Since 1987 Opus has carried out major UK projects including new Underground stations

Kiwis take flight - NZ grasps global opportunities

With the increasing effect of the growing Asian consumer market on global economic trends, New Zealand’s position has shifted, providing a door to the Pacific for UK companies. As David Skilling (INTERVIEW), CEO of The New Zealand Institute suggests, “For the first time in our history, New Zealand is located in roughly the right part of the world.”

Michael Barnett (INTERVIEW), chief executive of Auckland Chamber of Commerce agrees. Citing the quality of life in New Zealand’s largest city as one of its attractions, he also feels that the changing global economic picture means Auckland is well positioned for future growth: “I see us as being a hub in the Pacific in terms of trade, a site for event tourism, and an attractive destination for investment.”

FTA talks with China underline where Kiwi export sights are set. “A good agreement will save us a hundred million a year in tariffs,” says minister of trade, Phil Goff. “It will also have similar benefits for China.”

In the last 25 years the proportion of exports in terms of GDP has stagnated at roughly 30 per cent. Schemes such as NZTE’s Beachheads project aim to turn the tide, advising companies wishing to sell overseas.

KEA, a global community of New Zealanders, also ensures that knowledge from abroad flies home. CEO Ivan Moss explains, “We have the second highest percentage of people living abroad of any country. Travelling and working overseas is part of the Kiwi DNA. Kea has over 22,000 members in 174 countries. We provide opportunities for our members to connect with New Zealand and contribute to development and future prosperity by sharing knowledge, contacts and opportunities around the world.”

Successful exporting is not easy and recent British interest in food miles has raised questions about the sustainability of Kiwi products. Mr Goff answers: “99.75 per cent of all New Zealand produce going to Europe is sea-freighted and the cost per item is probably less than that to take the product from the supermarket to your home.”

Companies that have taken the plunge are now ambassadors for Kiwi exports.

Villa Maria’s award-winning wines are enjoying worldwide demand. “Twenty-five years ago we had to walk the streets and cold call to find partners,” says owner George Fistonich. “Now people come to us as first choice.”

Export staples get new company

Dairy, meat, forestry and tourism are New Zealand’s main export earners. But what about consultancy?

Opus International Consultants could be seen to be joining this list of earners, for in 2006 it was awarded the prestigious New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Supreme Exporter of the Year Award. For chief executive Kevin Thompson (INTERVIEW) this was very gratifying and gave the consultancy recognition as a major exporter.

“It shows that there’s more to New Zealand’s international outreach than first meets the eye,” he says. “We want to have a business with a global, rather than purely domestic dimension. We are now realising our vision by providing infrastructure solutions at home and in Australia, Canada and the UK.”

September this year saw Opus acquire the large Australian infrastructure consultancy Qantec McWilliam. This increased its presence in that country with an additional 12 offices and many more clients. Having eyed the $A19 billion to be invested in Australian consulting engineering over the next several years, it is expected this newest asset will contribute significantly to the company’s growth.

With over 2,200 staff worldwide, having a local office is a key part of the Opus business model.

“It’s tied to our core values of professionalism and excellence in service and delivery,” says Dr Thompson. “It’s also about being in the community, seeing the opportunities, developing relationships with our clients and being seen to be local. It gives us a high level of client intimacy and contact.”

Opus’ UK operations were consolidated in 2006, when the various companies it owned were unified as Opus International Consultants (UK) Ltd, with offices in London and seven other cities. The company has been present in the UK since 1987 and has carried out a number of major projects including the development of two new stations and the refurbishment of a number of others on the London Underground. Opus is now successfully working in the areas of architectural design, structural engineering, marine engineering, road and traffic engineering, historic building refurbishment and infrastructure asset management in the UK.

The core of Opus’ expertise remains most definitely Kiwi. Dr Thompson explains, “Necessity is the mother of invention and historically in New Zealand we have made do with facilities that are not always to the same standard as elsewhere. That means we focus on nurturing and maintaining an asset. We ask ourselves, ‘how can we make things last longer and how can we stretch the limited resources we have as a small country?’”

With its international growth aspirations, Opus is applying the very same New Zealand attitude and style to its offshore operations, showing that the domestic market is not the only one benefiting from its Kiwi home-grown philosophy.