Breaking Ground

Our September episode features Tony Brand from Brand Logging. He’s the owner of a successful forestry contracting operation in Canterbury that spans decades and he’s seen many changes in the industry over that time. Tony also has a passion for motorsport and enjoys competing in truck racing around New Zealand.

We meet Graham Walker who has been in the industry for over 50 years. He has a long association with the Ministry of Works, more latterly Works Infrastructure and Downer, and over that time he’s had a close relationship with Cat machines and the dealership here in New Zealand.

In the July episode of Breaking Ground we catch up with Crusaders captain and New Zealand All Black, Scott Barrett. We talk about his background from growing up farming in Taranaki, moving to Christchurch, becoming a Crusader, and then making the All Blacks. Now in his third season as captain he talks about success on and off the field and the outstanding culture that makes the Crusaders a champion team.

Brad Olsen is the Principal Economist and Director at Infometrics. Brad is one of New Zealand’s leading economic commentators and in this podcast episode he provides his perspective on the key industries that we work with every day within New Zealand.

We meet Stan Goodman from Goodman Contractors based at Waikanae, north of Wellington. Goodman’s has been shifting dirt since 1963 and since then they’ve been involved in many iconic projects to help shape New Zealand.

There’s been plenty of big earthmoving machinery used along the way. Listen in as Stan looks back on memorable projects – including early wind farms and Transmission Gully - then discusses opportunities and challenges in the industry today.

The April episode features Wanaka's Allan Dippie. He’s the owner of a successful family business operation spanning multiple enterprises throughout Otago and Southland, including Central Machine Hire. Allan's also the founder of the Wheels at Wanaka show, a vintage machinery enthusiast and has a passion for car racing.

Machine operator Olivia Thomson gives us the inside scoop on life in the earthmoving industry in the latest episode of Breaking Ground.

A self-described machinery fan, Olivia’s earthmoving career started as a little girl on the floor of her dad’s grader with a blanket and a packet of biscuits.

Fast forward 22 years and she is now operating machines herself, loving life in the industry and keen to encourage more women to consider a career in earthmoving.

We meet Martin Hewitt, who’s a bit of an industry legend. An expert in positioning systems, including those in Cat machines, Martin’s been involved in many big New Zealand projects over the years and has eye witnessed many technology firsts in this country. He’s got no shortage of stories to share, having surveyed bombsites, shipwrecks and earthquake zones. Martin started as a survey technician in London, then moved into senior roles with GeoSystems and more recently Sitech.

Steve shares some yarns from his many years in the earthmoving industry