Hello, and welcome to another monthly newsletter – and the arrival of Spring.

Let me start by sharing with you what our Chief Executive, Sally Dunbar, and CANZ Councillor, Stephen Broomfield, have been doing.

They’ve been on the road throughout the country hosting roadshows to share the direction the CANZ Council intends to take the Association.

Additionally, they shared information regarding the Pressure Equipment, Cranes, and Passenger Ropeways (PECPR) regulations review.

So, I and the Council would like to thank the people who are assisting Stephen with the submission we’re compiling for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Following our successful 2019 conference, we’ve already begun thinking about our next event – which, if you don’t remember, is being held in Hamilton.

To read the full article, click here.

“Shut up and listen.”

That’s what Grant Moffat – who received a Life Membership Award at the latest Crane Association of NZ’s (CANZ) 2019 conference – would have told his younger self.

“That would be my life lesson; there are many people within the crane industry who are quite strong-minded, passionate and arrogant – in a good way. Tenacity is also high.

“We all value our own opinion maybe more than we should, especially myself – I’ve been guilty of saying something before thinking. But the collective knowledge of our industry is hugely invaluable.”

Investing more than 27 years in the industry, Grant started out as a diesel mechanic for Albert Smith Industries.

Finishing his apprenticeship, he was then sent to Guam in Micronesia before heading to Tiwai Point at the bottom of the South Island.

Now aged 44, his passion for the industry hasn’t lost its spark – he put his hand up again to join the CANZ Council: “simply to share the passion and to keep people honest.”

​To read the full article, click here.

Never has there been a more exciting time to be associated with one of New Zealand’s most successful sectors – the crane industry.

From a construction boom to progressing an improved operator licencing system – the industry is coming on in leaps and bounds.

And so, it falls to the Crane Association of New Zealand – on behalf of its members – to take a leading role in strengthening the industry’s future.

Adding to the varied knowledge of the CANZ Council is Stephen Broomfield, the business development manager of Ancon Building Products, who is serving his second term.

From a gantry crane background, he says his representation of that particular sector would benefit the industry as a whole.

To read the full article, click here.

After the 230 metre-long, 30m wide dredge Fairway, widened, lengthened and deepened Lyttelton Harbour’s navigation channel – an ambitious and untested plan was put forth to install new navigation aids.

Smith Crane & Construction’s Piling Manager, Matt Draper, successfully tendered the project to install several spar buoys along the channel without the use of divers – as is the usual practice.

Improving maritime safety, a spar buoy is a tall, thin buoy that is anchored to the sea floor via a concrete mooring block and chain – allowing it to float upright in the water.

This project’s buoys comprised a large platform on top where maintenance can be carried out on the various devices, such as solar  panels, light controls and radar reflectors.

Generally, installing spar buoys involves two winches – one to the lift the block and another to lift the buoy.

As they’re both lowered in the water, the buoyance of the structure straightens it.  Then a diver would disconnect the lifting points underwater.

To read the full article, click here.

The Crane Association of New Zealand’s Past President, Scott McLeod, discusses why clash agreements are paramount to avoiding catastrophe in this month’s The Technical Corner.

Not having the right mechanisms in place to safeguard against catastrophic collisions is like playing Russian roulette.

“And hopefully the bullet isn’t in the chamber as you slew around to the right.”

So says Managing Director of McLeod Cranes and Crane Association NZ Past President, Scott McLeod, who recommends all crane companies utilise a clash prevention agreement.

Many will understand that operating a crane near structures or in confined areas can create a potentially dangerous situation if the hazards are not appropriately controlled.

But as both cranes become larger and jobs become more complex, Scott says the agreement is increasingly paramount for site safety.

To read the full article, click here.