Tall Stories: Tales from the Built Environment is a podcast by the Building Institute Aotearoa where we hear people’s career journeys in the build environment. Our guests come from across the construction industry in New Zealand - they share their stories, backgrounds and advice.
Building More Than Buildings: A Relationship-First Approach to Architecture
Speakers:
Emma Macann, Principal | Registered Architect, Designgroup Stapleton Elliott
Hannah Andrew, Principal | Registered Architect, Designgroup Stapleton Elliott
In this episode, we sit down with architects Emma Macann and Hannah Andrew to explore how relationships shape not just projects, but careers.
Emma and Hannah share insights on building a ‘relationship-first’ culture both internally with teams and externally with clients and communities. They also reflect on the realities of returning to work after having children and how parenthood has informed their approach to leadership, empathy, and collaboration. With a focus on long-term thinking, community-centred projects, and practical habits that strengthen connections, this conversation offers lessons for emerging architects and industry leaders alike.
Tune in to hear stories, strategies, and perspectives on creating meaningful work while balancing life, leadership, and relationships in New Zealand's built environment.
16 Dec 2025
Tall Stories: Building Smarter – Digital Construction, BIM and the Future of the Industry
In this episode of Tall Stories, host Jared Glue, Associate at RCP in Dunedin and member of the Institute’s Southern Region Committee (Dunedin branch), is joined by Jonathan Dutton, Senior BIM Manager at Southbase Construction, and Blair Collie, Senior Project Manager at RCP.
They discuss their career journeys in construction and explore the growing role of digital construction and BIM in Aotearoa — from how these technologies are used in practice to the challenges of wider adoption and what excites them most about the future of the industry. The conversation also touches on career challenges, influential mentors, work–life balance, and advice for young people considering a career in construction.
An engaging and practical discussion on building smarter, together.
7 Dec 2025
Tall Stories Podcast – Emerging Leadership and Industry Impact
In this episode of the Tall Stories Podcast, host Hayden Blucher, Engagement Lead at The Building Institute Aotearoa, sits down with Tuwhakaraua (Tu) Taute and Alice Carmody for a thoughtful kōrero about leadership, growth, and the changing landscape of Aotearoa’s construction sector.
Tu, a foreperson at Naylor Love working on the Wellington Town Hall project and a Special Mention recipient in the Emerging Leader category at the 2024 Building People Awards, discusses the recognition of his leadership, the development of the Whakatupu Ā Mua programme, and the realities of contributing to a high-profile heritage project.
Alice, a Quantity Surveyor at Choice Construction Group and an active supporter of BIA, NZIQS and NAWIC, shares her experiences across diverse projects, her commitment to industry organisations, and the value of mentorship and balance in a demanding profession.
Together, they explore the changes they’d like to see in the construction industry, what authentic leadership looks like on site and in the office, and their advice for young people considering a future in construction.
Who has been a guest on Tall Stories
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Andrew Holmes
Blair McGill
Simone Sharp
Anntonina Savelio
Justin Flitter
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
11
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
Contact Tall Stories
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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