Record number of entries wow the judges at CCNZ Nelson Marlborough Awards

24 Aug 2023

More than 340 people packed out Nelson’s Rutherford Hotel for the CCNZ Nelson Marlborough Branch Contractor of the Year Awards on 18 August 2023.

These awards are held every two years, and the 53 award entries submitted for this capacity event were the largest number ever received.

Projects entered ranged from emergency and disaster response to the development of the largest dam in the top of the South, parks and playgrounds, shared paths and walkways.

CCNZ Nelson Marlborough Branch Chair Brendan Dodd said the awards judges were really impressed with the quality of the entries, and the support from CCNZ members across the region.

“It was a fantastic evening and everything went really well. Overall, the quality of the projects entered was very high. A lot of people commented on how incredible the projects that were submitted were, and I think we’ve got the balance right for this event.

“Personally, I was amazed. Civil construction companies, large and small, from across the region have shown great collaboration, environmental excellence, and a real regard for bringing the vision of their clients to reality.”

Mr Dodd said the new Women in Civil Construction Award had been great a great addition to the event alongside the recently added Young Achiever Award, and taking his hat off as Branch Chair he was “pretty chuffed” that his staff members Ollie Borlase and Leith Gilmore of Simcox Construction had won those award categories against strong competition.

He said the Branch had also put a lot of effort into getting smaller projects to enter this year’s awards, with 12 projects entered into the small category.

“I think one of the key things that has contributed to success in the region is that clients in both Nelson and Marlborough have committed to keep investment going. And now central government is looking to invest as well.

“That has given contractors a lot of confidence. Our local councils are becoming cornerstones for many of our business. And direct procurement has really streamlined things for contractors. It has certainly worked out well for contractors, who have been enabled to go out there and get work done, so our clients deserve a lot of credit too.”

Mr Dodd thanked the sponsors for their dedicated support, and the Awards Committee and Branch Secretary Megan Gibbins for many months of planning and hard work that had delivered a very successful event for contractors from across the Nelson Marlborough region.

Read the judges' comments>>

View the event photos online at the CCNZ Facebook Page>>