Infrastructure champions recognised at civil construction awards
New Zealand’s most exceptional infrastructure projects were celebrated at the CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards, held during the Civil Contractors Conference in Tauranga. The awards showcased the country’s most challenging and innovative achievements across six categories, from small works to multi-million-dollar projects.
Civil Contractors New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard says the winners highlighted the industry’s vital role.
“These awards celebrate not just civil construction excellence, but the innovation and dedication that keeps New Zealand communities connected, supplied with clean water and protected from natural disasters.”
Brian Perry Civil won for projects between $50M and $100M with Wellington’s Kaitoke Flume Pipe Bridge, a complex replacement of an earthquake-prone structure that carries 60% of the city’s water. Judges praised the work for being completed five months early with no disruption to supply.
The Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance – including Waka Kotahi, Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, Aurecon, WSP and five iwi partners – won the over $100M category for the Te Ahu A Turanga Manawatu Tararua Highway, a 12km project involving major earthworks and the Southern Hemisphere’s widest balanced cantilever bridge.
Emergency response was recognised in Canterbury, where HEB Construction restored KiwiRail Bridge 57 after severe flooding, reopening the line within 10 days and completing the project in six weeks.
MAP Projects won the $10M to $50M category for the Brenwe Small Hydro Power Plant in remote Vanuatu, delivered despite cyclones, Covid-19 restrictions and significant local engagement.
Other winners included the Auckland System Management Alliance for network maintenance and Isaac Construction for the Aldwins-Ensors-Ferry Intersection upgrade in Christchurch.
Pollard says the calibre of entries showed what collaboration can achieve.
“What we saw tonight is proof that when we combine technical expertise with genuine partnership and shared vision, we can deliver world-class infrastructure that serves our nation for years to come.”