Brett Christie

Brett Christie traces a remarkable career arc from draftsman to engineer to project manager, including being a first responder at the CTV building collapse during the Christchurch earthquake, through repairing the Palms Shopping Centre, managing the Botany Town Centre remediation (NZ's biggest leaky building, a week before the Mainzeal collapse), working with AMP Capital, and now at David Reed Homes as a medium-density developer. He provides insider perspective on the Arrow International downfall and delivers a sharp critique of NZS 3915 and 3916 contract forms compared to NZS 3910. The David Reed design-and-build model, clean contract, own the design, handful of variations, clients love it, stands as a practical counter-example to the risk-transfer culture dominating NZ construction.

Key Topics Discussed

• Career arc. Draftsman to engineer to PM (first responder at CTV collapse during Christchurch earthquake) to Palms Shopping Centre repair to Botany Town Centre (NZ's biggest leaky building, week before Mainzeal collapse) to AMP Capital to David Reed Homes (medium-density developer).
• Christchurch Earthquake / CTV first response. Brett was a first responder at the CTV building collapse. A formative and deeply personal experience that shaped his career trajectory.
• Arrow International downfall. High-risk projects cascading, ground conditions risk not tagged out, and key people not in the ownership circle. A cautionary tale of how major contractors fail when risk accumulates unchecked.
• Contracts / NZS 3910 vs 3915 vs 3916. NZS 3915 has NO independent engineer to the contract, the client becomes the engineer, creating a direct conflict of interest. NZS 3910's engineer role is often filled by the design firm, which is ALSO a conflict of interest. Andy: "This is the behaviour that's got to stop!", risk transfer downstream through contract form selection.
• Risk Management / Risk transfer. The use of contract forms to transfer risk downstream is systematic. Choosing 3915 or 3916 removes independent oversight and concentrates power and conflict in the client role.
• Design and Build vs Build Only / David Reed D&B model. Clean contract, own the design, handful of variations. Clients love it because they get certainty. Stands in contrast to the fragmented traditional procurement model.
• Canterbury Young Professionals. Brett co-founded this network, building community among emerging construction professionals in post-earthquake Christchurch.
• Advice. Passion combined with daily habits. Success is built through consistent, purposeful action.

Notable Quotes

• Andy on contract abuse: "This is the behaviour that's got to stop!", on risk transfer through contract form selection.
• On NZS 3915: No independent engineer to the contract, client becomes engineer = conflict of interest.
• On Arrow International: High-risk projects cascading, ground conditions risk not tagged out, key people not in ownership circle.
• On David Reed: Clean contract, own the design, handful of variations, clients love it.
• Advice: Passion plus daily habits.

Guest Background

Brett Christie is at David Reed Homes, a medium-density developer. His career spans drafting, engineering, and project management. He was a first responder at the CTV building collapse during the Christchurch earthquake. He managed major remediation projects including the Palms Shopping Centre and Botany Town Centre (NZ's biggest leaky building). He previously worked at Arrow International (before its collapse) and AMP Capital. He co-founded Canterbury Young Professionals.