Government has been signalling its intention to reform the 3 Waters sector through 'Local Water Done Well'. The latest updates from the Minister provide the most detail we have seen thus far on the Government’s intended direction.

A driver licence is more than just a permit to drive a vehicle. It allows access to a range of social and economic benefits. Those lacking a licence may find it harder to find a job, access education and training, and participate in other aspects of society

We are thrilled to welcome Laura as Senior Manager in Wellington. Laura joined us in January 2024, and brings a wealth of public and private sector expertise, making her a valuable addition to the Rationale whanau.

That’s how many trees have been funded in native restoration projects across Queenstown and Wellington over the last eight months, through our partnership with CarbonInvoice

Chris French is somewhat of a legend in the public sector consulting industry, so we were delighted to bring him into the Rationale whanau in January this year.

It’s been another big year, with some significant milestones for us as a business and for members of the Rationale whanau.

Through our work with both local and central government organisations, we are increasingly seeing significant gaps between the two sectors, with impacts being felt across the country.

Rationale’s youth division (Lucy, Connor and Daniel) put in the mahi and had a great time out pounding the pavements at the Wellington Corporate Challenge.

Our team are working with several local authorities to address significant uncertainty across the three waters sector.

Rationale has recently partnered with a platform called CarbonInvoice to analyse our yearly accounts and understand what our carbon footprint is. 

Of the three local government reforms currently underway, the Review into the Future for Local Government is less advanced, however front of mind for many within the sector.

Much like our clients, we’ve had a massive year at Rationale!

Joining the Rationale team in September, Daniel Pienaar has made the move from South Africa and is now based out of our Wellington office.

Rationale are delighted to have been selected to assist the DIA through the Three Waters National Transitioning Unit and Local Transitioning Teams.

The Rationale team spends a lot of time in the hills behind Arrowtown, so it made perfect sense to support the Arrowtown Choppers' ambitious goal of planting 18,000 native trees over the next three years.

We have long had a presence in the capital, based out of our central Wellington offices on Woodward Street. Recently, we have taken a more focussed approach.

Rationale gets their hands dirty – a day in the Wetlands to restore native habitat with Te Kākano.

The team were 100% ready for the 2021 Christmas Outing and a mission into the depths of Fiordlands for three days in the majestic Doubtful Sounds.

‘So what do you do at work?’ It’s a question we often get asked, and it can be quite challenging to answer in a couple of sentences.

The Mackenzie Spatial Plans were created to understand how this growth and development can be sustainably managed, charting a path that sets the direction for the next 30 years and beyond.

The team at Rationale have never been shy of a mission or two, and with the wait for the ski season starting to drag on, we decided it was time to lace up the trail shoes and head off for a run into the hills.

At this year’s IPWEA conference Rationale Infrastructure Advisor and key team member, Emily Gualter, was awarded the best under 35 presenter for her speech on the Art of Decision Making.

Thames Coromandel District Council is set to benefit from significant government shovel ready investment, with the announcement that the Kōpū Marine and Business Precinct is to receive $8.2 million in funding.

By the very nature of the work we do at Rationale, we’re able to turn our heads to complex problems at short notice, and we are well placed to help our clients and share the load.

The Clyde community has had a big win through the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF), with the announcement in December of $365,000 in TIF funding.

There’s no getting around the fact that the work we do is often tricky. 2019 has been another big year for the team at Rationale.

Work on the Cromwell ‘Eye to the Future’ Masterplan has entered an important phase, with the community being asked to provide feedback on the potential future options for their town and surrounding areas.

The Queenstown Masterplan came about when under-investment in the town’s infrastructure collided with unprecedented and sustained population growth.

The pipeline is the longest PVC-O pipeline in New Zealand’s history, and makes its way through challenging terrain including five significant waterways, such as the Waianakarua and Kakanui rivers.

Infrastructure is critical to ensuring our living conditions continue to improve and are a key factor in understanding the wellbeing of our communities.

Contrary to popular belief – PR and the media aren’t at war with one another.

Mt Aspiring is a proper mountaineer’s mountain. From any angle it is steep, pointy and prominent. It is also reasonably remote.

Rationale is currently working alongside Thames-Coromandel District Council, assisting in the development a detailed business case for the Kōpū Marine Precinct.

Last month Rationale’s David Somerville and Edward Guy were delighted to be invited to attend the opening of the brand new $6.7 million, 34km Oamaru to Hampden Water Supply Pipeline.

Saturday 11 August saw the Rationale Team in the 25th running of the annual Peak to Peak multisport race in Queenstown.

Rationale recently welcomed Infrastructure Advisor Jimmy Sygrove to the team, a communications specialist with over a decade’s experience in the private and public sectors.

Rationale and client Queenstown Lakes District Council have received an industry award for excellence from IPWEA New Zealand.

While our American friends might celebrate the 4th of July as Independence Day, for Rationale it marked the first time night skiing was held up Coronet Peak for the 2018 winter.

We have a situation where house prices are so high the idea of home ownership is simply out of reach to a considerable number of people.

Rationale is currently working with the Cromwell Community Board and Central Otago District Council to create a masterplan for Cromwell, aptly named Cromwell ‘Eye to the Future’ Masterplan.