Winners of the 2015 NZIOB and GIB Awards for Excellence were announced at a gala evening at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland on Friday 14 August. The awards programme celebrates and recognises an individuals’ professional excellence in the building and construction process, rather than projects.

See below for a full list of winners:

GIB Supreme Award:

Garyth Jones - project manager

Company: Hawkins Construction
Project: Te Oro Youth Music and Arts Centre, Glen Innes, Auckland
Client: Auckland Council
Project value: $8.4 million

Garyth showed incredible maturity, strength and leadership in the face of significant challenges from the outset of this project. In the words of architect Lindsay Mackie of Archimedia: “..a can-do attitude… with an engaging, calm and softly spoken personality, he led the teams under his guidance with great skill.”

Resene Under $2.5m Award – excellence:

Brent Henderson - site manager

Company: Fletcher Construction, Wellington
Project: Hall of memories, National War Memorial, Wellington
Client: Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Project value: $1.35 million

National Carillonist Timothy Hurd described Brent’s role as “..requiring a rare blend of talents in one person: bulletproof, technical expertise, minute-to-minute coordination of trades and supply chains, people skills of the highest order and a cool head under the pressure of insanely short timeframes for project completion.” 

Steel Construction NZ $2.5-5m Award – excellence:

Joel Cox - project manager

Company: Dominion Constructors
Project: Ricoh head office, building extension and fitout, Auckland
Client: Russell Property Group
Project value: $4.7 million

Joel’s attention to detail, meticulous planning and his willingness to work with the all stakeholders to find solutions to every challenge resulted in a project delivered on time, effectively defect-free and within the parameters of the budget set by the developer, whilst achieving a result that delighted the tenant.

Steel Construction NZ $2.5-5m Award – highly commended:

Gary Watson - consultant/contractor

Company: Plaster Services, Christchurch
Project: Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
Client: Isaac Theatre Royal Trust
Project value: $3.6 million

Given the complexity of the works involved, a real challenge was coordination of contractors. Gary demonstrated outstanding leadership in creating an environment in which the different subs and trades were onsite simultaneously to complete significant volumes of works within the boundaries of all new building codes designed to meet upgraded seismic strengthening and fire resistance standards.

Hays $5-10m Award – excellence:

Garyth Jones - project manager

Company: Hawkins Construction
Project: Te Oro Youth Music and Arts Centre, Glen Innes, Auckland
Client: Auckland Council
Project value: $8.4 million

The number of unexpected difficulties on this project would have stretched any programme and project manager to the limit, but Garyth went about all aspects of the build in a methodical and professional way. At all times, he worked closely with the client, design team and subcontractors showing exceptional communication and people skills.

Hays $5-10m Award – highly commended:

Robert Kumarich - project manager

Company: Ebert Construction, Auckland
Project: Penske Commercial Vehicle Facility, Wiri, Auckland
Client: Hugh Green Group
Project value: $9.7 million

On-time completion was critical to the client, who, with a guaranteed tenant standing by, was understandably keen to achieve a return on investment. However, they quickly realised and were reassured that with Robert at the helm, the project would not only be delivered on time but would exceed expectations. Both the client and his tenant –Penske – are thrilled with the finished project, which has been built to a very high calibre.

Colorsteel $10-25m Award – highly commended:

Michael Bowman - site manager

Company: Arrow International (NZ) Ltd, Auckland
Project: Ormiston Primary School, Flatbush, Auckland
Client: Ministry of Education
Project value: $16 million

Four months into the project it became clear that the contract programme, as provided by the client, was not achievable. Michael facilitated a workshop with the project team and reassessed the entire project, resulting in excellent solutions to reduce the programme and increase build speed. By switching to an accelerated top-down construction approach, the project could be delivered on time. 

Colorsteel $10-25m Award – highly commended:

James Corric - Site manager

Company: NZ Strong Group, Auckland
Project: Lopdell House and Gallery, Titirangi, Auckland
Client: Auckland Council
Project value: $16.3 million

James’ enthusiasm and positive ‘can do’ approach won the admiration of all stakeholders. He worked closely with all consultants and was in constant communication with the client. He tracked and controlled the complex construction schedule in logical steps ensuring delivery of each stage met deadlines and associated costs.

Colorsteel $10-25m Award – highly commended:

Andrew Rowden - project manager

Company: Hawkins Construction, Christchurch
Project: New Zealand Blood Service, Christchurch
Client: Ngai Tahu Property Development
Project value: $16.3 million

Andrew’s commitment to the engagement of all staff extended through a range of different means, including inviting external parties to give tool box talks and a golden hammer competition for onsite staff. His goal to ensure that all workers left the site with a greater awareness and skill set was recognised a number of times by subcontractors.

Holcim $25-50m Award – excellence:

Darren Cutfield - project manager

Company: Ebert Construction Ltd, Auckland
Project: New Zealand Defence Force Battle Training Facility, Auckland
Client: New Zealand Defence Force
Project value: $25 million

Darren’s determination and passion for excellence was instrumental in delivering a very successful project. His expertise and innovative initiatives made significant cost savings to the project. He showed strength, leadership in all aspects of organisation, coordination, innovation and strict management control at all times.

Holcim $25-50m Award – excellence:

Andrew Clucas - project director

Company: Leighs Construction, Christchurch
Project: Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Christchurch
Client: Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Board of Trustees
Project value: $36.5 million

Through meticulous attention to detail and hands-on management of a very competent team, Andrew was able to deliver all aspects of the development concurrently and to the complete satisfaction of the client.

AECOM Over $50m Award – excellence:

Donal Lynch - project manager

Company: Fletcher Construction, Auckland
Project: Auckland South Corrections Facility, Wiri, Auckland
Client: Department of Corrections
Project value: $272 million

During the preferred bidder phase, Donal established the foundation for the success of this project. His collaboration with the design team and operator earned him their respect and trust, which was clearly visible with an integrated consultant and project team on site. With such a large project team, Donal used the opportunity to develop some of the younger talent, giving them greater responsibility supported by senior members.

AECOM Over $50m Award – highly commended:

Martin Keringhan - project manager

Company: Hawkins Construction, Central Region
Project: Meade Clinical Centre, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton
Client: Waikato District Health Board
Project value: $149 million

Martin built his team from scratch matching seasoned, skilled heads with IT-savvy youth to create effective knowledgeable teams. With over 7800 instructions and 10 extensions of time, the risk for Martin was great, but he was fully committed to deliver an outstanding project for all stakeholders and he backed himself and his team to deliver.

AECOM Over $50m Award – highly commended:

John Malthus (project director) and Kerrin Manuel (site manager)

Company: LT McGuinness Ltd, Wellington
Project: Clyde Quay Sub-Wharf development, Wellington
Client: Willis Bond
Project value: $100 million

Together, they worked as a very tight team with each individual’s skills balanced and supported by the other. As a result, both had enormous team support and were highly respected and trusted by all 300 working on site. This project could not have been delivered to the quality and level it was without the commitment of the passionate and enthusiastic team, led by John and Kerrin.  

James Hardie Innovation Award – excellence:

Sean McGuinness - project manager

Company: LT McGuinness Ltd, Wellington
Project: Clyde Quay Sub-Wharf Basement, Wellington
Client: Willis Bond
Project value: $100 million

The key fundamental Sean brought to this project was the belief that for every problem there was a solution waiting to be uncovered. That thinking remained at the forefront while working in the marine environment, as Sean had to constantly think outside the box.

Progressive Building Young Achiever Award – excellence:

Matt McGuinness

Company: LT McGuinness Ltd, Wellington

Matt began his construction career as a 13-year-old, labouring on building sites during the school holidays. In 2003 he commenced a cadetship with LT McGuiness while studying at Weltec for Diplomas in Construction Technology and Construction Management. Outside of work, Matt continues to mentor construction management students from Weltec, is heavily involved in the LT McGuiness Emerging Leaders programme and is on the board of the Wellington branch of the NZIOB. 

Progressive Building Young Achiever Award – finalist:

Gazelle Moinfar

Company: Fletcher Construction, Wellington

While completing a Bachelor of Architecture (honours) at Victoria University, Gazelle took on a part time role with Fletcher Construction, later deciding to work full time in construction. Since completing her cadetship in 2011, Gazelle has successfully delivered a number of diverse projects in the role of project manager – amongst these the upgrade of the 15-level Axa building in Wellington.

Progressive Building Young Achiever Award – finalist:

Paul Fairbrother

Company: Fletcher Construction, Wellington

Since starting a carpentry apprenticeship with Fletcher Construction in 2005, Paul has completed a Diploma of Construction and a cadetship. While a second-year apprentice, Paul was asked to join the Wellington Apprentice Regional Advisory Group, initiating the Apprentice Day Out scheme and remaining committed to mentoring others as a Fletcher Apprentice Master.

Full coverage of the NZIOB Awards can be found in the August Progressive Building issue 112.