Exceptional projects futureproofing the Manawatū and Whanganui’s civil infrastructure and safeguarding essential transport links were celebrated at the Civil Contractors New Zealand Manawatū Whanganui Construction Awards on Friday night.

More than 200 people flocked to the Palmerston North Conference & Function Centre for a formal dinner and awards evening celebrating the skill, dedication and achievements of top local contractors over the past 12 months. 

The event was the first CCNZ awards night in the region for 10 years and event MC and comedian Nick Rado entertained the attendees with his unique brand of award-winning humour, providing a contrast to the importance of the winning projects.

Fulton Hogan won the award for projects valued more than $5M for its work on a new roundabout and road layout to improve safety at the State Highway 1/State Highway 3 and Pukenui Road intersection outside RNZAF Base Ohakea, south of Bulls.

Judge Neil O'Hara said the project to upgrade an “extremely busy state highway” exemplified best practice, thorough planning and excellent execution, leading to completion on time and within budget, while showcasing great team culture. 

The one-off Regional Distinction Award was won by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for its Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway project to replace the slip-impacted Manawatū Gorge Road with a new 11.5-kilometre-long four-lane highway connecting Ashhurst and Woodville. 

Completion of the project delivered an essential piece of roading infrastructure that offers a quicker and more resilient route for the more than 7,000 vehicles that used the road it replaced. 

Judge Greg Lumsden said the award was created uniquely for the event, to recognise a project of “exceptional significance”.

“From time to time, we come across a project that stands out above the rest – not only for its scale and complexity, but for the impact it has on our region and community”.

Loaders Civil secured the award for projects valued between $2.5M and $5M for its Te Ore Ore Northern Retaining Walls project.

The project was a key plank in NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s mission to stabilise State Highway 4 between Whanganui and Raetihi after serious slip damage in 2019. 

Judge Graham Blackley noted Loaders Civil’s expertise in overcoming challenges including unstable ground, the remote location and a confined working platform.

The award for projects valued between $650K and $2.5M was won by Emmetts Civil Construction for its Erni's Bridge Replacement project, replacing an aging bridge on Kauarapaoa Road and maintaining a key transport link serving forestry trucks travelling to Whanganui distribution hubs. 

Blackley commended Emmetts civil Construction for the training and development opportunities it afforded to younger workers on site throughout the project. Positive relationships with local stakeholders aided the success of the project, with the remote location requiring use of neighbouring farmers’ Wi-Fi, he said.

Downer-Tararua Alliance took out the award for projects valued at less than $650K for its replacement of Putara Road Culvert, with judge Greg Lumsden impressed by “glowing comments from locals” and “well-executed engineering techniques”. 

Emerging talent in the region’s civil construction sector was also recognised.

Henry Pearce from Downer won the Young Achievers Award and was described by judge Grant Radovanovich as an “outstanding young leader shaping the industry's future”. Radovanovich said the 23-year old’s rapid progression from labourer to foreman of Tararua Alliance’s sealing crew, while leading teams of up to 18 people, set him apart from the other contenders.

CCNZ Manawatū Whanganui Branch Chair Jason Cryer said the calibre of entries this year demonstrated the depth and versatility of the region’s contractors.

“From major state-highway intersections to essential bridge replacements and innovative retaining-wall solutions, our contractors have consistently delivered complex infrastructure that keeps our communities connected and growing.”

The 2025 CCNZ Manawatū Whanganui Branch Construction Awards was sponsored by CCNZ’s principal business partner Hirepool, along with CablePrice, Hynds Pipe Systems, Connexis, Fulton Hogan, Downer, Humes, Emmetts Civil Construction, Clarke Underground, Blackley Construction, ARC Asbestos Removal & Demolition, TDX, Neilo and Courtesy Ford. The trophy sponsors were Greg Lumsden and Graham Blackley.

This year’s winners

Projects valued less than $650,000: Downer-Tararua Alliance for the Putara Road Culvert project.

Projects valued between $650,000 and $2.5M: Emmetts Civil Construction for the Erni's Bridge Replacement project.

Projects valued between $2.5M and $5M: Loaders Civil for the Te Ore Ore Northern Retaining Walls project.

Projects valued more than $5M: Fulton Hogan for the State Highway1/State Highway 3 Bulls to Sanson Cl – Pukenui Road Intersection project.

Regional Distinction Award: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway project.

Young Achievers Award: Henry Pearce, Downer.