Tonkin + Taylor

04/06/2026

It was a real privilege to be part of Ko Tāua Tāua. Ko Tāmaki Makaurau Tātou, a three-day wānanga that brought together diverse voices from across Tāmaki Makaurau to explore climate action, resilience and systemic change.
 
What stood out was the care, commitment and collaboration that went into creating a space where different perspectives, experiences, and ways of knowing could come together.

The conversations highlighted the importance of relationships, trust, and staying connected across differences as we navigate the complex challenges that climate change presents.
 
Through our equity and access partnership, we were glad to contribute to efforts that supported broader participation by reducing barriers such as transport costs and other accessibility constraints. Having more voices contribute to the kōrero is an important part of fostering greater equity and enabling a just transition.
 
Ngā mihi nui to Co- Aotearoa, Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae, and all involved in bringing this kaupapa to life. We’re grateful to have contributed to a process evolving through ongoing connection, collaboration, and shared learning.

📸 Benjamin Brooking + Wesley Chang / Popular (2026)
 

02/06/2026

In Nukuʻalofa, the Government of Tonga brought key stakeholders together for the National Loss and Damage Evidence Base Validation Workshop.

The Department of Climate Change under MEIDECC convened the workshop, with Director Lu’is Tu’I’afitu Malolo leading it alongside Maikolo Fonua, Tonga National Coordinator for the Loss and Damage Capacity and Capability Initiative.

This national workshop marks a key milestone for the Loss and Damage Capacity and Capability Project, supported by the New Zealand Government and facilitated by Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Against this backdrop, escalating climate change impacts are striking Tonga, causing both economic and non-economic losses. These impacts damage infrastructure, water systems, agriculture, fisheries, and livelihoods, and threaten cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and ecosystems.

In light of these challenges, the workshop advances progress toward Tonga’s first National Evidence-Based Report on climate change-induced loss and damage by strengthening the evidence base, consolidating national data, and capturing key insights from extensive consultations – especially through direct engagement with communities in Vavaʻu, Haʻapai, and ʻEua.

To achieve these aims, the workshop gathered representatives from government ministries, NGOs, the private sector, and development partners. Participants validated draft findings, contributed sector-specific expertise, and identified remaining data gaps. These actions directly enhanced the report’s accuracy and comprehensiveness regarding climate impacts in Tonga.

Looking ahead, as Richard Reinen-Hamill highlighted, the objective is to validate and build a robust National Loss and Damage Evidence Base to inform policy development, national planning, and investment decisions, and to strengthen Tonga’s ability to access climate finance and advance resilient development pathways.

This initiative strengthens cross-sector coordination and prepares Tonga to respond effectively to climate-induced loss and damage.

Pacific Development + Resilience: https://www.tonkintaylor.com/nz/markets/pacific-development-resilience/

28/05/2026

Great to be at the Water NZ Stormwater Conference this year and see the momentum building across the sector.
 
A big congratulations to Charlotte Arcus for winning the Best Poster Award, and to our team for being shortlisted for the Best Paper Award, “All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Flow: The Curious Case of Fitzgibbon’s Alternative Water Supplies” — exploring the regulatory, governance and institutional barriers to decentralised alternative water supply, and the key lessons learnt that Australia and Aotearoa can draw from for advancing water security.
 
We also heard excellent presentations from Riley de Jong and Sean Hinton at Bligh Tanner and from Tonkin + Taylor’s Mark Ho**er, Tessa Allan, and Lisa Dowson, alongside a strong programme of workshops and panels exploring how stormwater reform is taking shape in practice. Alex Cartwright’s paper on bridging the gap between systems and responsibilities to better manage risk was another highlight.
 
One of the strongest themes throughout the conference was the shift from reactive flood recovery to more proactive risk management. With flooding events becoming more frequent and severe, the need for sustained investment in stormwater infrastructure is increasingly hard to ignore, particularly compared with the regulatory focus on drinking water and wastewater.
 
It was encouraging to see the progress made across the industry in the last year, including discussions around potential revisions to rainfall considerations and how organisations are working toward meeting statutory requirements under reform.
 

06/05/2026

Curious about Ecology + Water Science at Tonkin + Taylor?

Next week, our ecologists will be posting daily stories on Instagram with a behind-the-scenes look at their work as they protect and study Aotearoa’s natural environments, and the precious tāonga living in them.

Meet the people behind the mahi, see how we work consciously alongside land and sea, and explore our vision for the future of ecology and water science.

Follow us on Instagram and be sure to turn on notifications to catch daily updates during Ecology + Water Science Week, 11–15 May!

https://www.instagram.com/tonkintaylor/

17/04/2026

24/03/2026

It’s a privilege to be involved with this important project, helping Port Vila lay the groundwork for a future-ready, more resilient CBD.

02/03/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Talia McDougall, our People Enablement Lead, being named a finalist in the 2026 NZ Diversity Awards for Workplace Inclusion Professional of the Year!

The judging panel recognised Talia’s leadership and innovation in advancing workplace inclusion — an outstanding acknowledgement of her work and impact. Talia has a rare ability to raise awareness of complex DEIB issues and to drive change in a way that is respectful, considered and inclusive of all. Her belief that “it’s not inclusive if you do it alone” underpins everything she does.

Congrats Talia! This is incredibly well-deserved. We’re grateful for your passion in making sure everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging at work. 

24/02/2026

Applications for our 2027 Graduate Programme are now open!
 
The Grad Programme is designed to build deep technical expertise alongside the human skills that matter most: communication, critical thinking, and understanding people, place and impact.
 
You’ll work on meaningful projects with real responsibility, alongside people who will challenge you to think deeply, ask questions and back your judgement. From day one, you’ll be trusted to contribute, supported to grow, and encouraged to shape the path you see for yourself.
 
If you’re an engineering or science graduate looking for more than just a job and want to do work that makes a difference across Aotearoa, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today via the link in our bio or visit the careers page on our website.
 

23/02/2026

Applications for our 2027 Graduate Programme open tomorrow, 25 February.
 
The Grad Programme is designed to build deep technical expertise alongside the human skills that matter most in consulting - the skills AI can’t replace: communication, critical thinking, and understanding people, place and impact.
 
You’ll work on meaningful projects with real responsibility, alongside people who will challenge you to think deeply, ask questions and back your judgement. From day one, you’ll be trusted to contribute, supported to grow, and encouraged to shape the path you see for yourself.
 
If you’re an engineering or science graduate looking for more than just a job and want to do work that makes a difference across Aotearoa, we’d love to hear from you.

Keep an eye on our grad page for the live link tomorrow.
 

19/12/2025

As we head into the final weeks of the year, we want to take a moment to thank our clients, Iwi/Māori and delivery partners, industry colleagues and the wider community for your support and collaboration.

Our NZ offices will close today, Friday 19 December and reopen on Monday 12 January as our team takes time to recharge.

Our AU offices will also close today, Friday 19 December 2025, but reopen earlier on Monday 5 January 2026.

Until then, we wish you a safe, restful holiday season and a great start to the new year!