UDINZ "Utilities Matters" Webinar Series: In discussion with Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko

Monday 10 August
1.00pm - 2.00pm
Online via Zoom
Cost: UDINZ Member Free, Non-Member $80

Our new UDINZ webinar series called 'Utilities Matters' is designed to get to the heart of utilities-related issues given their significance to development in Aotearoa New Zealand. The objective of the series is to improve understanding between system players around their respective needs and to surface solutions to a range of problems so the system works better.

The series will explore practical solutions to common problems; help the development community better understand how to communicate/interact with utilities; increase understanding around how utilities charge, set conditions and make decisions. We'll also be exploring the increasingly more complicated landscape of utilities regulation.

This session is hosted with the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko and will explore both recent regulatory changes to electricity connection pricing and the Authority’s current consultation on further reform of distribution connection pricing.

The Authority has recently introduced new regulatory tools aimed at addressing concerns about the rising cost of connecting to electricity networks and the way connection charges are allocated. These changes are intended to improve fairness and efficiency in connection pricing and reduce barriers to electrification, housing growth, commercial development and investment in critical infrastructure.

The webinar will also focus on the Electricity Authority’s current issues paper, which seeks feedback on a range of matters including:

How some connection costs are determined and allocated

• Pricing methodologies for one-off charges such as disconnections

• Areas not currently covered by existing connection pricing rules, including secondary networks and real estate developments

• Other related issues, including the contestability of services, equipment and construction associated with network connections

During the webinar, the Electricity Authority will explain:

• Why these issues are being examined and how they relate to broader connection pricing reform

• Recent changes to the regulatory framework and what they mean in practice

• Key questions raised in the current consultation

• The potential implications for developers, infrastructure providers and customers seeking new electricity connections

• How interested parties can provide feedback and contribute to the future direction of connection pricing reform

This is an important opportunity for UDINZ members to hear directly from the regulator, gain insight into both recent regulatory developments and future reform options, and share their experiences and perspectives on connection pricing.

There will also be an opportunity for questions, discussion and feedback.

A zoom link will be sent to you morning of the webinar.

UDINZ "Utilities Matters" Webinar Series: In discussion with Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai

Tuesday 18 August
12.00pm - 1.00pm
Online via Zoom
Cost: UDINZ Member Free, Non-Member $80

Our new UDINZ webinar series called 'Utilities Matters' is designed to get to the heart of utilities-related issues given their significance to development in Aotearoa New Zealand. The objective of the series is to improve understanding between system players around their respective needs and to surface solutions to a range of problems so the system works better.

The series will explore practical solutions to common problems; help the development community better understand how to communicate/interact with utilities; increase understanding around how utilities charge, set conditions and make decisions. We'll also be exploring the increasingly more complicated landscape of utilities regulation

This particular session is hosted alongside the Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai.

The Authority is implementing national wastewater environmental performance standards, developing National Engineering Design Standards (NEDS), and simplifying consenting pathways for smaller wastewater treatment systems. These initiatives aim to give infrastructure providers and developers clearer benchmarks and greater certainty.

The Water Services Authority (the Authority) is responsible for development and implementation of National Engineering Design Standards (NEDS) and national codes of practice as part of a new regulatory system in the Water Services Act 2021 and Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 as well as simplifying consenting pathways for smaller wastewater treatment systems.

The purpose of the NEDS is to provide for national consistency in the design, construction, and operational performance of water services networks, by specifying performance-based requirements for water services infrastructure.

New developments must comply with any requirements imposed by the NEDS before connecting to water services infrastructure, or vesting in local government ownership, and local government water services providers will need to comply with the NEDS when constructing or maintaining its water services infrastructure. 

As well as informing our attendees on NEDS we will also be asking for feedback as per our "Open Mic" series, where you will have the opportunity to ask questions during the webinar and discuss further.

UDINZ Development Pipeline 2026 Ōtautahi Christchurch

Wednesday 19 August
4.30pm - 7.30pm
Aurecon, Christchurch
Cost: UDINZ Member Free, Non-member $100

Join UDINZ at the Regional Development Pipeline 2026 in Ōtautahi Christchurch kindly hosted by Aurecon.

At this showcase event we highlight a range of development projects, big & small, that are underway or in planning across Christchurch.

Presentations will provide an inside look at each project’s vision, development journey and delivery process — including project scale, purpose, current stage, key challenges and opportunities, and how teams are navigating planning, infrastructure, design and stakeholder engagement.

Speakers will also share practical insights, lessons learned, innovative approaches and what’s next for their projects, offering valuable real-world learnings for developers, consultants, councils and industry partners alike from a range of organisations undertaking development.

Join us at this highly popular annual event that examines a range of projects while creating opportunities for meaningful industry connection and future collaboration across the urban development sector.

UDINZ members attend free of charge and non members $100/pp

Project 1: 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 by Williams Corporation.

Williams on Worcester is the largest single-block residential development underway in central Christchurch. a $100+ million, six-building community of 140 homes occupying a full East Frame city block bounded by Worcester, Manchester and Gloucester Streets and Huanui Lane. At its centre is a 10-storey tower, the tallest new residential building constructed in Christchurch since the earthquakes. Rather than reserving the top floor as a private penthouse, Level 10 is a shared residents' lounge and rooftop terrace overlooking the city along with a Gym. This is part of a resort-grade amenity offer designed to make the whole block function as one connected urban community, other amenity includes indoor pool, sauna, plunge, communal bbq area and padel court. Homes range from studios through to two-bedroom apartments and penthouses, all within walking distance of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Te Pae, the Court Theatre and the central city's retail and hospitality precincts. With resource consent secured and sales underway, construction starts in the second half of 2026, with completion targeted for 2028. Williams Corporation is delivering the project as both developer and head contractor.
This project will be presented by Blair Chappell, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Williams Corporation. 

Project 2: 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 by Plato.

The New City Hotel, a derelict hotel on the corner of Colombo and Bath Streets, still stands. Heavily tagged and empty for years, it is now being restored and repurposed as the new home of a growing marketing agency. Restoring the building involves significant seismic strengthening — and an extensive rebuild behind the retained heritage facade. The vision for what it will soon be is where it gets interesting: retaining the hotel vibe and history with a client lobby and bar, three floors of studio and office space built for creating, collaborating and hosting clients, and a full wellness offering for the team including a gym, saunas and ice baths. It's a bet that a restored old building, done properly, can outclass a new one.

This project will be presented by Lisa Plato, Director and Co-Founder at Plato

Project 3: 38 𝐎𝐱𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 by Sheppard & Rout Architects.

38 Oxford Terrace Student Accommodation, currently under construction, is strategically located, interfacing the health precinct and the Avon River and is within proximity to the City Centre. As a four cornered site careful consideration has been made to activate the street at ground level and provide F&B offerings to the public to create a destination for Oxford Terrace. Sheppard and Rout have worked closely with Huadu International Developments to provide a design that optimises access to light and views to the river, providing an enriched experience for students who want to live in the city.

This project will be presented by Anthony Green, Architect at Sheppard & Rout Architects

Webinar: Update on RMA Reform process - Two Bills, Two Practical Practitioner Perspectives

Tuesday 25 August
12.00pm - 1.00pm
Online via Zoom
Cost: UDINZ Member Free, Non-member $80

The most significant reform of Aotearoa New Zealand’s resource management system in a generation is taking shape, with the Resource Management Act (RMA) set to be replaced by two new pieces of legislation: the Planning Bill, focused on land use and development, and the Natural Environment Bill, focused on natural resources and environmental management.

The webinar will start with a reminder of the elements that make up the reported-back legislative package and give you highlights on what we’re hearing across the sector. While the overall two-Bill architecture remains intact, the reported-back legislation introduces important changes across strategic planning, environmental management, infrastructure delivery, natural hazards, climate change, Māori participation, ministerial powers and the transition to the new system.

After that intro we'll hear from Natasha Garvan and Sarah Mitchell, (from, UDINZ members, Bell Gully and Simpson Grierson respectively) on what they think it all means for the sector and more importantly drawing on their experiences how its likely to play out in practice.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear two respected perspectives on the legislation, the key issues still in play, and what the proposed reforms could mean for the future of planning and development in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Innovation in Housing Webinar: Kāinga Maha Development Toolkit

Thursday 17 September
12.00pm - 1.00pm
Online via Zoom
Cost: UDINZ Member Free, Non-member $80

Join us on our next Innovation in Housing: "Thinking that's outside the box" Webinar where Hannah Davies, Craig Seddon and Natalie Keane will present on their Kāinga Maha Development Toolkit.

Kāinga Maha has created a Development Toolkit to demystify the development process for purpose-led organisations that hold land with real development potential but who often lack the technical and commercial know-how to unlock it. Development is often treated as the exclusive domain of commercial developers - complex, risky, and closed off to those without a property background. We don't see it that way.

By approaching development through a different lens - one that holds financial and social value as a single, unified purpose rather than a trade-off - Kāinga Maha supports for-purpose organisations with innovative ways to advance projects that are genuinely impact-focused. We built the Toolkit to share that thinking with the organisations best placed to put it into practice and provide a practical guide for taking land from vision to delivery, with purpose, confidence, and community at the centre.

A zoom link will be sent to you the day prior of the event.

Missed a webinar? Check out all our past webinars as part of our subscription service #SubUrbDev: https://udinz-subscription-service-1.lilregie.com/

UDINZ L&D Offering:

UDINZ Subscription Service.

Subscribe HERE

Did you miss one of our Webinars?

🚀 Unlock relevant learning & development content for yourself or your team through our new UDINZ Subscription Service #SubUrbDev.

Gain access to pre-recorded on-demand webinars with industry experts, thought leaders, and innovators on topics of interest to the sector, to watch at your leisure.

Discounted access for individuals working for UDINZ Member organisations.

“Watch party” option for use in a group training session context (saves you all the effort of having to organise a speaker)

Subscription options:

UDINZ Member;
> Individual that is an employee of a UDINZ Member* - $20.00 per person (7 days access only)
> "Watch Party" for a UDINZ Member*  - $200.00 for “broadcast” at your group training session (available for your designated scheduled date)

Non-member;
> Non-member Individual - $100.00 per person (7 days access only)
> Non member "Watch Party" - $500.00 for “broadcast” at your group training session (available for your designated scheduled date)

*Employer details/membership number do need to be provided and email addresses provided must align.

Please note that for UDINZ Members (who are already supporting the organisations efforts – though annual membership fees) access is provided at a discounted fee level that seeks only to cover our administrative and licensing costs. Other subscription options look to recoup a fee for the time our staff put into curating relevant issues, advertising and delivering events and in the case of the watch party the administrative support required for liaising with you and your technical support team around enabling access for a specific date and time.

For any queries please email info@udinz.nz. Payment must be provided via this portal before content links will be provided.

UDINZ L&D Offering:

Water NZ Digital Badges

UDINZ has done a deal with Water NZ, so confirmed UDINZ members can access Water NZ Digital Badges at a 15% discount on market rates. If you’re interested in registering for any of the Water NZ Digital Badges you can register your interest here: 

Water New Zealand Digital Badges (office.com)

Please note : You register and then Water NZ will confirm with us that the person registering is employed by a UDINZ member.

In return we’ll be making our Decipering Development course available to their members at our member rates. A win win for both organisations! 

UDINZ L&D Offering:

NZGBC's Green Star Rating

We are seeking Expressions of Interest on our newest UDINZ Learning & Development Offering. A course to be delivered for us by NZGBC on their Green Star Rating. 

Let us know at the link below if you and/or your organisation would be interested in attending this course and where in the country you are located (or would be willing to travel to). Date and time will be confirmed once the course minimum is achieved.

This course will help participants better understand Green Star, build your knowledge on managing risk from the tendering stage through construction, and managing documentation for compliance. It will explore the delivery-centric credits often managed by those on the tools and also take a deep dive into sourcing and tracking sustainable and responsible materials, as well as specific credits including Exposure to Toxins.

You will learn how construction materials must be vetted for compliance against VOC and formaldehyde content, and the benefit of materials with higher consideration to environmental sustainability.

The course will also look at onsite practices including managing waste and compliant construction practices.

You'll take away hints and tips from past projects and how to ensure the best assessment outcomes. With increasing interest from the finance sector in supporting green, sustainable building projects, this could also help with your cost of finance!

This is a great way to add a competitive advantage to your bids and tenders. 

Presenters include:

• Ben Cannon, Sustainability Manager

• Clare Gallagher, National Sustainability Manager

• Joe Quad, Manager - Buildings and Communities

Click HERE to Express your Interest.

UDINZ L&D OFFERING:

Deciphering Development for Professionals Course

Contact us to discuss delivery of this course (it will be delivered periodically as a public course based on interest but is also available privately)

Register your interest for future course date please fill out the form at the link and we will be in touch: https://forms.gle/BpRCDSJ2QjSg8iad8

Objective:
Add value to professionals current expertise.
Educate those in consulting and contracting an appreciation for the development process with a view to improving relationships and understanding each other’s perspective in delivering world class residential property development projects.
Create improvement, consistency and collaboration in property development.

Audience:
This is a professional development course for those working in the architecture, engineering, construction and real estate sectors, and who wish to understand how property developer clients think and act. Held as an interactive workshop, attendees will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of property development and how successful projects are created and delivered by property developers.

Facilitated by:
The course is facilitated by Andrew Crosby with other guest speakers included from time to time.

We have secured a potential host for this course in the coming monthl and will confirm the course is proceeding once we have sufficient registered attendees.