New partnership to BRiDGE the gap between engineering research and practice
A new cross-agency partnership will help lift the standard of engineering guidance across New Zealand, ensuring it is more practical, consistent, and responsive to the country’s natural hazard challenges.
The Building Resilience in Design Guidance for Engineering (BRiDGE) programme - launched by the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake, MBIE, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and Engineering New Zealand - aims to close the gap between research and practice in engineering design.
With an initial commitment through to September 2027, BRiDGE will commission and publish high-quality engineering guidance, supported by cross-agency governance and informed by technical societies, expert engineers, and research organisations.
The initiative addresses long-standing gaps and fragmentation in engineering guidance, bringing together government, industry, and research to produce trusted, up-to-date advice for the sector.
Professor Ken Elwood, Chief Engineer (Building Resilience) for MBIE and the Natural Hazards Commission, says BRiDGE represents a step change in collaboration.
“This mechanism allows MBIE, NHC, and Waka Kotahi to pool our funding and ensure the guidance we produce delivers the best possible value and impact for the sector.”
BRiDGE will be hosted by Engineering New Zealand, the professional body representing and supporting engineers nationwide.
Prof Elwood says BRiDGE will act as a “boundary organisation” connecting government, industry, and research.
“Through Engineering New Zealand and associated technical societies, industry input will help inform government investment into research that underpins consistent and trusted guidance for engineers.”
Engineering New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Richard Templer says engineers play a vital role in New Zealand’s resilience: “Engineers are on the front line of tackling the country’s biggest challenges, BRiDGE will ensure they have the tools and knowledge to meet those challenges head-on.”
The programme will also draw on international expertise and proven global models, adapting them to the New Zealand context so local guidance reflects global best practice.
Prof Elwood says, “Our goal is for BRiDGE to deliver clear, relevant guidance on designing buildings and infrastructure that are more resilient to natural hazards.”