New Zealand’s productivity problem is well documented. IMF data shows GDP per hour worked was close to Scandinavian levels in 1970, but by 2022 was 40 per cent lower and well below the OECD average.
Construction reflects that challenge, with labour productivity largely unchanged since 1985. Reducing paperwork and routine admin is one practical place to start.
For site-based teams, AI could help simplify routine processes such as incident reporting, form completion and system updates, provided human oversight remains central.
How to add AI into the technology mix
The risk is adding more digital friction. Technology introduced without field-worker input can create disconnected systems rather than remove barriers.
Small changes can make a difference. One technician now dictates notes and uses Copilot to transcribe and tidy them before review, cutting hours of after-work administration to minutes.
Adoption also depends on practical training, supportive leadership and secure systems that work in remote environments. AI should support trade knowledge, not replace it.
On major engineering projects, AI tools are being used for digital twins, predictive analytics and reporting support, with potential benefits for safety, risk management, sustainability and productivity.
Three priorities stand out – practical, industry-led training; worker input into how AI is introduced, and evidence of what works in real site conditions.
The next productivity gains will depend on whether technology helps people on site spend more time on skilled work and less time on tasks that get in the way.