A $5 million-plus project near Te Puke has led to a local company winning a civil contractor award.

Outstanding people and transformational infrastructure were celebrated at the 2025 Civil Contractors New Zealand Bay of Plenty Hynds Construction Excellence Awards on Friday night.

More than 150 people attended Classic Flyers in Tauranga for a formal dinner and awards evening recognising the expertise, commitment and achievements of top local contractors over the past year.

Higgins took home the Supreme Award, as well as the award for projects valued over $5m, for its work on the entrance interchange for Rangiuru Business Park, near Te Puke.

Higgins team members Deon Clarke, Shane Wallace, Jeremey Martley and Levi Muller with Aaron Hynds from sponsor Hynds after their award win. Photo / Supplied

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 for the Bay of Plenty” while contending with major weather events and engineering challenges.

“The scale demanded strong co-ordination 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.”

Brian Perry Civil won the award for projects valued between $1m and $5m for a repair to the Brett Heaven underslip on State Highway 25 in the Coromandel.

The judges noted 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 $1m, 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 after a storm in 2022, with team members travelling to Hawke’s Bay to construct a single-span bridge to restore access across a 50m ravine.

“A remote and extremely difficult topography made conventional construction methods impossible,” 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.”

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 fulltime, his work on major projects such as the Omokoroa Water Treatment Plant, and his leadership, mentoring and calmness under pressure.

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.

Civil Contractors New Zealand Bay of Plenty vice-president Mike Speed congratulated all those recognised at the awards for their contribution to 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.”

The 2025 awards were sponsored by Hynds and Civil Contractors New Zealand’s principal business partner Hirepool, along with Success Group, Sharp Tudhope and Page Earthworks.

This year’s winners

Projects valued under $1m: Bridge It NZ for the Tukemokihi Bridge in Hawke’s Bay.

Projects valued between $1m and $5m: Brian Perry Civil for the Brett Heaven Slip Repair on SH25 in Coromandel.

Projects valued over $5m: Higgins for Rangiuru Business Park entrance interchange, near Te Puke.

Supreme Award winner: Higgins for Rangiuru Business Park entrance.

Emerging Leader winner: Dara Patrick, Brian Perry Civil.

Emerging Leader highly commended: Hollie Atarau, Waiotahi Contractors.

Outstanding Individual winner: Angela McNeil, Downer.

Outstanding Individual highly commended: Mark Seymour, Brian Perry Civil.