Removing the roadblocks

Image: The country’s first ever crane parade followed the 2025 CANZ Conference in Wellington, to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

How CANZ is helping the crane industry navigate tough times.

For New Zealand’s crane industry, the past twelve months have been defined by uncertainty.

Construction activity has softened, major projects have been delayed, infrastructure pipelines remain inconsistent and businesses are feeling the pressure of rising costs and tightening margins. While every sector of construction is experiencing challenges, crane companies often feel the effects early, making them a useful barometer for the health of the wider industry.

For the Crane Association of New Zealand (CANZ), the response hasn’t been to promise quick fixes. Instead, the Association has focused on the things it can influence – removing barriers that make it harder for crane businesses to operate and ensuring the industry’s voice is heard where decisions are made.

“We can’t create work,” says CANZ Chief Executive Sarah Toase. “But we can make it easier to run a crane business by reducing unnecessary obstacles, improving productivity and advocating for practical regulations. That’s where our energy has been focused.”

That advocacy has taken CANZ into regular discussions with WorkSafe, the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Standards New Zealand and other agencies responsible for policies that directly affect crane operators.

Much of that work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt every day. Whether it’s advocating for practical immigration settings to address skilled workforce shortages, working with NZTA to improve transport productivity, or contributing to the redevelopment of the Approved Code of Practice for Cranes, the goal is the same: creating a more efficient operating environment for industry.

One of the Association’s strongest messages this year has been simple but powerful: Nothing Happens Without a Crane. The campaign has been created to help Ministers and government officials better understand the industry’s role in the economy. 

From housing developments and commercial construction to ports, renewable energy projects, manufacturing, utilities and emergency response, cranes are often the critical link that allows projects to happen safely and efficiently.

“It’s easy to take cranes for granted because they’re part of almost every major project,” says Sarah. 

“Our job is to ensure decision-makers recognise that cranes aren’t just another subcontractor – they’re an enabling industry. When crane productivity improves, projects across the economy benefit.”

While advocacy remains a significant part of CANZ’s work, the Association has also continued investing in practical tools that support businesses on site and in the office. 

Updated guidance documents, lift planning resources, compliance templates and technical advice have all been developed to reduce administrative burden and provide members with practical resources they can use every day.

“These aren’t necessarily headline-grabbing initiatives,” says Sarah, “but they’re the sort of resources that save time, improve consistency and help businesses navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment.”

Developing the industry’s future workforce has also remained a major priority.

Through Port and Crane Academy New Zealand (PCANZ), CANZ is strengthening the delivery of nationally recognised crane qualifications by improving learning materials, moderation and support for Learning and Assessment Providers. The emphasis is on building confidence in the quality and consistency of training before it looks to create additional bespoke programmes.

At the same time, the Association continues to advocate for immigration pathways that enable employers to recruit skilled workers where genuine shortages exist, recognising that workforce challenges require both immediate and long-term solutions.

Looking ahead, CANZ’s agenda remains full. Consultation on the new Approved Code of Practice for Cranes, continued engagement with NZTA on transport productivity, workforce initiatives and advocacy ahead of the next general election will all feature prominently over the coming year.

For Sarah, however, the priority remains unchanged. “Our members are doing it tough, and we recognise that. The role of an industry association isn’t to pretend those challenges don’t exist – it’s to stand alongside industry, remove the barriers we can, and ensure government understands the realities businesses are facing.”

“In difficult times, that’s when having a strong, united industry voice matters most. And when the market turns, we want New Zealand’s crane industry to be in the strongest possible position to seize the opportunities ahead.”

The 2026 Crane Conference took place on 23 and 24 July at Te Pae in Christchurch.

Crane Awards CANCELLED 

The Crane Association of New Zealand decided to cancel this year’s Crane Awards, which were going to be presented at the 2026 Crane Conference in Christchurch, held on 23–24 July. Not enough entries were received despite an extension to the entry deadline.

“While disappointing, we firmly believe it was the right decision,” says Chief Executive Sarah Toase.

She says the Crane Awards are the highest level of recognition within New Zealand’s crane industry. “Their value lies in the fact that they are genuinely competitive, recognising the very best our industry has to offer.”

“Presenting awards without sufficient competition would have diminished their significance, and preserving the mana and integrity of these awards is far more important than presenting them simply because it’s expected.”

Although the main awards programme did not proceed this year, CANZ still celebrated the people and businesses that make the industry great by presenting some special recognition awards and the Booth of the Year Award at a gala dinner.