Hopes and aspirations that the steel industry will enjoy a recovery during 2026 were give a boost in late December when Stats NZ announced that gross domestic product (GDP) for the September 2025 quarter had risen by 1.1%. This followed a 1.0% decrease in the June quarter. “The 1.1% rise in economic activity in the September quarter was broad-based, with increases in 14 out of 16 industries. This is in contrast to the June 2025 quarter, when GDP decreased in 10 industries,” said Stats NZ´s economic growth spokesperson, Jason Attewell. Notwithstanding the good September news, which means GDP has now risen in three of the past four quarters, Attewell pointed out that for the full year ended September 2025, GDP had fallen 0.5% compared with the year ended September 2024. The encouraging GDP data followed media interviews given in mid-December by Dr Anna Breman, the incoming Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ). Speaking about the economic outlook,

Dr Breman confirmed the policy settings outlined in the November Monetary Policy Statement still held broadly true. “We continue to see signs that growth is recovering after having stalled in the middle of this year. The labour market is still weak but is expected to recover as demand in the economy strengthens. We remain confident that annual headline consumer price index inflation will decline towards the 2% target mid-point by the middle of next year,” she said in December. Dr Breman recalled that the last policy meeting had indicated a slight probability of another rate cut in the near term. “However, if economic conditions evolve as expected, the OCR is likely to remain at its current level of 2.25% for some time,” she cautioned.

As we welcome in the New Year, it´s worth remembering those who excelled in the year just concluded. In November, the winners of the 2025 Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) Excellence in Steel Awards were announced at a gala dinner in Auckland attended by close to 300 leaders and specialists from across the structural steel industry. SCNZ aims to advance the interests of New Zealand’s steel construction industry by promoting the benefits of steel solutions in building and infrastructure projects. Members include manufacturers of structural steel and steel products, distributors, fabricators, designers, detailers, galvanisers, and paint and building supply companies. “The projects submitted for the Awards this year demonstrate the incredible skill and creativity within New Zealand’s structural steel industry,” said SCNZ Chair, Malcolm Hammond. “From design to delivery, our industry continues to set the standard for innovation, collaboration and excellence in steel construction,” he added.

The Awards honour individuals and companies in various categories. The Supreme winner and the Over $3 Million category winner was Eastbridge & Culham Engineering for Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge. This new traffic bridge provides a vital crossing over the Waikato River in Hamilton. Intricate Māori carvings and patterns transform the 180 metre-long structure into a sculptural landmark which reflects local heritage. Two 30 metre-high lattice Y-shaped piers support four lines of box tub girders and a composite concrete deck, delivering a resilient and practical asset for the community.  

The 2025 recipient of the prestigious SCNZ Chair’s Award was Rebecca van Eyssen of the Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA). This annual honour recognises individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to New Zealand’s structural steel industry. “Never one to seek the spotlight, Rebecca’s impact on SCNZ and the wider industry has been immense,” said SCNZ Chair and MJH Engineering Managing Director, Malcolm Hammond. “This award recognises her dedication and professionalism, and the energy she brings to everything she does,” he added.

The SCNZ Awards seek to recognise and encourage the next generation of talent. More than 10% of the workforce employed by local structural steel contractors are in a training program, and 70% of companies employ an average of five apprentices. The Apprentice of the Year winner was James Webster from PFS Engineering. The judges described James as a standout young talent in the structural steel industry with a sharp eye for detail and a strong focus on quality and safety. Meanwhile, the Young Achiever of the Year winner was Tennille Nisbet, a project manager at PFS Engineering. From starting as a summer intern to becoming the company’s youngest project manager, Tennille has established herself as a key member of the Engineering Services team. In an industry where women are under-represented, Tennille has made her mark by leading crews of seasoned tradesmen on demanding industrial projects. Further category winners were:

$1.5 – $3 Million  :  VIP Structural Steel for Mixed-Use on High Street

This six-storey, mixed-use building makes a bold statement on a wedge-shaped site. With a 10-sided footprint, every floor is unique and demanded bespoke engineering and fabrication. Faceted façades, cantilevers and a complex roof with intersecting planes and folding glazed elements required millimetre precision to align steel framing with architectural geometry and façade systems.

$500,000 – $1.5 Million  :  Eastbridge for Wai Kahua Waka Footbridge

Fabricated in the form of a waka, this new footbridge commemorates 1,000 years of Māori navigation and arrival at Turanganui-a-Kiwa Poverty Bay. It’s a seamless integration of art, culture and engineering. The result is a powerful example of how structural steel can deliver technical excellence while shaping enduring cultural landmarks.

Under $500,000  :  DHC Consulting Group for Lot 43 Te Arai

This was a complex structural engineering challenge, made possible by the versatility and performance of structural steel. Featuring double-cantilevered roofs that appear to float with minimal visible support, the design was achieved using slender square hollow section columns and long-span steel framing.  

Standalone Residential  :  VIP Structural Steel for Round House

Situated on a remote coastal site on the Banks Peninsula, the Round House is an architecturally ambitious circular home that resembles a cut-off totara stump. Structural steel enabled the concept and is the backbone of the building.

Earthquake Strengthening  :  MJH Engineering for Te Matapihi Wellington Central Library

More than 1,000 tonnes of structural steel, including custom K-frames and column encasements, turned a flexible structure into one that moves as a single, earthquake-resilient unit.