The construction industry’s chance to honour the people behind the projects at the NZ Building People Awards 2023 took place at a gala dinner at Te Pae in Christchurch in August.
Run by the NZ Institute of Building (NZIOB), this was the Awards’ 30th year. They celebrate people in the construction industry doing great things — from inspiring the next generation already making a difference to those working in major complex commercial construction projects, on site and behind the scenes.
On the night, Awards convenor of judging Natasha Possenniskie spoke of the push for change that had occurred.
“I want to acknowledge the level of diversity across all categories this year, and amongst the judges. I want to encourage everyone to keep putting their people forward and to push ourselves to be fully inclusive going into our 2024 awards cycle,” Possenniskie said.
NZIOB board chair John Hemi mentioned the shift in judging criteria this year to ensure the Awards remain about the people behind the projects.
“We have ramped up our focus on the personal aspect in this year’s judging criteria. It is clear from tonight’s finalists that our people can deal with the many novel roller coaster challenges facing the industry, and will find innovative ways to pull together and deliver smarter and better than before,” Hemi said.
And the winners are . . .
Winners and runners-up were announced across nine categories, along with a special commendation and a Supreme Winner to top the evening off. The Resene Next Gen Awards were also announced as part of the evening, with three regional winners and one national winner.
Anni Zhou from Massey University in Auckland took home the top prize of $3000, in addition to $1000 as a regional winner. In her acceptance speech Zhou issued a challenge to the industry to look to the future of incorporating digitalisation, and Building Information Modelling (BIM) in particular, into the design, build and delivery methodology, as a way to enable better cohesion and collaboration in construction projects.
George Russell from Wilson Commercial scooped the big prize on the night, and was named the 2023 GIB Supreme Award winner. He was in the running for the Supreme award after winning the XLam Projects under $10 Million Award earlier in the evening.
Russell led the Samoa High Commission project in Wellington. Along with his technical excellence, he impressed the judges with his holistic approach to the project, and an impressive commitment to culture, collaboration and respect.
He took the time to get fully briefed on the reasons for the cultural design aspects of the project. He went out of his way to ensure the Samoan High Commission was involved in every step, and actively set the tone at the top by adopting Samoan meeting customs, the Samoan flag, and the Samoan language into the project delivery.
Along with the Supreme Award, the judges also acknowledged Gracen Luka from Fletcher Living with an unprecedented Special Commendation.
As the winner of the Emerging Leader Award, Luka took home the top prize of $5000 from the NZIOB Charitable Education Trust, to further her professional development.
Judges said Luka was a passionate, dynamic, and genuine leader. “She has a proven ability to actively resolve challenges, building wide networks, and bringing others along the journey with her inclusive style.
“With a team approach, Gracen creates a safe and nurturing work environment, identifying strengths and skills in others to excel and achieve project outcomes together. She is already an influencer and leader within the New Zealand construction and property sector.”
Along with the winners of the awards being named, the NZIOB also took the opportunity to honour three members who have made a significant contribution to the Institute and the industry by naming them as Fellows of the Institute — Robyn Phipps, Malcolm Fleming and Graeme Earl.
NZIOB chief executive Pamela Bell said the evening was the perfect opportunity to recognise 30 years of the Institute’s awards programme, and to celebrate 40 years since the NZIOB’s inception.
“Everyone got to sample the commemorative beer from Waitoa (with a 1983-inspired illustration from Kelly Spencer), and see the unique crafted birthday cake (by Institute member and previous Award winner Pony McTate) in person — truly a night to remember,” Bell said.
2023 Winners and Runners-up:
Resene Next Gen Award:
Northern Region Winner: Anni Zhou (Massey University); Central Region Winner: Daniel Merwyn (Toi-Ohomai); Southern Region Winner: Thomas Steel (University of Canterbury)
National Winner: Anni Zhou (Massey University)
NZIOB Charitable Education Trust — Emerging Leader Award:
Winner: Gracen Luka, Fletcher Living
Runner-up: Tyler Edwards, Canam Commercial
Comfortech — Projects under $10 million Award:
Winner: Morgan Poi, Hawkins Ltd
Runner-up: Caleb Kennedy, Savory Construction
XLam — Projects $10m – $25m Award:
Winner: George Russell, Wilson Commercial Ltd
Runners-up: Leon Green, Hawkins Ltd, and Aidan Suckling, Naylor Love
Carters — Projects $25m – $50m Award:
Winner: Garyth Jones, NZ Strong Group Ltd
Runner-up: Matt Pattinson, LT McGuinness
BBD — Projects over $50m Award:
Winner: Jeremy Earle, Southbase Construction Ltd
Runner-up: Dylan Kane, NZ Strong Group Ltd
James Hardie — Innovation Award:
Winner: Jane Jujnovich, Kainga Ora Homes and Communities
Runners-up: Christopher Staal, EC8, and Farzam Farzadi, Beca Ltd
NAWIC — Consultants Award:
Winner: Helen Moate, The Building Intelligence Group
Runners-up: Vimal Kumar, AECOM, and Craig Watkins, TSA Management
Hays — Collaboration Award:
Winner: Te Putahi team — Sarah Daniel, eCubed Building Workshop; Richard Ellis, Haydn & Rollett; Isaac Kawiti, Ignite Architects; Javier Sanz, Marshall Day Acoustic; Mark Sheridan, Precon
Runner-up: Rob Knight, Leuschke Architects; Rene Lin, Kingston Project Management; Matt Prumm, CMP Construction Ltd; Esther Wong, RLB
GIB | Winstone Wallboards — Supreme Award:
Winner: George Russell, Wilson Commercial Ltd
Special Commendation: Gracen Luka, Fletcher Living
