Project: Canterbury CoastguardEntrantAmalgamated Builders Ltd (ABL) Project PartnersAmalgamated Builders Ltd (ABL) (Construction Company/Project Manager), Coastguard Canterbury (Client Representative) Owned ByCoastguard Canterbury
Canterbury Coastguard’s new facility demonstrates disciplined delivery within a demanding coastal environment. Constructed on a busy public site, the team-maintained shoreline protection and public safety while progressing the build under a design-and-build model.
When asbestos-contaminated soil was discovered during excavation, close coordination with Christchurch City Council and specialist subcontractors ensured remediation was managed without delaying the programme. Internally, boat storage areas are fully lined with more than 400 sheets of structural plywood, protecting the steel frame from salt air while creating a durable, light-filled workspace.
Purpose-built for rapid response, the facility integrates wet rooms, radio spaces, and dedicated rescue boat storage. The project stands as a clear example of practical design, strong collaboration, and resilient community-focused infrastructure. |
Project: Eagars Funeral HomeEntrantLivingstone Building Project PartnersBTW Company Ltd (Civil Engineer/Engineer/Seismic Engineer/Structural Engineer), Eagars Funeral Home (Client Representative), Jackson Architects (Architect/Designer/Project Manager), Livingstone Building NZ Ltd (Construction Company) Owned ByEagars Funerals Limited
Eagars Funeral Home required disciplined coordination to realise a highly detailed architectural vision. Wet weather placed pressure on the programme, particularly during installation of the exterior stonework, requiring careful resequencing to protect completed finishes and maintain quality.
The strength of the project lies in its refined execution. Interior and exterior stone transitions were aligned with precision, ceilings flow seamlessly into soffits, and integrated steelwork, gates, and bespoke joinery reinforce a consistent material language. Water has been incorporated as a subtle design element, introducing calm and reflection within the civic setting.
Delivered under a traditional design–bid–build model, the result is a composed, carefully crafted space that supports both the functional and emotional needs of its community. |
Project: South Dunedin Community Library - Te Whata o KaitunaEntrantNaylor Love Dunedin Limited Project PartnersBaker Garden (Architect/Designer), Dunedin City Council (Project Manager), Naylor Love Dunedin Limited (Construction Company) Owned ByDunedin City Council
South Dunedin Community Library, Te Whata o Kaituna, was shaped through close collaboration with Dunedin City Council, Baker Garden, and mana whenua via Aukaha and local runaka. Cultural narratives are woven throughout the building, from glazed artwork depicting tuna and the historic Kaituna estuary to interiors that acknowledge Kai Tahu heritage and strong Pacific community connections.
A key construction challenge lay in integrating reclaimed materials into prominent feature areas. Original bricks and bluestone were carefully reused in spandrels and sculptural elements, supported by detailed 3D modelling to generate precise cutting lists and allow off-site fabrication at exact angles.
Safety innovation included QR-code hazard reporting and noise alert systems, while waste separation strategies delivered more than 75 per cent diversion from landfill. The result is a carefully crafted civic space grounded in identity, history, and community partnership. |
Project: Surf Life Saving KariaotahiEntrantPukekohe Builders Ltd Project PartnersACH 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) Owned BySurf 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. |
Project: Te Awamutu Presbyterian Community CentreEntrantWaikato Construction Management Ltd Project PartnersQuantitas Consulting Ltd (Quantity Surveyor), Waikato Construction Management Limited (Construction Company), Waikato Construction Management Ltd (Construction Company), Woven Architects Limited (Architect/Designer) Owned ByTA Presbyterian Community Centre
This community-led project is a true comeback story. Funding cuts, COVID disruption and a full redesign could have stopped it in its tracks, but persistence and strong partnerships kept it moving and delivered a modern, flexible centre built around local needs. Early teamwork between WCML, Woven Architects and the client kept the design practical and the budget realistic from the start.
Inside, the building is made for action. An auditorium that can grow or shrink, a commercial kitchen and adaptable gathering spaces mean it can host everything from performances to workshops and celebrations. Clever movable walls help manage noise and create the right atmosphere for every event. Sustainability was tackled in a hands-on way, using reclaimed materials and efficiently made steel framing that arrived pre-cut to reduce waste on site. Even parts of the old church were reused or sold to support the centre’s future. Built with local materials by local people, it’s a space the community can be proud of. |
Project: Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui (Wellington Central Library)EntrantLT McGuinness Ltd Project PartnersAthfield Architects Limited (Architect/Designer), Aurecon Group (Structural Engineer) Owned ByWellington City Council
Te Matapihi’s upgrade was one of those rare civic projects where everything matters, and everyone is watching. The team strengthened the existing library, then carried out the extraordinary task of installing base isolators underneath it, all on a tight site with challenging ground conditions. For a time, the building was held safely in place by temporary supports while new foundations and structural systems were built below.
Work ran across every level at once, with multiple crews operating in parallel and daily coordination keeping safety and quality at the forefront of mind. It was complex, high-risk work, delivered with calm control and constant teamwork.
The best part is the outcome. The project finished without extra time or budget, and achieved a 5 Green Star rating, proving that upgrading and keeping a valued building can be the smarter, more sustainable choice. For many involved, it was personal. Te Matapihi is now a safer, stronger library, ready for generations to come. |
Project: Te Ramanui o RuapūtahangaEntrantLivingstone Building Project Partners335 (Electrical Engineer), Dunning Thornton (Civil Engineer/Structural Engineer), Livingstone Building (Construction Company), Saunders Stevenson Ltd (Quantity Surveyor), South Taranaki District Council (Client Representative), Warren and Mahoney Architects (Architect/Designer) Owned BySouth Taranaki District Council
Delivered with strong community collaboration, Te Ramanui o Ruaputahanga is a civic space built with purpose and pride. Located in the centre of Hawera, the building reflects its name, gifted by Ngati Ruanui, as a place for connection and gathering. Challenges such as roofing delays and cyclone-damaged panels were resolved through practical, team-driven solutions that kept the project moving.
Reused paving reclaimed interior timber, and even a repurposed milk vat turned into rainwater storage show how this team made smart, low-waste choices that really count. Nothing was overdone. They simply found what could be saved, gave it a new job, and built sustainability into the project in a practical, clever way.
With visibility into the site maintained via transparent fencing, the build remained connected to the public it serves. This is a project shaped by partnership, smart decision-making, and attention to detail, delivering a long-lasting asset for the South Taranaki community. |
Project: Waihi Beach LibraryEntrantHawkins Limited Project PartnersArchistudio (Architect/Designer), BCD Group Limited (Structural Engineer), Hawkins Limited (Construction Company), SEG Ltd (Engineer) Owned ByWestern Bay of Plenty District Council
Delivered on a tight timeline and with deep local engagement, Waihi Beach Library is a shining example of community-led construction. Hawkins worked closely with iwi, Council, schools, and local businesses to create a vibrant civic space that reflects the identity and pride of Waihi Beach. Cultural touches, like sandblasted patterns from Otawhiwhi Marae and a handcrafted seat featuring gifted obsidian, honour the area’s heritage.
A standout 20% of the project’s budget was spent with local suppliers, reinforcing Hawkins’ commitment to social outcomes. Sustainability was also prioritised, with over three tonnes of construction waste repurposed through a custom on-site recycling kiosk. Beyond the build, community initiatives like school talks and dune clean-ups highlight a project that’s not just a library, but a true local legacy. |
Project: Waikeria Prison DevelopmentEntrantCPB Contactors PTY Limited Project PartnersCPB Contractors (Project Manager) Blending security, care, and rehabilitation in a single purpose-built facility, the Waikeria Prison Development marks a new era in New Zealand’s correctional infrastructure. As the country’s first prison to co-locate 500 high-security beds with a 96-bed Mental Health and Addiction Service, the project reimagines how custody and wellbeing can coexist.
Connection was central to the design, with more whanau interaction spaces than any other facility in Aotearoa. CPB Contractors also championed rehabilitation on site, training and employing 87 prisoners through the Release to Work programme. With 28 buildings across 27 hectares and a focus on local employment, the project created lasting social and economic impact for the Waikato region. Waikeria stands as a bold model for justice infrastructure, centred on community, culture, and care. |
Project: WhakamaruEntrantNaylor Love Wellington Project PartnersKensway Consultants (Project Manager), Naylor Love Wellington (Construction Company), Silvester Clark (Engineer), Three Line Studio (Architect/Designer) Owned ByWellington 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. |