Entering the ACE Awards made Holmes Group reflect on what makes a successful project.
Holmes was tasked with replacing the wharf on Mātiu/Somes Island, a predator-free scientific and historic reserve with a rich multicultural history. Its engineering response demanded innovation that could deliver critical new infrastructure while preserving the island’s extraordinary biodiversity and cultural heritage values.
With expressions of interest now open for the 2026 ACE Awards, we asked Holmes Senior Project engineer Ollie van Rooyen why he’d encourage others to enter.
Why did you enter the ACE Awards?
“Entering the ACE Awards was a way of celebrating all the mahi put in by Holmes and the wider project team on the Matiu/Somes Island project. By submitting our project findings, we opened a broader conversation about coastal and climate-resilient infrastructure in New Zealand, as these aren’t just solutions for Matiu/Somes Island – they’re approaches and knowledge that the wider industry can learn from.”
What did winning an award mean for you and your team? How did it feel?
“Winning an ACE Award feels like recognition for all our project partners, not just the engineering team. It’s validation that genuinely listening to our stakeholders and taking a more considered and deliberate design optioneering approach can produce better project outcomes.”
Have you used the award internally and/or externally?
“Externally, the project already had strong public momentum before the award, including coverage in Stuff and Wellington Scoop, a DOC media release, and a community reopening that brought people back to an island many Wellingtonians love. Winning an ACE Award adds another layer to that story, and it’s one we’re proud to share.
“Internally, it reinforces the culture we want at Holmes – one where thoughtful, considered engineering is valued as much as technical output.”
Would you encourage others to enter the ACE Awards? Why?
“Absolutely – the process of preparing a submission forces you to reflect on what makes a project successful. You revisit decisions you made under pressure, conversations that shifted the design in unexpected directions, and reflect on moments that remind you why the work matters.”
2026 ACE Awards are open
Expressions of interest for the 2026 ACE Awards are now open and close on Tuesday 31 March. For information about the award categories, assessment criteria and submission guidelines, visit our awards platform.
Read about the 2025 ACE Awards winners.