Author(s): John La Roche

NZ Architecture/Interiors

It is easy to understand why Auckland has the largest population of any region in the country. It is blessed with two very sheltered harbours and probably the mildest climate in New Zealand. Auckland has become the commercial capital of New Zealand, but this hasn't happened without the innovation and initiatives provided by the engineering profession. Engineers have been charged with making things, building our infrastructure and keeping it going in the face of rapidly increasing population growth. The basics like water supply, drainage and power supplies are essential, as are the harbour facilities, telecommunications, roads, railways, bridges and airports. The development of these facilities since 1840, the difficulties, political controversies and heartbreaks are described in this book by engineers who have been responsible for building our many and varied facilities. The largest industrial complex in New Zealand is situated not far from Auckland. Sir John Ingram, Managing Director of New Zealand Steel through the very difficult period when the imported plant failed to produce steel from our ironsands, tells his story. It wasn't until three bright young New Zealand graduates, through trials and analytical analysis got to grips with the problems and changed many of the processes, that quality steel was finally produced. New Zealand Steel producing steel from ironsands, is now one of the most efficient steel plants in the world and a major export earner for the country. Read these stories and more in this book.