News & Insights
From Test Matches to Technical Briefs
Author
Date
- 2025 August
When Hamish Rutherford walked away from a 16-year international cricket career, he left behind stadiums and scoreboards for a new world defined by strategy, structure and steel.
Today, as part of RCP’s project management team on the Dunedin Hospital redevelopment, Hamish brings a rare mix of elite performance experience and grounded humility that’s helping shape New Zealand’s built environment.
His entry into the profession wasn’t conventional. A few years ago, Hamish began a loosely structured internship with RCP; three days a week at first, testing the waters while still contemplating a return to the game. But the decision to retire from cricket came swiftly, spurred by both the toll on his body and a realisation: it was time for something new.
“I knew I was done. And the beauty of the internship was that it let me quietly walk into a world where no one cared about cricket. That was actually humbling; and exactly what I needed,” he says.
Adjusting from the intensity of top-tier sport to the pace of large-scale infrastructure wasn’t easy. “In sport, your feedback loop is hourly. You’re performing constantly, under lights, under scrutiny. Here, it’s slower. You’re a passenger at first, not the driver. But I’ve come to appreciate that too.”
At RCP, Hamish quickly found that the so-called “soft skills” he had developed in sport; resilience, strategic thinking, public accountability, and dealing with high-stakes teams; were his most powerful tools. Whether engaging with contractors or sitting across from senior consultants, Hamish brings a natural confidence and clarity that only years of high-performance competition can instill.
His ability to communicate under pressure was further sharpened during his time as a live commentator for TVNZ’s coverage of the Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 cricket competition. Articulating the nuances of the game to a broad audience; many watching cricket for the first time; required clarity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of both the sport and the viewer. Whether interviewing players live on air or responding to producers mid-broadcast, Hamish developed a calm, responsive style that now serves him well in high-stakes project environments.
“Being in a room with big clients and big egos doesn’t bother me. The people skills I gained on the field are surprisingly transferable. My challenge now is learning the technical stuff; and I’m excited about that.”
His leadership journey continues to evolve. He’s now deeply involved in strategic conversations around hospital delivery, learning from senior project directors and shaping his voice in a new industry. The shift from being captain on the field to a contributor in the project room has been challenging but rewarding.
“I’m no longer the one calling the shots, but I still want to add value. And for me, that’s about people; connecting teams, staying calm under pressure, reading the room. Those things matter just as much here as they did at the crease.”
“Commentating taught me how to read a moment and respond in real time,” he reflects. “Sometimes you’re interviewing a young player who’s shy or nervous, and you have to adjust your approach instantly. That kind of situational awareness; knowing when to push, when to pull back; is something I use every day at RCP.”
Hamish’s path into project management was seeded long before he knew it. He once dreamed of becoming an architect and later found himself managing renovations and trades at home. Encouraged by contacts from the NZ Cricket Players’ Association, and with support from RCP and help from industry leaders Lindsay Breed and Jamie Cargill, he took a construction course while still playing professionally. By the time he retired, he was ready to test his skills in the real world.
Looking ahead, Hamish is excited about deepening his technical knowledge and finding more ways to contribute, not just to projects, but to the wider community.
“This isn’t ‘Hamish the cricketer’ 2.0. This is something new. Of course, cricket’s always going to be part of me. But now I get to reintroduce myself; and I want to be known for what I do in this world.”
Hamish’s story is a powerful reminder that the built environment isn’t just shaped by engineers and architects; it’s shaped by character, commitment, and the courage to start again.
