Massey University School of Built Environment annual awards

The annual Massey University School of Built Environment awards ceremony was held at the BNZ North Shore Partners Centre on 24 May, recognising the academic achievements of the school’s students. At this year’s ceremony, the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA), together with member businesses Renoarts Bathroom and Kohler New Zealand (Kohler ）once again joined forces to support several future industry leaders.

This year’s awards had many highlights, including the numerous Chinese students receiving scholarships and the growing number of women entering construction. As is widely known, construction is among the industries with the lowest female participation, and the government has long hoped to encourage more women into the sector. In May 2021, Building and Construction Minister Poto Williams celebrated the employment of nearly 40,000 women in construction-related industries at the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Excellence Awards, renewing her call for greater diversity in construction.

As early as 2020, Massey University’s School of Built Environment, with strong support from Renoarts Bathroom and Kohler New Zealand (Kohler ）and in partnership with NZCBIA and its members, began exploring collaboration between the university and construction businesses. The aim was to help the university better prepare students to meet industry needs and provide graduates with practical internship opportunities, narrowing the gap between graduates’ capabilities and industry requirements as much as possible.

Massey University’s School of Built Environment holds a leading position among New Zealand tertiary institutions thanks to its expertise in construction and lighting. Its teaching focuses on quantity surveying and construction management, while its research concentrates on smart construction, project management and environmental sustainability. Digital technologies, including computer-aided design (CAD) and computer modelling of buildings (BIM, AR), are widely used in its teaching and research.

The school offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in construction. Particularly noteworthy is its Master of Construction (Construction Law), New Zealand’s only degree focused on construction law. Students study both construction and law, gaining specialist knowledge of construction law, construction contracts, construction contract administration and alternative dispute resolution, including statutory adjudication.