Exceptional projects and outstanding people shaping Northland’s infrastructure were recognised on Friday at the 2026 Civil Contractors New Zealand Northland Branch Awards, held at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei.

Two hundred people gathered to celebrate the region’s infrastructure expertise and achievements, from technically complex bridge replacements to challenging roading and water infrastructure upgrades.

Outgoing CCNZ Northland Branch Chair Kylie Bourke said the calibre of this year's entries reflected the depth of capability and innovation across the region's civil construction sector.

“These projects show that technical excellence and genuine care for our communities and environment go hand in hand, and that's something Northland's civil construction industry should be rightly proud of.”

The event featured ten award categories recognising remarkable people, projects and companies.

Steve Bowling Contracting was one of the biggest winners on the night, hauling in a hat trick of awards across different categories.

Its Waipu Caves Road Bridge 106B project won the Construction Projects Valued $500,000 to $2,000,000 Award and the Health and Safety Award – impressing the judges with an innovative offsite fabrication approach that allowed for preassembly of all three bridge spans.

“The project team demonstrated exceptional planning and programme management, overcoming long material lead times and a tight construction window to deliver the project ahead of schedule and under budget, Bourke said.

Steve Bowling Contracting also won the Construction Projects Valued $2,000,000 and Over Award for its work building a new drinking water storage tank double the water storage capacity at Kamo Reservoir. The project involved construction of a 30m-diameter water reservoir on a constrained and culturally sensitive site – a feat that the judges said demonstrated “strong technical capability and meticulous planning”. 

BDX Group also enjoyed a successful evening, securing both the Environmental Award and the Innovation Award for its enabling works at Springs Flat, in Whangarei, to prepare the site for thousands of new homes, a supermarket and 24-hour service station and truck stop. 

While building a culvert to guide floodwaters and protect an existing stream, the discovery of a rare freshwater crab population prompted BDX to expand its ecological management over and above consent requirements. Eels, bullies, kōura and 524 Amarinus lacustris freshwater crabs were carefully rescued and relocated from the sensitive site.

“The project set a benchmark for environmentally responsible civil construction,” Bourke said.

The Construction Projects Valued $0 to $500,000 Award was won by Clements Contractors for road rehabilitation work on Pacific Bay Road, near Tutukaka, following recent storm damage. The award recognised Clements’ efforts handling unstable marine conditions, while maintaining exceptional stakeholder engagement, to deliver a durable pavement upgrade.

The Asset Maintenance Award was won by Downer for its work on the Kaipara Road Corridor Maintenance Contract. The award recognised Downer for its demonstration of best practice in road network management through preventative maintenance techniques, use of alternative materials and positive partnerships with local council, suppliers and iwi.

The people awards section celebrated outstanding individuals across the region's civil infrastructure sector. Mark Taylor received the Northland Leadership Award, while Ashley Feary claimed the Women in Contracting Award and Jamiee Neha was named Trainee of the Year.

Kylie Bourke was also recognised at the event for her outstanding contribution to CCNZ Northland Branch and the Northland civil construction industry over four years as chair. She will be succeeded as branch chair by Christo Jansen van Vuuren. The branch also acknowledged 20 years of service from past chair and longstanding committee member Brad Flower, who was stepping down to focus on his role as a Whangarei District councillor.

CCNZ Northland Branch thanks this year’s sponsors, Connexis, Firth, Hirepool, Humes, Hynds, Hoskin Civil, Promains, Simpson Shaw, Whangārei District Council and Yovich Advisory.

This year’s winners

Category One – sponsored by Humes: Asset Maintenance Award
Winner: Downer for the Kaipara Road Corridor Maintenance contract.

Category Two – sponsored by Firth: Construction Projects $0 to $500,000 Award
Winner: Clements Contractors for the Pacific Bay Road Rehabilitation project.

Category Three – sponsored by Hynds: Construction Projects $500,000 to $2,000,000 Award
Winner: Steve Bowling Contracting for the Waipu Caves Road Bridge 106B project.

Category Four – sponsored by Hirepool: Construction Projects Over $2,000,000 Award
Winner: Steve Bowling Contracting for the Kamo Reservoir Additional Capacity Construction project.

Health and Safety Award – sponsored by Whangārei District Council
Winner: Steve Bowling Contracting for the Waipu Caves Road Bridge 106B project.

Innovation Award – sponsored by Simpson Shaw
Winner: BDX Group for the Springs Flat Enabling Works project.

Environmental Award – sponsored by Hoskin Civil 
Winner: BDX Group for the Springs Flat Enabling Works project.

Northland Leadership Award – sponsored by Yovich Advisory
Winner: Mark Taylor, Downer.

Women in Contracting Award – sponsored by Promains
Winner: Ashley Feary, Downer.

Trainee of the Year Award – sponsored by Connexis
Winner: Jamiee Neha, Fulton Hogan.

Photos from the night

Steve Bowling Contracting won the awards for projects over $2,000,000, projects $500,000-$2,000,000, and the Health and Safety Award.

Clements Contractors won the award for projects valued up to $500,000.

Downer took home the Asset Maintenance Award.

BDX Group won the Environmental Award and Innovation Award.

Mark Taylor Won the Northland Leadership Award.

Ashley Feary was the recipient of the Women in Contractor Award.

Jamiee Neha won the Trainee of the Year Award.