en.Wedoany.com Reported - In 2026, the global trenchless technology industry will converge in New Zealand for the International No-Dig Auckland, held from October 28 to 29 at the newly built New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland. This marks the first time this global event is being held in New Zealand.
This conference and exhibition, organized in collaboration with the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT), represents a milestone for the local industry. As the highest global authority in trenchless technology, ISTT brings together national societies and industry experts dedicated to promoting innovation and best practices in underground infrastructure. The International No-Dig Exhibition is held in different countries each year, showcasing global industry achievements and bringing together cutting-edge innovations and advancements. The event will connect participants with engineers, researchers, contractors, and supervisors from the water, sewage, gas, electricity, and telecommunications sectors.
The two-day event will feature technical sessions, equipment displays, and networking opportunities. Attendees will learn about the latest techniques in pipe installation, rehabilitation, and underground construction. The exhibition hall will host exhibitors showcasing the latest trenchless equipment and solutions, while the conference sessions will cover case studies, research findings, and practical applications from projects in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Industry professionals can network during informal social events, on the exhibition floor, and at the Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT) Awards Dinner.
The International No-Dig Auckland comes at a time of transformation for New Zealand's water industry, driven in part by the "Local Water Done Well" (LWDW) initiative. This initiative, finalized in August 2025 through the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025, replaces the previous "Three Waters" reform, granting councils greater control over water services and allowing them to adopt service models suited to their regions. The initiative also introduces higher expectations for sustainable water resource management, encouraging innovation and supporting low-impact construction methods. These changes are influencing how water infrastructure projects are planned and delivered nationwide.
Molly Hancock, Marketing and Events Manager at Prime Creative Media, stated that the LWDW initiative is reshaping how councils and utilities manage water, raising standards for sustainability, innovation, and long-term resilience, and creating opportunities for trenchless technology to play a central role. The event will provide a platform for the industry to discuss these changes, allowing utilities, councils, engineers, and contractors to explore practical solutions and share project experiences. Hancock noted that as councils gain the authority to design local solutions, the industry must adapt quickly, and the International No-Dig Auckland offers professionals a chance to understand LWDW, discuss practical solutions, and see how trenchless methods can meet new standards.
Major infrastructure companies have already supported the event, with engineering contractor McConnell Dowell becoming a Silver Sponsor. The company delivers complex projects in transportation, water, energy, and resources, with work spanning pipelines and underground infrastructure. Martin Devlin, Pre-Contracts Manager for McConnell Dowell New Zealand and Pacific Islands, said the event provides a high-visibility platform for McConnell Dowell to showcase its trenchless delivery capabilities and its experience as a New Zealand contractor in delivering complex, low-disruption outcomes in the local environment. The event also creates opportunities to introduce and promote innovative trenchless methods already relevant locally, while fostering meaningful relationships among clients, consultants, suppliers, and contractors, sharing practical solutions and lessons learned to drive more confident front-end project decisions. Devlin believes the event will help the industry better understand the importance of trenchless technology in local applications, focusing on appropriately scaled solutions for local project types.
