INDUSTRY PEOPLE
PUMPING LIFE BACK INTO
INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure in New Zealand is changing, and is, at times, at the
mercy of external forces such as a new government, budgetary
constraints, and regulatory issues.
In October this year, The New Zealand Infrastructure
Commission will be operational, comprised of Dr Alan
Bollard as Chair and six other high-profile individuals whose
role it will be to provide effective direction in the area of
infrastructure.
driving various machinery from the age of three. He grew up
on the West Coast and Canterbury and worked for 15 years
as a civil contractor before coming into the Prime Pump
fold. He now holds the position of General Manager.
He’s noticing, especially at a more regional level, that much
by way of storm and sewer water systems are coming to
Glenn Powell of Prime Pump is acutely aware of the need
for a review of infrastructure systems in New “The previous govern the end of their life, and are badly in need of
Zealand.
ment spent a lot on upgrading. The ongoing work needed will have
“The key point at the moment is the infrastructure, and some to focus on the “three waters”, drinking, storm
government’s lack of input into infrastructure. of the bigger projects have and wastewater.
It’s a real concern for contractors and their been brought to a close. Cabinet papers show that in this country, some
communities cannot be confident that the three
wider base. The previous government spent a And that’s a worry.”
waters are being meaningfully managed, nor
lot on infrastructure, and some of the bigger
the infrastructure systems meaningfully maintained.
projects have been brought to a close. And that’s a worry.”
The assessment by Prime Pump of “it’s a worry” only
He speaks from a lifetime of experience. He remembers
Prime Pump equipment out on site. Pumps can be run reliably for hours and Prime Pump now has a range of reps around the North
and South Island on stand-by if need be.
This is a monthly series on businesses in our industry. We profile one business per month to find out how our hard-working
business owners, employees and contractors manage to run these specialist businesses and what makes them tick in the
New Zealand trade business environment. These are the stories of our CAM people.
w w w. c a m m a g a z i n e . c o . n z
CAM October 2019
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