On Saturday 8 November 2025, the civil contracting industry in Auckland came together at the elegant Cordis Hotel for the Auckland CCNZ Hynds Construction Awards Gala Dinner.
With 600 industry professionals in attendance, the evening proved a vibrant celebration of talent, innovation and leadership in the region’s civil construction sector.
Highlighting the Winners
The night honoured remarkable individuals and companies who have constructed amazing infrastructure for their communities, demonstrating exceptional performance, leadership and innovation across key categories:
People Awards
- Apprentice of the Year – Winner: Elijah Blanchette-Mathews (Pipeline & Civil)
- Apprentice of the Year – Highly Commended: Fetuuloa Havili (Fulton Hogan)
- Young Engineer of the Year – Winner: Blake Tapling (HEB Construction)
- Outstanding Individual of the Year – Winner: Samantha Riley (Downer)
- Outstanding Individual of the Year – Highly Commended: Anton Benadie (Higgins)
- Woman in Contracting – Winner: Kelly Condon (Kerry Drainage & Civil)
- Woman in Contracting – Highly Commended: Maringi Ihaka (J&R Contracting)
Technology & Innovation Awards
- Excellence in Sustainability Innovation – Winner: HEB Construction – Te Kōwhai Nui Gantry System
- Excellence in Sustainability Innovation – Highly Commended: HIWAY – MasterCarb A – Paving the Way to a Better Future
- Excellence in Onsite/Management Innovation – Winner: Eastern Busway Alliance (Auckland Transport in an alliance with Fletcher Construction, ACCIONA, AECOM and Jacobs in partnership with mana whenua) – Rā Hihi Flyover
- Onsite/Management Innovation – Highly Commended: CB Civil – Pipe-in-Pipe Methodology for Kahika Rising Main and Diversion Project
- Excellence in Product Innovation – Winner: HIWAY – MasterScrim – Insitu Retexturisation of Flushed Chip Seals
- Product Innovation – Highly Commended: Northwater Civil – NZ Drinking Water: Ozone Pipeline Hygiene Solutions and O Mahurangi Alliance – O Mahurangi Penlink
Project Awards (Warkworth to Pōkeno region)
- Category A (Company turnover < NZ$25 million, Project value up to NZ$1 million) – Winner: Almond Contractors – Judges Bay Toilet – Wastewater Pump Station Upgrade
- Category B (Company turnover < NZ$25 million, Project value NZ$1–10 million) – Winner: Kerry Drainage & Civil – Waterview Stormwater Separation Stage 1
- Category C (Any company turnover, Project value NZ$0–20 million) – Winner: Seipp Construction – Confluence Chamber
- Category D (Any company turnover, Project value NZ$20–50 million) – Winner: HEB Construction – Milldale Bridge;
- Category D (Any company turnover, Project value NZ$20–50 million) – Highly Commended: TDM Construction – Drainage – Taxiway Mike and Remote Stands
- Category E (Any company turnover, Project value over NZ$50 million) – Winner: McConnell Dowell Constructors – Warkworth to Snells Transfer Pipeline and Pump Station
Hynds Supreme Award
- Hynds Supreme Award Winner – Winner: Seipp Construction, Confluence Chamber
A Night to Remember
The awards gala brought together 600 guests from across Auckland’s civil contracting community — a fitting reflection of the vibrancy, ambition and professionalism that define the region’s infrastructure construction sector. The black-tie event at the Cordis Hotel set an elegant stage where the industry not only celebrated its best but reaffirmed its shared commitment to excellence.
The strong turnout and wide range of categories — from apprentices to major projects, and from sustainability to product innovation — demonstrate that Auckland’s civil construction industry is thriving with fresh talent, bold ideas and deep expertise.
Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors
These awards would not be possible without the generous support from our sponsors. From naming rights to category sponsorships, each organisation plays a critical role in raising standards, fostering innovation and enabling the industry to shine.
Sponsored by an outstanding line-up of companies — including Hynds, Stellar Recruitment, Stevenson, Gamuda, GHD, Fulton Hogan, Pipeline & Civil, HEB Construction, UDC, Iplex, Orix New Zealand, Geosynthetic Partners International (GPIL), Marley, Steel & Tube and Hirepool — the night conveyed deep appreciation for the ongoing support which underpins the awards’ success.
Looking Ahead
With the 2025 winners now honoured, industry peers are already looking forward: to raising the benchmark, to more innovative and sustainable projects, to successful careers for rising talent and to the next edition of the Awards. The evening reaffirms that Auckland’s civil construction industry is not only building infrastructure — it is building people, leadership and community.
About the award winners
Apprentice of the Year - Elijah Blanchette-Mathews
Elijah Blanchette-Mathews of Pipeline & Civil won Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Stellar Recruitment.
Elijah is a young achiever with a remarkable trajectory in civil construction. This award recognises not only his technical growth and leadership potential, but also the character and heart he brings to every challenge. A bright future lies ahead for this motivated and grounded young professional.
Congratulations also to Fetuuloa Havili of Fulton Hogan for being awarded Highly Commended in this category.
Young Engineer of the Year - Blake Tapling
Congratulations to Blake Tapling of HEB Construction for winning Young Engineer of the Year sponsored by Stellar Recruitment.
Blake has quickly emerged as a standout talent in the civil construction industry. With hands-on experience across a wide range of disciplines he brings depth and versatility to every project. He has a strong sense of leadership and a clear vision for the future. Blake is not only delivering results but also mentoring cadets and fostering a collaborative, transparent work culture.
Outstanding Individual of the Year - Samantha Riley
Congratulations to Samantha Riley of Downer for winning Outstanding Individual of the Year sponsored by Stellar Recruitment.
Samantha leads a significant portfolio of infrastructure projects, managing multiple jobs and a team of around 70 people. She is shaping the future of civil construction through inclusive leadership, technical excellence, and a genuine dedication to people. Samantha exemplifies the very best of our industry—an exceptional leader whose career is defined by purpose, passion, and perseverance.
Congratulations also to Anton Benadie of Higgins for being awarded Highly Commended in this category.
Woman in Contracting - Kellie Condon
Congratulations to Kellie Condon of Kerry Drainage & Civil for winning the Woman in Contracting award, sponsored by Hynds.
Kellie is a resilient leader who rose from labouring in Darwin to supervising civil construction teams in Auckland. With a people-focused, practical leadership style, she empowers others and drives excellence. Kellie is shaping the future of contracting by leading with heart, empowering others, and proving that experience, positivity, and purpose are a powerful combination.
Congratulations also to Maringi Ihaka of J&R Contracting for being awarded Highly Commended in this category.
Excellence in Sustainability Innovation - HEB Construction
Congratulations to HEB Construction for winning Excellence in Sustainability Innovation (sponsored by Gamuda) for Te Kōwhai Nui Gantry System.
Te Kōwhai Nui is a bespoke travelling gantry developed to avoid extensive mangrove clearance in the tidal area and minimise the environmental impact of construction of the Te Whau Pathway. The result was a gantry solution that traverses newly installed pier heads to install structural elements behind the piling work front, setting a new benchmark for infrastructure delivery in ecologically sensitive environments.
Congratulations also to HIWAY for being awarded Highly Commended in this category for MasterCarb A - Paving the Way to a Better Future.
Excellence in Onsite/Management Innovation - Eastern Busway Alliance
Congratulations to Eastern Busway Alliance (Auckland Transport in an alliance with Fletcher Construction, ACCIONA, AECOM and Jacobs in partnership with mana whenua) for winning Excellence in Onsite / Management Innovation (sponsored by Auckland Branch of Civil Contractors New Zealand) for Rā Hihi Flyover.
The comprehensive and integrated approach to innovation demonstrated on the Rā Hihi flyover project showed how “Toyota Thinking” could challenge conventional methodologies by combining multiple innovations. A combination of advanced temporary works, bespoke formwork design and real-time concrete monitoring, supported by smart management and staff engagement, delivered the project five months early and saved millions of dollars. Their success demonstrates a new standard for on-site excellence and collaborative problem-solving.
Congratulations also to CB Civil for being awarded Highly Commended in this category for Pipe-in-Pipe Methodology for Kahika Rising Main and Diversion Project.
Excellence in Product Management Innovation - HIWAY
Congratulations to HIWAY for winning Excellence in Product Management Innovation (sponsored by GHD) for MasterScrim - Insitu Retexturisation of Flushed Chip Seals.
The HIWAY team has created a well-designed high-tech system that resurfaces asphalt roads using a process of reheating, aggregate distribution and embedding in a single truck pass. Their solution stands out for its efficiency, environmental benefits, and cost-effectiveness, offering real value and appealing to both stakeholders and the wider roading industry.
Congratulations also to Northwater Civil (for NZ Drinking Water: Ozone Pipeline Hygiene Solutions) and to O Mahurangi Alliance (for O Mahurangi Penlink) who were awarded Highly Commended in this category.
Project Award Category A - Almond Contractors
Congratulations to the winner of Project Award Category A: Almond Contractors for the Judges Bay Toilet - Wastewater Pump Station Upgrade project, sponsored by ORIX New Zealand.
Almond Contractors displayed an excellent level of design input to deliver an outcome that far exceeded the client’s base design. Combining this with a high level of public engagement and a challenging marine location meant the execution had to be first class. The temporary works design reduced the excavation volume and site footprint by utilising a large steel casing, ensuring they maintained vehicle and pedestrian access.
Project Award Category B - Kerry Drainage & Civil
Congratulations to the winners of Project Award Category B: Kerry Drainage & Civil for the Waterview Stormwater Separation Stage 1 project, sponsored by Geosynthetic Partners International Limited.
Kerry Drainage installed 1km of stormwater network and private separation for 66 properties in Waterview. The project demonstrated trenchless installation saving money for both the Client and the Contractor, use of low-carbon materials, and strong community engagement. Challenges included drilling in confined spaces with variable geotechnical conditions, managing stakeholders, overcoming lump sum work risk and achieving sustainability goals.
Project Award Category C - Seipp Construction
Congratulations to the winner of Project Award Category C: Seipp Construction for the Confluence Chamber project, sponsored by Marley.
The confluence chamber constructed by Seipp Construction merges wastewater flows from the new Central Interceptor and 3 other existing Interceptors at Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant. This complex project included deep bored piling, temporary diversions under live flows, and the need for nerve-wracking care and precision. Extensive risk management avoided untreated discharges, while innovative temporary works safeguarded fragile assets.
Project Award Category D - HEB Construction
Congratulations to the winner of Project Award Category D: HEB Construction for the Milldale Bridge project, sponsored by Steel & Tube.
Milldale Bridge connects vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians from the Milldale community with the Hibiscus Coast across State Highway 1. The project was delivered 2 ½ months ahead of programme despite 6-8 weeks of delays caused by geotechnical, procurement and underground services issues. This project was pressured by rising costs, yet managed to achieve bid margin. It was delivered adjacent to and over live traffic, to a high-quality standard and resulted in a very satisfied client.
Congratulations also to TDM Construction for being awarded Highly Commended in this category for the Drainage - Taxiway Mike and Remote Stands project.
Project Award Category E - McConnell Dowell Constructors
Congratulations to Project Award Category E Winner: McConnell Dowell Constructors for the Warkworth to Snells Transfer Pipeline and Pump Station project, sponsored by Hirepool.
McConnell Dowell’s design and construct contract for the Warkworth Street Pump Station and trenchless installation of a 5km transfer pipeline to the new Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant demonstrated exemplary collaboration between all project participants.
The innovative alternative design solved many problems for Watercare, not least being the community resistance to the original design, and the tight project budget. McConnell Dowell sourced, implemented and further developed a proprietary technology that provides a highly economic solution which offers substantial benefits.
Hynds Supreme Award
Congratulations to Seipp Construction winners of the Hynds Supreme Award for the Confluence Chamber project.
Working within millimetres of live critical infrastructure in an operational wastewater treatment plant is not for the faint-hearted. A risk profile which includes safeguarding fragile assets and avoiding untreated discharges into the harbour requires a level of trust that is a testament to the strong relationships built between Watercare, Ghella Abergeldie Joint Venture and Seipp Construction through previous projects.
Their innovative contribution to value engineering and the constructability of the design cannot be understated. The challenges in the project have resulted in significant development of both the company and its people.
Meticulous planning was at the forefront of the project’s success, ensuring a high level of trust with both the project and operational staff, which ultimately lead to a highly satisfied client.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the delivery of this outstanding project!
Thanks once again to our awesome sponsors
