Major infrastructure projects from across New Zealand have been recognised at the CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards, including Auckland’s Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel and a boardwalk built above a tidal estuary.
Presented at the Civil Contractors Conference in Wellington, the awards recognised projects across six categories covering construction, maintenance and management of assets.
Civil Contractors New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard says the winning projects highlight the expertise and capability within the industry.
“The work of civil contractors has an immensely positive impact on society. These projects will safeguard our communities for generations to come by building resilience, supporting our economy and protecting our environment,” says Pollard.
The Central Interceptor Main Works, delivered for Watercare by a Ghella Abergeldie Joint Venture, won the category for projects valued at more than $100 million. The $1.6 billion project includes a 16.2km wastewater tunnel constructed using tunnel-boring machine Hiwa-i-te-Rangi.
The judges highlighted the project’s contribution to training and development, alongside its construction achievements.
“Through training, development, and the introduction of new people into the industry, the team helped build construction capability while also delivering positive social and economic outcomes for local communities.”
Another part of the Central Interceptor programme was recognised in the $5 million to $20 million category, with Seipp Construction winning for a confluence chamber built to merge wastewater flows from existing interceptors into the new tunnel.
HEB Construction won the $20 million to $100 million category for work on Te Whau Pathway in Auckland. The project included construction of a 1.35km boardwalk above the mangroves using Te Kowhai Nui, a purpose-built travelling gantry that enabled construction without disturbing the estuary below.
“Technology and process improvement were clear strengths of the project. The use of BIM (building information modelling) and lean construction methods helped the team coordinate effectively, improve certainty and deliver ahead of time,” the judges say.
Downer won the $2 million to $5 million category for coastal resilience work at Hataitai Beach on Wellington’s Evans Bay Cycleway, which included construction of a seawall along the coastal route.
Pipeline & Civil received the award for projects valued up to $2 million for remediation of Paremuka Dam Culvert in Henderson, Auckland. The project involved repairing a deteriorating culvert beneath a KiwiRail railway line and dam.
In the South Island, HEB Construction won the Excellence in Maintenance and Management of Assets award for its six-year roading maintenance partnership with Selwyn District Council. Judges noted initiatives including AI-powered road condition monitoring and the use of rubber chipseal.