White Associates Anniversary Logo

Reflecting on 15 years

IT’S NOT THE YEARS OF YOUR BUSINESS,

BUT THE BUSINESS IN YOUR YEARS.

With the nation in lockdown, those of us fortunate enough to be able to transport our offices home are now getting used to the ‘new normal workday’.

But today is not just a ‘normal workday‘  for us here at White Associates as we celebrate a great milestone: our 15th anniversary as a business.

So much has happened since White Associates was formed in 2005. We have evolved beyond all recognition in terms of the numbers of people in the team – now 28 – plus the scale of the work we do, the territories we cover across New Zealand, and in the way we work as people, in teams and as a business.

It gives all four of our directors – Darin, Justin, Konrad and Graham – a huge sense of satisfaction to see not only how much the company has grown and evolved over the last fifteen years, but also to still have many clients who have been with White Associates from day one.

Graham White says:

“It makes me enormously proud to step back and see that we have enormous capabilities spread right across New Zealand, which were further strengthened recently when we opened our Queenstown office. The complexity and value of the work we do has increased beyond all recognition, and the way our people work is entirely geared to providing stunning service. I honestly feel that we have no limits on what we can do. I am immensely proud of our team.

 

“I am most proud of the fact that we are still doing what we always have, which is to embrace people and do things the Whites way. Absolute dependability is still at the heart of what we deliver, as we are emphasising with our special 15-year logo, and looking after our team and creating the right culture have always been huge things for us; we value hugely everyone who works here. Their wellbeing is not just a tick box: it is really important, so even as we work at all times to improve our bottom line we want to do it in a way so people enjoy their work and know that they are valued.”

Konrad Trankels adds,

“Sustainability, development and growth are key themes for the future of White Associates. We want a business that is sustainable long term, so we’ve always got to make sure it is a place of interest for our people. We have always had culture in our minds, and in our view the more responsibility and freedom you give people, the more successful you become. If our people are happy and engaged at work then the rest is straightforward.”

When looking out over the next fifteen years and beyond, he says:

“We need to constantly challenge ourselves in what we do, how we recruit, the technology we use, the way we do things and what we want to achieve for our clients. Our industry has changed has so much over the fifteen years, and buildings are becoming more and more complex in so many ways. If we continue to push and challenge, we will only become more relevant into the future.”

INTRODUCING: Corize Olivier

We offer a warm welcome to our latest cadet, Corize Olivier, who joined us at the end of last year.

Arriving into New Zealand from South Africa two and a half years ago, Corize has numbers running through her blood; both her parents are also quantity surveyors.

After studying a year of urban planning at Auckland University, Corize says that she realised that it was not the topic for her. “I sat down with my parents and they said, ‘why not study quantity surveying’? I realised that I have been surrounded by it all my life, and I have seen first-hand how my parents have influenced and contributed to so many projects through the discipline. So I switched to studying the subject at Massey, and I loved it: it was a great decision. Then I decided I wanted to get a job as a cadet in the industry.”

Discovering White Associates as her father was in contact with the company, Corize is now studying and working at the same time. And, although she wasn’t sure she wanted to consult initially, she now really enjoys it, she says. “In particular I enjoy the way the company is structured and how job processes are handled; I have found it all to be very open and welcoming. Since starting, I have not been scared once to ask people a question, and even if I feel nervous people are so helpful, transparent and open here, which I appreciate.”

Working currently with the team on the Auckland City Mission Homeground redevelopment project and driven by a love of structure and ‘how you can influence it’, she says that seeing the frame being bolted into place on the tallest timber-framed building in Auckland is an impressive process. “When I started here I just saw plans for the project, so to see it rise from them is remarkable. It is going to be a beautiful building.”

Now she’s getting her feet under the table, Corize says that she is most enjoying influencing how to make a process more efficient, and saving money while helping people. “It’s all very important to me. It’s about helping the client and contractor, helping them all to have the same end goal: after all, we all want the building to succeed.”

Director Justin Maritz says:

At White Associates we have seen great success with our Cadetship programme as it gives the next generation of Quantity Surveyors the opportunity to get practical experience while completing their Tertiary Education.  It is very rewarding being involved in facilitating the growth of our employees while we work together in planning their career path.  Our team has really responded well to us facilitating internal growth from within the company, giving everyone the opportunity for growth within the organisation.

 

Broader Outcomes driving a new approach to our legacy

At White Associates we’re setting out on a major new journey in our approach to how we do business. Inspired by the Broader Outcomes put in place by the Government as it seeks to drive better outcomes for more people in New Zealand, we have been digging into the core principles of our business – what we do, how we do it, why we do it, and what we want to leave behind us.


“When we started to think about it, many of the principals that underpin the Broader Outcomes also feature centrally in our approach as a business,” says Michelle Pou. “We were using outdated language around it, but the fundamental concepts of kaitiaki or custodianship are critically important to us. We see them not only in the work we do to help clients develop and build projects that will stand the test of time, but also in the approach we take to how we work; sharing knowledge, building our whanau and improving our wellbeing as individuals and as a team.

“When we really started to drill into the four outcomes that the Broader Outcomes seek to make reality, we realised that there are four areas in which we make a genuine difference as a team and in our work with our clients:

  1. Socially – providing skills and training, not only to our people but more widely through the cadetships and partnerships we already offer, increasing our reach out into the communities that surround us and increasing wellbeing and safety
  2. Environmentally – already a motivator for our people as they increasingly seek out environmental initiatives for company involvement, we are also working to help our clients consider and cost sustainable materials and designs into their projects
  3. Culturally – as a multi-cultural business we have so many opportunities to share and develop knowledge that improves us all as a whole. Having already begun a cultural Māori world view awareness programme within our team, we look forward to stepping forwards on this journey
  4. Economically – not only do we contribute centrally to New Zealand Inc.’s success through supporting reliable projects budgets and dependable project outcomes, but we have the opportunity to influence procurement processes to manage cost and increase participation in the industry.

What’s next? Having identified the core categories and workstreams that underpin our approach to the legacy we want to leave, we are now working to identify initiatives to add to our existing work. Expect news and stories as we progress along this important pathway.

Elliot Smith: our main man in Queenstown

Making the move to Queenstown to head up our new operation is Elliot Smith. He’s been racking up a variety of experience and carving his way through a wide range of projects with enthusiasm and skill.

Elliot started studying to be a quantity surveyor in 2014 while working for an interior fitout subcontractor. When gaining his diploma of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management, and wanting a new challenge, he joined White Associates in 2016. Since then he has become a valued team member, working across pre- and post-contract disciplines on numerous projects, and latterly moving into estimating while sharing time between both teams.

In terms of his post-contract QS work, he has worked on Christchurch Men’s Prison Management Unit ($22m), Marist Primary School new classroom development ($2.5m), a $16.5m residential renovation, and AMP’s $75m Bayfair mall expansion. He has also worked on the $35m Rapid Deployment of Prison Enhancements project for the Department of Corrections across Canterbury, in QS and procurement roles.

His pre-contract estimating and cost planning work has included the $30m manufacturing laboratory for Douglas Pharmaceuticals, and the $15m Saints apartments residential development in Auckland. He has also taken on bank funding work, joining our teams working on the projects in Cromwell and Jack’s Point.

Saying that he is enormously excited about the challenge of starting work in Queenstown, he says that it is a huge motivation to work in a new place on new projects, and to see the value that he and the team can add.

“Adding value the whole way through projects is what I’m after, working as a team alongside the consultants and main contractor to collaborate and come to a position that best suits the client through value management. Being on the ground in Queenstown 24/7 means we will be able to do so much more, and be more effective, by being face to face with clients and consultants.

“Having the support of a 28-person team in Auckland to assist me – to provide input and advice, plus skills and resource – gives me confidence. I can call upon any of them to assist, as we have a great management team that is keen to help. It is exciting times for the firm, and for me personally.”

Justin Maritz becomes White Associates director

White Associates is delighted to announce the appointment of Justin Maritz to Director.

Now joining Graham White, Konrad Trankels and Darin Bayer as fellow directors of the business, Justin started at White Associates as a Senior Cost Planner in 2013, progressing to Principal in 2016 and then to Associate Director last year. With over 22 years’ experience working across South Africa, the UK and New Zealand, Justin works closely with all areas of the business, applying his significant expertise in cost planning, estimating, value management and construction cost management across the public and private sectors.

Konrad Trankels says that he and Justin have been working together strategically on a number of projects and clients since 2013. “The success of our relationship and the projects we have delivered has given great confidence to our clients and has made the transition seamless for Justin to become a director.

“The influence Justin has had on the culture of our working environments, and in driving company and project initiatives, has shown his natural ability as a leader for our staff and clients. It makes him an obvious choice as a business partner for us.”

Graham White, Director of White Associates, says, “To maintain our position as an industry leader, and for our business to grow, we need to have the most talented and dedicated people in leadership positions in order to provide our clients with the highest possible level of service. The appointment of Justin does just that.

“Succession planning has always been a focus for White Associates. We look to provide opportunity through identifying, growing and developing our team and I’m thrilled Justin has moved into a prominent leadership role through this promotion.”

Justin says, “I’m excited to take on this new role and responsibility, and to be in such great and thriving company. We have an amazing team and culture that we have all worked hard to develop and look forward to continue to develop and grow as a team.”

“We are working with wonderful clients and project teams and really thrive when we are trusted partners in the process. Now, more than ever, projects need well thought out and planned processes, along with a team that will deliver excellent service for clients.”


			

Graham White made NZIQS Life Member

We are excited to report that the NZIQS Council has awarded White Associates founder and director Graham White life membership in recognition of his service to NZIQS and the industry.

NZIQS President Sam Lomax presented the award to Graham at the NZIQS Christmas function on Thursday 5th December in front of a packed audience.

Says Graham, now Life Member NZIQS, “This is a great honour, and a really nice surprise. It’s great to be recognised by your peers.”

Resilience on retreat!

Every second year we have a company retreat, in order to take time away from our day-to-day responsibilities and focus on bigger-picture topics that matter to us as individuals and as a company.

Always themed, our retreat focus this year was on Health and Wellbeing, a topic that is dominating conversations all around the country at the moment.

On our agenda was a half-day session with Brad Hook from The Resilience Institute, which was extremely well liked by all. His information was simple, and his Toolkit and Tricks – which we are reliably informed are backed by science – resonated with all of us. And then, not to make you laugh, we also did an hour’s Laughing Yoga session the following day! Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be a photo of that for some reason…

At the end of the retreat we had a surprise team challenge: to build an innovative putt-putt golf hole. Through a series of quiz questions and tasks the team won ‘purchase power’ that enabled them to buy products from our ‘shop’: the theory being that the more items you purchased the better the hole became. In the end, after good team competition, a crazy hole was devised and we donated nearly 200 food items to Auckland City Mission.

White Associates Business Manager Michelle Pou said, “We’re big fans of the Auckland City Mission. Not only are we working to help the Mission redevelop its campus, but we enjoy every opportunity we get to get involved personally too.

“With Christmas coming up our focus turns to giving, and especially to those who are struggling in our society. So, to try to pull our weight with the Auckland City Mission, we’ve done a few small things to help. A number of our team, plus some friends and family, recently volunteered at the Auckland City Mission Distribution Centre, packing up a total of 157 emergency food parcels in three hours. We also ran a can drive in the office, with our staff donating about $200 worth of canned goods. And we all enjoyed the challenge on our retreat.

“We know these are mere drops in the bucket of support that the Mission needs, so we encourage you to see how you too can help them create and distribute the family food parcels that more and more people need each year.”

Please visit https://www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz/fundraising/food-parcels/ to see how you can get involved too.

White Associates to open Queenstown office in January

On 28 January 2020 White Associates will be opening its doors in Queenstown.

Led by up-and-coming White Associates Quantity Surveyor Elliot Smith, the new operation will take space in the Fluid shared office space at 10 Memorial Street to offer our full range of estimating, cost planning, construction cost management and funding representation services; the base for White Associates’ work from Christchurch down to Invercargill.

Graham White says, “After talking about this for a long time, and doing more and more work in Queenstown, Christchurch, and across Otago and southland, we are now taking the logical step of establishing a full-time presence on the ground in what is becoming an increasingly important part of the country for us.

“This move to put one of our young leaders on the ground, backed by our full resources in Auckland, has been really well received so far. And now we have the right person to lead our work here, so it is the right time to make the move. It has taken us a while to find the right person to represent us and build our business in the region; someone who meets our high standards and values. This is critically important.

“Elliot is just the person for the job. Not only is he immensely capable but he has also been keen for a while to get involved. As a regular visitor to the region for years, he has the skills to help many businesses across the region and a love of the place itself. Wanting a change in lifestyle with his partner has enabled White Associates to confidently step forward into Queenstown, as Elliot has shown us not just the experience and expertise of what he does on projects but the value he brings to our clients and projects through building solid relationships.” 

“I will also be visiting once a month, as we are working on a number of projects across the region for banks, developers, corporates and QLDC.”

Elliot says, “This is a really exciting time for White Associates, and for me personally. It is great opportunity for White Associates to add value to the market, and for me to further myself as a QS, help grow White Associates in this region, which has such huge potential. I’m really looking forward to making the move next month.”

Moving (mulch) mountains

On Sunday 15th September the White Associates team got stuck in (at times literally!) at the Orangihina-Harbourview Park Planting Day organised by the Te Atatu Marae Coalition and Sustainable Coastlines.

Our team of mulch shifters showed some impressive White Associates muscle in helping to move a 70m² mountain of mulch and dig in 2500 native plants, as part of an initiative to honour the thousands of New Zealand servicemen who have fallen in the line of duty and to commemorate the 51 lives lost in Christchurch earlier this year. The new planting is also designed for the benefit of the awa flowing through the park, the wildlife that relies on them and the people who enjoy them.

The White Associates team ran a bacon and egg BBQ before the planting event started, to set everyone up for three hours of mulch shifting, tree planting and rubbish collection. Then, after welcomes, a karakia and brief formalities, including some encouraging words from mayoral candidate John Tamihere, planting got underway.

The 51 lives lost in Christchurch were represented by planting 49 native rongoā plants and 2 kauri that were then surrounded by 20 harakeke (native flax) which will serve to shelter the plants and represent the support of the local community embracing the Muslim community.

“It was an honour to be present for the memorial planting of 51 trees to commemorate the lives lost in Christchurch,” said team member Richard Moore. “It was a good day for the mental health of our team, our interconnection with the greater community, and the sustainability of our environment.”

The event even featured on Te Ao Māori news – check it out HERE:

White Associates Maori Television Quantity Surveying Sustainable Coastlines
NZIA White Associates

Winners!

Congratulations to the many amazing projects that have won prominent awards recently. The recent NZIA Auckland Architecture Awards honoured the best new architecture in the region. The many successful projects included four we’re proud to be involved with:

And then, at the Property Industry Awards, the B:Hive won an Excellence Award in the RCP Commercial Office Property Award Category, and the Admin Building at Auckland Zoo – nominated for Holmes Tourism & Leisure Property Award!