In the past, managing asset infrastructure was a tedious and manual process. Inspections had to be conducted on-site, which could sometimes be risky, especially when dealing with bridges, tall buildings, factories, or underground locations.
Manual data uploads were often prone to human error. However, these practices are gradually changing thanks to the emergence and availability of smart technologies; asset management can now be significantly improved in terms of safety, speed, and accuracy.
Digital twins, a technology previously used solely for the design and construction of buildings and structures, are now being adapted to manage physical assets and infrastructure, enabling asset owners and managers, such as local councils, to save money and time.
According to the Asian Development Bank, digital twins are detailed virtual models that replicate real-world physical assets or infrastructure. These models are continuously updated with real-time or near-real-time data to mirror the performance and condition of their physical counterparts.
Created using advanced software and data aggregation, digital twins are used for analysis, simulation, and forecasting. Their adaptability has made them valuable across multiple industries, helping to reduce operational, maintenance, and replacement costs while enabling infrastructure design that is resilient to future challenges, such as climate change.
By delivering accurate, up-to-date insights, digital twins empower governments to enhance service delivery and make informed decisions, ultimately benefiting the communities they serve.
Implementing the First Digital Twin in New Zealand
Hastings District Council is the first council in the country to implement digital twin technology, creating a comprehensive digital twin of the Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre.
This digital twin incorporates three main components: the recently refurbished 107-year-old opera house, the repurposed office space, and the plaza. Essentially, the digital twin is a virtual, detailed three-dimensional representation of the building.
It enables users, including asset managers, to access all available asset data with a single click. This data includes information on the age, materials, condition, manufacturer, and even the paint color of each element.
Sensors placed throughout the building measure and report on its performance, which can be monitored remotely. The digital twin replaces long spreadsheets and PDFs that were previously scattered throughout the council’s system.
It provides the Hastings District Council with an efficient, comprehensive, cost-effective, and simplified management process. This enables advanced predictive maintenance and asset renewal, ensuring the best care for these vital community assets.
After digitizing the town’s Art and Events Centre, the Hastings District Council extended the same technology to its 140 buildings and parks. As the first council in New Zealand to create a digital format of its physical assets, they have significantly transformed their daily asset operations and long-term asset management practices.
In June 2022, the Hastings District Council received the Datacom Award for Transforming Service Delivery for its Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Event Centre Asset Management BIM and Digital Twin.
Later in October, their project “Digital Twins for Optimal Asset Management” earned yet another national accolade: the IPWEA 2022 Excellence in Asset Management Award. Additionally, a second council project, the Tauroa Road Boardwalk and Shared Path, was highly commended in the Excellence in Road Safety category.
The video below from Hastings District Council showcases the digital twin of the Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre. It highlights the benefits it provides to both the council and the community.
Digital twins create dynamic digital representations of physical assets, enabling smarter decision-making and enhancing infrastructure asset management and maintenance of those assets.
The Asian Development Bank has released a guide titled “Digital Twin Framework: A Practical Guide” in May 2025 for organizations interested in understanding and implementing digital twin technology.
This comprehensive guide outlines how digital twins can transform infrastructure development, offering valuable insights for their creation and demonstrating how they can enhance decision-making processes.
Sources:
Digital Twins for Optimal Asset Management (Toitoi). (2022, September 24). Āpōpō. Retrieved from https://apopo.co.nz/digital-twins-for-optimal-asset-management-toitoi/
Hastings District Council wins The Datacom Award for Transforming Service Delivery. (2022). Taituarā. Retrieved from https://taituara.org.nz/Story?Action=View&Story_id=404
Digital twinning of Toitoi takes IPWEA award. (2022, October 5). Heretaunga Hastings District Council. Retrieved from https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/home/article/2540/digital-twinning-of-toitoi-takes-ipwea-award?t=featured&s=1
Digital Twin Framework: A Practical Guide. (2025, May). ADB. Retrieved from https://www.adb.org/publications/digital-twin-framework-guide?
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