Higgins’ work on the entrance interchange for Rangiuru Business Park near Te Puke earned the company top honours at the Civil Contractors Bay of Plenty Excellence Awards last month, securing both the Supreme Award and the award for projects valued over $5 million.
Rangiuru Business Park interchange
Higgins won the Supreme Award for work on the Rangiuru Business Park interchange
Held at Classic Flyers in Tauranga, the awards evening brought together more than 150 guests for a formal dinner celebrating the expertise, commitment, and achievements of the region’s leading contractors over the past year.
The new industrial park aims to unlock economic growth for the Bay of Plenty by providing a high-quality location, modern facilities and easy road and rail links to the Port of Tauranga.
Judges Nic Johansson and Allan McFall congratulated Higgins for delivering a “transformative project” while contending with major weather events and engineering challenges.
“The scale demanded strong coordination skills, particularly with the number of trades needed for the job,” Johansson said. “Higgins delivered the project with a clear focus on safety performance, community engagement and cultural sensitivity.”
Brett Heaven slip repair
Brian Perry Civil won Cat B for work on the Brett Heavens Slip Repair
Brian Perry Civil won the award for projects valued between $1 million and $5 million for a well-executed repair to the Brett Heaven underslip on State Highway 25 in Coromandel.
The judges noted that the project was achieved below budget and ahead of schedule, congratulating Brian Perry Civil for the “innovative methodologies” and “smart redesigns, efficient planning, tight cost control and excellent communication” used throughout the slip repair.
The third project award for the year, awarded for works valued at up to $1 million went to Mount Maunganui company Bridge it NZ for its work on the Tukemokihi Bridge, located on Tukemokihi Station, between Gisborne and Wairoa.
The Mount Maunganui business took on the project after the previous bridge collapsed following a storm in 2022, with team members travelling to Hawke’s Bay to construct a challenging single-span bridge to restore access across a 50-metre ravine.
A remote and extremely difficult topography made conventional construction methods impossible,” judge Johansson said.
“Meticulous planning and a collaborative approach between bridge designers and builders came up with a unique launching method for installing the bridge – a brilliant project, very well executed.”
Tukemokihi Bridge completed
Bridge It NZ won category A for work on the Tukemokihi Bridge
The awards also recognised outstanding individuals making their mark in Bay of Plenty’s construction industry.
Dara Patrick from Brian Perry Civil won the Emerging Leader award.
People award category judges Melissa Porteous and Christi De La Porte lauded his dedication to completing a Bachelor of Engineering degree while working full time, his work on major projects such as the Omokoroa Water Treatment Plant, and his leadership, mentoring and calmness under pressure.
Dara Patrick won the Emerging Leader award
Angela McNeil won the Winner Outstanding Individual award
Hollie Atarau from Waiotahi Construction was highly commended in the same category.
The Outstanding Individual award went to Angela McNeill from Downer.
The judges recognised her 25 years in the industry, technical expertise, advocacy championing women and Māori in construction, and volunteer service with Tauranga’s homeless community. Mark Seymour from Brian Perry Civil was highly commended in the Outstanding Individual category.
CCNZ Bay of Plenty Vice-president Mike Speed congratulated all those recognised at the awards for their contribution Bay of Plenty and New Zealand infrastructure.
“The people and companies honoured tonight are deserving of thunderous applause. The winning projects have been incredibly well executed, helping to connect communities and grow the economy, while the individuals honoured have done themselves proud and made an incredibly positive impact on all those around them.”
Higgins won the Supreme Award for work on the Rangiuru Business Park interchange
