Rewarding building excellence

A University of Canterbury civil engineering student Yu Li (pictured far right) won the “Next Gen Supreme Award” at the 2024 New Zealand Building People Awards.

More than 600 construction industry professionals gathered to celebrate the excellence of the people behind a variety of projects nationwide, and congratulate award recipients. Yu Li received two awards for her study on collecting data about how and where roads are used, by using a newly developed and cost-effective Internet of Things (IoT) proptotype.
Her thesis study can be used to automatically predict traffic positioning in different scenarios, and can be used by engineers for improved planning. The unique IoT technology can used in various areas of construction data collection, such as smart buildings, construction safety monitoring, and house building.

Other Canterbury winners were:
• MATES IN CONSTRUCTION, Health, Safety and Wellbeing winners: Michaela Murray – HSSQ Manager, Cook Brothers Construction, Christchurch, for her RESET programme, inspired by Worksafe’s Taking 5 initiative, drawing on neuroscience principles in a dynamic, and engaging game show style programme. The programme makes safety training engaging and effective, catering to various learning styles and enhancing risk management in both high-pressure and relaxed scenarios.

• BCTF, Collaboration winners: Matt Eglen – Architect, Architectus, Tim Harman – Project Manager, Cook Brothers Construction, Josie Ogden Schroeder – CEO, The Kind Foundation, Milly Perkins – Client Project Manager, RCP, Lisa Renton – Quantity Surveyor, Rhodes and Associates, Glenn Whitney – Site Manager, Cook Brothers Construction for the Papa Hou project in Christchurch. Judges say what distinguishes the Papa Hou project team is its exceptional engagement with the client and on-site team, ensuring everyone understood and committed to the project’s goals. This collaborative spirit was crucial in overcoming the challenges of a limited budget and the complexities of a multi-use building, including fire and acoustic coordination.

• REVIZTO, Digital Technology, highly commended: Keri Niven, digital practice leader, New Zealand, Aurecon, Christchurch. Keri’s blend of technical expertise and collaborative leadership fosters growth and innovation within her teams and across the industry, judges say. “Her leadership truly shone during the East Coast Recovery Alliance project and was a testament to the positive impact ‘digital first’ can have on New Zealand’s construction sector.”

• XLAM, $10-$25 Million Project Award, highly commended: Gerry Van Graan, project manager, Dominion Constructors, Christchurch. Gerry showed outstanding leadership and technical expertise in the complex 66 Oxford Terrace project, say judges, stepping up when the original project manager left, and quickly building strong relationships with the team, consultants, and supply chain.

• CARTERS, $25-$50 Million Project Award, highly commended: Tim Harman, project manager/construction manager, Cook Brothers Construction, The Kind Foundation project, Christchurch. The judges citation says Tim provided exceptional leadership and dedication, expertly navigated a tight budget, managed persistent supply chain issues, and addressed technical complexities with design and build elements, ensuring the project’s success.

• BARNES BEAGLEY DOHERR, Over $50 Million Project Award, highly commended: Tom Pyatt, project manager, Naylor Love Canterbury, for the Ashburton Civic Centre and Library project. Judges says Tom’s leadership proved outstanding, his decisive action and problem-solving skills ensuring the project stayed on track. Tom also developed a robust timber protection methodology, safeguarding materials and demonstrating his commitment to excellence and innovation.