The CETANZ Conference 2021 took place from 11–13 August at the Distinction Rotorua Hotel & Conference Centre, bringing together professionals from across New Zealand’s civil engineering testing industry.

This biennial event served as a platform for knowledge sharing, industry updates, and networking, with strong representation from laboratories, suppliers, consultants, and regulators. A key focus of the 2021 conference was the development and retention of skilled personnel, particularly attracting and supporting younger professionals entering the industry — a critical factor in ensuring the long-term resilience and quality of civil materials testing in New Zealand.

The theme for the 2021 conference was centered around “Building Our Future” — a call to action for the industry to invest in people, processes, and innovation. It reflected the importance of shaping a sustainable and adaptable workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of infrastructure development and testing standards.

The programme featured a balance of technical presentations, interactive sessions, and social events, reinforcing CETANZ’s mission to foster collaboration, raise standards, and support professional growth across the sector.