Awards honour civil construction leaders and training initiatives

25 Jul 2025

New Zealand's civil construction industry has celebrated the outstanding achievements of leaders, innovators and groundbreaking staff development initiatives at the prestigious Z Energy People Awards and Connexis Civil Training and Development Awards in Tauranga.

The awards, presented at Mercury Baypark today during The Civil Contractors Conference, honoured individuals and companies driving excellence and growth across the industry.

“These awards celebrate the outstanding people and companies raising the bar for our industry,” said Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard.

“Their achievements drive excellence across civil construction and build a stronger, more capable workforce and economy for New Zealand.”

Josh Wilkinson of Fulton Hogan picked up the Z Energy Emerging Leader Award, recognising exceptional leadership qualities throughout his career, from co-founding University of Auckland Civil Engineering Students Association to managing major projects at Auckland Airport.

His rapid progression at Fulton Hogan, becoming the first person in the company’s 91-year history to be appointed directly to department manager upon completion of its internship programme, showcases his phenomenal capabilities – and the potential in the rest of his career.

Judges Fiona Morton and David Howard highlighted Wilkinson's impact on New Zealand's infrastructure sector and exceptional dedication to inspiring the next generation of leaders.

“With personal development centred on continuous improvement, Josh demonstrates remarkable qualities in mentoring others and driving industry initiatives. His calm approach to pressure situations, unwavering focus on safety, and ability to deliver quality outcomes have become his trademark.”

Linda Lapwood of Downer took home the Z Energy Personal Improvement Award. Her achievement demonstrates personal growth, combined with helping others create lasting change. Her frameworks are now part of The Downer Standard, impacting the company’s entire civil construction workforce.

The judges were inspired by Lapwood's journey, noting that she had transformed Downer’s Critical Risk Programme and trained more than 350 staff. They said she had revolutionised safety training across the company through her hands-on teaching style and innovative LETSS framework, which supports frontline road workers and others with practical de-escalation techniques.

“Her work has improved site compliance and set new industry standards. Linda proves that personal growth combined with helping others creates lasting change.”

Z Energy SME Customer Partnership Lead Fiona Morton congratulated the award recipients for their leadership and personal development.

“At Z Energy, we're proud to celebrate those who go above and beyond for their teams, communities, and the wider industry. Their achievements demonstrate the positive impact that committed, values-driven people can make.”

The Connexis Civil Training and Development Awards were also announced, celebrating employers that demonstrate a strong commitment to staff development by providing opportunities to gain skills and knowledge through active training programmes and nationally recognised qualifications.

Downer Christchurch was the winner of the award for companies with turnover over $100M and alliance projects.

Connexis award judges Fiona Malloch and Marc Borland praised Downer's strong commitment to upskilling and empowering more of its workforce through an initiative called ‘Te Whanake Timatanga’.

The initiative is reshaping the face of leadership within the company by providing a pathway for Māori professionals to gain formal qualifications while honouring and embracing their cultural identity. To date, 232 qualifications have been awarded, increasing Māori representation in leadership and creating a more inclusive workforce in line with diversity and inclusion goals.

Waiotahi Contractors, founded in Ōpōtiki in 1957, was honoured with the award for companies with turnover between $10M and $100M. In the past year Waiotahi Contractors has placed a major focus on training and development with 20 per cent of its workforce now training in formal civil construction qualifications. To support this, the company developed a visual Career Progression Roadmap, using the familiar concept of roading to clearly show the pathway from labourer through to project manager, including average industry pay rates.

J&R Contracting received the award for companies with turnover up to $10M. The judges highlighted how the J&R Contracting Waikato Branch places a huge emphasis on the training and development of its people to create a seamless pipeline for professional growth.

Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger highlighted the importance of industry training and recognising those who invest in upskilling their people through the infrastructure apprenticeship pathway.

"Training and development are crucial for safety, quality infrastructure outcomes and a sustainable locally skilled workforce for the future of our industry. These award winners set the benchmark for excellence in workforce development."

Award Recipients: Z Energy People Awards 2025

Z Energy Emerging Leader Award

The Z Energy Emerging Leader Award is given to people under the age of 30 who have innovated, impressed, and made a positive impact on the industry and their employer, while demonstrating strong leadership qualities and a well-rounded character.

Winner: Josh Wilkinson of Fulton Hogan
Josh Wilkinson was inspired by “one too many episodes of Megastructures on TV and messing around building stuff on the farm”, leading him to enrol in a Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Auckland in 2013. He joined Fulton Hogan's internship programme in his first year, working on asphalt, stabilising, and civil projects throughout his degree.

During his final year, at just 20 years old, Wilkinson led the Hamilton Roller Skating Club High Speed Skate Track project, completed in four weeks and winner of Category 1 of the 2016 CCNZ Waikato Awards. He also co-founded the University of Auckland Civil Engineering Students Association.

Now a Contracts Manager, Wilkinson is the only person in Fulton Hogan's 91-year history appointed directly to a department manager position upon graduating from the company’s internship programme.

Highly Commended: Darcy Gallagher of Fulton Hogan
After completing a business management degree, Darcy Gallagher embraced a cadetship at Fulton Hogan in 2019. She quickly began studying towards her Diploma in Engineering (Civil), graduating in 2023 while working full-time. Promoted to Project Engineer in 2024, Gallagher now leads construction of the Minden Gully bridge on the Tākitimu North Link project.

Gallagher is known for her inclusive leadership, organising fitness challenges, wellbeing campaigns, and team BBQs to build strong culture. As a role model through Girls-in-Hi-Viz events and student hosting, she inspires future leaders. Her authentic, hands-on approach and commitment to developing others continue to drive her rapid progression in the industry.

Z Energy Personal Improvement Award

The Z Energy Personal Improvement Award recognises how an individual has committed themselves to ongoing training and development to better themselves and benefit their employer.

Winner: Linda Lapwood of Downer
With over two decades in civil construction, Lapwood has redefined leadership as empathetic, inclusive, and focused on lifting others. She has transformed Downer's Critical Risk Programme, training over 350 staff with her innovative LETSS framework that teaches FBI-inspired de-escalation techniques to support road workers and others in dealing with aggressive behaviours from members of the public.

Lapwood is one of only six people in New Zealand with a TTM Micro-Credential Level 4, holds a Bachelor's in Applied Management, and mentors through Wāhine Toa and other initiatives. Her work has improved site compliance, set new safety standards, and created pathways for others' success. Lapwood's commitment to growth and service leaves the industry stronger than she found it.

Highly Commended: Baydon Chappell of MAP Projects
Baydon Chappell's journey began on the shovel, learning every aspect of civil construction through hands-on experience. Over 15 years at MAP Projects, he progressed from labourer to Project Manager, and is known for his practical fluency, calm leadership, and dedication to mentoring others.

Managing high-profile infrastructure projects across Aotearoa and the Pacific, Chappell leads with authenticity, understanding his team's perspectives and working collaboratively to achieve success. His ambition is driven by contribution, aspiring to become a shareholder to continue building sustainable teams and leaving a legacy of excellence in civil construction.

Winners: Connexis Civil Training and Development Awards 2025

Civil Training and Development Award for companies with turnover over $100M and alliance projects

Winner: Downer Christchurch
A strong commitment to upskilling and empowering the workforce is reshaping the face of leadership within Downer. Te Whanake Timatanga provides a pathway for Māori professionals to gain formal qualifications while honouring and embracing their cultural identity. To date, 232 qualifications have been awarded.

A standout within the programme is the innovative Bachelor of Applied Management developed in partnership with Capable NZ and Te Puni Kōkiri. Integrating kaupapa Māori principles with an Assessment of Prior Learning (approach, it allows experienced kaimahi to complete a degree in just 10 months. This commitment to providing culturally safe education is increasing Māori representation in leadership and creating a more inclusive workforce in line with diversity and inclusion goals. The programme is creating lasting impact within the company and the wider community.

Civil Training and Development Award for companies with turnover between $10M and $100M

Winner: Waiotahi Contractors Ltd
Waiotahi Contractors Ltd was founded in Ōpōtiki in 1957 and has grown to become a trusted name in Bay of Plenty, employing 180 people in transport, roading and infrastructure projects. In the past year Waiotahi Contractors has placed a major focus on training and development with 20 per cent of its workforce now training in formal civil construction qualifications.

To support this, the company developed a visual Career Progression Roadmap, using the familiar concept of roading to clearly show the pathway from labourer through to project manager, including average industry pay rates. The goal is to show individuals what’s possible and to inspire them to take the next step in their career. Waiotahi believes training boosts morale and confidence and gives individuals the recognition they deserve.

Civil Training and Development Award for companies with turnover up to $10M

Winner: J&R Contracting Waikato
Established in 1995, J&R Contracting has gone on to become a thriving civil employer with depots in both Auckland and Waikato, working on civil, energy, telecommunications and water projects that have a major impact on the New Zealand infrastructure and economy.

J&R has constantly evolved in its skills, capability and services as its clients have changed. To meet this demand the J&R Contracting Waikato branch places a huge emphasis on the training and development of its people to create a seamless pipeline for professional growth. The J&R Contracting Waikato team believes this not only benefits the business with better staff retention and client satisfaction but improves their local community by developing local talent and leadership.

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