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, where the limits still are, and why reliable data is the real bottleneck for meaningful adoption across design, fabrication and construction.

We dig into what AI means for engineers themselves. Not just productivity gains, but how roles, skills and career pathways are likely to shift. The message is clear: fundamentals don’t change, but how we work with them does. AI becomes a tool, a collaborator, and eventually part of everyday practice, provided we put the right guardrails around it.

Sustainability is another key thread. The discussion moves beyond intent and into practice, looking at low-carbon and circular design, the tools HERA has delivered, and the challenge of integration across siloed systems. The team is candid about where Construction 4.0 still falls short, and why true system-wide optimisation remains hard but necessary.

There’s also a frank look at ethics, accountability and energy use. From AI’s environmental footprint to the risks of black-box software and proprietary data, the episode raises tough questions about trust, transparency and who benefits as technology accelerates.

If you work in engineering, fabrication or construction and want a grounded view on where AI and sustainability are actually heading, this episode offers an honest take on the opportunities, the risks and the work still ahead.

Connect with the HERA team.

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 we want engineers and manufacturers to thrive. He talks about what happens when funding is uncertain, and how it affects everything from skills development to long-term planning.

We look at how other countries structure their systems. Richard highlights Singapore’s coordinated, well-resourced model, where government and industry invest together, and Australia’s stronger national frameworks, which give their engineering sector more certainty and clearer pathways. He contrasts these with New Zealand’s more piecemeal approach, raising the question of how we expect world-class outcomes without consistent backing.

Richard also touches on what a better funding environment here could unlock — stronger retention, deeper expertise, and the confidence for firms to innovate instead of constantly adjusting to boom-and-bust cycles.

If you work in metals, engineering or construction and want to understand why the levy matters, how it supports you, and what New Zealand could learn from its neighbours, this episode offers a straightforward look at the bigger picture.

🌏 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 unpack what planetary boundaries really mean and how planetary accounting helps us measure and manage our impact across all of them.

We cover:
• What the nine planetary boundaries are and how many we have already exceeded
• How planetary accounting works and why it goes beyond carbon accounting
• What this means for construction, design and material choices
• The surprising trade offs hidden in our sustainability decisions
• What we can learn from the ozone layer, the one boundary we have successfully restored

Listen in if you want to understand the bigger picture of sustainability and how tools like planetary accounting can help the built environment move from less harm to regenerative impact.

🎧 Find other episodes here: https://hera.org.nz/category/podcast/

📌 Subscribe for more conversations shaping the future of our industry.
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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 founder of Rosala Street, explains what a digital product passport actually is, how it works and why it could reduce admin while building valuable material banks. Caroline from GS1 shares how Europe and other markets are already moving toward passports as policy, and what lessons Aotearoa can take from international developments. Osama brings it back home, looking at how the pilot project is landing in New Zealand and what this means for local manufacturers, contractors and project owners.

Whether you are curious about reducing compliance headaches, looking for ways to meet sustainability goals, or want to understand how global changes could affect your projects, this episode offers insights on where construction is heading and why digital product passports could be a game changer.

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 his journey, the often-overlooked capabilities of structural steel in extreme conditions, and the technical breakthroughs that changed how we build.

Charles also shares what continues to inspire him, what he hopes the next generation of engineers will take on, and the one thing he wants to be remembered for.

💡 Whether you're just starting your engineering journey or have been in the game for years, this episode offers insights on leaving a lasting legacy and designing for impact.

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 hasn’t yet made the leap.

We also chat about the risks of being left behind, what the future of work could look like, and why getting comfortable with disruption might just be your biggest advantage.

💡 Whether you're an engineer, designer, or industry leader — this episode will give you food for thought and a few nudges to get ahead of the AI curve.

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 penetrations. Maryam shares the real-world pain points this software solves for engineers, how it integrates with existing tools, and why it’s a game-changer for accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

🎧 Whether you’re an engineer, designer, or just curious about the brains behind digital tools in construction – this kōrero offers valuable insights into building smarter with confidence.

🔗 Resources & links
– Learn more about CompWebPen: https://www.hera.org.nz/resource-compwebpen-launch/
– Explore our Composite Beam & Slab Tool: https://www.hera.org.nz/resource-composite-design-tool/
– Subscribe to our podcast: https://www.hera.org.nz/podcasts/

📬 Got questions or feedback? Reach us at info@hera.org.nz

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 analysing fire protection methods, she shares how working on real-world projects has shaped her understanding of both fire engineering and sustainability in construction.

In this episode, Lydia reflects on the highs and challenges of her seven-week internship, including tackling complex modelling software, problem-solving independently, and collaborating with industry experts. She breaks down her work on the HERA Intumescent Optimisation Tool, concrete-filled steel tube research, and steel columns in fire-rated walls—highlighting the crucial link between cost efficiency, carbon savings, and fire safety.

If you're an engineering student or just curious about what it's like to dive into a research-based internship, this is a must-listen. Lydia’s experience shows how hands-on learning can open unexpected doors and shape the future of fire engineering in Aotearoa. 🔥