Natasha Possenniskie

Natasha Possenniskie, independent engineer to the contract (ETC) specialist and founder of Urban Outcomes, joins Andy to demystify one of construction's most misunderstood roles. The episode dives deep into how NZS 3910:2023 splits the old dual ETC role into two distinct functions: a Contract Administrator acting as day-to-day agent for the principal, and an Independent Certifier making impartial determinations on claims and disputes. Natasha addresses the independence challenge head-on, the principal always pays the ETC's bills, but she is upfront that she will be independent, and if that's not what clients want, she's not the right person to engage. Andy pushes back on the paperwork burden, arguing it creates bureaucracy, while Natasha counters that this is simply how construction contracts work.

Key Topics Discussed

• Independent ETC role. Impartial administrator of construction contracts. Under the old 2013 NZS 3910, the ETC had a dual role: agent for the principal AND independent decider on claims.
• NZS 3910:2023 role split. New standard separates the ETC into: Contract Administrator (day-to-day agent for principal, issuing instructions, reviewing shop drawings, site possession) and Independent Certifier (independent determination of claims, payment assessment, dispute resolution).
• Independence challenge. The principal always pays the ETC's bills. "It's just a matter of integrity." Natasha is upfront about her independence, and if clients aren't looking for that, she's not the person to engage.
• SCCP panel. Society of Construction Contract Practitioners, a pre-qualified panel for independent certifiers governed by Engineering New Zealand. Came from the Construction Sector Accord.
• No formal qualifications required. Contract requires "appropriate skill sets" but no specific qualification to be an ETC. The SCCP has an interview/vetting process.
• Lawyer confusion. Lawyers often refer clients to Natasha when they realize an ETC is needed but don't understand the role (confuse it with a structural engineer).
• Contract instructions. Type A (no cost/time impact), variations with time only, cost only, or time and cost.
• RFI frequency. Confirms Andy's stat: average 1 RFI per working day on construction sites.
• Andy's bureaucracy critique. "All this paperwork just creates bureaucracy, sending paperwork from office to office." Natasha counters: "That's how construction contracts work."

Notable Quotes

• Natasha on independence: "It's just a matter of integrity."
• Natasha's response to Andy's bureaucracy critique: "That's how construction contracts work."
• Andy on the ETC role: all this paperwork is just "sending paperwork from office to office."

Guest Background

Natasha Possenniskie is an independent engineer to the contract specialist who founded Urban Outcomes approximately six years ago. Her career includes serving as Fletcher Building regional manager for Wellington and the South Island (recovering losses) and as general manager for Honeywell across the UK and Nordics. She was a member of the NZS 3910:2023 revision committee.