Major infrastructure projects, vital water assets, an avalanche shelter and a treetop walkway were among the winners at the 2025 ACE Awards held in Auckland on Thursday 23 October, part of ACE New Zealand’s Futurespace conference.
The awards, sponsored by Beca, celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading engineering and professional services consultants who deliver some of the country’s most impactful infrastructure projects.
ACE Chief Executive Helen Davidson says the awards tell a compelling story about the value our consultants bring to the communities they serve – improving transport networks, developing neighbourhoods, creating vibrant buildings and public spaces, providing access to clean water, and delivering a better future for people and the planet.
“We have an exceptional pool of talented people in New Zealand who manage complex projects and deliver world-class solutions that keep our country moving and our communities thriving. These awards showcase what is possible and celebrate the people at the heart of creating a better future for Aotearoa.”
There were 19 ACE awards presented across a range of categories, including Gold Awards for exceptional consultancy services that set a new industry standard, Silver Awards for great consulting services that demonstrate great achievement and service to clients, and Merit Awards for consulting services that exceed expectations.
Other awards included an Emerging Leader Award, Client Award, Diversity and Inclusion Award, and a Futurespace Award for driving innovation.
The judging panel evaluated the submissions, conducted client interviews and toured project sites.
Davidson adds it’s been a tough few years for the consulting industry due to economic turbulence, an uncertain pipeline of work, an exodus of talent, rapid growth of AI, the impact of global politics and other complex challenges.
“A lot of these organisations have been through a rough patch, so the ACE Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the people who are designing and delivering sustainable futures for our communities. Winning an ACE award is a big deal – huge congratulations to all of our 2025 winners.”
2025 ACE Awards winners
Special Gold Award – Client and Consultant
Breaking Consultant Dependency
Consultant: GHD
Client: Tauranga City Council
Gold Award winners
B201
Consultant: Beca
Client: The University of Auckland
Hiwa, Recreation Centre
Consultant: Beca
Client: The University of Auckland
Network Performance Modelling and Monitoring (NP2M)
Consultant: Mott MacDonald
Client: Watercare Services Ltd
Silver Award winners
Central Plains Water Limited Labyrinth Weir
Consultant: Riley Consultants
Client: Central Plains Water Limited
Kauri Glen Reserve Walkway Treetop Bridge
Consultant: Frame Group
Client: Auckland Council
Ōrākei Main Sewer Response and Recovery
Consultant: WSP New Zealand
Client: Watercare Services Ltd
PM6 Primary Arms Redesign
Consultant: Index Engineering
Client: Oji Fibre Solution – Kinleith Mill
SH94 Homer Tunnel Avalanche Shelter
Consultant: WSP New Zealand
Client: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
The Court Theatre Christchurch
Consultant: Ruamoko Solutions
Client: Christchurch City Council
Tinwald SH1 Corridor Improvements
Consultant: GHD
Client: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Waimea Community Dam
Consultant: Damwatch Engineering Ltd and MTLNZ Ltd
Client: Waimea Water Ltd
Merit Award winners
Mātiu / Somes Island Wharf Replacement
Consultant: Holmes NZ LP
Client: Department of Conservation
SH1 Mangatoetoenui Stream Bridge Superstructure Replacement
Consultant: Beca
Client: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Client Award winner
B201 and Hiwa, Recreation Centre
Recognising: The University of Auckland
Emerging Leader Award winner
Sharon Parackal, Frequency
Sponsor: Tonkin + Taylor
Diversity and Inclusion Award winner
Aimee Matiu, Pattle Delamore Partners
Sponsor: Stantec
Futurespace Award winner
Tania Hyde, Beca
Sponsor: AECOM
President’s Award winner
ACE New Zealand Legal Roundtable
Details about the 2025 ACE Awards winners
For more detailed information about each of the award winners, see ‘2025 ACE Awards winners‘.
Check out photos from the 2025 ACE Awards.
Media contact
For more information and photographs, please email ACE Communications and Marketing Manager Suzie Hart at suzie@acenz.org.nz or phone 022 035 2104.