Downer wins top Bay of Plenty civil contractors award

Downer won the Supreme Award at the 2026 Civil Contractors New Zealand Bay of Plenty Hynds Construction Awards for the Tauriko enabling works near Tauranga.

The project also took the category for schemes valued at more than $20 million. It included a new roundabout on State Highway 29 at Redwood Lane and Kaweroa Drive, a walking and cycling underpass, three-waters upgrades, and native planting to support planned growth in the Tauriko West residential area.

Judges said the project stood out for its traffic management on a busy corridor and for finishing two and a half months ahead of schedule and 8 per cent under budget. More than 250 people attended the awards evening in Tauranga, which recognised infrastructure projects and individuals from across the Bay of Plenty civil construction sector.

Project winners

Apex Water won the category for projects valued between $5 million and $20 million for a programme that delivered five new water plants in Athenree, Wharawhara, Waihi Beach, Tahawai and Ohourere. Judges cited collaboration and delivery across several sites managed at the same time.

Fulton Hogan won the award for projects valued between $1 million and $5 million for building a replacement bridge across Te Raparapa-ā-hoe Stream near Te Puke. The 33.5-metre single-lane bridge opened in June 2025, replacing a temporary Bailey bridge installed after the previous structure was washed out in a storm in 2023.

The route carries more than one million trays of kiwifruit each season. Judges said the contractor overcame difficult ground conditions, weather and design issues to deliver what they described as a safe and resilient community asset.

CB Civil & Drainage won two awards. It received the Environmental Award for wastewater renewal work through Johnson Reserve wetland in Welcome Bay, and the award for projects valued under $1 million for repairing a failed wastewater pipe that caused a large sinkhole on Golden Sands Drive in Pāpāmoa.

Judges said the sinkhole measured 5 metres wide and 3 metres deep. Its location near a pump station, homes and a school added to the complexity of the repair.

Brian Perry Civil won the Health & Safety Award for its approach to worker welfare during the upgrade of the Omokoroa Water Treatment Plant and construction of a new 3,500-cubic-metre reservoir.

Individual honours

The awards also recognised individual staff from local contractors. Grace Pilkington of HEB Construction won Apprentice of the Year, Wade Thomas of Downer was named Engineer of the Year, Dean Dixon of Downer received the Outstanding Individual Award, and Glen Morris of CB Civil & Drainage won the Emerging Leader Award.

A new Civil Trades Certificate Award was introduced this year. Blake Elers of HEB Construction received the prize, which recognises a high performer holding Civil Trades certification.

Mike Speed, Chair of Civil Contractors New Zealand Bay of Plenty, commented on the winners and finalists. "Tonight's winners should be proud of what they've achieved. These projects show what's possible when skilled teams, smart planning and a commitment to quality come together to deliver infrastructure that connects our communities and supports our region's growth. Just as importantly, the individuals we've recognised are lifting the standard across our industry and setting a great example for those coming through behind them," he said.

The awards reflected the range of civil construction work underway in the Bay of Plenty, from transport links and bridges to water treatment and wastewater repairs. The winning projects also highlighted the pressures shaping the region's infrastructure programme, including housing growth around Tauranga, resilience after storm damage, and the need to maintain essential water assets while limiting disruption to residents and road users.

For Downer, the top prize recognised a project that combined transport, utilities and environmental works in a single scheme on one of the region's busiest corridors. For other winners, judges focused on practical delivery challenges, including coordinating multiple sites, restoring freight access for horticulture, protecting sensitive wetland areas, and managing emergency repairs in urban settings.

The spread of awards across several contractors highlighted the breadth of work being carried out by Bay of Plenty civil engineering firms and their staff, from apprentices and certified trades workers to engineers and site leaders. Several winners were recognised for projects tied directly to community access, public health and the operation of key local industries, including kiwifruit transport and wastewater services.