As antibiotic-resistant infections rise and are projected to cause up to 10 million deaths per year by 2050, scientists are looking to bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, as an alternative. A new study shows how these…
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Aston Martin brings the ultimate supercar to Fortnite and Rocket League players
- Aston Martin fans will be able to experience the thrill of Valhalla, the brand’s first plug-in-hybrid supercar, for the first time in Fortnite and Rocket League
- Valhalla will mark Aston Martin’s official debut in Fortnite…
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NZTA confirms preferred suppliers for Integrated Delivery Contracts
Following a thorough procurement process, NZTA has confirmed its preferred suppliers for Integrated Delivery Contracts (IDCs), covering state highway road maintenance and renewals, which will commence in May 2026.
The contracts, which are expected to be signed early next year, will see contractors accountable for the majority of maintenance and renewal activity on regional state highway network, with up to 20% of work available to other pre-qualified suppliers through a contestable process.
The IDC contracts represent a significant change from the previous Network Outcomes Contracts (NOC), with NZTA taking greater ownership of asset management, from the gathering and analysing asset condition data through to the development of short, medium and long-term programmes.
Other key changes include a refreshed quality management framework and better use of design standardisation to speed up the path from programming to delivery.
NZTA National Manager Maintenance and Operations Andrew Clark says the contracts will build on NZTA’s focus on ensuring value for money through quality delivery.
“New Zealanders depend on a safe, accessible and high-quality state highway network, and NZTA is committed to providing this. Through the current Government Policy Statement for land transport 2024 (GPS) we have embarked on a significant programme of road rebuilding, which will deliver long term benefits for everyone using the state highway network.
“The preferred suppliers have been chosen based on a range of factors, including proven ability to deliver, mobilisation approach and price. Our thorough tender review process has ensured the selection of suppliers with the ability to deliver the best results over the tenure of the contract.
“The new contracts reward delivery – contractors that deliver on time and to a high standard will be rewarded with greater volumes of work. At the same time, we want to enable market growth and diversity by using a wider range of suppliers through the contestable work programme that will complement these contracts.
“We look forward to working with the preferred suppliers to finalise contracts ahead of signing early in the New Year. This is a once in a generation moment to drive improved road maintenance outcomes for New Zealand.”
The table below lists the nominated preferred suppliers for the new Integrated Delivery Contract networks. Tenures are for 10 years from 1 May 2026 unless otherwise stated.
Area
IDC Contractor
Northland
Fulton Hogan
West Waikato
Fulton Hogan (to June 2029)
East Waikato
Higgins
Central Waikato
Downer
Bay of Plenty
Higgins
Taranaki
Downer (to June 2029)
Manawatū-Whanganui
Fulton Hogan
Hawke’s Bay
Higgins
Tairāwhiti
Downer (to June 2029)
Nelson-Tasman
Fulton Hogan
Marlborough
HEB/Fulton Hogan (to March 2029)
West Coast
Fulton Hogan
North Canterbury
HEB
South Canterbury
Isaac
Coastal Otago
Downer
Central Otago
Fulton Hogan
Southland
SouthRoads
For further information on the IDC model, see:
Technical disciplines – Integrated delivery model(external link)
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Chinese shares open higher Friday – Xinhua
- Chinese shares open higher Friday Xinhua
- China stocks higher, set to end week flat as investors await fresh cues Business Recorder
- The Shangai Composite Index Closes 0.43% Higher TradingView — Track All Markets
- Asian stocks advance, China benchmark close 0.36% higher Business Standard
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Market exchange rates in China — Dec. 19-Xinhua
BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — The following are the central parity rates of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, against 25 major currencies announced on Friday by the China Foreign Exchange Trade System:
Currency Unit Central parity rate in yuan
U.S. dollar 100 705.50
Euro 100 826.16
Japanese yen 100 4.5274
Hong Kong dollar 100 90.675
British pound 100 942.67
Australian dollar 100 465.78
New Zealand dollar 100 406.55
Singapore dollar 100 546.39
Swiss franc 100 887.00
Canadian dollar 100 511.31
Pataca 113.65 100
Malaysian ringgit 57.946 100
Ruble 1,135.08 100
Rand 237.39 100
Korean won 20,946 100
UAE dirham 52.147 100
Saudi riyal 53.25 100
Hungarian forint 4,691.84 100
Polish zloty 50.874 100
Danish krone 90.47 100
Swedish krona 131.74 100
Norwegian krone 144.19 100
Turkish lira 607.374 100
Mexican peso 255.29 100
Thai baht 446.24 100
The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.
The central parity rate of the yuan against the Hong Kong dollar is based on the central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar and the exchange rate of the Hong Kong dollar against the U.S. dollar at 9 a.m. in international foreign exchange markets on the same business day.
The central parity rate of the yuan against the Pataca is based on the central parity rate of the yuan against the Hong Kong dollar and the exchange rate of the Pataca against the Hong Kong dollar at 9 a.m. in international foreign exchange markets on the same business day.
The central parity rates of the yuan against the other 22 currencies are based on the average prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank foreign exchange market. ■
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‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ press tour wraps with final stops in Mexico City and Toronto
LOS ANGELES — The “Avatar” world press tour has reached in finale, setting the stage for the franchise’s global return with “Fire and Ash.”
The stars made final stops in Mexico City and Toronto, greeting fans and posing in front of Pandora-themed…
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Chinese yuan strengthens to 7.055 against USD Friday-Xinhua
BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, strengthened 33 pips to 7.055 against the U.S. dollar Friday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.
In China’s spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.
The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day. ■
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Drones detect deadly virus in Arctic whales’ breath
The researchers used drones carrying sterile petri dishes to capture droplets from the exhaled breath of humpback, fin and sperm whales, combined with skin biopsies taken from boats.
They confirmed for the first time that a potentially deadly…
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Stokes's 83 gives England hope as Australia lead by 102 in 3rd Test – France 24
- Stokes’s 83 gives England hope as Australia lead by 102 in 3rd Test France 24
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Husky Hoops Set To Face Seattle U Friday Night At Climate Pledge Arena
SEATTLE – For the 18th season in a row, Washington and Seattle U will do battle on the hard court, facing off Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena.
Tipoff for Friday’s affair is set for 8:30 p.m. PT, airing nationally on ESPN2. Tony…Continue Reading