A career in infrastructure
Jim’s connection with New Zealand’s infrastructure began early. He grew up around power development projects in Otago and the Waikato, before starting his engineering career with the Ministry of Works and Development on the Tongariro Power Development in the central North Island.
His career took him to Northland and into infrastructure work across New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. His professional background includes Opus International Consultants.
Supporting the next generation was also part of Jim’s work. He managed Opus’s New Zealand Civil Engineering and Surveying Cadet Scheme from 2005, helping young people combine study with practical experience in the industry.
From engineering to authorship
In 2007 he set about writing a twenty-page booklet to give newly recruited graduates and cadets some background to Opus International Consultants Limited. It was a task that should have only taken a couple of days at the most.
In the event, the publication was finalised in September 2020, on the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Public Works and Immigration Department. Instead of the expected couple of days, the task took thirteen years, give or take a few periods of inactivity.
By his own personal acknowledgement, this is the only full-length book that Jim would have the inclination or the energy to write.
