Data Collection and Result

Semi-Structured Interview

The participants outlined in the table below are senior professionals who play pivotal roles in shaping and delivering infrastructure projects and programmes. Their positions span local councils, consulting firms, state-owned enterprises, and contracting organisations, providing a well-rounded view of how procurement and risk are managed across different delivery contexts. With most having over 15 years of experience, they bring deep insights into procurement decision-making, contract administration, and the allocation of responsibilities between clients, consultants, and contractors.

Their involvement directly relates to this research, as each participant contributes to the procurement and delivery process from a unique standpoint—whether as client representatives setting procurement strategies, consultants advising on risk allocation, or contractors navigating the practical implications on-site. This breadth of perspectives ensures that the study captures both relational and transactional procurement principles, offering a richer understanding of how procurement methodologies influence infrastructure outcomes and the distribution of risks across parties.

Interview Participants Background Information

Thematic Analysis of Interviews

This section highlights the key themes that emerged from interviews with senior industry professionals across clients, consultants, and contractors. These insights capture shared experiences and diverse perspectives on procurement methodologies and risk distribution in New Zealand’s infrastructure sector.

To explore each theme in more depth, click through the slides below for a visual summary of the findings.

Predominance of Traditional Procurement (NZS3910)

Most participants acknowledged that the Design–Bid–Build model under NZS3910 continues to dominate infrastructure delivery. This reflects a risk-averse culture, where clients often transfer risks to contractors rather than sharing responsibility.

P1, P2, P3: Highlighted that NZS3910 remains the default even when alternatives like Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) or enterprise models are trialled.
P1: Observed that organisations frequently revert to NZS3910, limiting opportunities for innovation.

Disclaimer: The results presented here are based on ongoing research and are subject to change upon the finalisation of the full research report.

Visualising Interview Insights: Word Frequency Map

The word cloud above visually represents the most frequent terms identified from the NVivo analysis of interview data. Larger words indicate higher frequency and stronger thematic emphasis in the discussions. “Procurement” appears as the central theme, reflecting its pivotal role in shaping infrastructure delivery. Closely associated are terms such as “contractors,” “organisation,” “methodology,” and “performance,” which highlight the importance of governance structures, delivery partners, and the methods applied in managing complex projects. The presence of words like “infrastructure,” “traditional,” “risk,” and “innovation” underscores the balance between established procurement approaches and the need for adaptive, collaborative practices in response to uncertainty. This visualisation helps to quickly identify the dominant areas of focus across interviews, providing an accessible way to understand the core issues and priorities in procurement. It reinforces the finding that procurement is not just a procedural activity, but a strategic function directly influencing project outcomes and risk distribution.