Projects responding to summer storms and cyclone repairs, improving public safety and accessibility, upgrading facilities, and installing underground services featured amongst the year's winning projects, with awards also presented to outstanding individuals working across the region at the 2024 CCNZ Waikato Branch Hynds Construction Awards on Friday 2 August.
This year's awards were presented at Claudelands Events Centre and witnessed by a capacity crowd once more, including Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate, who was the event's guest speaker once again.
CCNZ Waikato Branch Chair Adam Plimmer said the region's awards were 'going from strength to strength', and provided local contractors with a valuable opportunity to be recognised for their hard work and reflect on a job well done.
"Congratulations to all of our award finalists. Contractors work hard, but only occasionally have the chance to reflect and enjoy the results of their labours.
"It's great to be able to provide the teams who are out there constructing and maintaining the country's essential infrastructure with these awards, which showcase the difference their efforts have made for the community."
Mr Plimmer said while the current economic climate in the region was challenging, it was inspiring to see a near-capacity event, where contractors and clients could network and celebrate their achievements together.
McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan took out this year's Supreme Award as well as the large project category for projects over $20m for an exceptional joint venture to stabilise the State Highway 25A Taparahi Slip and construct a 124m long by 15m high bridge to span a collapsed section of highway.
The three-span steel and composite bridge reconnected Coromandel communities was completed in just seven months - under budget, with no lost time injury. It was the quickest design and build bridge of its size delivered in New Zealand, and the judges commented it was a great example of how to expedite a large engineering design and construct project with minimal constraints, to deliver an exceptional outcome to the client and public without compromising health and safety or quality.
Higgins Contractors was also a big winner on the night, taking home two award categories including Category 1 for projects up to $1m for SH29 Kaimai Asphalt Resurfacing and Maintenance, as well as Category 4 for its SH25 Coromandel Summer Storm Cyclone Repairs
Road user safety was prominent in both projects, with new innovations for working in the live traffic corridor and keeping staff safe. A bold night closure of the important Kaimai link between the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty to perform key resurfacing also featured.
Category 3 went to Brian Perry Civil for its Waiora 2 Capacity Upgrade. This involved civil and structural components such as the installation of new underground services, the construction of a 250kL raw water feed tank, a hydro cyclone plant, a waste attenuation tank, and a chemical unloading area. the judges commented that all work was professional, meticulous, and managed risk to the environment and safety well, also providing great mentoring and training of new subcontractors.
The people behind the projects featured at the awards as well, with Kaitlyn Newsome of HEB Construction winning Apprentice of the Year and Jack Elvy of Schick Civil Construction taking out Engineer of the Year. Taina Ngatai of Waikato District Alliance was presented with the Emerging Leader Award, while Jade Hall of Schick Civil Construction was named the year's Outstanding Individual.
These winners were acknowledged for their strong work ethic, great interpersonal skills and collaboration with their teams and a proven ability to project manage complex projects to success, with a strong focus on providing safe working conditions. The judges commented these people were 'outstanding ambassadors for our industry'.
The judges commented that in times of adversity, contractors stepped up to meet the challenges ahead of them with exceptional teamwork and advanced technologies. Projects displayed a collaborative mindset engaging with local Iwi, stakeholders and businesses to the benefit of all the community and were performed in a professional manner.
View the event photos online at the CCNZ Facebook Page>>
And this year's winners are...
Apprentice of the Year - sponsored by Success Group
Kaitlyn Newsome, HEB Construction
Engineer of the Year - sponsored by Downer
Jack Elvy, Schick Civil Construction
Taina Ngatai, Waikato District Alliance
Outstanding Individual - sponsored by Hirepool
Jade Hall, Schick Civil Construction
Project Category 1: $0 - $1m - sponsored by Fulton Hogan
Higgins Contractors, SH29 Kaimai Asphalt Resurfacing and Maintenance
Fulton Hogan, Kopu Marine Project Earthworks and Roading
Project Category 3: $5m - $10m - sponsored by Terra Cat
Brian Perry Civil, Waiora 2 Capacity Upgrade Project
Higgins Contractors, SH25 Coromandel Summer Storm and Cyclone Repairs
Project Category 5: $20m+ - sponsored by Spartan Construction
McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan Joint Venture, SH25A Taparahi Slip
Health and Safety Award - sponsored by HEB Construction
Downer, SH1C Cambridge/ Cobham Intersection Upgrade
Supreme Award - sponsored by Hynds
McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan Joint Venture, SH25A Taparahi Slip Remediation
Thanks to our amazing sponsors
Award and function sponsors
