WAYNE PHILLIPS
Owner and Director
qualifications:
Chartered Structural Engineer in NZ and the UK
Awarded BE(Hons) by the University of Canterbury
CMEngNZ, CPEng 239990
CEng(UK), MIStructE 028393845
IntPE(NZ) / APEC Engineer
star sign:
Scorpio. Passionate but mysterious
contact:
027 650 7073
A Bit About Me
Engineering was always going to be the thing for me. Good at maths, loved making things, always into my lego. And so it was. I graduated from UC in 2003, one of a class of engineers who have pushed themselves out there, and pushed the industry forward. I had my first job in a small company, learning my craft and leaving a legacy of garage door lintels and specific wind designs across the lower north island.
In 2009 The Big OE called, unfortunately coinciding with the GFC in 2009.
If you're a young engineer, or young in general, something horizon broadening like that is highly recommended. While I looked for a job I got to pour pints and live upstairs in a pub that John Lennon used to frequent. Once I did find a proper job I got to work on amazing projects (Olympic Stadiums / Towers / FIFO mining sites in West Africa / Millionaire's Basements), passed the IStructE Chartership exam (<35% passrate), worked alongside some of the best engineers in the world, started my own business and best of all I started a family with my wife Tammy.
By 2017 the distance from whānau was becoming more and more noticeable, and the time came for our return to Aotearoa. We missed the quakes of course, but 2017 onwards was a busy time for Christchurch. The Box Quarter city mall was still going strong, there was (and is) a huge community of engineers and construction professionals to work with and learn from, and I fell into work on the recovery, amongst other projects delivering Hagley College and Papanui High's upgrades, and working on too many Fire Stations to count (probably worth counting two though - City and Ilam Stations in Christchurch). A real highlight from that time was training junior engineers and seeing them develop into rockstars themselves.
While in London I started my own business, and I loved the responsibility and chance to work on my own terms. It was always on my radar to start my own business in New Zealand, knowing that the experiences I have had over the last 20 years have shown me what works. For clients and projects, and for me. My style is clear communication, quality work, and leaning on my experience to anticipate what is needed. I'd love the chance to hear about what projects you have on, and how I might be able to help.
Call Wayne on 027 650 7073
Work Experience
2003-2009
2010
2011-2013
2013-2017
2017-2024
Structural Engineer at ISP Consulting Engineers in Lower Hutt.
Worked under John O'Hagan, a fantastic example of professionalism and client centred design, who is now CEO of Rau Paenga.
Structural Engineer on the London 2012 Stadium, for Buro Happold. Once in a lifetime project, and I got to return to watch the Olympics there in the park
FIFO structural engineer for Rio Tinto's Simandou iron mine project in Guinea, West Africa. Working for SKM and based on site in the mountains of Guinea for 6 weeks at at time.
Structural Engineer at Elliott Wood, in Wimbledon.
Great projects as part of a great team. If we were still in London, I'd still be there
Aurecon was great. Gave me opportunities to take on legacy projects as part of the post earthquake rebuild such as schools and fire stations, and work my way up to a Team Leader position