Recognising Achievement at the 2025 Concrete NZ Conference Awards
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Held on 16 October 2025 at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre, the Concrete NZ Conference Awards once again recognised the individuals and teams whose commitment, innovation and collaboration continue to strengthen New Zealand’s concrete industry.
Ben Hurley, MC extraordinaire, kept the crowd entertained through the evening.
Hosted by the very amusing Ben Hurley, this year’s awards showcased achievements in technical excellence, sustainability, health and safety, and diversity and inclusion.
The 2025 Awards continue Concrete NZ’s mission to highlight the ingenuity and professionalism that define its members and the wider concrete community.
Producer - Technical Excellence Award
Holcim New Zealand and Bridgeman Concrete for the Puketapu Bridge
Dave Barker (left) of Holcim NZ and Todd Matchet (right) from Bridgeman Concrete accept the Producer - Technical Excellence Award from Paul Donoghue of Concrete NZ.
Recognising a producer’s involvement in a project or initiative that calls for innovative solutions.
Following Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastation, a new two-lane Puketapu Bridge was built to reconnect isolated communities and restore essential transport links.
Holcim New Zealand supplied over 1,000 m³ of specialised low-heat, durable concrete, developed through extensive pre-pour trials to ensure resilience, thermal performance and long-term structural integrity.
Bridgeman Concrete supplied tremie concrete for six massive piles, overcoming strict thermal, flow and strength requirements.
With 50 percent ground-granulated blast-furnace slag to cut embodied carbon and VERIFI technology for real-time spread control, Bridgeman delivered accuracy and sustainability on a demanding project.
The judges felt both companies demonstrated outstanding technical skill and innovation on Hawke’s Bay’s Puketapu Bridge, delivering specialised mixes for deck, abutments and deep piles that restored vital infrastructure with resilience and sustainability.
Puketapu Bridge in the Hawke's Bay was constructed post-Cyclone Gabrille.
Producer - Extra Distance Award
Counties Readymix by Higgins Concrete and Counties Readymix for Project Electron at NZ Steel’s Electric Arc Furnace, Glenbrook
Kyle Dunn and Turei Smart form Counties Readymix are presented with the Producer - Extra Distance Award.
Given in recognition of a producer’s involvement in a project or initiative that demands uncompromising commitment to customer satisfaction.
Counties Readymix has supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres of concrete to Project Electron since June 2024, the highlight being an 823 m³ slab pour completed flawlessly within a live steel mill.
This achievement combined precise logistics, sustainable mix innovation and seamless teamwork, ensuring client confidence and supporting one of New Zealand’s largest decarbonisation projects.
The judges commended Higgins Concrete for their impeccable delivery at Project Electron, where precise coordination, sustainable innovation and collaboration under challenging conditions demonstrated a willingness to go above and beyond.
Counties Readymix were acknowledged for going above and beyond by supplying large quantities of concrete to an operational steel mill.
Producer - Extra Distance Award - Highly Commended
Allied Concrete with Martinus for the Port Otago Rail Pad Replacement Project, Port Chalmers
Sarn Hanger of Allied Concrete is presented with a Producer - Extra Distance Highly Commended Award.
Supplying over 3,000 m³ of a bespoke 40 MPa fibre-reinforced mix, Allied Concrete combined trial pours, rigorous testing and BarChip fibre innovation.
Their collaboration delivered safer operations, labour savings and efficiency improvements - exemplifying a true extra-distance approach.
The judges felt Allied Concrete’s contribution demonstrated genuine innovation and teamwork, delivering a tailored fibre-reinforced solution proven through extensive testing.
The result improved both safety and efficiency, highlighting the company’s willingness to go beyond expectations.
Allied Concrete impressed with a smart, fibre-reinforced mix — a purpose-built solution shaped by collaboration and confirmed through rigorous testing.
Diversity & Inclusion Award
Off the Wall Construction for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Matt du Plessis from Off The Wall Construction accepts the Diversity & Inclusion Award from Concrete NZ chief executive Rob Gaimster.
Shining a light on organisations and individuals committed to advancing their culture by embracing diversity and inclusion.
Off the Wall’s workforce reflects the communities it serves, embracing multiple cultures, supporting wāhine “on the tools” and providing flexible arrangements for working mothers.
By fostering open communication, celebrating cultural identity and empowering every voice, they have built a workplace where inclusion drives stronger teams and better outcomes.
The judges applauded Off the Wall Construction, noting that the first steps to improvement can often be the most difficult.
Their commitment to cultural representation, supporting women and working mothers, as well as creating an inclusive workplace, strengthens teams and drives productivity.
Off The Wall Construction champions diversity, building a team that mirrors the communities it works within.
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Achievement
Nauhria Precast for the Light, Water, Air & Care Programme
Rakesh Nauhria, chief executive of the Nauhria Group, acknowledges the importance of health, safety and wellbeing while accepting the Award.
Acknowledging organisations that have demonstrated innovation and leadership in improving health, safety and wellbeing across the concrete industry.
Nauhria has embedded health, safety and wellbeing into its culture through creative initiatives such as PPE vending machines, dust extraction, closed-loop water systems and factory design enhancements.
Their commitment to continuous improvement empowers every employee to contribute, setting a higher standard for safety and wellbeing in the precast sector.
The judges responded positively to Nauhria’s initiative for its holistic approach, embedding invention, culture and operational excellence to support measurable safety and wellbeing outcomes.
Through a focus on growth and collaboration, Nauhria enables every team member to drive progress and enhance workplace safety and wellbeing.
Carbon Reduction Award
Golden Bay Cement for the Alternative Fuels & Sustainable Energy Programme
Ben Taylor and Jarod Wilson proudly grasp the 2025 Carbon Reduction Award.
Acknowledging organisations that have undertaken initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and help the concrete industry achieve its 2030 and 2050 emissions-reduction targets.
By achieving over 65 percent coal substitution through biomass, end-of-life tyres and high-calorific waste streams, Golden Bay has cut emissions, diverted landfill waste and pioneered scalable solutions. Their programme demonstrates innovation, environmental
stewardship and alignment with New Zealand’s net-zero roadmap.
The judges recognised this achievement as groundbreaking for the industry, noting the successful integration of alternative fuels that has already delivered major carbon savings.
With a near-term goal of reaching 85-90 percent coal substitution, the initiative shows bold leadership, technical innovation and a clear pathway toward transforming industry for a sustainable future.
Combining creativity with environmental responsibility, Golden Bay’s programme delivers measurable emission reductions and scalable, low-carbon outcomes.
Carbon Reduction Award - Highly Commended
Atlas Concrete for the Takapuna Head Office, Retail & Warehouse Project
Rob Gaimster presents Atlas Concrete chief executive Graham Collie with the Carbon Reduction Highly Commended Award.
By integrating Greenstone low-carbon concrete mixes with up to 30 percent fly ash for the in-situ floors, Atlas achieved carbon reductions of over 20 percent compared with standard concretes - while remaining cost-neutral, high-quality and durable.
The judges felt the new Atlas HQ demonstrated practical and transparent carbon savings, showcasing Atlas’s strong commitment to a low-carbon future by investing in and using its own low-carbon concrete in the build.
Recognised for walking the talk on decarbonisation, Atlas Concrete has set a benchmark with its headquarters project in Takapuna.
2025 Conference Awards
|
Print Page
Email to a Friend