NORTHLAND CONSTRUCTION 202
Northlandinfrastructureinnovation andtalentcelebratedatregionalawards
ExceptionalprojectsandoutstandingpeopleshapingNorthland’s infrastructurewererecognised Fridayatthe2026CivilContractorsNew ZealandNorthlandBranchAwar
Twohundredpeoplegathered tocelebratetheregion’s infrastructureexpertiseand achievements,fromtechnically complexbridgereplacementsto challengingroadingandwater infrastructureupgrades
OutgoingCCNZNorthlandBranchChair KylieBourkesaidthecalibreofthisyear’s entriesreflectedthedepthofcapability andinnovationacrosstheregion’scivil constructionsector.
“Theseprojectsshowthattechnical excellenceandgenuinecareforour communitiesandenvironmentgo handinhand,
Northland’sci shouldberightly
Theeventfeat categoriesrecognising people,project
SteveBowling thebiggestwinners inahattrickof categories.
ItsWaipuCaves projectwonthe Valued$500,000 andtheHealt –impressing innovativeoffsi thatallowedforpreassemblyofallthree bridgespans.
“Theprojectteamdemonstrated exceptionalplanningandprogramme management,overcominglong materialleadtimesandatight constructionwindowtodeliverthe projectaheadofscheduleandunder budget,Bourkesaid.
SteveBowlingContractingalsowonthe ConstructionProjectsValued$2,000,000 andOverAwardforitsworkbuilding anewdrinkingwaterstoragetank doublethewaterstoragecapacityat KamoReservoir Theprojectinvolved constructionofa30m-diameterwater reservoironaconstrainedandculturally sensitivesite–afeatthatthejudges saiddemonstrated“strongtechnical capabilityandmeticulousplanning”.
BDXGroupalsoenjoyeda successfulevening,securingboth
theEnvironmentalAwardandthe InnovationAwardforitsenablingworks atSpringsFlat,inWhangarei,toprepare thesiteforthousandsofnewhomes, asupermarketand24-hourservice stationandtruckstop.
Whilebuildingaculverttoguide floodwatersandprotectanexisting stream,thediscoveryofarare freshwatercrabpopulationprompted BDXtoexpanditsecological managementoverandaboveconsent requirements.Eels,bullies,kōuraand 524Amarinuslacustrisfreshwatercrabs werecarefullyrescuedandrelocated fromthesensitivesite.
“Theprojectsetabenchmarkfor environmentallyresponsiblecivil construction,”Bourkesaid.
TheConstructionProjectsValued$0to $500,000AwardwaswonbyClements
Contractorsforroadrehabilitationwork onPacificBayRoad,nearTutukaka, followingrecentstormdamage.The awardrecognisedClements’efforts handlingunstablemarineconditions, whilemaintainingexceptional stakeholderengagement,todelivera durablepavementupgrade.
TheAssetMaintenanceAwardwaswon byDownerforitsworkontheKaipara RoadCorridorMaintenanceContract. TheawardrecognisedDownerfor itsdemonstrationofbestpracticein roadnetworkmanagementthrough preventativemaintenancetechniques, useofalternativematerialsandpositive partnershipswithlocalcouncil,suppliers andiwi.
Thepeopleawardssectioncelebrated outstandingindividualsacrossthe region’scivilinfrastructuresector. MarkTaylorreceivedtheNorthland
LeadershipAward,whileAshleyFeary claimedtheWomeninContracting AwardandJamieeNehawasnamed TraineeoftheYear.
KylieBourkewasalsorecognisedatthe eventforheroutstandingcontribution toCCNZNorthlandBranchandthe Northlandcivilconstructionindustry overfouryearsaschair.Shewillbe succeededasbranchchairbyChristo JansenvanVuuren.Thebranchalso acknowledged20yearsofservicefrom pastchairandlongstandingcommittee memberBradFlower,whowas steppingdowntofocusonhisroleasa WhangareiDistrictcouncillor.
CCNZNorthlandBranchthanksthis year’ssponsors,Connexis,Firth,Hirepool, Humes,Hynds,HoskinCivil,Promains, SimpsonShaw,WhangāreiDistrict CouncilandYovichAdvisory.
HumesAsset MaintenanceAward
Judges’Comments
“Thisentrydeliveredacomplexroadmaintenanceprogramme thatsignificantlyimprovednetworkperformance,resilience, andcustomersatisfactioninKaipara. Throughrapidmobilisation,innovativemethods,andashiftto preventativemaintenance,theteamachievedcostsavings, improveddurability,andstrongercommunityoutcomes. Astandoutexampleofexcellenceinassetmanagement, collaboration,andvaluedelivery.”
Judges’Comments
“Thisprojectdeliveredacomplexwaterreservoirinaconstrained,culturally sensitiveenvironment,demonstratingstrongtechnicalcapabilityandc planning.Innovativedesignandcollaborativeproblem-solvingimproved constructability,reducedrisk,andachievedcostsavings,whilerespectful stakeholderengagementensuredculturalvalueswereupheld. Astrongexampleoftechnicalexcellence,collaboration,andsuccessfuldelivery.”
Judges’Comments
“Thisprojectdeliveredacomplexbridgereplacement,combininginnovative constructionmethodswithstrongplanningandstakeholdermanagement.
BuildingResilientInfrastructurefor StrongerCommunities
Drainage
| Concrete | Earthworks | Project Management | QuarrySupplies | Roading | Sealing
1.TinopaiRoadSlipRecovery FollowingCycloneGabrielle, Ventiadeliveredstabilisation worksonTinopaiRoadfor KaiparaDistrictCouncilaspart ofthesliprecoveryprogramme Amajorunder-sliprequireda 250-metreroadrealignment torestoreaccess Works includedearthworks,pavement reconstruction,anddrainage upgradestoimprovenetwork resilience
2.EsplanadeSubdivision Ventiaisdeliveringearthworks andcivilinfrastructurefora35lotsubdivisionatBeacondale Place,Kamo,Whangārei Works includebulkearthworks,road construction,topsoilrespreading, GAP65placement,threewaters services,retainingwalls,andkerb andchannel
3.WhangareiSouthRoad MaintenanceandRenewals Contract
Ventiamaintainsmorethan 802kmofWhangārei’sroading network,includingsealedand unsealedroads Servicesinclude maintenance,emergency response,safetymanagement, vegetationcontrol,andtraffic operations,ensuringasafeand resilientnetwork
4.HaruruFallsSealExtension
Thisprojectupgraded approximately32kmof previouslyunsealedroad, improvingsafeandreliableaccess toWaitangi Worksincluded drainageupgrades,earthworks, pavementconstruction,road widening,andsafetybarriers
Fundedthrougha$157million RegionalInfrastructureFundgrant withadditionalFarNorthDistrict Councilsupport,theprojectwas completedaheadofWaitangiDay, improvingsafety,resilience,and communityaccess
5.KawakawaWastewater TreatmentPlantProtectionWorks Ventiadeliveredstream stabilisationworkstoprotect criticalwastewaterinfrastructure fromerosion Theprojectinvolved constructinganewstream channel,installingaboxculvert, andreshapingandarmouring streambankstoredirectflows awayfromvulnerableareas Completedin2025under livestreamconditions,the worksincludedfishrelocation, improvedfishpassage,and riparianplanting,reducing erosionriskandstrengthening long-termenvironmentaland infrastructureresilience
6.OkaihauSpeedTables
Fourconcretespeedtables wereinstalledonSettlersRoad, Okaihau,toreducevehiclespeeds nearthetownshipentrance andlocalschools Completed efficientlywithminimal disruption,eachtablespansthe fullcarriageway,measuring6m longand100mmhigh Associated signagewasinstalled,delivering improvedroadsafetyandahighqualityfinishedresult
AcrossNorthland,Ventiacontinuestodeliverresilient infrastructuresolutionsthatsupportthrivingcommunities.
SimpsonShawInnovation Award
BDXGroupwontheInnovationAwardAwardfortheSpringsFlatEnabling Worksproject.
Judges’Comments
“BDXdeliveredaninnovativesolutionatSpringsFlat,usingabasinshaped culvertexcavationtosafelymanagefloodwaterandprotectthestream duringwinter. Whenfreshwatercrabswerediscovered,theyexpanded relocationeffortsbeyondrequirements. Combinedwithsmarttemporary worksdesignandGPSprecision,theprojectsetahighbenchmarkfor practical,environmentallyresponsiveconstructioninnovation.”
The2026CivilContractorsNewZealandNorthlandBranch Awardscelebratedtheskill,innovationanddedication drivinginfrastructureexcellenceacrosstheregion.
Congratulationstoallwinners,finalistsandnominees YourachievementsreflectthestrengthofNorthland’scivil constructionindustryandyourcommitmenttobuilding stronger,saferandmoreresilientcommunities
Judges’Comments
“SteveBowlingContractingLtddemonstratedastrongcommitment tohealthandsafetybyeliminatingrisksatthesource. Offsitebridgeassemblyreducedhazardousworkatheightandin theriver.UsingCirtexRockBagsminimisedenvironmentalimpact. Theprojectwascompletedincidentfree,reflectingrobustsystems, strongleadership,andaproactivesafetyculture.”
SteveBowlingContractingwontheHealthandSafetyAwardfortheWaipu CavesRoadBridge106Bproject.
Whangarei’s Game-Changer forSmallConcreteJobs
I’maWhangāreilocal,bornandbred–apartfromacoupleofyearsoffonmy bigOE.Istartedoutasacoachbuilder, workingonmotorhomes,truckbodies, andminibuses.Afterfinishingmy apprenticeship,Iswitchedtobuilding,and I’vebeeninthetradeeversince–over 30yearsnow.I’verunmyownbuilding companydoingeverythingfromnew buildsandrenostolightcommercialjobs andspechomes.
Afewyearsback,though,thebody startedcomplaining.Afteralifetimeof liftingandbending,Iwashardlyableto standupright,IendedupatthePhysio Hepoked,pulled,andtriedtostretch meout,thensaid,“Nathan,yourbody’s buggered Youneedtoslowdownand findsomethingelsetodothatiseasieron yourbody.”
Easiersaidthandonewhenyou’vebeen
self-employedyourwholelife.Theideaof clockinginforsomeoneelsedidn’tsitwell withme,soIstartedthinkingaboutwhatI coulddonext.
Whilevisitingmydaughterandson-in-law inAustralia,theyhadmedoingafewjobs aroundtheplacetokeepmebusy One waslayingasmall3mx1mconcretepad.I wroteupalistofmaterials–pegs,boxing, bagsofpremix–butthenmyson-in-law said,hewouldsortouttheconcreteand bookedtheconcretetaxi.
I’dneverseenorheardofthisbefore–thistruckpulledup,mixedexactlywhat weneeded,andthatwasthat.Nomess, nowaste.Noleftoverwheelbarrowfullof concreteyouendupdumpingbehindthe shed.Justenoughtogetthejobdone, rightthereonsite.
Ontheflighthome theideahitme–could IdothisinWhangārei?Ilookedintoit,
askedaroundsomeoftheTradespeople Iknowinbiggercities,andnoonehad heardofanythinglikeitinNewZealand. So,Istartedplanning.
TheAustraliancompanythatmadethe originaltruckswouldn’tsellmetheplans ortheconcretemixingunitso Ilookedinto thepatentsituationhereandwasadvised thatithadnotbeenregisteredinNew Zealand,soIcopyrightedandregistered thetruckandlogohereandgotstraight towork.
Iteamedupwithanengineerandbuilt theunitwithhim,andIwastheapprentice onthejob!Mythinkingwas:ifIhelpbuildit, I’llknowhowtofixitwhensomethinggoes wrong.
TheConcreteCourierisacustom-built bodyonaHino500.Itholdsabout2–2.5 cubicmetresofbuildersmix,30bags
Experts
ofcement,and450litresofwater.The machinemixesconcreteon-siteinsmall batches–aroundthreewheelbarrow loadsatatime–withnowaste,makingit apracticalandenvironmentallyfriendly option
We’renotcompetingwiththebig concretetrucks–thisisforthesmaller stuff:retainingwalls,gardenpaths,shed slabs,heatpumppads,footings,fence postsanddeckpilesetc Westayon-site untilthejob’sdoneandonlymixwhatyou need.Nopressure,norush,andnoleftover messtodealwith It’sevenavailablesix daysaweek24hrsaday.
It’sagame-changerandsmart solutionforTradespeopleand DIYersdoingsmallerjobs.Andbest ofall–it’seasieronmyback.
