director Power, looks at how we sustain this in light
of climate change.
This large hydro base brings uptake and a growing population. High or more extreme wind technologies and innovations that minimising the start-up costs of
advantages with the ability to store Hotter, drier summers will push up conditions may impact wind will ultimately allow us to meet the thermal generation by running at
water in lakes and turn generation electricity consumption to meet the generation if the turbines are 100% renewable goal. minimum loads and using excess
on and off when needed to meet need for cooling – during a period unable to operate in the conditions. energy in other ways, such as
These include utility scale batteries,
the demand. Further geothermal, that typically is lower demand. In the high wind areas around generating hydrogen. Hydrogen
which are coupled with wind farms
wind and other renewable sources Wellington and the Wairarapa, has the potential to use excess
Although we can certainly increase or solar PV, and pumped hydro
such as solar will be an essential conditions are already more energy from renewables and, for
our renewables to meet the schemes, where water is pumped
part of meeting the country’s challenging than other countries. example, we could use wind to
increase in demand and to work during times of low electricity cost
growing power demand, but Other potential impacts on our create hydrogen to be used as an
towards the 2035 target of 100% / demand. Other trends include
don’t have this same dispatchable renewables may be from heavy alternative form of energy for buses.
renewables, getting rid of the last the use of distributed energy
nature, given that they are more rainfalls resulting in flooding and resources (smaller scale wind / solar
of the thermal generation isn’t so
intermittent (wind, solar) or operate risks to dam safety, or damage to / batteries) that can help optimise
straightforward. We still need a
best as a steady load (geothermal). infrastructure, as well as a rise of sea the balance between supply and
cost-effective solution to provide
levels resulting affecting river flows. demand, with it being managed at
However, renewable energy requires generation when required without
an abundant source and in dry having to overinvest in renewables. In effect, more extreme weather will a local level with reduced reliance
hydrological years we use non- impact most forms of renewable on the traditional large-scale
Climate change adds to this generation and transmission. Use
renewables such as gas or coal to power and could make it harder to
challenge, especially as the exact of digital data and improvements
generate electricity. These plants consistently meet demand from
nature of the change and its impact in this area support these changes,
now demand a higher market price renewable sources.
on the power generation market such as enabling more advanced
due to their irregular use and don’t isn’t fully understood. We know Sustaining a 100% renewable weather forecasting or providing a
meet our zero carbon goals. it’s likely to mean an increased generation portfolio in a world of better understanding of demand
The reality is that without these frequency and severity of droughts, climate change, coupled with the loads and patterns.
non-renewable sources we’d which will reduce river flows and drive to zero carbon emissions is a
struggle to provide a secure supply lake storage levels. This will increase topic of much thought and debate. In the short term, until storage
of electricity for current needs using our susceptibility to dry years and technologies catch up, getting the
Options for providing renewable most efficient use of our thermal
our current electricity generation our current dependence on non- energy storage are being
and distribution system. Electricity renewables will become more infrastructure is likely to still play a
implemented or explored here and role. Consideration may be given
demand is expected to double pronounced. Rebecca Tjaberings,
globally. It is consideration of these to fast starts of gas plants and / or
in the next 30 years due to EV WSP Director - Power
AROTAHI // ISSUE 04 // PAGE 06 PAGE 07 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHI
How earthquakes
Being one of the most seismically And we’re doing it. Aotearoa is a Engineers can design buildings that
active countries in the world, world leader in seismic engineering can withstand substantial shaking,
Aotearoa needs to be at the because we’ve learnt from events but the reality is that if a fault line
leading edge of protecting and constantly seek to improve. rips through a building, there is
people, infrastructure and the Acknowledging that any loss of life little prospect of it remaining safe.
economy from the impact of is awful, we can also acknowledge We can’t eliminate all the risks that
earthquakes. As part of WSP’s improvements. The Christchurch come from random seismic events
and Napier earthquakes were
150 anniversary, Senior Engineer and another Napier, Christchurch,
similarly sized but Christchurch
shaped our
Murray Triggs looks at how Kaikōura will strike again in the
had a significant reduction in future.
earthquakes have shaped our fatalities, something that can
infrastructure and continue to largely be attributed to the huge However, with smart science,
challenge what we know. improvements in buildings’ seismic innovative engineering and
resistance. Where Napier’s fatalities pragmatic policies, we can reduce
occurred in multiple buildings, the the loss of life and the cost.
Despite the devastating tragic loss of life in Christchurch
earthquakes in Christchurch and predominantly occurred in two
Kaikōura happening so close
infrastructure
buildings.
together, there is no evidence
the frequency of earthquakes has Christchurch taught us new lessons
changed. GNS measures about and, lest we become complacent,
15,000 earthquakes per year and Mother Nature tested us with
of these 150 can be felt, about one the Kaikōura earthquake and
every three days. However, because highlighted new vulnerabilities.
our recent large earthquakes have
been close to major population
centres, the impact has been Frequency of shaking
greater. Every building has a natural
This is a real issue. Fatalities frequency. If you give it a strong
resulting from earthquakes are enough shove, it will naturally rock
predominantly caused by building back and forward with a frequency.
failures and tsunamis. Globally A short building may have a period
there has been an increase in of 0.2 seconds, but a tall building
earthquake fatalities, not because may be at over 2 seconds per sway.
of increased seismicity, but because If the frequency of the earthquake’s
of urbanisation. And the risk is shaking coincides with the
growing. building’s own frequency, it will
experience much more extensive
By 2025 more than 5,500 million
damage.
people will live in cities; more
than the entire 1990 global rural Typically, short, sharp shaking
and urban population. This puts abates near the quake. The
an increased concentration of Kaikōura earthquake resulted in
people in harm’s way – and is a strong frequency shakes of 0.8-1.2
huge expense in repairing critical seconds that lasted for an unusually
infrastructure. long time and particularly affected
Wellington buildings in the five to
Earthquakes have cost Aotearoa
ten storey range. The earthquake
close to $50 billion during the
was stronger and longer than the
last decade, with the Government
design standards these buildings
spending around $20 billion
were designed to.
following Christchurch and $2
billion on Kaikōura. These same buildings wouldn’t
have been vulnerable with a
The challenge for engineers is
major earthquake close to the
to ensure our infrastructure can
centre. Conversely, the one and
withstand the impact of seismic
two storey, unreinforced masonry
activity, reducing the risk of
buildings that were untouched
fatalities and providing resiliency.
by the Kaikōura quake would be
Ultimately good design is the Murray Triggs,
more likely to be damaged and
difference between earthquake WSP Project Director
potentially cause loss of life in a
survival and disaster. Geotechnics & Tunnels
closer quake.
See more stories on our work in Christchurch at wsp.com/nz/resilient-christchurch
PAGE 09 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHI
Reshaping Ahuriri Napier From then to now
One of our more recent projects
in Ahuriri, the award-winning
Rugged and stunningly In all, 356 people were killed and It also resulted in a significant As most of Ahuriri Napier’s Kuaka Gateway, acknowledged the
400 required hospital care for change in emphasis within the rebuilding took place in the 1930s impact the earthquake had on the
beautiful, Aotearoa has been
injuries. Many of the deaths were PWD. Where previously public when Art Deco was fashionable, landscape.
shaped by powerful forces that
still cause dramatic impact. caused by collapsed masonry buildings had been the almost Ahuriri architecture is regarded Crucial to success was ensuring
The earthquakes, eruptions, buildings, fallen parapets and exclusive concern of the architects, today as being one of the finest minimal impact to the surrounding
landslides, floods and storms ornamental features. after the earthquake the role of collections in the world. Ahuriri Estuary and Westshore
that have formed our landscape engineers in structural design Wildlife Reserve, a wetland of
While utterly devastating, the In fact, Ahuriri and Hastings
became increasingly important. national and ecological significance.
demand respect, and custodians work carried out by the Public became the only cities in the world
of the built environment are Works Department (PWD) was This knowledge reshaped Ahuriri to be built during the Depression. The project provided an
consistently challenged to design a major factor in preventing the and presented new design Reconstruction occurred in a opportunity to honour the ecology,
in recognition of this. situation from becoming worse as challenges. There are few buildings climate of remarkable co-operation. history and aspirations of the
the organisation’s resources were in Hawke’s Bay taller than five Local architects, including J. people of Te-Matau-a Māui, the
On February 3 1931, New Zealand directed towards reconstructing storeys and verandas above shop Louis Hay, Finch & Westerholm, region known today as Hawke’s Bay.
experienced its worst civil disaster the region. This included restoring fronts — a distinctive feature of New
when a devastating earthquake E.A. Williams and Natusch & WSP designers wanted the pou
water supplies, replacing sewers, Zealand cities — were no longer Sons as well as the Public Works,
struck. artwork to represent the people
and repairing and inspecting to be supported from below by collaborated to redesign the city of the place, referencing the five
In minutes the 7.8 earthquake houses before they could be posts but instead were suspended centre. Young graduates, recruited historic pā sites once located
had changed everything, from the reoccupied. Local survey plans and from above. Projecting ornamental from the Auckland School of around the Ahuriri Estuary. The
topography to architecture and land titles had been destroyed, so features were also prohibited. Architecture, brought fresh ideas existing lagoon is a tiny fraction of
lifestyle. It deformed the surface of all properties were resurveyed, and Due to the failure of traditional with them. what was there pre-earthquake
the land in the surrounding area, interim titles were issued. load-bearing masonry buildings Thomas Mair, the second when the lagoon had five islands in
pushing up a long dome running The earthquake prompted a of brick and plaster during the Government Architect who led the it and yacht races used to happen.
northeast-southwest that was 17 km thorough review of New Zealand earthquake, modern construction
wide and over 90 km long. Architectural Division of the Public
building codes, which were found methods were adopted that Works Department from 1922 to
Sea water draining from Ahuriri to be totally inadequate and in 1935 employed reinforced concrete for Find out more about Kuaka Gateway at
1942, designed the iconic Former
Lagoon created more than 2,000 earthquake design standards for all new buildings. wsp.com/nz/kuaka-gateway
Ministry of Works building and post
hectares of new land – now the site buildings were introduced for the office in Ahuriri. His tenure also
of Hawke’s Bay Airport. first time. included the building of Rotorua’s
Blue Baths.
AROTAHI // ISSUE 04 // PAGE 10
Adapting to
The lifeline studies characterised
resilience through a framework of
high-medium-low risks. However,
because this didn’t factor in the
TRIANGLE OF
accessibility required by society, RESILIENCE CONCEPT
the framework couldn’t be related
to asset management, emergency
response planning and other EVENT Time for recovery
needs. That moment came during
our research into the systematic Normal
management of resilience risks
LEVEL OF Extent
in 2000-2005. This allowed us of loss of
to develop the resilience metrics SERVICE
Resilience
service
of ‘availability state’ (degree of RESILIENCE
availability or non-availability of the Reduced (smaller the area,
transport link) and ‘outage state’ greater the resilience)
(how long the availability is likely to
be impaired), using the triangle of TIME
resilience concept.
Interestingly, we used the Kaikōura
coast transport corridor in the
South Island and the Wellington
city network as pilot studies. We of vulnerability in earthquakes, were required or access, reinforced
applied this to several transport tsunami and storms, the first thing the need to consider resilience as a
networks and this enabled asset of its kind in New Zealand. region-wide system. We developed
owners and emergency response a business case for Waka Kotahi NZ
Key insights from the Canterbury
planners to understand the issues Transport Agency that considered
earthquakes were incorporated
and incorporate into their resilience the Wellington transport network
as well as the impact of the
response planning. and led to us recommending
Kaikōura earthquake on Wellington.
strengthening alternative routes
In 2008, on my return from Following Kaikōura roads were
rather than just the primary route.
a New Zealand Society for closed not just from damage, but
Earthquake Engineering also due to damage or collapse It’s challenging to juggle the
reconnaissance mission to learn risk from adjacent buildings. With consideration of multiple
from the devastating magnitude 8 this in mind we extended the dimensions of availability and
Wenchuan Earthquake in China, I assessment to include resilience outage, differing needs in LIHP
was thrust into the transport ‘war impacts on access associated with and HILP events, functionality
room’ during the simulated Project building damage. and response and recovery
Phoenix earthquake exercise. It across a spatially distributed
Lessons from a variety of storm
shocked me that some of the state and interconnected network.
and modest earthquake events
highway corridors were planned to However, using GIS and this
Road networks are key lifelines Our ability to provide access to as well as the more devastating
be opened in a mere six days, when multi-dimensional approach we
for communities and are vital communities comes under strain in earthquakes reinforced the need to
I had just observed similar highways were able to develop a unique
for response and recovery after the event of natural hazards such as consider different level of hazards.
being cut off for over six months in and robust programme of long-
major incidents. As part of WSP’s earthquakes and storms. Hazards For example, a modest event –
China. term resilience enhancement
150 anniversary Pathmanathan continually test vulnerabilities, Low Impact, High Probability actions for Wellington. These
Brabhaharan (Brabha), WSP challenge our thinking and force us By 2012 we had begun (LIHP), where society is almost include emergency response
Technical Director Geotechnical, to adapt. characterising the resilience of fully functional - requires a level of planning, enhanced preventative
looks at the evolution of thinking It’s an ongoing process, especially the highways in the Wellington access approaching normal levels. resilience enhancement measures,
with new technologies and region, integrating this with the However, a major event – High communication, strengthening of
on resilient transport in Aotearoa.
threats emerging. I look back at local authority transport networks Impact, Low Probability (HILP) critical sections, introduction of new
the Wellington lifeline studies into one regional network – would see the socio-economy connections and measures that
carried out in the early 1990s, resilience map. Insights from grind to a halt and priority access need to be integrated into future
which identified risks to roads this work allowed us to promote required for emergency response, transportation projects. I have no
and other critical lifelines, but the importance of resilience for supply of essentials and recovery doubt that we’ll need to continue to
lacked a systematic approach that the proposed Transmission Gully from the event. These have quite adapt our thinking as we continue
didn’t address the impact on the expressway and, building on the different resilience needs and both on the path to greater resilience.
network. By the late 1990s, when lessons from the 2008 Wenchuan need to be planned for.
we investigated the resilience of earthquake, develop concepts to
enhance resilience. This led to an Lessons from my reconnaissance
Pathmanathan Wellington’s transport networks, following the 2016 Kumamoto
we’d adopted a network-wide assessment of the critical resilience
Brabhaharan (Brabha), earthquake in Japan, where major
approach using a geospatial issues for Wellington’s transport
WSP Technical Director highway routes were closed for
platform (GIS). network that incorporated GIS and
Geotechnical many weeks and alternative routes
assessed risks against the degree
AROTAHI // ISSUE 04 // PAGE 12 PAGE 13 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHI
Connecting A community’s transport system and network is its life blood, providing the
means of moving its people, goods, freight and commodities.
Communities
For 150 years, WSP has been closely involved in the development and maintenance of
the transport infrastructure that supports this. From the establishment of the first rail
links, our involvement has included development of the national highway network,
in Aotearoa
design and construction of road and rail bridges and tunnels, development of ports and
harbours and construction of international and regional airports. Today our role continues,
as we plan the infrastructure that will support the transport modes of tomorrow.
Where it began
In 1870 Julius Vogel, Colonial Building railways and roads in a terrain and earthquakes posed a
Treasurer, unveiled the most mountainous, geologically unstable high risk of landslide. Surveying
ambitious public works and and swampy country was a difficult was carried out in dense, virgin
assisted-immigration programme in challenge. New Zealand lacked forest in uninhabited areas. These
New Zealand’s history. It was to be capital and labour but, compared factors, together with the wish to
funded by massive borrowing in the to Britain and Europe, land was build quickly and cheaply, led to
London money markets, reaching relatively cheap. Rather than the adoption of a narrow 3 ft 6 in
£10m by 1876 and £21m by 1881 build the most direct routes with (1,067-mm) gauge as the national
(equivalent to $1.5bn and $3.5bn expensive earthworks, tunnels and standard.
respectively in 2020). stone bridges, it made sense to Progress was made quickly. Within
build longer, winding routes around
This would be spent on assisted two years the Department had
obstacles, to erect wooden trestle
(government-subsidised) opened 960km of roads and within
bridges, and to tolerate tight curves
immigration and on building or 10 years 2,112 km of railway was open
and steep gradients.
improving infrastructure, including for traffic.
the telegraph network, roads, public Conditions made for dangerous From the 1870s to 1920s railways
buildings and port facilities. Its construction, particularly in isolated opened the country for settlement,
centerpiece was a promise to build areas where bringing in supplies linked communities and made
more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of was difficult. Heavy rainfall led to transportation of goods for export a
railway in nine years. flooding, which regularly washed feasible proposition.
away early bridges and the humidity
The undertaking was massive.
caused wood to rot. Unstable
Roads vs railway Then to now
While railway construction Transport connections bring followed by public transport. The
dominated public works policy, economic vitality for the benefit of Index also showed that leading
there was a strong preference communities and the environment. cities had a blueprint to reduce their
for roads. Traction engines were Cities and towns of the future must Greenhouse Gas emissions and, as
deemed a more viable transport support happy and productive such, planning the infrastructure to
model for farm produce, wool and communities with good transport support the transition to low carbon
– increasingly – dairy. This drove the links. transport is a priority.
requirement for metalled roads as
The 2018 WSP Global Cities Index, Solutions to supporting this, such as
rapid and reliable transport was
looked at how cities are preparing infrastructure for cycling and other
essential. This plus the increased use
for a future shaped by the major micro mobility options, connecting
of motor vehicles from the 1920s
urban transitions of our day: people to public transport hubs,
onwards, created a demand for
urbanization; density and growth; and the electrification of public and
safer, more reliable roading.
digital disruption; emerging private vehicles, present their own
mobility; evolving utilities models challenges and is something WSP
and a changing climate. experts are helping clients develop.
The issues that demand cities’
attention the most are housing, See more about the Global Cities
both the cost and availability, Index at wsp.com/nz/cities-index
PAGE 15 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHI
Designing
Imagine a city where the car is no longer king and everything a community needs is within easy access.
Risto Jounila, WSP Technical Director Transport, explains how we can achieve it through developing human-
oriented transport routes.
transport for
Imagine. Your home is in a place In the city centre, urban diversity The beauty in urban capacity is in
that is safe and attractive. You and creates a resilient and vibrant the fact that it serves both – land use
your family can walk and cycle to society. This diversity calls for planning and transport planning.
schools, shops, cafés and jobs. In less proximity and connectivity, or As a result of this thinking Helsinki’s
than a block, you can get a haircut ‘reachability’. The methodology for growth will transform many of the
people
or go to the dentist. There are a measuring urban capacity considers motorway-like thoroughfares into
variety of places you can meet up the possibilities for people to boulevards with adjacent mixed
with friends and it’s easy to move interact. People, jobs, properties and use development that support
around your neighbourhood. If you services within a neighbourhood public transport and increase
need to travel further there are (area within walking distance the attractiveness of walking and
options that don’t require a car. of a given location, 700 m) are cycling.
not cars
measured and define this urban
This city has frequent, comfortable The densification of a city has to
capacity.
and safe transport facilities happen in a way that is attractive
and services are available on Planners recognise that as the for everybody – people/residents,
neighbourhood roads: bike lanes, urban structure becomes denser, businesses and services. However,
trams, buses, ride shares. You the need for mobility increases, the journey to urban boulevards
can also drive a car to and from whereas the space available for has been challenging and there
your home, but you don’t have to traffic doesn’t. A dense urban was significant opposition. Key to
own a car. For one city this vision structure needs an efficient success was educating stakeholders
became reality through a bold new transport system, capable of moving and authorities about the positive
approach to urban growth. maximum of people and materials effects of transforming motorways
in limited space. to a ‘less efficient’ transport corridor
Helsinki has transformed its thinking
and executing a broad range of
around assessing land use and Urban capacity is highest in areas
interactive methods during the
movement concepts, leading to the that are densely built up, where
process to ensure that citizens were
development of the ‘urban capacity’ mixed land use creates high
closely involved.
methodology. levels of activity within a highly
connected street network. Features People behave according to the
Traditionally traffic engineers
that diminish urban capacity environment and opportunities that
measure traffic capacity (vehicle and
include highways and massive are available. Sustainable modes of
people throughput) and end up
shopping centres because they limit transport will be the most attractive
with car-centric solutions (because
neighbourhood interactions and choice if street space is prioritised
‘the transport model told you so’).
accessibility. for active and public transport.
Meanwhile, architects measure
My challenge is to not let the car
residential capacity (quality of living) When done well urban capacity has
dictate how our environment looks.
when planning land use and tend a positive impact on traffic. While
We know what attractive and safe
to accept their solution as a given, the number of trips per person
neighbourhoods look like, so why
because the reasoning for it is doesn’t change, the modes do
not make it happen?
based on years of this thinking. Both (because the trip generators are
groups have developed their own near each other). A neighbourhood
tools to measure the performance with good urban capacity provides
of any given solution for many many services within walking
decades but don’t speak the same distance and mean walking
language when approaching and cycling trips are the most
planning. This is why cars continue convenient way of moving. High
to dominate. urban capacity also calls for effective
public transport services.
Risto Jounila,
WSP Technical
Director Transport
PAGE 17 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHI
Bob Semple government’s infrastructure For example, had the Nelson
investment. He reshaped the PWD aerodrome been constructed using
Unconventional agitator Bob by resuming its original function the depression methods of hand
Semple was one of the more as the development arm of the shovels and wheelbarrows, it would
colourful personalities of the Public government by phasing out its have cost $350,000 and taken
Works Department. He arrived in focus on relief work from the Great three years to complete. Using
New Zealand under an assumed Depression. earthmoving equipment and other
THE
name from Australia, where he machinery meant the job was done
was blacklisted following a failed He had a genuine enthusiasm
in 16 months, for $70,000.
miner’s strike in 1903. Here, he was for public works and a total
jailed in 1913 for supporting the commitment to their efficient Semple was also a prolific user of
PEOPLE
general strike and again in 1916 after construction. His belief that society ‘unparliamentary language’ during
fighting conscription for overseas could be transformed by improving his time as an MP and was fond
service during WWI. the physical condition and of insulting colleagues by calling
environment of New Zealanders or comparing them to Australian
THAT
A staunch unionist, Semple was gave public works an idealistic animals such as kookaburras,
never far from politics and stood for rationale. kangaroos and dingoes.
Wellington City Council and later
the 1925 general election. In 1935 He recognised that during the Ironically, given his criticism of
SHAPED US
when Labour won office he was depression the professional staff compulsory military training that
chosen by Michael Savage as the had been expected to use archaic led to his prison sentence, Semple
Minister of Public Works. methods and determined they is largely remembered for the WWII
should have all the plant and ‘Bob Semple tank’. The tank was
Anecdotes from this period show machinery necessary to undertake made from corrugated iron and
Semple in an amusing light with work. The mechanisation of the a tractor base. Although it had
one staffer recollecting, “Bob had department in the late 1930s is seen numerous design flaws and other
a habit of potting off rabbits, hares, as one of the great achievements practical problems and was never
hawkes and other game from the of the Semple ministry. This caused put into production, it continues to
From the earliest days of the Public Works Department through to the present day, our people have always fast-moving ministerial car on his a dramatic reduction in the time be regarded with affection by many
trips around the country.”
been future-focused and challenged the status quo. Here we look at three iconic characters from WSP that taken to complete major projects New Zealanders.
have shaped Aotearoa over the last 150 years. He was seen by many as the and their cost.
public face of the first Labour
Julius Vogel Not all his ideas were supported. Anno Domini 2000, or, Woman’s
Vogel advised setting aside land Destiny is regarded as New
Undoubtedly the most influential for debt repayment, but this was Zealand’s first science fiction novel, Max Smith He barely tolerated any interest He also spoke out against the
figure in the history of the Public largely ignored. Had this approach was uncanny in its predictions and from head office in Wellington in MOWs plan to abandon Twizel
Works Department (PWD) was Another larger-than-life personality, various aspects of the development, when the project was completed.
been taken it may have lessened well ahead of its time. Max Smith was a controversial
the politician responsible for the severity of the 1880s depression. and his pragmatic attitude towards
In his fictional Y2K, men and figure, well-respected by his staff His daughter told the Otago Daily
establishing it in 1870, Julius Vogel. Since the 1860s he had argued what he felt was good for the newly
women ‘take part in the affairs but at odds with authority. Times that her father was in no
Vogel is credited as a bold visionary, for higher education for girls and born town of Twizel meant he was doubt that the workforce should
of the world on terms of equality, A civil engineer by trade, Smith sometimes referred to by locals as
particularly his plan to revive New in 1887 he introduced the first each member of either sex enjoying be kept intact for future projects
Zealand’s faltering economy. In women’s suffrage bill in parliament. went to Twizel to put into practice ‘God’. outside the region and that Twizel
the position to which he or she the National government “Think
setting up the PWD he initiated Although unsuccessful it was only is entitled by reason of his or her The Otago Daily Times reports that should be retained.
an ambitious 10-year programme six years before women were given Big” policy, including a series during the project, prefabricated
qualifications.’ Women take leading of dams and canals across the “It was a new town with all-new
of public works and large-scale the vote here, the first country in roles in areas such as science, toilet blocks, water supplies, boat
Mackenzie Basin. infrastructure and people wanted
assisted immigration, funded by the world to do so. business and particularly politics, in harbours and ramps, trees and to remain living there for all sorts of
extensive borrowing on the London Some things worked however. His a world in which every 18-year-old Smith was responsible for the concrete fireplaces suddenly reasons. Many of these workers and
money market. policy to encourage immigration man and woman is eligible to vote upper Waitaki development appeared at key spots, often their families had known no other
The success of this policy depended doubled the population of New and stand for election. scheme. At the time it was the without planning consents. lifestyle and Max felt a duty of care
on the rapid and cheap acquisition Zealand in the 1870s. Along with largest development of its kind with Smith was notoriously dismissed for them to be able to purchase
Women hold the most powerful workers operating around the clock,
of Māori land by the Crown, a policy roads and railway, public works political positions in that world. from the Ministry of Works for their homes and remain there if
that is completely at odds with the laid telegraph cables to improve shifting mountains of earth, pouring misuse of public funds after they wished.’’
The president of the United States thousands of tonnes of concrete,
way we would approach things international communication and is a woman, and an Irish woman is he authorised the spending of
fabricating steel and installing His legacy is wide-reaching. From
today. trade. prime minister of a federated British $130,000 to build a rowing venue.
complex electrical systems. the Lakes Aviemore and Benmore
However, Vogel and his supporters He also advocated setting aside Empire. Lake Ruataniwha was formed by recreational, camping and boating
were certain that Māori and settlers intact old growth forest and When he took over as project damming the Ohau River and the facilities to the huge canal-based
Interestingly, in 2000, New engineer in 1970, he had a vision for
would be reconciled after the New replanting cut forests. Zealand’s Head of State, Governor rowing course wasn’t part of the power scheme wending its way
Zealand Wars once Māori – and the Upper Waitaki and Mackenzie hydro scheme. While head office from Lake Tekapo to Lake Benmore
Vogel was also much more than General, Prime Minister, Chief areas: he wanted to create a
their land – were fully integrated a politician. Prior to standing for Justice and Attorney General were was aware of the project the final with its five power stations, the
into the European economy. resource that could be used by New straw was the financial contribution last commissioned in 1985. The
representation in public office he all women, as was the CEO of Zealanders with small pay-packets
started the Otago Daily Times, and Telecom. to ensure the regatta control construction town of Twizel survives
or older folk living on little more building was constructed in time for as a result of his determination to
once he left politics he penned a than their pension.
novel about life in the year 2000. the official opening of the lake as a prevent its being bulldozed.
public facility.
AROTAHI // ISSUE 04 // PAGE 18 PAGE 19 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHI1904 1947 1966
Public Works Department recognises Public Works Department Auckland International Airport opens
potential for electricity in Waitaki Valley becomes Ministry of Works (MoW)
1965
Cook Strait HVDC
cable integrates
1908 power supply
1879 North Island 1940 between the
The South Main trunk 1950 South Island and
Unveiling of
Island’s main railway opens NZ’s first North Island
the Semple
trunk line, from motorway opens
tank, a tractor
Christchurch to in Wellington
adapted to
From the earliest roads and Invercargill, is
serve as an
railways that connected completed
armoured
communities, to the power stations fighting vehicle
1914
that created energy for the nation,
NZ’s first major
the airports that have connected 1965
Aotearoa to the rest of the world
hydroelectric 1953 Newmarket
power station Construction
and enabled regional growth, opens at Lake Viaduct opens
begins on the
and the buildings that facilitate
1870 Coleridge Port of Tauranga
democracy, health and learning, Creation of the
we’ve been there. Here we take a Public Works
look at the events and milestones Department
that shaped WSP and Aotearoa. (PWD) by Sir 1939 - 1945 1964
Julius Vogel WWII, PWD Marsden Point
focuses on 1955 Oil Refinery
massive defence Wellington water opens
1914 - 1918 construction supply design
WWI half of all programme and construction
engineers enlist,
Pioneering Aotearoa 1870-1913 severe labour
The War Years 1914-1945 shortage
Post-War Aotearoa 1946-1969
1964
Lyttelton Tunnel
1957 opens
Scott Base
1937 established
Mohaka Railway
1923 Viaduct opens - 1963
Otira Tunnel the tallest World’s first
opens - linking viaduct in power station to
Canterbury and Australasia develop from a
the West Coast 1959 wet steam field
Auckland opens in Wairakei
Harbour Bridge
opens
1959
Rongotai (Wellington)
Airport opens
1934 1935
Waitaki Dam opens - first Chipseal developed by
major dam in the South Island PWD engineer, Fred Hansen
PAGE 21 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHI1990 1996 2019 2020 2021
The District Court and Central WDSC sold to Kinta Kellas of WSP Opus WSP turns 150 Waikato
Police Station open in Wellington Malaysia and rebrands to Opus becomes in Aotearoa Expressway
International Consultants (1997) WSP to open
2001
Britomart
Development
100 begins in
Auckland
1971
Warkworth
1970 1970 Satellite Station 1989
Natural Gas Ministry 2007
completed Ohaaki
Network of Works WSP enters NZ
Geothermal
market
commissioned turns 100 Power Station 2019
completed Signing of The
2009 Link Alliance for 2024
Auckland’s City City Rail Link
1972 Waikato
Rail Link opens to the
Auckland Expressway
1988 public
Rapid Transit project
Plans unveiled MoWD becomes commences
Works and
(and shelved)
Development
2018
Custom lighting
Services 2009 designed and 2024
Corporation West Winds Te Ahu a Turanga:
installed for
Wind Farm the Auckland Manawatu
opens in Harbour Bridge Tararua Highway
Wellington opens
1972
Manapouri 1988
Power Station Dunedin’s
‘Octagon’ 2015 2018
completed Margaret Mahy
renovated into WSP Opus
modern day Playground opens involved in design
to bring joy back 2030
plaza of Scott Base
to Christchurch Dunedin Hospital
Redevelopment Redevelopment
after the 2011
completed
1974 earthquake
MoW becomes
Ministry of
Works and 2017 2018
Development 1981 Following Award-winning
Huntly Thermal the Kaikōura Kuaka Gateway
Power Station 2032
earthquake 2016, opens in Napier
opens Scott Base
State Highway 1
Redevelopment
reopens
completed
1977
Beehive
building opens, 2017 2017
structural design 1978 WSP acquires Waterview
NZ’s longest Opus opening Tunnel opens in
done by MoWD
railway tunnel, up a global Auckland Pioneering Aotearoa: Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ.
Kaimai Tunnel, network of Ref: 1/2-001815-G. WA-32685-F. 1/2-000703-G.
opens expertise to NZ
The War Years: Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ.
Ref: 1/2-013703-G. WA-48339. WA-01630-G. WA-48342.
Archives New Zealand. Ref: ABKK 24414 W4352 566.
AAQT 6539 W3537 Box 180/B13999
Post-War Aotearoa: Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ.
2017 Ref: WA-29840-F. WA-51638. WA-47260-F. WA-50544. WA-49122.
WA-64768-G. WA-65241-F. WA-73682-G.
1977 Leading-edge Justice Archives New Zealand. Ref: ABWN 23196/1/21a.
AAQT 6539 W3537 86 / A88456. R19849452 CH639/55 box 3.
Construction of the and Emergency Services AAQT 6539 W3537 68 / A81046.
Clyde Dam begins Precinct opens in Christchurch Powering & Connecting Aotearoa:
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ. Ref: 1/4-027440-F.
Archives New Zealand. Ref: AAQT 6539 W3537 118 / A98705.
Drawer 48, D37.359.
Powering & Connecting Aotearoa 1970-1989 Dunedin City Council Archives. Dunedin Octagon 1988.
Lloyd Homer, GNS Science. Ohaaki Geothermal Power Station.
A New Era 1990-2020 A New Era: West Winds Wind Farm, Wellington, Flickr - nzgabriel.
Scott Base, Antarctica © Fiona Shanhun.
Future 2021 - Auckland Harbour Bridge © Ewan Cafe.
Auckland Harbour Bridge © Richard Barclay.
AROTAHI // ISSUE 04 // PAGE 22 PAGE 23 // ISSUE 04 // AROTAHIMe hoki whakamuri,
kia anga whakamua.
Embrace the past,
so we can move boldly
into the future.
wsp.com/nzYou can also read
