Recently I visited Washington and Sydney to discuss transport initiatives with industry leaders. We have many similarities and synergies with our overseas counterparts, and their approach to creating better solutions provides us with a fresh perspective. It is great to implement some of these ideas back in New Zealand - with good results so far.

Several of our team had the privilege to hear Mayor Len Brown launch the discussion document for Auckland’s Spatial Plan, known as the Auckland Plan. He also spoke of his vision for the city and the development of our infrastructure. There is a myriad of activities to be carried out and we relish the challenge of working with Auckland Council to realise the Mayor’s 30 year vision.

Our support goes out to all who were affected by the tragic earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan. Along with many in NZ, we have made donations and we are ready to assist where we can to ensure damaged roads and infrastructure are brought back into use and rebuilt to improve the current situation.

Martin Leak, Managing Director

The staggering amount of knowledge on display at the 90th annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board in Washington DC in late January made swapping the NZ summer for snowstorms in the USA worthwhile. There were over 4,000 presentations for Martin Leak and Daniel Dryland to select from and extensive networking opportunities.

Daniel found the poster sessions provided a good overview of the leading edge innovations and recent research and he was able to focus on those that could be applied in New Zealand. He attended a number of meetings with intersection experts and is excited about many innovations being put into practice around the world, such as the "Diverging Diamond". Please get in touch with Daniel or Martin if you are interested in hearing more daniel.dryland@resolvegroup.co.nz

Resolve made quite an impact at the IPENZ Transportation Group 2011 conference in Auckland last month. As well as sending nine delegates and one presentation, we also provided a barista who was well patronised by the caffeine fiends.

Mayor Len Brown opened the conference with a call for the transportation sector to follow his dream of making Auckland the most liveable city in the world. In support of this Stephen Town, NZTA’s Auckland/Northland Regional Director, proposed that we need to raise our expectations, collaborate and create partnerships to effectively manage Auckland’s transport system as one single system.

Rob Fyfe, CEO Air New Zealand, closed the conference with an engaging speech about the challenges of running an airline.

But the humour did not detract from his important message; Air New Zealand is not in the business of flying planes, rather moving people. For Rob, his customers are his number one priority.

Darren Cash was in fine company when he gave his presentation on the New Lynn Rail Trench, illustrating how the project has transformed New Lynn, creating increased connectivity, safety and a world-class transportation hub. Darren also discussed collaboration using Early Contractor Involvement and a pain/gain share mechanism with net savings of $25 million.

Meanwhile, back at the popular café, Resolve Group created a relaxed environment where delegates gathered to relax, sip lattés and check emails.

The winner of the 2010 Resolve Group Scholarship, Chantelle Bailey, was impressed at the breadth of hands-on experience she gained through her internship at Resolve.

“It’s been like a dream ride. I’ve always been busy and productive and know that my work has contributed to an end result. I’ve certainly not been lumbered with the filing!”

The internship gave Chantelle the opportunity to get involved in diverse work, including inspecting operational and redundant motorways, monitoring a night shift road closure and meeting the company's clients.

She says that while the work gave her a rounded experience of Resolve's projects, she never felt out of her depth and support was always there when she needed it. Darren Cash was Chantelle's technical mentor during her internship and they met regularly to ensure her work was on track.

“All the people at Resolve have been really encouraging and helpful and I’ve had good exposure all round the company.”

The Resolve Group Scholarship of $5000 is awarded annually to a third year transportation engineering student who has an interest in the roading industry, with an option of taking up a paid internship over the university holidays.

Chantelle is now back at university completing her final year and is grateful for the experience she gained at Resolve.

“If you have a chance, don’t miss this opportunity,” she says. “The exposure you’ll achieve is not possible in any other company and it’s given me a great insight into where I want to be in 5-10 years time.”

Last month Steve Griffith took part in the King of the Bays swim at Takapuna coming in at a very respectable 9th place for his 1km race.

“It was a great swim despite the significant wind and waves,” he says.

Steve is now looking forward to training for longer ocean swims next summer.

Once again, many of our staff and their families joined the masses to enjoy the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays run in March.

With such great sunny weather we couldn’t ignore the water stations, hose sprays and shade running on offer and particularly enjoyed running with the NZ Army unit, penguins, teddy bears and the group in full black body paint.

Some of our ‘greyhounds’ made it look far too easy and raced ahead to the finish line whilst others enjoyed a more leisurely pace.

The Resolve Group support team provided a much-appreciated barbeque at our tent in Madills Farm and a place for us to swap stories and nurse our aching limbs. It was a great day - see you next year!