Earliest paper records of the Christchurch Section of the Institution of Production Engineers date from 1972 although the I.Prod E. goes back much further. The Treasurer, Ivan Comfort, records in 1987: "No expenditure this year. The section is in recess pending a review of future membership and activity."
Following the merger of the I.Prod.E with the IEE, a bank account in the name of the IEE Christchurch Sub Centre was opened on 12 October 1993. Warren Sydney Strong was the chairman, Gilbert Ian Dix was secretary/ treasurer. Warren continued as chairman until 1999, when he retired through ill health. He died in June 2002. Warren was a well respected engineer with a long career in transmission line and power generation construction with the New Zealand Electricity Department.
Christchurch, through Warren's leadership, was the first to form a Younger Engineers' Section. Warren also fostered close links with the School of Engineering at the University of Canterbury and the other electrical engineering societies: the IEEE, the Electro-Technical Group of IPENZ, and the New Zealand Electrician's Institute.
The Christchurch Local Network has members spread through out the South Island, from Invercargill to Nelson. The annual Prestige Lecture is presented in Christchurch and Dunedin for the more southern members.
An annual "Captains of Industry" meeting is held at the Staff Club of the University of Canterbury, which allows engineering students to meet informally with prospective engineering employers.
The Local Network supports the Annual Westland and Canterbury Science & Technology Fair with junior and senior school prizes. It also awards an annual prize to the best electrical and mechanical engineering final pro student at Canterbury.
Christchurch Local Network Contacts
The committee represents the IET members of the entire South Island of New Zealand, apart from the Marlborough/ Nelson region which is served by the Wellington Local Network. It has University staff and student representatives to maintain a strong link to the University of Canterbury. A programme of meetings are held each month from February through to November, usually at the University of Canterbury, Electronics & Electrical Engineering Department seminar room.
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