Tēnā koutou katoa,

This quarter has been both challenging and productive for our company. We have been visiting and on the phone with members, and recognize that the past half-year has been tough for many of you with high interest rates remaining, feedback on restructures due to the recent immigration changes, and a slowdown in the pipeline of work. If you're feeling the pressure, please don't hesitate to reach out for a chat or support. We're here for you.

Despite these challenges, we've achieved significant milestones. One of the most noteworthy developments is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NASC - National Access and Scaffolding Confederation. This historic alliance marks a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance industry standards and safety protocols. The MOU symbolizes our shared commitment to fostering growth, improving best practices, and promoting higher safety standards within the scaffolding industry. Read more about the MOU here.

We're also thrilled to announce our amalgamation with the Industrial Rope Access Association of New Zealand (IRAANZ). This merger strengthens our position and broadens our reach, enabling us to better serve our members and the industry at large. Details about the amalgamation can be found here.

Earlier this year, we had a meeting with Hon. Brooke van Velden , the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, alongside Roofing Association of New Zealand CEO Graham Moor and Crane Association of New Zealand Inc. CEO Sarah Toase, regarding the proposed Plant and Structure regulations. Unfortunately, we were informed that the final draft of these regulations will not be progressing. We understand how disappointing this news is, and we share in your frustration. Rest assured, we are working closely with the minister to ensure our voice is heard and will continue to advocate strongly for our industry.

This year is incredibly important for advocacy, and we're dedicating significant resources to this effort. We know how crucial it is to address these issues, and we're committed to working alongside other industries on shared concerns to amplify our collective voice. Our advocacy efforts will ensure that our industry's needs and concerns are effectively communicated and addressed at the highest levels.

The recent changes to immigration settings have also posed a significant challenge for our industry. In response, we have scheduled a meeting with Hon. Hon Erica Stanford MP, Minister of Immigration, on June 26th to advocate for the inclusion of scaffolding and rigging roles on the green list. Several members will be joining me in this crucial meeting to ensure our collective voice is heard.

In our continuous effort to stay ahead of industry trends, we will be trialing a new AI software program next month. We hope to share more about this exciting development soon, as we believe it has the potential to revolutionize our operations and services.

We are also excited to be in the thick of planning our upcoming Annual Conference and Tradeshow, which will be our 30 year anniversary also. This event is a fantastic opportunity for members to connect, share insights, and stay updated on industry developments. The conference will feature a keynote address by Sir Ian Taylor, and a presentation by Hon. Chris Penk MP , the Minister for Building and Construction, who will also be available for a Q&A session. We also look forward to welcoming representatives from our friends at NASC - National Access and Scaffolding Confederation and the Scaffolding Association Australia, to further build our international ties. So ensure you get those award nominations in quick and secure those tickets. Further details about the conference can be found here.

As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission of supporting and advancing the scaffolding and rigging industry. Thank you for your continued support and dedication. We look forward to seeing you at the conference and continuing our work together to achieve new heights of success.

Ngā mihi nui,

Tina Wieczorek

CEO, Scaffolding, Access and Rigging NZ