Meet the Speakers: Tania Hyde
Tania Hyde | Technical Director and Circular Design Lead, Beca
Masterclass: Day 2 | How to Drive Value with Transition Planning
How did you get here?
From an early love of creating and building (thanks to Lego!), I knew I wanted to pursue engineering, despite being told by a school careers adviser that hairdressing or beauty might suit me better. Determined to prove them wrong, I began my career at an oil refinery as one of the first women on site, where I quickly learned to stand my ground. By 26, I was leading a team as a Principal Highways Engineer, and at 29, I moved to New Zealand, eventually finding my professional whānau at Beca.
Here, I’ve been supported to grow, lead, and even win the Supreme Award at the NZ Workplace Health & Safety Awards for my work in Safety in Design. Discovering I’m dyslexic in my late 30s turned out to be a superpower, driving my passion for the circular economy and system thinking. Throughout my journey, I’ve stayed true to my values—standing up for what’s right, fostering inclusion, and striving for sustainability. Now, inspired by my kids’ vision for a regenerative future, I’m focused on empowering others to think differently, break barriers, and design a better world.
How would you describe your relationship to purpose and values?
Hihiri - a word that embodies inspiration, energy, and enthusiasm and reflects a sense of motivation and inner drive to pursue ideas, growth, and creativity with passion and purpose.
For those who don't know your organisation, can you give us the elevator pitch?
Beca is one of the largest employee-owned professional services firms in the Asia-Pacific region, delivering creative and sustainable solutions across engineering, consulting, project management, and advisory services. With over a century of experience, we partner with clients to design, build, and innovate infrastructure and systems that make everyday better for communities worldwide.
Our diverse teams bring technical expertise, local knowledge, and a passion for solving complex challenges, whether it's delivering cutting-edge projects, driving sustainability through the circular economy, building resilience, or helping organisations adapt to the future. At Beca, we’re not just building projects; we’re shaping a resilient tomorrow.
What’s the biggest purpose/sustainability myth that needs busting?
That recycling and energy recovery will not meet the demands of tomorrow. We often down-cycle, with this process often being resource intensive. Energy recover also destroys materials instead of preserving them and creates a demand for waste long-term. These are the last resort (at best).
The real transition and value lies in redesigning systems, rethinking business models, and prioritising prevention, reuse, and regeneration. By focusing on these higher-value strategies, organisations can create a truly circular and sustainable economic futures.
If you could sit down with one global leader to discuss the state of the world, who would it be and why?
David Attenborough - firstly so I can take my youngest to meet his idol and two we need behaviour change to make a difference, so I'd love to discuss the power of communication in raising awareness and fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural world.
What is Aotearoa's purpose/sustainability superpower?
From my international experience I believe our superpower lies in our unique blend of intergenerational thinking, ancestral intelligence, and community-led innovation. Guided by Māori principles such as kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manaakitanga (care and respect), Aotearoa can embrace solutions that prioritise the well-being of mokopuna (future generations) over short-term fixes.
This approach recognises humans as an integral part of nature, fostering a deep connection to the environment and a sense of collective responsibility. With our strong cultural foundation, abundant renewable energy resources, and a collaborative spirit, we could be developing purpose-driven solutions that inspire global action. By combining indigenous wisdom, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to long-term resilience, Aotearoa can shaping a sustainable future for both people and the planet
What is a purpose/sustainability trend/word you love or hate right now?
Love - ancestral intelligence
Hate - recycling or recovery
You're speaking at The Value of Purpose in May. Can you give us a sneak peek of what you'll be talking about?
As climate change reshapes our world, organisations face increasing pressure to adapt their business models and strategies to remain resilient and sustainable. Mandatory climate-related disclosure frameworks, such as New Zealand’s Climate-related Disclosure (CRD) requirements, are driving significant transformation, not only for those required to report but also across their value chains.
A circular transition plan enables organisations to create systemic change by playing outside of the current constraints and embed sustainable, closed-loop systems that reduce waste, enhance resource efficiency, and promote regenerative practices. It fosters economic resilience by decreasing reliance on volatile supply chains, driving innovation, and aligning with sustainability legislation for long-term viability.
What are you most excited about for this conference?
Meeting new people and exploring innovative solutions/strategies to transition Aotearoa into a Circular future.