Tall Stories

By Building Institute Aotearoa

Tall Stories: Tales from the Built Environment is a podcast by the Building Institute Aotearoa where we hear people’s career journeys in the build environment. Our guests come from across the construc... more

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FAQs about Tall Stories:

How many episodes does Tall Stories have?

The podcast currently has 37 episodes available.

Tall Stories episodes:

July 31, 2025Tall Stories: Mackenzie Barnett & Skye Duncan
In this Tall Stories podcast, The Institute’s Southern Region Committee (Otago branch) member and Associate at RCP, Jared Glue speaks with Mackenzie Barnett and Skye Duncan.
Mackenzie is in the early stages of her career in the construction industry, she studied as a Quantity Surveyor and is now learning the ropes as an Assistant Project Manager at RCP in Dunedin.
Skye had her start in Architecture before completing her master's at Columbia University, working in New York in City Government and then starting up the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI). After being based in the US for a number of years she now works remotely from her hometown of Dunedin.
Their conversation spans multiple topics including:
More about the GDCI, how it came to be and what it does to transform urban spaces to improve people’s lives
The challenges of working at a global scale including navigating world politics and cultural differences
Starting out and moving past your nerves – making the most of experienced people around you. You’ll never know everything.
How to help people accept and embrace change – people can’t imagine what they don’t know
The need for more visibility about construction career paths in school – particularly for girls and young women.
Plus, a whole lot of passion for the industry and being part of positive change.
Listen for the full conversation.
When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Ōtepoti | Dunedin at RCP’s offices.
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46min
July 02, 2025Tall Stories: Andrew Holmes & Blair McGill
In this Tall Stories podcast, The Institute’s Southern Region Committee (Otago branch) member and Associate at RCP, Jared Glue speaks with Andrew (Holmsey) Holmes and Blair McGill.
Between them Blair and Holmsey have over 70 years of construction industry experience Holmsey is the Project Director Outpatients - Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora on the New Dunedin Hospital, and Blair is the Regional Manager at Cook Brothers Construction.
The pair have experience, stories, advice and wisdom in spades and share it in this episode.
They discuss:
Challenges they have overcome in their career including taking a big step up and managing hundreds of people and getting crushed by 3 tones of steel (two name just two!)
Trying things out early in your career to learn and see what fits – trying different things and get a broad range of experience.
Changing your mindset – pressure rather than stress and a challenge not a problem.
Using every project as a learning opportunity – even the ones you don’t enjoy can help you to learn.
Ask others for help and advice – they are happy to give it but make sure you stay authentic to yourself and your own ideas rather than just taking on someone else's ideas.
The bespoke nature of New Zealand’s construction industry – for good and bad.
The importance of taking opportunities and upskilling to keep from being left behind – particularly when it comes to technology.
+ so many excellent pieces of advice they have accumulated during their time in the industry.
Listen for the full conversation.
When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Ōtepoti | Dunedin at RCP’s offices.
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32min
June 04, 2025Tall Stories: Simone Sharp & Anntonina Savelio
In this Tall Stories podcast, Northern Region Committee member, Juliana Wilson, speaks with Simone Sharp, Director at Rubix, and Anntonina Savelio, Zero Harm Advisor at Hawkins.
They discuss:
Growing up in Manurewa, South Auckland (something they happen to have in common).
Their shared experience of receiving Keystone Trust scholarships and how important the network of support from Keystone Trust has been to them both.
How important mentors have been in their career and how they are both giving back to others through being a mentor.
Pushing yourself further to try new things and take on new challenges in your work.
Learning something new on every project and using that experience on the next project.
Being proactive in your own career – not being afraid to make big decisions about your career or changing tack.
Working on challenging projects and getting through communication challenges.
Listen for the full conversation.
When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Tāmaki | Auckland at the ProClima Hub.
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29min
May 23, 2025Tall Stories: Justin Flitter
In this episode of Tall Stories, Sophie Prebble, the Institute’s Marketing and Communications Lead, talks with Justin Flitter.
Justin has a background in Tech Marketing, as the Chief AI Officer at AI New Zealand he provides independent and practical advice to help business leaders decide how to leverage AI across their organisation. He is also a Director and Board member at Business Mentors New Zealand. Hespoke at the Institute’s annual conference in 2025 - DigiComm25.
Justin discusses:
Staying at the forefront of technology throughout his career
His work at New Zealand AI including the AI Academy, and the Great AI Roadshow where they visited smaller regions as well as the big cities.
The common fears of and resistance to working with AI.
Advice for where to start with AI – Find ways that AI can help you and enhance your capabilities.
How New Zealand’s Construction industry could use AI to help with efficiency including:
Using it to translate between different languages on site
Saving time and money finding the right information in documents
Automating drafting of written documents
Quickly comparing estimates vs realities
Listen for the full conversation packed full of advice for starting or continuing your AI journey.
When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.
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36min
April 30, 2025Tall Stories: Isaac Kett & Jamie Rodriguez
In this episode of Tall Stories, Jamie Summers, Project Director at The Building Intelligence Group and Northern Region Committee Member speaks with Isaac Kett and Jamie Rodriguez.
Isaac is a Senior Associate at Frequency, and won the 2024 GIB Supreme Award at our NZ Building People Awards. Jamie is the Sustainability Manager at Winstone Wallboards (GIB) and has had an impressive start to her career in the emerging area of sustainability.
They discuss:
Pivotal moments in their careers including moving overseas and back again and shifting tack to follow your passions and interests.
Learning lessons from others along your career path and passing the good ones on to others.
Making your own path when there isn’t a clear one ahead of you.
The importance of working collaboratively and bringing others on the journey – particularly when you want to bring about change or innovative ideas.
Plus, we hear about Isaac’s award-winning work on Pukekohe to Papakura project, what he did that set him apart, and how the win has shifted things for him.
Listen for the full conversation.
When recording Tall Stories, we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Tāmaki | Auckland at the Pro Clima Hub.
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31min
April 07, 2025Tall Stories: Alex Doyle
In this episode of Tall Stories, the Institute’s former Projects Lead, Hannah Nansett, talks with Alex Doyle.
Alex is an Assistant Project Manager at The Building Intelligence Group (TBIG) based in Wellington. He's still new to the industry with just a couple of years’ experience under his belt.
Alex discusses:
Growing up in Timaru and his love of the South Island
Getting thrown in the deep end as a positive
Having influential mentors who bring different perspectives – being ‘a sponge’ and learning from everyone.
The importance of building trust and strong personal relationships – then following through on what you say you’re going do.
The skills needed as an Assistant Project Manager – Accuracy, people skills, communication and what a day in his role looks like.
Being positive, open, hardworking, and not having an ego and ultimately being a good person.
Listen for the full conversation.
When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.
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26min
March 05, 2025Tall Stories: Christina de Boer
In this episode of Tall Stories Sophie Prebble, the Institute’s Marketing and Communications Lead, talks with Christina de Boer.
Christina is the Head of Design Delivery at Summerset and the Chair of the Institute’s Central Region Committee.
Born and raised in rural Scotland, Christina always new she wanted a career where she could do something practical. Starting in Engineering, Christina’s natural leadership qualities quickly led her into management roles and then onto Design Management. Meeting and marrying a Kiwi led her to a life here in Aotearoa.
Christina discusses:
Working in the UK versus NZ
Current technical challenges she faces in her work including managing multiple different consent processes around the country.
How having kids and not being able to control everything changed her perspective and made her a better manager.
Being open to trying different technologies and software.
How all those in the construction industry would benefit from having a broader understanding than just their own role.
A positive change she’s seen in the last five years of a greater understanding of people who have different opinions (i.e. designers and builders).
How having a positive, can-do attitude is the greatest asset.
Listen for the full conversation.
When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.
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34min
February 04, 2025Tall Stories: Robyn Phipps & Emily Newmarch
In this episode of Tall Stories Hannah Nansett, the Institute’s former Projects Lead speaks with Emily Newmarch and Professor Robyn Phipps.
Emily is the Sustainability Lead, Low Carbon Specialist at Warren and Mahoney and completed her PhD at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.
Robyn is the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and was named as a Fellow of the Institute in 2023.
They discuss:
Their shared passion for sustainability in construction
Overcoming imposter syndrome – including advice such as trusting yourself, remembering no matter peoples titles they are all just people, pushing through the doubt and finding people whose ideas resonate with you.
The challenges of being a woman in a male dominated industry and way that is changing. Along with the importance of financial literacy for women in particular.
The importance of finding good mentors – surround yourself with people you admire and then watch how they work.
How mentoring and volunteering is a two-way street – you’ll get out even more than you put in.
Plus, advice including: find your fire, believe in yourself, and don’t compare yourself to others.
Listen for the full conversation.
When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.
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37min
January 13, 2025Tall Stories: James McLean & Emily Hall
In this episode of Tall Stories Hannah Nansett, the Institute’s former Projects Lead, sat down with James McLean and Emily Hall.
Emily is a Master of Architecture student at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and at the time of recording had just started a summer internship as an Architectural Assistant at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott. James McLean has a background in Structural Engineering and is a project Manager at LT McGuinness working most recently as the Project Manager on the ambitious Living Pā project.
Both James and Emily were successful at our 2024 NZ Building People awards with Emily coming away as one of the Resene Next Gen Winners and James receiving a Highly Commended in the BCITO Emerging Leader Award category.

In their conversation they discuss:
The importance of networking and mentoring in furthering your career
The tricky state of the industry particularly for those entering it - how important it is to take all the experiences and opportunities you can to help your chances
Working on a cutting-edge ambitious project like The Living Pā including examples of technology used on the project. How being less experienced may have helped when taking on such a challenge project.
Dreaming big and taking risks to make changes to how the construction industry views sustainability – including the importance of taking lessons learnt from one project to the next.
Maintaining mental and physical health through physical activity and keeping up connections with likeminded people.
The opportunities brought by being part of the Institute and entering the Awards.
Listen for the full conversation.
When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Pōneke | Wellington at Designgroup Stapleton Elliott.
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42min
November 27, 2024Tall Stories: Kyle Pol & Heath Turnbull
In this episode of Tall Stories Adam Baxter one of the Institute’s fantastic Southern Region Committee members sits down with Kyle Pol and Heath Turnbull.
Kyle is an Area Manager with CPB Contractors and has been with the company for over a decade. Heath is the Technical Director, Design and Sustainability at Preformance Building Technologies.
They discuss:
Working overseas on large projects and lessons they brought back with them to Aotearoa.
Technical challenges on previous projects.
The rate of change in the industry – are we moving fast enough? How can we nurture that change?
The positive change that’s taken place in health, safety and wellbeing – this is one way our country is leading the charge.
How they approach leadership and mentoring the next generation.
Finding balance while pursuing excellence – something’s got to give.
Plus, we hear about their shared experiences working together in the past – Christchurch is a small place!
When recording Tall Stories we travel around the motu to hear from our people across Aotearoa – this episode was recorded in Ōtautahi | Christchurch at Aurecon.
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42min

FAQs about Tall Stories:

How many episodes does Tall Stories have?

The podcast currently has 37 episodes available.