Event Details

Infrastructure New Zealand, in partnership with the Women's Infrastructure Network - Northland Chapter, is pleased to invite you to a critical discussion on climate resilience and the recent recovery response in Northland. This event will take place on Wednesday 25 September at 5:30 PM, sponsored by Stellar Projects and supported by Whangārei District Council.

As climate change continues to drive an increase in severe weather events across New Zealand, this panel discussion will focus on the impacts of the February 2023 weather events on Northland’s State Highway network. We will delve into the works required to restore connectivity in the region and explore the lessons learned to better prepare for and respond to future events.

This event is complimentary for Infrastructure New Zealand (INZ) members and Women's Infrastructure Network (WIN) members. If you are unsure whether you are a part of a member organisation - you can check our member directory here.

For those who are not members of INZ or WIN, we warmly invite you to join us at this event. You can purchase tickets for this event for NZD$49+GST.

Sponsor

We would like to thank Stellar Projects for sponsoring this event.

Presenter Details

Kathleen McMullen – Civil Engineer/Team Leader Civil Infrastructure, WSP Whangarei 

Kat grew up and studied in Australia, moving to NZ after graduation in 2016 to start work with Opus International Consultants (now WSP) in Whangarei in the Civil Structures team. Kat is involved in the delivery of a variety of projects for the Whangarei office, focusing primarily on MSQA roles. 

Favourite projects to date have been: 

• The Northland Bridges Project – Matakohe and Kaeo (ERA, then Engineer’s Representative) 

• SH10 Culvert upgrade – Design Manager/Technical Representative 

• Mangamuka EW 2020 – ERA/Technical Representative 

• Mangamuka Reinstatement 2022 – ERA, WSP PM 

• WBHS Bridge – Design Rep 

For the Recovery works for this event (August 2022) Kat has been involved primarily with the Mangamuka Gorge Reinstatement in the roles mentioned above providing support onsite as well as the reinstatement of 3 slip sites on SH10 in 2022/2023 to accommodate the increased traffic anticipated due to the closure. 

In her spare time she enjoys playing netball, brunching and travelling around NZ in ‘Bongo’, her campervan. 

Lucas Nikkel - Founding Director, Stellar Projects

Lucas Nikkel, one of the founding directors of Stellar Projects – local consultancy specialising in Contract and cost management for major infrastructure projects.

Lucas has experience across Consulting, Contractor and client roles over his 20-year career both in NZ and abroad. Since the inception of Stellar, Lucas has been involved in some of NZ’s larger infrastructure projects including being seconded into CRL as the Construction Manager for the enabling works including the Albert Street Cut & Cover and the Britomart Station underpinning works and acting on behalf of the Principal in managing the Eastern Busway and Bridge contract for Auckland Transport. Lucas has also been very involved in the delivery of infrastructure projects in the northland region having fulfilled the role of Engineer To Contract for the Northern Delivery Framework from 2020 through to 2023 and also is currently the Engineer to Contract for the Whangarei District Council roading maintenance contracts.

Since Cyclone Gabrielle, Lucas has been heavily involved in recovery works on behalf of NZTA, developing and negotiating the contract mechanisms for SH25A as well as fulfilling the Engineer To Contract role through construction. Lucas was also the Engineer to Contract and helped to establish the contracts for the Northern Recovery Programme which included Mangamuka Gorge, Brynderwyn Hills and the wider central northland recovery programme of approximately 50 significant slips across the SH network.

Outside of work Lucas’ time is taken up as a full time taxi service for his kids to sports and activities.

Hendrik Postma - Senior Project Manager - Complex, NZTA Waka Kotahi

Facilitator: Michelle McCormick - Policy Director, Infrastructure New Zealand

Michelle is an experienced policy and planning professional with over 25 years in mainly central government roles. Prior to joining INZ in mid-2022, Michelle was the Transport Policy Manager at the New Zealand Transport Agency, leading a diverse programme covering strategic, regulatory, and investment policy.  Michelle also received sector recognition leading the public transport COVID19 National Emergency Response.  In previous roles as Integrated Land-use and Transport Planning Manager and Acting National Planning Manager, Michelle managed the Agency’s RMA national planning work, including National Significant Projects consenting paths, public transport planning, and regional transport initiatives to support economic development programmes.

Michelle holds a Master of Philosophy in Environmental and Resource Planning from Massey University and a Master of Transport Management from the University of Sydney.

She is also a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.