Architect Dislikes Tender System

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 12

Architect Dislikes Tender System

New Zealand Press Association)

NAPIER, March 19. The New Zealand system of calling for tenders from all comers was most unsatisfactory, the president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Mr G. Laurenson, of Hawera, said in Napier today.

“Democratic it may be, but not really particularly sound as a national pattern,” he told the institute’s annual conference in his presidential address.

Mr Laurenson said too many unsatisfactory situations resulted from the system, apart from its generally unbusinesslike nature.

Tenders were received from builders with insufficient experience to complete the contract satisfactorily. Often they had insufficient finance to carry the contract through. Their teams too often included a low proportion of trained artisans.

As a result of these failings, future maintenance costs were higher than they should be and the nation’s cost for building was increased.

Mr Laurenson said he believed many builders were dissatisfied with the present system. He urged the institute to review urgently the procedure of tendering in New Zealand, and seek discussions with the Master Builders’ Association.

The State, municipalities, the institute and the Builders* Federation would ultimately need to reach agreement.