EWBNZ Projects
EWBNZ projects link the skills of students, graduates and professional engineers with real community needs, both internationally and locally. EWBNZ projects give these individuals the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in local and international aid, while making a positive sustainable contribution towards other’s lives.
All projects are identified and implemented in conjunction with existing organisations and communities who have identified their own needs. This ensures that EWBNZ assists in providing solutions to problems addressing core human needs, which are sustainable within communities in the long term. All projects are thus of a high technical nature, and aim to build local capacity to ensure effective and appropriate long term solutions.
Tonga Renewable Energies Project – November 2009 (Auckland and Canterbury)
The Tonga Renewable Energies Project is a joint initiative between EWBNZ and EcoCare Pacific Trust. EWBNZ have two teams, one from Auckland and one from Canterbury working to implement renewable energy schemes for two high schools in Tonga. Watch the trip video here.
This project involves the design and implementation of a solar powered groundwater pumping scheme to assist Tonga College with the provision of clean water to its 1600 students and staff at the school.
Canterbury team – Vava’u High School
This project involves the design and implementation of a grid connected solar scheme at Vava’u High School to reduce the school’s energy costs.
Fireguard Project – July till early 2009 (Auckland)
Members of the community called upon Engineers Without Borders to assist in the design of a safe fireguard for individuals with disabilities causing impaired balance. We have a team of 4 students and a mentor working on this project which involves designing a fireguard to surround open fireplaces to protect elderly or disabled people from the risk of falling and obtaining injury.
Operations Research for Community Health Services – April 2008 (Auckland)
There are currently two projects underway for the Auckland Hospital Cytology Unit and the Auckland University Student Health Centre to improve patient flow and staff workload scheduling. Nine engineering students are working alongside Dr. Michael OSullivan from the University of Auckland’s Department of Engineering Science on these community projects.
Cooler Housing Structures for Pabal, India – 2008 (Canterbury)
Pabal is a small village in Maharastra, India. In the dry session, the temperature ranges from 30-46 C. Many houses become uncomfortably hot internally, often to the point where they are uninhabitable. The project consists of researching and investigating house designs that remain cool in high temperatures without resorting to the use of electricity.
Tonga Biogas Project - December 2008 (Auckland)
EWBNZ was contracted by Waste Management Ltd, Tonga to undertake the Tonga Biogas Project. The EWBNZ Tonga Biogas team travelled to Tonga from the 4th - 18th December to build two biodigesters they had designed for a farm in Tongatapu.
Vanuatu Ivankula Retrofit Project – July 2008 (Auckland)
EWBNZ was contracted by World Vision Vanuatu to undertake the Ivankula Retrofit Project. The EWBNZ Vanuatu team during the 2nd and 21st of July 2008 undertook the analysis and redesign of the Ivankula water system on Tanna Island, Vanuatu.
Successful projects have previously been carried out for World Vision in Vanuatu in 2006/2008 and Samoa in 2007 through EWBNZ, PULSE and CREW project teams.
For more information see Past Projects.
International projects are a big part of what we do.
Previously we have also undertaken a project in Samoa (2007) and our inaugural project on Tanna Island, Vanuatu (2006). These projects have helped us establish relationships and a name to facilitate continued work in future.
Local projects are part of EWB's ongoing commitment to making a difference both internationally and in our local community. Projects include Operations Research projects for Community Health Services and number of other ongoing initiatives such as EWB in Schools, the Design Challenge and monthly seminars.
Have a project that you'd like EWBNZ to be involved in? Let us know!
We have a network of student and professional engineers willing to contribute their skills to community projects locally and internationally.
For more information on any of these initiatives please contact us.
We want to hear from you!