The finalists have now been announced for this year's national Z People Awards, including the Emerging Leader Award and the Personal Improvement Award.
These prestigious awards will be presented at The Civil Contractors Conference 2026, which will be held in Wellington from 12-14 August.
The 2026 finalists are:
Emerging Leader Award:
Dylan Larrington – Schick Civil Construction
Dylan Larrington joined Schick Civil Construction straight from school at just 17 in 2021. Now, at 22, he has developed into a highly capable and respected Team Leader, demonstrating maturity, leadership, and technical ability well beyond his years. Starting at ground level, Dylan built his foundation through hands-on experience, quickly earning a reputation for reliability, strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn becoming someone the team could depend on.
Dylan is known for always being there for his team, stepping in when things are unclear, lifting spirits on tough days, and checking in to ensure people are supported.
Joel Madsen - HEB Construction
Joel joined HEB Construction in 2019 as a summer intern while studying Civil Engineering. Over the past six years, he has progressed from hands-on site-based roles to Senior Site Engineer, building a reputation for hard work, adaptability, and a willingness to take on increasingly complex responsibilities. In 2022, he stepped into a Junior Engineer role, and after completing his degree in 2023, he was selected for HEB’s two-year Graduate Programme, where he further developed his technical capability while beginning to lead key aspects of work on site.
By 2025, Joel had progressed into a Senior Site Engineer role, reflecting the speed of his development and the trust he has earned. His career to date demonstrates more than progression in title. It shows an emerging leader who has consistently stepped into new challenges, contributed to delivery outcomes, and strengthened the performance of the teams around him.
Pieter Ruthven – Fulton Hogan
Pieter is an emerging leader who is already making a meaningful difference across the civil construction industry.
He combines strong technical capability with a clear ability to innovate and improve how work is delivered, contributing to better outcomes across projects and the wider business. Pieter has taken ownership of developing new approaches, lifting performance, and supporting those around him to grow.
Sam Jensen – GT Civil
Sam grew up on a family farm in Tauranga, where from a young age he regularly helped his father with a wide range of practical tasks. This experience helped develop a hands-on approach to problem-solving and a strong work ethic. He is a strong and well-rounded emerging leader who has built his reputation through initiative, practical problem-solving, and a clear focus on delivery.
He has stepped into leadership roles early, earning the trust of both his team and clients through his hands-on approach and ability to work alongside others. Sam consistently looks for solutions, takes ownership, and contributes to strong project outcomes. Long term, Sam is a candidate for leading his team in a top-level executive role in the future.
Sarah Hall – Acciona
Sarah Hall's path into the civil construction industry has seen her take on a leadership role on Auckland's Eastern Busway project. Sarah entered the industry driven by a desire to build something tangible for her community — infrastructure that would serve generations of East Aucklanders. Starting on the tools and working her way through various site roles, she developed a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver complex civil works, from the ground up. Her progression to Site Supervisor on one of Auckland's largest transport projects is a testament to her determination, capability, and the respect she has earned across the industry.
Personal Improvement Award
Josiah Halaifonua - McConnell Dowell
Josiah Halaifonua began working with McConnell Dowell in 2007 through an agency, starting as a labourer or tunnel worker on the Christchurch Ocean Outfall project. He officially joined the company in 2008 and took on tunnel worker roles, learning the job from the ground up. He did not set out with a clear plan to build a career in tunnelling. He simply enjoyed the work and was drawn to the nature of it, as it was not your typical job. Working with large machinery and being underground, which most people would find intense, is something he describes as peaceful.
Now an A-Grade tunneling manager and supervisor, Josiah has nearly 20 years of experience in tunnelling and underground construction. He has worked across major projects including City Rail Link, Hunua 4 Section 11, Snells Algies Outfall, NX2, Corban Reserve Stormwater Upgrade, and Greville Road Stormwater Culvert Upgrade. Across these projects, he has managed tunnelling operations, supervised crews, and delivered complex works safely in challenging environments. Looking ahead, his goal is to become a superintendent. He has already taken steps in that direction by running jobs and taking on increasing responsibility.
Razia Mirzayi – Ghella Limited
Razia Mirzayi joined Ghella on the Central Interceptor project as an intern in November 2023 while completing her engineering degree at AUT. Following the success of her internship, she was offered a part-time role during her final year of university before officially commencing as a Graduate Engineer with Ghella in November 2024. During her internship and graduate role, Razia continuously pushed herself outside her comfort zone.
Razia has actively sought additional responsibilities and embraced every opportunity to learn. She has now been with the company for over two and a half years and continues to grow into an increasingly independent and trusted member of the team. Looking ahead, Razia is excited to continue taking on greater responsibility and more challenging projects. Her next opportunity at the Herne Bay Collector project will see her stepping further into an independent Site Engineer’s role — a challenge she is genuinely excited to embrace.
Rebecca Staples – Brian Perry Civil
Rebecca Staples’s career epitomises the power of determination and continuous self-improvement in the civil construction industry. Starting at Brian Perry Civil in 2016 as an Estimation Administrator with minimal industry experience, she threw herself into learning the ropes of the Ground Engineering Division from day one. Over the past decade of hard work and dedication, Rebecca has risen steadily through the ranks to become one of BPC’s most respected senior Ground Engineering Estimators.
Her hallmark is a “no stone unturned” approach to every task. She never does a job halfway, always striving for thoroughness and excellence. This mindset set her apart early on: she didn’t just perform her duties well, but consistently sought opportunities to expand her capabilities. With her rigorous, all-in approach to success, Rebecca has become an outstanding civil construction professional.
Taine Scott - Downer
Taine Scott trained as a professional chef before jumping out of the kitchen - and onto the road. The move into civil infrastructure was deliberate, with roading providing family stability, professional challenge, and the opportunity to apply the exceptional people skills he honed in the kitchen.
Taine joined Tararua Alliance in 2023 with his Level 2 Wheels, Tracks and Rollers qualification. In under three years, he has gained hands-on experience in urban road maintenance and rural sealing, while achieving his Class 4 licence and Connexis Level 3 Infrastructure Works qualification. He is now working towards Connexis Level 4 and his Class 5, and is developing leadership skills as part of a succession plan for an urban supervisory role.
Taylor McInroe - Isaac Construction Limited
Entering the industry from web design, Taylor has progressed from labourer to a leading operator role, working on projects ranging from retaining walls to multiplex carparks. In 2021, Taylor began the NZ Diploma in Engineering (Civil), which influenced the move to Isaac Construction to further develop his career within the civil industry. Currently working as a site engineer, Taylor aspires to progress towards the roles of project engineer and project manager. Taylor is taking practical steps to ensure he can achieve this, including a Diploma in Civil Engineering, exposure to high-profile sites and involvement in upcoming projects.