Aotearoa New Zealand is one of the most seismically active countries on Earth. The performance of steel structures during an earthquake depends, in large part, on the weld. So how confident are we in the science behind how those welds are designed and sized?

In this episode, HERA's lead research engineer Hafez Taheri walks through the Seismic Research Programme; what 30 years of testing has shown about NZS 3404 weld sizing criteria, why replacing complete penetration welds with fillet or partial penetration alternatives could reduce fabrication costs by up to five times, and what a proposed update to NZS 3404 means for design engineers and fabricators. He also covers the three active research workstreams currently being tested at AUT's structural test hall, in collaboration with the University of Waikato, University of Auckland, AUT, and the University of Michigan, and where robotic welding fits into the future of NZ steel construction.

Resources and links

• Connect with HERA team - https://hera.org.nz/about-us/our-people/hera-team/
• Learn more about HERA's Industry 4.0 rangahau: https://hera.org.nz/research/industry-x-0/
• Subscribe to our podcast: https://www.hera.org.nz/podcasts/
• For live updates, follow us on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hera-innovationinmetals/

📬 Got questions or feedback? Reach us at info@hera.org.nz

In today's Humans of Steel edition of Stirring the Pot, we sit down with Noel Davies, director of Hydro Link, former chair of HERA, and one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most quietly influential business leaders.

Noel joined the Navy at 16, made lieutenant commander by 28, then bought a tiny engineering division out of receivership and grew it past $100M. He chaired HERA for 30 years as the only non-engineer to ever hold the role, became an initial trustee of HEERF, and was awarded the Order of New Zealand for services to engineering, business, and community.

In this conversation, Noel talks about what military life taught him about people and leadership, how he navigated a business purchase that landed straight into receivership, why culture is the foundation of every strategy, and what he learned from 30 years sitting at the table of Aotearoa New Zealand's heavy engineering sector.

He also shares the story behind his book, The Guide to Successful Business Partnerships, and why his wife asked if it applied to marriage.

His answer to almost every question comes back to the same thing. It's all about the people.

Resources and links

• Connect with HERA team - https://hera.org.nz/about-us/our-people/hera-team/
• Learn more about HERA's Industry 4.0 rangahau: https://hera.org.nz/research/industry-x-0/
• Subscribe to our podcast: https://www.hera.org.nz/podcasts/
• For live updates, follow us on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hera-innovationinmetals/

📬 Got questions or feedback? Reach us at info@hera.org.nz

In this episode of Stirring the Pot, we’re joined by HERA’s leadership team for a wide-ranging kōrero on AI, sustainability and what’s really changing inside engineering right now.

The conversation looks at how quickly AI has moved from curiosity to capability. What felt unclear just a year ago is now shaping real projects, real workflows and real decisions. The team talks through where AI is already adding value, where the limits still are, and why reliable data is the real bottleneck for meaningful adoption across design, fabrication and construction.

We dig into what AI means for engineers themselves. Not just productivity gains, but how roles, skills and career pathways are likely to shift. The message is clear: fundamentals don’t change, but how we work with them does. AI becomes a tool, a collaborator, and eventually part of everyday practice, provided we put the right guardrails around it.

Sustainability is another key thread. The discussion moves beyond intent and into practice, looking at low-carbon and circular design, the tools HERA has delivered, and the challenge of integration across siloed systems. The team is candid about where Construction 4.0 still falls short, and why true system-wide optimisation remains hard but necessary.

There’s also a frank look at ethics, accountability and energy use. From AI’s environmental footprint to the risks of black-box software and proprietary data, the episode raises tough questions about trust, transparency and who benefits as technology accelerates.

If you work in engineering, fabrication or construction and want a grounded view on where AI and sustainability are actually heading, this episode offers an honest take on the opportunities, the risks and the work still ahead.

Connect with the HERA team.

Resources and links

• Connect with HERA team - https://hera.org.nz/about-us/our-people/hera-team/
• Learn more about HERA's Industry 4.0 rangahau: https://hera.org.nz/research/industry-x-0/
• Subscribe to our podcast: https://www.hera.org.nz/podcasts/
• For live updates, follow us on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hera-innovationinmetals/

📬 Got questions or feedback? Reach us at info@hera.org.nz