International Women in Engineering Day

In recognition of International Women in Engineering Day, we are proud to profile these two amazing engineers we’ve had the pleasure of working with. Their stories reflect the passion, resilience and impact women bring to the engineering profession.

Lucy Rock – Three Waters Planning Lead, New Plymouth District Council

Why did you decide to study engineering? In high school I was a drama major who was also good at math and science. A guidance counsellor pulled me aside and asked what my plans were for after graduation. He was not impressed with my lack of answer and insisted that I sign up for a job shadowing opportunity with a petroleum engineer. I spent a day following Dave from Gulf Canada in downtown Calgary as he went about his day. I could see myself doing this and he assured me that if I liked math and science I could. I had never met anyone like him before. I was a child of Portuguese immigrants who left Portugal in the 1960s due to political unrest and I would be the first in my family to attend university.  Engineering was not part of my vocabulary, and I am forever thankful that I was given this opportunity. So, I signed up for engineering in the fall of 1991 at the University of Calgary and have no regrets.

What are your career highlights? In British Columbia, I designed a pilot project of placing geophones in offsetting vertical wells to capture microseismic data to understand how varying hydraulic fracturing parameters can affect fracking and well performance. It was the first time this was done in Canada. Completed the first multi-stage fracture treatment in a horizontal well drilled into a conventional reservoir, the Falher in Northern Alberta.

Which countries have you worked in? Canada, United States and New Zealand

Kynn Caluna – Development Engineer, Whakatane District Council

Why did you decide to study engineering? Engineering has always felt like a natural path for me. My father, an electrical engineer, was a guiding influence who nurtured my interest in problem-solving from an early age. I was also raised in a family of engineers across various disciplines—civil, chemical, mechanical, and electronics. Their passion and achievements inspired me to follow a similar journey. I’ve always been intrigued by how structures come to life and motivated by the idea of creating solutions that improve safety, connectivity, and everyday life.

What are your career highlights? One standout moment in my career was working on the Panguil Bay Bridge in the Philippines, a 3km-link between culturally diverse regions. As a child, I would hear stories about this dream project, never imagining I’d one day help bring it to life. I also contributed to the feasibility and design of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, one of the Philippines’ most ambitious mega-bridge projects. Today, I carry that same purpose with me as a Development Engineer in New Zealand, delivering infrastructure that drives local growth and strengthens communities.

Which countries have you worked in? I began my career in the Philippines, delivering major infrastructures that supported national development. Now, I’m based in New Zealand, helping a district council deliver smart, practical infrastructure for growing communities. Working in both countries has sharpened my technical edge and strengthened my belief that good engineering can change lives – no matter where in the world you are.