Backing Capability: Lessons from Fi Innovations and the Future of NZ Manufacturing
From February issue, NZ Manufacturer magazine New Zealand’s manufacturing sector has always relied on one core strength: capability. Not scale or low-cost production, but the practical skill, judgement, and adaptability of the people who make things here. In a recent podcast, Caliber founder Jonathan Prince spoke with Gareth Dykes and […]
Before the robots arrive: How Formthotics prepared its staff for the changes ahead
From February issue, NZ Manufacturer magazine Adam Harvey, Business Performance Partner – Manufacturing, The Learning Wave Running a manufacturing business right now can feel like standing on a moving walkway. If you don’t step forward, you fall behind. Customers want more for less, and Boards are pushing for efficiency, growth, […]
Importing gas locks NZ into fossil fuels for longer – just as clean energy surges
Jen Purdie,Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago The government’s announcement that it would move ahead with plans for a new facility to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), potentially as early as next year, was framed as a way to shore up energy security. But the decision instead marks another […]
2026 off to a strong start for manufacturers
From February issue of NZ Manufacturer magazine By Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing As I kick off my first manufacturing column of 2026, I want to pass on my best wishes to manufacturers across the country as you return from a well earned summer break. I […]
Strengthen worker training and safety
WorkSafe’s health and safety inspectors have been carrying out proactive assessments in the wood product manufacturing sector, and early findings show there are clear opportunities for businesses to strengthen worker training and improve the safe use of machinery. Manufacturing continues to be one of WorkSafe’s highest harm sectors. It accounts […]
XPO Exhibitions to launch new trade fair
From February issue of NZ Manufacturer magazine XPO Exhibitions is partnering with Hannover Fairs Australia to launch Logistics Automation New Zealand, powered by CeMAT. This will be held from 10-11 November at the Auckland Showgrounds. The trade fair will bring together world-leading logistics, automation, robotics, intralogistics, warehousing, and supply chain […]
New Zealand Productivity Organisation wants to hear from you
www.nzproductivityorganisation.co.nz www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz/nzproductivityorganisation The New Zealand Productivity Organisation (NZPO) invites all businesses throughout the country to share their views on Productivity […]
The Learning Wave Free 90-minute taster: Accelerate team cohesion and performance in times of change
What happens when frontline teams are truly connected to each other and the business? You see fewer handovers going wrong, safer decisions on the floor, better problem-solving, issues owned and closed out properly, and people who actually speak up when something’s not right. This complimentary 90-minute taster gives manufacturing leaders […]
Manufacturing starts year by shifting up a gear
Hon Chris Penk New data showing New Zealand manufacturing is experiencing its highest level of activity since December 2021 signals a strong start to the year, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says. The latest BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) shows the seasonally adjusted PMI for December has risen by […]
How CTEM, AI, and access control redefine OT security in 2026
By Carlos Buenano, Field CTO for OT, Armis As we step into 2026, AI-driven adversaries, supply chain fragility, and relentless digitisation are forcing Operational Technology (OT) security to mature into a force to be reckoned with. Here’s what 2026 looks like: AI-Powered adversaries demand autonomous defence AI is no longer […]
Digital transformation
From February 2026 issue, NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz By Frank Phillips, Director, Fulcrum New Zealand Ltd Automation in manufacturing is a competitive imperative. It’s getting easier and cheaper to do, and able to be applied in situations previously unsuitable. Knowing where to start, identifying the right process to automate, detailing solid […]
The Year in Review – Business Exit Landscape
Mike Warmington, Platform 1 This year has been marked by fluctuations in the business exit landscape. The first quarter saw lots of activity and some deal flow. The middle two quarters saw business owners contemplating transitioning out, more likely to hold off as they endured a tougher sales environment […]
2026, moving forward together: Competenz deepens support for learners and employers
By Toni Christie: Competenz General Manager – Employer and Learner Experience With apprentices and employers across the country navigating an evolving sector, Competenz focused on stability, support and momentum — strengthening learner pathways and employer capability ahead of the 2026 shift to Industry Skills Boards. More than 7,000 apprentices and trainees are developing their careers through Competenz-supported programmes across New Zealand – everywhere from engineering workshops to plastics manufacturing lines, heating and ventilation rooms, forestry operations and fabrication floors. And in 2025, that collective momentum has only grown. Even as the vocational education system continued to evolve, our focus remained clear: equip learners and employers with the support and confidence they need to make real progress. A major driver of that progress has been the continued strengthening of our Learner Support Framework. The needs across our network have become more varied, and this year the framework supported apprentices everywhere from engineering workshops and plastics plants to fire protection crews and forestry teams. By early 2025, more than 1,000 learners were joining our fortnightly study groups – a sign not just of demand, but of trust and belonging. Support for priority learners has continued to deepen. Whether someone needs help with literacy, numeracy, drawing, or navigating neurodiversity, we’ve ensured there’s a pathway that meets them where they are. Accessibility has remained a priority too, with 300 Chromebooks circulating nationally — many in the hands of learners who would otherwise struggle to engage online. Wellbeing has been another steady thread through 2025. Our partnership with Vitae continued to provide vital mental-health support. Employers have also played a pivotal role in setting apprentices up for success, and in 2025 our nationwide Train-the-Trainer workshops helped build that capability even further. The series focused on practical, real-world coaching skills — exploring how effective on-the-job guidance […]