Litia, a civil engineer, is contracted by a government ministry to develop a new water supply system in the highlands of Viti Levu. The plan, however, prioritises large farms owned by a few influential families, bypassing several small villages that lack clean water. During site visits, Litia learns that the villagers have to walk over an hour to collect water from a stream. When she raises the concern in a team meeting, she’s told that “political priorities” are outside her scope and that she should “just stick to the design.”

Feeling uneasy, Litia consults the IPENZ Code of Ethics and decides to submit a revised design proposal that incorporates access for the neglected communities. Her proposal is initially rejected, but after gaining local support and media attention, the project is adjusted to include all affected groups.