One of the “interesting” things about having sat at all four corners of the table, and having done so in several countries, is that you start comparing.

Yes, I know.

It’s a Spanish sickness.

We like criticising more than we like evading taxes… or voting for politicians who do.

I can’t escape my genes, no matter how a Kiwi I've become.

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You compare.

And sooner or later, you reach a painful conclusion.

Especially now that I live in the paradise of the South Pacific.

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Nations led by builders build things.

They get stuff done.

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Nations led by engineering firms (a.k.a. consultants) build… PDFs, PowerPoints, reports, and all the “essential” documentation required to justify doing more of the same.

Forever.

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Go to Madrid.

You’ll find the top construction companies (Ferrovial, ACS, OHL… you name them) occupying the best buildings, in the best locations.

Go to Auckland, and what do you see?

Those shiny and modern towers with lot of bricks in their facades belong to the engineering firms.

The builders? They’re out in the suburbs, in industrial parks surrounded by forklifts and dust.

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In one place, for better or worse (corruption included) projects get overpaid and built.

In the other, hundreds of millions are spent every year on feasibility studies… and not a single excavator hits the ground.

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And if you want data, here’s your steak.

Around 5.5% of every project’s cost goes just to environmental permits.

That’s roughly NZ$1.3 billion a year.

That’s the cost of two good-sized hospitals.

On average, it takes 10 to 15 years from the first feasibility study until machines finally touch soil.

Then light a few candles for your saints because you’ll still need divine help to see construction completed.

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Surely there must be a way to do things faster… and smarter.

You don’t need corruption.

But at least bring the builders.

They’re the ones who make a country work.

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For more insights, check below.

​The top 15 Lessons of a successful project​

​The top 15 lessons of a nightmare project​

​Don't be embarrassed. ​

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