Avalanche safety improvements for Homer Tunnel and two highly respected Southland foremen were among the exceptional projects and people celebrated on Friday night at the Civil Contractors New Zealand Southland 2025 Construction Awards.

Around 200 people gathered at the Ascot Hotel in Invercargill for a black-tie dinner and awards evening recognising the skill, innovation and determination displayed by civil contractors building infrastructure in some of New Zealand’s most challenging environments.

Downer won the Hirepool Excellence in Major Works Award with its Homer Tunnel Avalanche Shelter Extension project. It delivered a 45-metre-long protective barrier to safeguard vehicles from rockfall and avalanche impact – a substantial feat of engineering requiring transporting massive precast elements from Ashburton and installing them with precision in harsh alpine conditions.

Project and people category judges Ian Marshall, Noel Bonisch and Paul du Mez were impressed by the project’s completion ahead of schedule and under budget, which they said created “a strikingly elegant structure that fits perfectly into its environment”.

Te Anau Earthworks demonstrated its expertise working in extreme environments, taking out both the Hirepool Excellence in Non-tendered Works Award and the Hynds Environmental Award for the Cleddau River Flood Protection works at Milford Sound.

The judges commented that the project reduced the river’s potential to cause devastation to Milford Sound Village and its airport, thanks to the installation of scour protection to stabilise the riverbed. Te Anau Earthworks harnessed leading-edge machine-control technology on the project to ensure precise excavator operation, improving environmental outcomes and safety while working in the bed of “a very high-energy river”, the judges said.

Downer also won the Humes Excellence in Minor Works Award for rebuilding the Waghorn Road Bridge in the Awarua-Waituna Wetlands, a site recognised internationally for its environmental significance.

The judges described the finished bridge as “an excellent fit for purpose, value for money solution”.
Stand-out Southlanders were recognised in the Connexis Peoples Awards, with Brody Davidson from Ryal Bush Transport and Joseph Lal from Downer sharing Foreman of the Year honours.

Davidson earned praise for his hands-on leadership style and commitment to skills development, with judges noting his exemplary health and safety standards and community engagement approach. Lal's infectious enthusiasm and leadership abilities impressed the judging panel, who said his talent for mentoring and motivating team members was “exceptional”.

Visual storytelling was also rewarded with the Komatsu Photo Award, won by Te Anau Earthworks for its atmospheric Lake Monowai jetty image. Judge Cameron Waru praised the composition's perfect balance of elements, setting off a mint-green excavator poised for action. 

Regional pride was further boosted by special recognition for Brad Fallow from SouthRoads, who successfully defended his title as CCNZ CablePrice Southland Regional Excavator Operator Competition champion for the second consecutive year in January. His fourth-place finish at the finals at the Central District Field Days in Feilding in March demonstrated Southland's calibre on the national stage.

CCNZ Southland Branch Chair Chris Gibbs said the awards highlighted the versatility of southern people and companies to overcome challenges in extreme environments.

“Southland contractors routinely work where others fear to tread – from Fiordland's unforgiving wilderness to untamed raging rivers – they are some of the toughest environments in the country.

“Tonight's winners show that environmental responsibility and technical excellence aren't competing priorities, but complementary strengths that define our industry's future.”

The CCNZ Southland 2025 Construction Awards was sponsored by Hirepool, Hynds, Humes, Connexis, Komatsu, Traffic Management Services, TD Plastics, UDC, Iplex, Devan, HydroFlow Civil, Derwent Industries and Waters & Farr.

This year’s winners

Hirepool Excellence in Major Works Award: Downer for the Homer Tunnel Avalanche Shelter Extension near Milford Sound.

Hirepool Excellence in Non-tendered Works Award: Te Anau Earthworks for the Cleddau River Flood Protection project near Milford Sound Village.

Hynds Environmental Award: Te Anau Earthworks for the Cleddau River Flood Protection project near Milford Sound Village.

Humes Excellence in Minor Works Award: Downer for the Waghorn Bridge Strengthening project east of Bluff.

Highly commended: Ryal Bush Transport for the Chesney Mews Subdivision Construction project.

Connexis People Awards – Foreman of the Year: Brody Davidson, Ryal Bush Transport and Joseph Lal, Downer.

Komatsu Photo Award: Te Anau Earthworks – Lake Monowai Jetty.

Special mention: Brad Fallow from SouthRoads, for winning the CCNZ CablePrice Southland Regional Excavator Operator Competition in January for the second time in a row.