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Audio, Radio New Zealand

Work has finally begun dismantling Lancaster Park in Christchurch, six years after it was damaged beyond repair in the February earthquake. It comes at the same time the city's leaders debate what a new stadium could look like and who will pay.

Research papers, University of Canterbury Library

Principal contractors can achieve better financial performance in civil construction projects by increasing the proportion of works delivered by subcontractors. However, anecdotally the use of subcontractors is thought to be make principal contractors less competitive due to compounding profit margins. This study found that projects with a higher proportion of subcontracted work exhibit better financial results than projects with less work delivered by subcontractors. This study uses the Christchurch Infrastructure Alliance (known as the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team, SCIRT) as a case study to observe why principal contracting firms engage subcontractors and the effect subcontracting has on the overall performance of a construction project. Five top tier civil contracting firms (known as ‘delivery teams’) participated in the alliance. Each team was responsible for the delivery of individual projects. A sample of 334 individual SCIRT projects were analysed, and key delivery team staff were surveyed, to investigate the effect subcontractor engagement has on performance. Between the five delivery teams there were clear differences in how much work was delivered via subcontracts. The extent of this subcontractor engagement had a significant effect on the relative performance of the principal contractor. A positive correlation between subcontractor engagement and overall financial performance is observed, and a negative correlation is observed between subcontractor engagement and non-financial performance. Although the causes of these relationships appear complex, the primary reason appears to be that subcontracting fosters increased productivity by cascading financial performance incentives closer to the physical construction task. To maximise competitiveness and financial performance, principal contractors must embrace the use of subcontractors and develop efficient systems of managing subcontracted work.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of soil remediation work being carried out on a farm near River Road in Lincoln. The soil liquefied following treatment with a rotary hoe, but after four to five hours the soil regained much of its strength and was no longer jelly-like.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Three leading artists: the singer Madeleine Pierard; the children's book illustrator Gavin Bishop and playwright and actor Jacob Rajan discuss why they create work with Paul Bushnell. Awa Press writer Jane Bowron reads from her book Old Bucky & Me: Dispatches from the Christchurch Earthquake.

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Mike Ardagh is a specialist emergency physician at Christchurch Hospital, who is chairing a research group which is looking into the health implications of the earthquakes. His work in improving the efficiency and performance of emergency departments was recognised in the New Year's Honours.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Students from the University of Canterbury heading back to work after enjoying a barbeque lunch in Burwood Park. The students have volunteered to clear liquefaction from Christchurch properties as part of the Student Volunteer Army.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of an office in the Diabetes Centre which has been prepared for earthquake repair work. Furniture and other office materials have been stacked in the corner of the room. Several tiles are missing from the ceiling above.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a room in the Diabetes Centre which has been wrapped in plastic. There is a step ladder in the background and several work tools on the covered furniture. Several tiles are missing from the ceiling above.

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A collection of 10 fact sheets describing SCIRT's work. These were put together at the start of SCIRT's programme in 2012, with some translated into other languages. These accessible, cost-effective tools were displayed in public places and taken to community meetings.