WHAT A NIGHT!
The CCNZ Canterbury Westland Contractor of the Year Awards were held at Te Pae Convention Centre in the heart of Christchurch on the 10th of November 2023, with a sold out event of 380 attendees, 24 award recipients, a master MC, Justine Smith who entertained the crowd and to finish off the night with a good old boogie with the band The D'sendantz.
chevron_right
Click here to view the event photography
And the winners are........
Supreme Contractor of the Year 2023, sponsored by Commercial Vehicle Holdings:
Utilities Infrastructure NZ
Judges' citation: "With individual project entries in two categories and undertaking significant sub-contract works in three other entries this contractor continues to play a major part in the Canterbury infrastructure industry.
- Always looking for new technology, products and methodologies
- Empowering, energizing and backing their people to develop new skills and have a go
- Taking well considered risks but then managing the process to achieve the desired outcome
- Working for solutions for the client through best for project thinking not necessarily following preconceived methods
- Giving back to industry through active participation in the CCNZ Branch
All hallmarks of a well deserved Contactor of the Year Award for Utilities Infrastructure NZ "
Category A - Projects with a value of up to $500K, sponsored by Geosynthetic Partners International:
Utilities Infrastructure NZ, for Lineage Logostics Cool Store Ducting
Judges' citation: "A cool store owner with problem permafrost under the floor slab asked Utilities Infrastructure for a solution. They developed the solution of a grid of close space ducts, directionally drilled closely under the floor slab. Technical factors posed construction risks, but the low-cost successful outcome delighted the owner and has created opportunities at other cool stores."
Category B - Projects with a value of between $500,000 to $1.5million, sponsored by RB Recruitment:
Hunter Civil, for Waimangaroa River Bridge Underpinning
Judges' citation: "Underpinning four bridge piers in a narrow river susceptible, to rapid flooding, was high risk and demanded proactive planning and agile operations. Piling through the boulder substrata and constructing new pier bases demanded a high capability team, well supported with innovative engineering practices. The Hunter Civil team were up to the task, completing the works within budget, despite having to reestablish in the river nine times."
Highly Commended Category B - Projects with a value of between $500,000 to $1.5million:
Category C - Projects with a value of between $1.5million to $5million, sponsored by Roading & Building Cartage:
Taggart Earthmoving, for Ryman HealthCare Siteworks
Judges' citation: "Constructing a complex stormwater control wetlands in an environmentally sensitive environment necessitated thorough planning. An exceptionally wet period at the start of 2022 and the discovery of several springs lead to a major change in methodology. Electrofishing found the many expected species but also the endangered Lamprey and another complication. Taggart managed all these challenges proactively delivering a high quality project to rigorous standards within many consent conditions. "
Highly Commended Category C - Projects with a value of between $1.5million to $5million:
- CORDE, for Pines 1V Upgrade Project
Category D - Projects with a value of over $5million, sponsored by TDX:
Isaac Construction, for Lincoln Road Roading and Watermain Renewal
Judges' citation: "This technically difficult project to undertake extensive utilities upgrades, pavement rehabilitation, multiple traffic light upgrades, footpath and streetscape works along Lincoln Road, Addington was logistically challenging in this high profile, multiple stakeholders, constrained environment.
This 1.5km long project, built in the winter months encountered contaminated ground, weak subgrade, expanded water main renewal scope and the need for multiple complex traffic management arrangements. However, Isaac’s communication, project planning and accommodating approach, involving the stakeholders and client earnt their trust with the contractor’s construction methodologies.
With stakeholders at the core of this projects planning and execution, Isaac Construction accommodated all parties throughout delivery while simultaneously ensuring a fast-tracked program."
Highly Commended Category D - Projects with a value of over $5million:
- BG Contracting, for Faringdon Westwood Subdivision
- CORDE, for Darfield to Pines Wastewater Pipeline
Subcontractor of the Year, sponsored by Vortex Contracting:
Hunter Civil, for Moncks Bay Coastal Pathway
Judges' citation: "Hunter Civil was subcontracted to Fulton Hogan to construct the final link section of the Ferrymead to Sumner cycle way at Monks Bay, Redcliffs.
The challenging scope, environment factors and contractual conditions created the need for contractors’ direct involvement and redesign. Subcontractor intervention was necessary to provide buildability for cantilevered pathway foundations, precast panels, and barriers, while also managing to negotiate environment concerns regarding bird nesting areas, tidal constraints, existing services while also maintaining traffic flows.
Hunter civil completed this technical pathway project by inserting design innovation, planning and methodologies which has resulted in a high quality and cost-effective outcome to the client and ratepayer."
Company Image Award, sponsored by Wilsons Traffic Management:
Isaac Construction, for Lincoln Road Roading and Watermain Renewal
Judges' citation: "This challenging project, situated within a busy business and densely populated residential area, required an extremely high level of planning and communication with the many stake holders and road users.
Meticulous traffic management planning together with careful project staging of up to 9 crews during day and night shifts ensured minimal disruption to the many businesses, residence, and the travelling public.
Isaac Construction’s emphasis on communication, engagement, and extensive collaboration with over 300 stakeholders coupled with careful project management and planning of various stages ensured this major intensive and challenging project, was completed during winter months and ahead of time, whilst still producing a quality project for the client, stake holders and ratepayers."
Most Progressive Company Award, sponsored by Pivot & Pace:
Waitohu Ltd, for The Arts Centre Stage 2
Judges' citation: "Transitioning the business through a succession plan change of ownership, incorporating a rebrand, whilst growing in both revenue and staff numbers would normally be more than enough to tackle. However, Waitohu concurrently expanded their offering to include the design and build role of lead contractor. This move saw them diversify their work trades self performing all aspects of siteworks whilst maintaining their highly regarded attention to detail on finished pavements. A professionally managed strategy which positions Waitohu Ltd well for the future."
Health & Safety Award, sponsored by TotalEnergies:
Protranz Earthmoving, for Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Project
Judges' citation: "With the earthquake damaged cathedral being too unstable to enter or work within its fall zone, Protranz offered remote control excavator options to enable removal of debris from inside the building, demolition of the north and south vestries and excavation works for structural steel stabilization of the building.
A feature was refining the technology to reduce the response latency down to one millisecond, with the machinery being operated from confines of safety shelters away from any fall zones. This innovation, including creating a test area off site mirroring the cathedral to rehearse, contributed to overcoming the many health and safety and heritage damage risks in this unique environment.
This phase of the reinstatement project was completed without incident and without any health risk during removal of the contaminated material, demolition and excavation works, and in the process also recovered many artifacts without inflicting any further damage to the building."
Environmental Award, sponsored by EnviroCo:
Fulton Hogan, for Mona Vale Northern Weir Rock Ramp Works
Judges' citation: "This project is likely to be the first of many such “rock riffle fish ramps” to be constructed. As such it was keenly watched by not only the client CCC but ECan, DoC and many consultants. FH achieved 100% compliance with the many consent conditions utilizing real time monitoring to manage both flow and clarity levels. Fully understanding the significance of this pilot project FH worked openly and collaboratively to ensure all parties got the most learnings."
Judges' Recognition - Environmental Award:
Grounds & Services Ltd (GSL), for Cashmere Basin Wetlands
Judges' citation: "Over many years GSL has developed a skilled staff, purchased specialist plant and completed many contracts to almost single handedly construct over 100Ha of wetlands / retention basins in the Cashmere Valley. This commendation recognizes GSL’s contribution to developing this new stormwater mitigation, environmental and recreational infrastructure for Halswell post-earthquake residential development and the Heathcote headwaters."
Innovation Award, sponsored by AB Equipment:
Hunter Civil, for 91 Hereford Street - Seismic Strengthening
Judges' citation: "The eight-storey central city building was in use with three floors of live Spark Communications Data Centre. Access to the exterior of the building was severely limited. Eight building companies had declined opportunity to do the strengthening. Hunter Civil worked with the client and designer to provide buildable seismic strengthening solutions, access scaffolding, overreach cranage, and dust free environment for construction amongst the live electronic cabinets. This project is a fine example of the innovation and practical adaptability that a Civil Contractor can provide to reinstate resilience."
Underground Services Award, sponsored by Independent Pipeline Services:
ARC Projects, for Kaiapoi Stormwater and Blenheim Sewerage Pumpstations
Judges' citation: "This award recognises that very fine construction journey and outcomes for four pump stations entered by ARC Projects in the 2023 CCNZ Awards. All four projects were constructed and difficult foundation conditions requiring proactive planning and risk mitigation. The works involved supply of piping and pumping equipment and electrical services. The construction outcomes are of a very high quality."
Training Award, sponsored by Connexis Te Pukenga:
HEB Construction
Judges' citation: "The winner of the Connexis company training award Learning and Development team has expanded their focus from simply skills training and wellbeing to focus on career development that provides a full wrap-around programme.
These programmes includes life skills, workplace safety, literacy and numeracy, wellbeing, cultural programmes, and pastoral care, as well as formal industry qualifications. This approach supports their goal of growing the capability of all of their people across each of their business sectors.
There is a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion by explicitly targeting underrepresented groups such as Māori and Pasifika communities to ensure the highest chance of success, with the positive impacts flowing directly into their whānau and communities."
Supplier of the Year Award, sponsored by CORDE:
Hynds Pipe Systems
Judges' citation: "We delivered over 800 lots over the whole business in the last 18 months and a huge factor in achieving this was the on-demand supply of pipes and material to build the subdivision. They were able to supply the required materials ahead of time and provide logistic support way above expectation. Congrats Hynds Pipe Services Limited."
CCNZ CablePrice Canterbury Westland Regional Excavator Operator Winner 2023:
William Mikaere, Rosco Contractors
Judges' citation: "Having initially asked whether we had the Hitachi control pattern as opposed to the normal ISO so that he could compete on a level playing field, thanks to CablePrice for setting up the pattern shift in the machines. William, being the last competitor of the day and facing the worst possible conditions with regards to the wind, managed to excel at almost every single station. This includes being only 50 kilos off the perfect weight when loading the truck. Congratulations to William."
Young Contractor of the Year, sponsored by Road Metals:
Kennedy Evans, Fulton Hogan
Judges' citation: "With 11 amazing applications this year – getting down to 5 finalists was no easy task, and the 5 did not disappoint Emily and Hillary our judges! But with her sheer Grit and determination, and ability to self-reflect and ask for critical feedback during times when many people would have decided to take a different, maybe easier path in this career, Kennedy was a firm stand out for this years Young Contractor of the year. Congratulations Kennedy."
Outstanding Service Award, sponsored by Polyweld:
Lindsay Crossen
Judges' citation: "Linsday Crossen, a true legend of our industry! from his days at ministry of works, to his commitment to the Fulton hogan business through the 90’s and early 2000’s its fair to say Linsday has made his mark, after retirement Lindsay committed his time back to the industry with lending his knowledge to likes of Connexis, NZTA, University of Canterbury & assisting the board with the rebuild of the Christchurch Cathedral. It is with great pleasure that this year’s outstanding service award goes to Lindsay Crossen."
Emerging Leader Award, Judges' Recognition:
Adam Green, ARC Projects
Judges' citation: "In judging the projects we get to meet the people who have been part of the respective construction teams. From time to time someone stands out showing real passion for their project, the industry and the potential future it holds for them. This year we were very impressed by a young man who, with significant support from his employer, has gained several trade qualifications and is well on his way to achieving a Diploma in Engineering. He has gained valuable experience and knowledge through several years work in the trenches and has his sights set on a project management role. On behalf of the judges it is my pleasure and privilege to give an Emerging Leader Award to Adam Green from ARC Projects."
Thanks to every single one of you that make the effort to submit and entry and for looking so very fabulous on the night. And we couldn't hold these amazingly successful events without our sponsors, please support them.
Thanks to our sponsors:
