New Zealand’s most exceptional infrastructure projects were celebrated at The CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards on Friday, including a pioneering Kiwi-led hydroelectric plant in Vanuatu, high-stakes water infrastructure in Wellington, and emergency repairs on a rail bridge in Canterbury.
The awards, presented at The Civil Contractors Conference in Tauranga, celebrated the country’s most challenging and innovative civil construction achievements across six categories – from smaller works to multi-million-dollar mega projects.
Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard said the winning projects demonstrated the industry's expertise and the vital contribution to building resilient communities and supporting economic growth.
“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 the award for projects valued between $50M and $100M for the Kaitoke Flume Pipe Bridge in Wellington, a project to replace an earthquake-prone bridge carrying 60 per cent of Wellington's water supply.
The judges congratulated Brian Perry Civil on its innovative approach and delivery of the “very complex” project five months early, without any effect on the capital’s water supply.
Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance – comprising New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, Aurecon, WSP and five iwi partners – won the category for projects valued over $100M with the Te Ahu A Turanga Manawatu Tararua Highway.
The 12km four-lane highway involved 6.5-million cubic metres of earthworks and the construction of the Southern Hemisphere’s widest balanced cantilever bridge, a mission that the judges described as “achievement of very high-quality outcomes of all construction work in a challenging physical environment.”
Emergency response excellence in Canterbury was recognised, with HEB Construction taking out the award for projects up to $2M with the KiwiRail Bridge 57 Pier Wash Out. After severe weather in April last year, and while the Rangitata River was still in flood, HEB mobilised teams within two days, allowing trains to run again within 10 days after installing temporary support – completing the entire project in six weeks.
MAP Projects demonstrated international construction expertise, winning the projects valued between $10M to $50M category for delivering the complex Brenwe Small Hydro Power Plant in a remote part of Vanuatu. The four-year project overcame challenges including COVID-19 restrictions, five cyclones, and engaging, employing and upskilling local people to work to New Zealand construction standards.
The maintenance and management of assets award was won by Auckland System Management Alliance for its stewardship of the Auckland and north-Waikato state highway network, which supports the economic activity of around 10 per cent of the nation’s traffic.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Fulton Hogan and HEB Construction make up the alliance, which was recognised by the judges for its success connecting with local communities and striving for continuous improvement.
Isaac Construction secured the award for projects valued between $2M and $10M for work on the Christchurch City Council Aldwins-Ensors-Ferry Intersection Upgrade. Its team futureproofed one of Christchurch's busiest intersections to make it safer and stronger during a seven-day closure in January, delivering $2.7M of high-quality civil works without incident.
Competition was fierce in all award categories, with numerous categories’ entries being highly commended by industry stalwarts and awards judges John Bryant, Peter Goldsmith, Tim Ford, Mike Harker, Alan Powell and Brian Warren.
In the $10M to $50M category, GP Friel Ltd was recognised by the judges for its “exemplary” work completing the Taranaki St Rising Main Upgrade – a critical project for Wellington Water in the capital. They also commended HEB Construction for the Westport Wharf Repair project to reinstate two berths damaged by flooding on the Buller River.
Pipeline & Civil’s Auckland Harbour Bridge 90-degree Pipe Bend Replacement was also recognised with a highly commended in the projects up to $2M category. Brian Perry Civil received the same accolade for the MMA Offshore Te Ara Tupua Reef Precast Supply and Install, alongside Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure for the Fish Passage Pumps Churchill East Pumpstation Construction, in the award for projects valued between $2M and $10M.
Downer was highly commended in the maintenance and management of assets category for the North Canterbury Network Outcomes Contract, a 948km roading network it has managed while consistently hitting and exceeding client New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s key performance indicators (KPIs).
Pollard said the winning projects demonstrated the results possible when contractors and clients collaborate effectively from project inception through to completion.
“The calibre of the finalists showcases the skill and dedication of our contractors, who work tirelessly to keep New Zealand connected, safe and on the right track.
“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.”
Gary Richardson, General Manager from award sponsor Hirepool, congratulated this year’s winners.
“After more than two decades of Hirepool supporting New Zealand’s premier infrastructure construction awards alongside CCNZ, I’m still inspired by the achievements of contractors.
“The infrastructure these teams build becomes the foundation of our communities – the bridges that connect us, the water systems that sustain us and the transport networks that drive our economy.”
The CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards, established in 1978, are New Zealand's premier recognition of civil construction achievement.
2025 winners and commendations
Category 1 - Projects under $2m
Winner: HEB Construction - Bridge 57 Pier wash-out
On 12 April 2024, a pier supporting KiwiRail’s 610m Bridge 57 on the Main South Line between Christchurch and Dunedin washed away, leaving approximately 40 tonnes of twisted, unsupported steel hanging over the Rangitata River. This closed the 50km section of railway between Ashburton and Timaru.
Under urgency, KiwiRail contacted HEB Construction to inspect the bridge on 13 April. It was possible the girders would drop and damage the SH1 Road Bridge 100m downstream, which were then carrying an additional 200 freight trucks per day. HEB, working with KiwiRail’s designers, Novare, designed a temporary fix overnight.
With the support of local companies, which leapt in to help and had earthworks underway within three hours to create an access, retrain the 530m-wide river, and create failsafe stop banks and crane pads. Flash floods were a constant danger. Responses to the many challenges led to truly innovative techniques, which KiwiRail has adopted for future emergency situations.
The temporary supports which were installed enabled the bridge to re-open within 10 days, and the permanent piling structure and project was completed within six weeks on 26 May 2024, without incident.
Highly commended: Pipeline & Civil - Auckland Harbour Bridge 90-degree Bend Replacement
Vehicle movement on the Auckland Harbour Bridge had gradually caused wear to a 90-degree bend on the North Shore Pipeline Two watermain, where it contacted the bridge structure – putting the pipeline at long-term risk. Pipeline & Civil’s Technical Services team was called in to deliver a viable solution.
Led by Patrick Hansell, the project involved coordination with five consultants, multiple subcontractors, and asset owners. Before replacement, critical valves were upgraded to enable draining of the pipeline to allow the works to take place.
Working 10 metres above the ground from a scaffold, in an area where a crane could only just reach, the team removed the old bend and installed a complex mitred assembly. Laser jigs, 3D models and precision fabrication ensured a perfect fit for the new pipebend, with 50mm clearance from the bridge. The work was delivered ahead of schedule and without incident; a high-stakes job, executed flawlessly.
Category 2 - Projects between $2m and $5m
Winner: Isaac Construction - Aldwins-Ensors-Ferry Intersection Upgrade
Isaac Construction’s upgrade of the intersection of Aldwins, Ensors and Ferry roads compressed more than $2.5M of physical works into a single, high-intensity seven-day project, backed by a full road closure and three weeks of night shifts.
Situated on a Level Two arterial route carrying more than 15,000 vehicles per day, the project replaced end-of-life traffic signals, installed 1,700 square metres of new pavement, and safely removed 880 cubic metres of coal-tar-contaminated material. It also introduced a 200mm-thick concrete sub-base, marking a first-of-its-kind pavement treatment for Christchurch.
Delivered alongside Te Aratai College and directly above a heritage 1,300mm brick-barrel stormwater line, the job demanded 24/7 operations, zero incidents, and uninterrupted stakeholder access. The final delivery involved six subcontractors, more than 40 crew members, and was completed ahead of programme, on budget, and with zero defects at handover.
A benchmark-setting achievement in urban civil delivery – complex, constrained, and executed without compromise.
Highly commended: Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure - Fish Passage Pumps Churchill East Pumpstation Construction
First built in 1965, the Churchill East Pump Station has long played an important role in protecting over 1,400 hectares of productive farmland near Waikato’s Hampton Downs.
In October 2023, Abergeldie began delivering a major upgrade for Waikato Regional Council, replacing the ageing infrastructure with two state-of-the-art Archimedes screw pumps specially built in the Netherlands.
The enclosed pumps, each 18m long and 3m in diameter, deliver a combined capacity of 2,250 litres of water per second, while meeting future fish passage standards. Delivering the works within a tight 65-working-day window, Abergeldie demolished and rebuilt the intake and outlet structures behind a temporary cofferdam.
The Churchill East Pump Station stands out for the collaboration between contractor Abergeldie, client Waikato Regional Council, and consultants WSP and Seven Rivers. The upgrade highlights environmental innovation, and collaborative delivery of a technically complex project under challenging conditions.
Highly commended: Brian Perry Civil - Te Ara Tupua Reef – Precast supply and install
Brian Perry Civil (BPC) exceeded client MMA Offshore’s expectations in constructing and installing an artificial reef in Wellington harbour, the first of its kind in New Zealand.
MMA commissioned BPC to project manage and provide the civil engineering works to deliver 56 concrete pyramid structures in the harbour, forming an artificial reef to attract fish and enhance the marine habitat.
Part of the Te Ara Tupua project, the reef supports the Petone to Ngauranga shared pathway. Mirroring the natural rocky reef lost during the pathway’s construction, the artificial reef enabled the project to be completed without compromising the balance of the capital’s sensitive harbour environment.
Category 3 - Projects between $5m and $20m
Winner: MAP Projects - Brenwe Hydro Power Project
A long history of building and refurbishing hydroelectricity schemes in New Zealand and
Samoa saw MAP Projects engaged alongside construction partner Vortex Group (M&E) to undertake the Brenwe Small Hydro Power Plant Project in Vanuatu. Its completion in October 2024, less than four years after MAP and Vortex Group (M&A) were appointed by the Vanuatu Project Management Unit in January 2020, supplied electricity to 15 villages and 100 percent renewable energy to the northern half of Malekula.
This project and 42km of transmission lines also delivered by MAP were funded by the Asian Development Bank and Vanuatu Government. The “run of river scheme” extracts a portion of flow from the river for approximately 1km and then down the penstock to output up to 550kW through twin turbines in the powerhouse.
MAP has produced another outstanding project that will stand the test of time and change the energy future for the people of Malekula.
Highly commended: GP Friel - Taranaki Street Wastewater Rising Main Upgrade
The Taranaki St Rising Main Upgrade was a critical gateway project for Wellington Water that has built resilience into Wellington CBD’s rising main network, catered for growth of the city, and enabled renewal projects on the remainder of the existing network.
As an early contractor involvement partner, GP Friel was able to work collaboratively with Wellington Water and GHD throughout the project. It managed complex construction activities and a variety of risks to deliver a high-quality product in a safe manner.
GP Friel also engaged with key stakeholders such as Wellington City Council and the trustees of Te Aro Pā to enable delivery of the work efficiently in a busy CBD environment and in an area of archaeological and cultural significance.
The project showcased some new and existing trenchless technologies. In particular, the introduction of a guided auger bore as an alternative method resulted in impressive programme savings and environmental benefits.
Highly commended: HEB Construction - Westport Wharf Repair
The Westport Wharf Repair project reinstated two berths at Westport Harbour, after they were damaged in the 2021 and 2022 Buller River floods. The project was designed by W2 and delivered by HEB Construction for Buller District Council between July 2024 and March 2025.
In a constrained site and near live harbour operations, the works restored essential infrastructure that supports Westport’s industry and community resilience. Bringing Tier One standards and processes to the remote West Coast, HEB partnered with local subcontractors and suppliers to reduce procurement costs and timeframes, and support regional economic growth.
Through smart sequencing and innovative piling procurement and methodologies, HEB addressed various challenges, while adhering to the project’s strict programme and budget constraints.
Despite severe weather events, aging existing infrastructure and added scope, HEB collaborated with all project stakeholders to save Buller District Council $405,000 before even starting, and delivered works over a month ahead of schedule and under the delivery budget.
Category 4 - Projects between $20m and $100m
Winner: Brian Perry Civil - Kaitoke Flume Pipe Bridge Replacement
Brian Perry Civil’s team overcame enormous challenges to deliver the Kaitoke Pipe Bridge project for Wellington Water in a remote site ahead of schedule, within budget and without any injuries or environmental incidents.
Site access was via three narrow single-lane bridges with maximum weight limits of only 55 tonnes, making it difficult to bring in large cranes and piling rigs. Early contractor involvement resulted in the design of an efficient and lightweight 52m-long network arch bridge, managing the weight constraints and avoiding the need for piers in the river channel.
Innovative solutions included erecting New Zealand’s largest capacity tower crane on the side of a cliff, in the middle of the Kaitoke Regional Park. To save six weeks on the programme, the steelwork for the bridge was constructed in a laydown area, then moved down to the tower crane on a jinker truck and lifted into position 12m above Hutt River.
A strong site team was built during the two-and-a-half-year project, all taking great pride and care in both their work and the environment. The finished project safeguards the region’s supply of drinking water in the event of a large earthquake.
Category 5 - Projects over $100m
Winner: Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance - Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway
Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway delivers a safe, efficient and resilient road connection, replacing a section of SH3 through the Manawatū Gorge that was permanently closed in 2017 due to ongoing slips.
Built for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi by Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance – comprising NZTA, Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, Aurecon, WSP and five iwi partners – this impressive four-lane, 12km road traverses the foothills of the Ruahine Ranges and the Te Āpiti windfarm.
The contract was awarded in October 2019 and construction began in January 2021. The project presented significant challenges for contractors, including moving about 6.5 million
cubic metres of earth over challenging terrain and building the Southern Hemisphere’s widest balanced cantilever bridge over the Manawatū River.
Te Ahu a Turanga was notable for being the first major infrastructure project to include iwi as full project partners across all levels, including governance, management and operations. Despite the disruptions caused by Covid shutdowns and adverse weather events, the project was delivered ahead of the contracted completion date in June 2025.
Category 6 - Maintenance and Management of Assets
Winner: ASM Alliance - Auckland System Management
The Auckland System Management (ASM) network supports the social and economic activity of the greater Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and north-Waikato regions. This section of the state-highway network has the highest criticality rating of any road network in Aotearoa New Zealand.
ASM is an alliance between New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Fulton Hogan and HEB Construction, which maintains and operates the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and north-Waikato state-highway network and is dedicated to improving stakeholder experiences.
The alliance is committed to achieving excellence in asset management while striving to continuously improve planning, controls, environmental management and sustainability initiatives, and relationships with our stakeholders, including mana whenua and NZTA.
Highly commended: Downer NZ - North Canterbury Network Outcomes Contract
The North Canterbury Network Outcomes Contract (NOC), delivered by Downer in partnership with WSP, Isaac Construction, GSL and Ventia, is a flagship asset maintenance and management contract for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Commencing in 2017, and now extended to 2026, it covers 948 km of diverse roading infrastructure across urban, alpine, and coastal environments. This project demonstrates exceptional delivery in the face of adversity, from restoring access following the Kaikōura earthquakes in 2017 to maintaining freight and resilience, through to managing alpine passes during extreme winters, and critical urban connections.
Downer’s leadership in applying the New Zealand guide to temporary traffic management through feasibility trials, environmental initiatives like BioBind and digital innovations such as Dashpivot, all showcase a forward-thinking, safety-first approach.
With nearly one-million lane metres of renewals completed combined with consistently receiving ‘outstanding’ client ratings, the North Canterbury NOC reflects first-class performance, innovation and community-focused delivery.