Meet the team behind Frequency, a New Zealand owned and operated specialist project advisory and project management consultancy that’s been working to optimise Kiwi infrastructure for the last decade.
Frequency has had a team here in the Bay since 2015 and is currently the go-to team for education builds, as well as a growing portfolio in infrastructure.
Michael Mulcairn, Senior Associate, answers a few of our quick-fire questions on behalf of the local team, which includes Polly Hall, Dylan Workman and Greg Ward.
Tell us a bit about your background – who you are and what you do.
Frequency started in 2011 in Auckland, and then in Tauranga in 2015. It started as a single person consultancy and the business has had steady growth over the last decade. We have employee shareholders and independent directors, and offices in Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga, and Christchurch.
We continue to develop our specialist sector expertise, as well as offering focused project advisory service lines that transcend the sector divides, including procurement, commercial, project controls and business case development. We see this as the only response to a marketplace that demands specialist expertise.
Our teams, including Graduates, work very closely alongside each other in Diamond structures, with each division reporting into two Associates, who in turn report to one Senior Associate, who reports to an Executive/Partner.
Project Management is putting our clients’ goals on a trajectory to find success. There are always speed bumps along the way, but an experienced team can easily circumvent these and save the client money, time and quality.
Tell us about your team – what makes you special? What skills and experience do you bring?
We have a multi-disciplined team of financial, technical and process-based professionals. As we work mainly in the construction arena, we have many engineers on our staff, such as construction, structural, mechanical and civil, and also an architect. We are all qualified project managers who are goal orientated, with the addition of having a comprehensive technical background.
What services do you offer? How can you help our business community?
We currently help clients manage projects to save time, money and quality. We have numerous contacts in contractors, architects and engineering design.
What makes your business unique?
We are a partnership-oriented business. Shares are owned by employees only and we focus on the outcome required by the client.
What are some of the projects you have worked on?
In addition to delivering discrete individual projects, we have and are currently responsible for delivering some significant capital programmes across New Zealand for clients that include Spark, Kāinga Ora, Waka Kotahi, KiwiRail, ASB, Auckland Airport, Foodstuffs, Air New Zealand, and The Ministry of Education.
Our extensive experience delivering primary and tertiary education projects across New Zealand is unparalleled. Our projects portfolio includes Seaview Wharf – CentrePort, Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth, Christchurch Rail Rebuild, City Rail Link, Waikato 50.
What are you hoping to achieve here in the Bay of Plenty?
We are currently the go-to team for education builds in this area and our infrastructure portfolio is also growing. Given our strong position, we also aim to spread our wings into the commercial markets as this area grows.
What’s happening in the current climate that is impacting your industry?
Currently there is a swath of capital projects being released to market. However, there are not enough contracting firms or even skilled individuals to service this delivery and either some projects will be affected by delays or others may need to be postponed. The government has initiated this growth with good effect, however the restraining point will be the lack of skills. We at Frequency like to believe that we can advise on the early stages of project development for the benefit of our clients.
Why are your services so critical right now?
The most critical issue with construction projects today is the contract. Covid is having an adverse effect on the current NZ3910 contracting standard and it is essential to write contracts which will not be detrimental to the client should the pandemic escalate. We are experienced with numerous contracts written during this time and can consult on the best path forward.
What’s the one misconception people might have about your industry?
That we are a cost to the project, however we constantly save money by streamlining the process of construction, procurement and contract or governance.
What’s the one thing you want people to know about your business?
We are very flexible and can operate at different valued projects and outcomes.
What are your goals for the next six to 12 months?
We continue to see Tauranga grow and help to ensure the area receives well-built and cost-effective infrastructure.
When you’re not at work, how do you like to spend your time?
Our team has many recreational pursuits, most of which are outdoors. We also engage in challenging events as a team or amongst ourselves.
If you could impart one piece of advice to fellow business owners, what would it be?
Plan – prepare – execute.
Why should someone choose Frequency for their next project?
We have first-hand construction experience working on real-life projects during all stages of a project’s life cycle. We know how projects succeed and fail.
Our extensive experience gives us an on-the-job advantage. We have an enviable record in promoting solid returns from our projects and see our future as an experienced team with a minimal learning curve.
Given we have fully manned offices in Wellington, Tauranga, Christchurch and Auckland, we can call on specific skills from other teams.
Our member profiles are a great way to give the business community a taste of who you are and what you do, so when they see your face at one of our events they won’t hesitate to make that all-important introduction.
If you’re a member and would like a profile, get in touch with our marketing manager Laura today.
