We are very happy for our long and continuing association with and support for Apopo, both as Gold Kaihāpai / Patrons and as Gold Sponsors of the 2026 Congress. As anticipated, it was an informative, connected, and interesting conference.
The Waugh Infrastructure Management Team who attended the Congress were Ross Waugh, Grant Holland, David James, Hugh Blake-Manson, Andrea Kydd-Law, and Russ Engelke.
Hugh and Ross presents “Why Enterprise Risk Management?”
Hugh Blake-Manson really enjoyed catching up with colleagues at the recent Āpōpō congress. Hugh was delighted to present on “Why Enterprise Risk Management?” with Ross Waugh.
Their presentation covered the following:
As New Zealand’s Three Waters services move from the control of Councils to CCOs and IBU’s, regulators are expecting fully costed, ring-fenced investment programmes.
Heavily regulated and commercial ‘price-quality’ requirements demand a focus on organisation-level (programme) risk, a shift from traditional project-level risk treatment.
Global and national forces, including the proposed territorial authority reforms, are set to roll their way through the sector, while increasing complex assets require skills and specialist management, operations, and maintenance.
This is where a determined focus on Enterprise Risk Management comes into its own, bringing everyone from governors to operators onto the same page.
So the challenge is: designing and programming your Enterprise Risk Management system. When will you begin?
Ross shares highlights from the Āpōpō Congress 2026
Ross’s congress experience was busy but rewarding, as he presented two technical papers, chaired three Technical Streams, and participated in sponsorship activities focused on Wellness and the Leadership Award.
Ross found the Congress Keynotes and Technical Papers thought-provoking and enjoyed the challenges delivered in the Keynotes.
He also really enjoyed catching up and having good conversations with colleagues around the Congress and during the social events. Meeting international guests, Jan Stoker and Dr Naoki Takesue, was a highlight.
Ross noted that Grant Holland being awarded the Senior Professional Scholarship was a particularly memorable part of the Congress Awards Dinner for him.
What was your most memorable part of the Congress?
Source: Waugh Infrastructure Management Limited LinkedIn Page
