International Women’s Day
On International Women’s Day, we acknowledge the many talented women working across New Zealand’s construction industry across every part of the sector. Their contribution is critical to the future of our industry.
Our Chair Jackie Lloyd had a thought-provoking opinion piece published today in the New Zealand Herald. The article is paywalled, but the key points she raises are worth sharing.
Construction plays a major role in building New Zealand’s future. It employs more than 300,000 people and contributes billions to the economy each year. Yet women still make up only around 16 percent of the workforce, and even fewer are in on-site or operational leadership roles. Jackie’s message is clear – this is not just a social issue, it is an economic one.
She argues the industry needs to focus on three key areas.
- We must be more rigorous about leadership appointments. The question is not simply whether we chose the best person from the list in front of us, but whether we built the right list in the first place. That means widening the search, challenging assumptions and recognising talent where it exists.
- Retention matters just as much as recruitment. Construction will never be a nine-to-five industry, but workplaces need to make practical decisions that keep good people. Careers span decades and include parental leave, caring responsibilities and community commitments for both men and women.
- Leadership matters. Careers often move forward because someone believes in you and advocates for you. Industry leaders need to actively develop and champion women within their teams.
Jackie also highlighted a broader issue facing the sector. The construction workforce will need to grow significantly over the next three decades to meet New Zealand’s infrastructure needs. That challenge cannot be met if the industry continues to draw from only part of the available talent pool.
Greater certainty around long-term infrastructure investment would help provide the stability needed to attract and retain the skilled workforce the country requires.
Jackie notes, governance is ultimately about stewardship. The goal is not just to build projects, but to build an industry that is stronger, more capable and more reflective of the country it serves.
At Naylor Love, we are proud of the women contributing across our business and across the wider construction sector.
