62 | Mentoring a new wave of engineers The redevelopment of QEll and work at Lyttelton Port (below) are just two projects Kotahi Engineering Studio has been associated with. ENGINEERING Kotahi Engineering Studio T T Kim Newth At Kotahi Engineering Studio, specialist structural, civil and environmental engineers work together as a tight-knit team to help people, business and communities flourish across New Zealand. Talented engineering interns and graduates at Kotahi receive the best possible start to their careers and excellent professional development and support. Kotahi Engineering Studio has deep roots back to 2003, having been a founding partner of Structex. Their own unique brand, launched in 2021, reflects a collegial workplace culture focussed on achieving optimal outcomes for their clients. “We work together in partnership with clients and contractors, and our three offices – in Napier, Blenheim and Lyttelton – work cohesively as a group by sharing resources as needed to get the right people on every project,” says Adam Walker, Kotahi’s Managing Director and Senior Structural Engineer. He notes that Kotahi is also developing a new office in Central Otago, which is on track to open in early 2024. In Marlborough, Kotahi’s focus is on the winery production sector. Kotahi’s goal is to be the premier engineers for New Zealand’s wine regions. Kotahi Napier works across all sectors but has particular strengths in health with their most recent project being Kaweka Hospital. Kotahi Lyttelton works closely with Lyttelton Port and Christchurch Airport. For young engineers, Kotahi Engineering Studio provides fantastic internship and graduate employment opportunities that give good early exposure to real-world projects. “They deal directly with clients but have our support network behind them to ensure they get the guidance and assistance they need.” Kotahi typically offers two summer internships to engineering students in the third year of their four-year degree, with one based in Lyttelton and the other in Napier. Kotahi actively recruits for interns through annual career fairs held at Auckland University and the University of Canterbury. “We’re very keen on giving our interns as much real-life design experience as possible,” says Anthony Willard, Kotahi’s Canterbury Structural Engineering Manager. “That way they can get a taste for what a career in engineering really looks like and how it can impact positively on people’s lives and businesses. At university, the focus is fairly mathematical and technical but we can show then how engineering serves the community.” The internships also help Kotahi Engineering Studio assess whether students are a good fit for their team. Kotahi’s four graduate level engineers all previously did internships with them. “We find our former interns, who we have then employed later as graduates, feel confident to make the right calls,” says Anthony. He encourages young graduates with Kotahi to ditch the traditional idea of a career being like a ladder, comparing it instead to a tree with various options branching off, delivering opportunities for different experiences and career growth. “We won’t push them down a set path; it’s about giving them exposure to clients and contracts and a variety of work so they can then start to make decisions on where they want their passion to take them.” Engineers at Kotahi enjoy a flexible 9/80 work schedule: they work 80 hours a fortnight, but get every second Friday off. “This really appeals to our younger staff,” says Adam. “Every second week, they can have a three-day weekend. It’s a good chance to refresh and get away somewhere, especially when you have public holidays and get the four-day weekend!” The flexi work model encourages good work-life balance. Many on the team have an active lifestyle after-hours, tramping, camping or taking part in various sporting events. Kotahi is very mindful of giving back to the community. For example, the Lyttelton team supports Cholmondeley’s Sailing Regatta fundraiser and staff volunteer for the charity’s annual street appeal. Kotahi also sponsors the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction to raise money for Cranford Hospice. Providing People Solutions to Businesses across the Southern Region. Contact: Mary.Rowley@brannigans.co.nz ∙ 03 341 5120
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