Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has partnered with Student Volunteer Army (SVA), a national network that empowers young people to volunteer safely, meaningfully, and together in response to significant disasters. Together, the two organisations are helping communities recovering from severe weather and natural hazard events across Aotearoa New Zealand.
In addition to providing financial support, Stantec will share its professional emergency recovery expertise with SVA, and promote internships and cadetships for students pursuing careers in engineering, planning, and environmental science.
“I am proud to be supporting the SVA national network. Over the years, we’ve seen SVA students work tirelessly in the mud and rain to support communities in the aftermath of major events,” said David Hogg, Country Leader for Stantec in New Zealand. “Behind the scenes, our team has advised local authorities as events unfold, helping guide response decisions and assess the safety of damaged infrastructure. Like SVA, our goal is to help communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible.”
“The partnership brings together two organisations that support communities at different stages of disaster recovery,” said Sam Johnson, Founder and Chair of SVA. "Stantec's people are already there after an event, advising local authorities and checking what's safe. Ours turn up with shovels once it is. It's a natural fit, and the value they bring extends beyond funding—the expertise and the opportunities for our students are just as valuable."
SVA and Stantec both support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 13: Climate Action—reflecting their shared commitment to building resilient communities.
About Student Volunteer Army
Founded in response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, SVA began as a grassroots student movement and has grown into a trusted national infrastructure for youth volunteering, service recognition, and community response.
Today, we support tens of thousands of students across schools and universities in New Zealand and Australia, helping them contribute to their communities, lead others, and step up when it matters most.
About Stantec
Stantec empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.
We are a global leader in sustainable engineering and environmental consulting. Our professionals deliver the expertise, technology, and innovation communities need to manage aging infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more.
Today’s communities transcend geographic borders. At Stantec, community means everyone with an interest in the work that we do—from our project teams and industry colleagues to our clients and the people our work impacts. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure.
We are designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, and strategic advisors. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.
Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.
Media Contacts
Stantec
Jackie Mcphee
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: +61 421 896 983
jackie.mcphee@stantec.com
Student Volunteer Army
Pip Lovell, Foundation Coordinator
Ph: +6421 554654
pip@sva.org.nz
Pictured: Members of the 50-strong University of Canterbury team who supported Tasman flood recovery efforts in July 2025, with SVA Foundation's Pip Lovell (centre).