Sustainability and Innovation in Construction – Q&A with Josh Ireland

Sustainability sits at the heart of everything we do at Keir Projects because our work is all about building access in wild places while protecting the landscapes that make those places special. As brothers and co-directors, Jed and I have always been passionate about creating structures that last without leaving a lasting scar on the environment.

It influences every decision. We opt for lighter, lower-impact materials and methods where possible, and collaborate early with iwi and agencies to align with environmental and cultural values. We are constantly looking for innovative solutions for low-impact machinery, innovative materials, and recycling and reuse opportunities.

Completing the build is only the start. In public spaces, whether it’s the Tongariro Alpine Crossing upgrades, Te Waihou Blue Spring walkways, Hamilton Lake, or the Waipoua Forest, our responsibility extends to ensuring the space remains safe, accessible, and protected long after we leave.

That means designing for longevity and high visitor loads so the structures don’t degrade or become hazards over time. It means restoring habitats where we work, we’ve done habitat upgrades at Hamilton Zoo and biosecurity-aware wall upgrades at Karāpiro. It means collaborating deeply with iwi, DOC, councils, and communities so cultural values and environmental sensitivities guide the work from concept to completion.

And it means leaving the site better than we found it, minimising disruption during construction and delivering solutions that let people enjoy these special places for decades without further damage.

Contractors in public spaces are temporary caretakers of something that belongs to everyone, we treat that privilege with respect.

It’s not moving as fast as it could or should, especially in the civil and infrastructure space. Regulation in roading and civil work can sometimes slow innovation, yet at the same time environmental expectations from clients and communities are rising quickly.

We see genuine progress in the growing acceptance of low-carbon materials like Glulam and in projects that prioritise environmental restoration alongside new builds.

But there’s still plenty of room to improve, wider adoption of prefabricated, renewable solutions across the industry; better training so more teams are confident specifying and installing sustainable options; and stronger integration of cultural and environmental considerations right from the tender stage rather than as an afterthought.

The advancement in survey and mapping technology is enabling clients and contractors to get a clear picture early without making too much impact.

The evolution in battery-powered equipment has been a gamechanger for working remotely. When a job is only accessible by foot, or we are needing to fly in our equipment, compact, lightweight tools make a big difference. Keir Projects runs predominantly battery-powered hand tools (Makita and Stihl).

Another technology that has improved the way we do things is the emergence of job management software like Site App Pro, PayHero, and others that allow real-time connection to employees, allowing a paperless trail to manage health and safety, payroll, and on-site job management.

All four will play a role, but Jed and I believe changing expectations from clients and communities will be the biggest driver. People want access to nature, but they also demand it’s done with value and responsibility in mind, and with genuine respect for whenua and the environment. That pressure will push innovation, tighten regulation around carbon and cultural impact, and force the industry to invest heavily in skills.

At Keir Projects, we’ve always grown our own team as an extension of our family, and we see that continuing. Upskilling people who understand both technical excellence and environmental and cultural awareness will be critical. The future belongs to contractors who can blend cutting-edge innovation with old-fashioned values, craftsmanship, collaboration, and a real awareness of the impact we have on people and place.