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Currie Construction
Currie Construction (Construction Company), DC Structures Studio Ltd. (Civil Engineer), Eastbridge (Structural Engineer), Gisborne District Council (Client Representative)
Gisborne District Council
The Wai Kahua Waka Footbridge transforms engineering constraints into a cultural landmark. When funding was slashed by half, Currie Construction reimagined the entire bridge concept in just ten days, proposing a single-span waka form that seamlessly blends structure and storytelling. Built on a narrow, heritage-listed site beside a live asbestos water main, the project demanded precision planning and exceptional safety management. Advanced modelling reduced steel weight by 40%, cutting 20 tonnes and lowering carbon impact. Laser-cut panels by artist Nick Tupara weave Ngati Oneone narratives into the bridge itself. Despite cyclones, COVID-19 and supply chain setbacks, the bridge was delivered on time, under budget, and with cultural integrity intact. It now stands as a bold expression of connection, resilience, and collaboration.
This special award recognises a project of real historical and cultural significance. Set within the Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing National Historic Reserve, Wai Kahua Waka Footbridge links a hilltop lookout with the nearby memorial to Captain Cook’s first landing and the waka that first brought Maori to the area centuries earlier. The vision was a powerful one, to create an impressive waka sculpture that also serves as a true thousand-year bridge. The judges felt this remarkable idea may never have happened without the tenacity, innovation, and skill of Currie Construction and DC Structures Studio Ltd.
Pukekohe Builders Ltd
ACH Consulting Engineers (Civil Engineer), Airey Consultants Ltd (Structural Engineer), Chibnall Buckell Team Architects (Architect/Designer), MPM Projects (Project Manager), Pukekohe Builders Ltd (Construction Company), Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi Inc (Client Representative)
Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi Inc
At Kariaotahi’s wild west coast, the new surf club had to be tough from the outset. With funding tied to tight deadlines and an immovable Labour Weekend 2025 opening date, Pukekohe Builders produced a costed concept in just three weeks, then delivered the full design-and-build project over 18 months, from demolition through to completion. The coastal setting brought its own demands. Sand foundations, high winds and salt exposure required a robust, durable approach, while heavily congested reinforcing tested tolerances and concrete cover throughout the structure. Close coordination between CBTA, MPM Projects and key suppliers kept decisions practical and buildable as the design evolved. Materials were selected for longevity and performance in a harsh marine environment, including coastal-grade cladding, stainless steel structural elements and energy-efficient lighting designed to minimise spill. The result is a resilient, purpose-built facility delivered on time, meeting funding commitments and securing a long-term home for the local surf lifesaving community.
A thoughtfully designed community project, the rebuild of the Karioitahi Surf Life Saving clubhouse became a long journey to replace a building that was no longer safe or fit for use. Along the way, there were funding hurdles, rising costs, and constant setbacks, but the determination to get it built never faded. Pukekohe Builders helped turn that effort into reality, bringing a fresh approach that gave the project renewed momentum and confidence. The result delivered everything the club needed and did so on time and on budget. Most importantly, it means the Karioitahi Surf Life Saving team can continue their vital work on one of the West Coast’s most challenging beaches.
Naylor Love Wellington
Kensway Consultants (Project Manager), Naylor Love Wellington (Construction Company), Silvester Clark (Engineer), Three Line Studio (Architect/Designer)
Wellington City Mission
Whakamaru sets a powerful precedent for community-led civic development in Aotearoa. Built for the Wellington City Mission, it represents a new model of social care; rooted in dignity, inclusion, and shared purpose. The design celebrates connection, with standout features like a light-filled central atrium and a Sacred Space chapel defined by curved timber linings and tranquil lighting. Delivering the project under the government’s shovel-ready scheme demanded fast, adaptive thinking. A hybrid structure of cross-laminated timber and steel was chosen for speed, seismic resilience, and sustainability, reducing embodied carbon while allowing offsite prefabrication. Whakamaru is a clear expression of values-driven construction. Client, contractor, and consultants worked in genuine partnership, open-book, high-trust, and united by a shared commitment to delivering long-term positive impact for the community it serves.
Whakamaru is a big project with an even bigger heart, and a powerful example of what can be achieved when a passionate team is backed by the generosity of the wider community. Created for the Wellington City Mission and delivered by Naylor Love Wellington, the transitional housing at Whakamaru provides comfort and practical support for people who need it most. What began as the purchase of an old building and a modest refurbishment budget grew into a much more ambitious project, made possible by the people of Wellington, whose fundraising efforts covered half of the $40 million construction cost. Campaigns such as Silent Night and Wellington’s Greatest Deed not only raised vital funds but also gave the city a real sense of connection and ownership. The result is a lasting gift to Wellington that will serve the community for years to come.