Aotearoa New Zealand’s best consultants revealed at 2024 ACE Awards
An electric-powered milk plant, a rail control centre, cyclone recovery works and a zoo renovation were among the winners at the 2024 ACE Awards held in Christchurch on Thursday 24 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 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 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 23 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, Sustainability Award, Community Award and a Special Award for collaboration with iwi.
The judging panel evaluated the submissions, conducted client interviews and toured project sites.
Davidson adds it is important now more than ever to celebrate the sector’s triumphs.
“If we want to attract and retain our best critical thinkers and ensure New Zealand is a world leader in designing sustainable futures for our communities, it’s vital that we celebrate and nurture our talent and everything this sector offers to Aotearoa and beyond. Winning an ACE award is a big deal – huge congratulations to all of our 2024 winners.”
2024 ACE Awards winners
Gold Award winners
Auckland Zoo: South East Asia Jungle Track Project
Consultant: Jacobs
Client: Auckland Zoo
Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Projects - Pan Pac and Ravensdown
Consultant: Artifex Engineering
Client: Ravensdown and Pan Pac Forest Products
Manganui Gorge Suspension Bridge
Consultant: DC Structures Studio
Client: Department of Conservation
Project Recharge
Consultant: Aurecon
Client: Mataura Valley Milk
Project SH25A Taparahi Bridge
Consultant: Tonkin + Taylor and Beca
Client: McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan
Wellington Rail Operations Centre: Preliminary Design and Advisory
Consultant: WSP
Client: KiwiRail Holdings
Silver Award winners
Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant
Consultant: GHD
Client: Waipa District Council
Defence Estate and Infrastructure Alliance
Consultant: Beca and GHD
Client: Defence Estate and Infrastructure, New Zealand Defence Force
Marlborough Roads Recovery Programme
Consultant: Stantec
Client: Marlborough District Council
Omāroro Reservoir
Consultant: Holmes
Client: Wellington Water
Retail Quarter
Consultant: AECOM
Client: Dunedin City Council
Sleepyhead Estate Geotechnical Engineering Services
Consultant: Initia
Client: The Comfort Group
Tairāwhiti Wairoa and Hawke's Bay Resilience Strategic Responses
Consultant: Commute Transportation Consultants
Client: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Temporary Decant Ward Wellington Hospital
Consultant: Aurecon
Client: Health New Zealand and Kensway Consultants
Vanuatu Energy Access Project
Consultant: Stantec
Client: Vanuatu Project Management
Wellington Rail Corridor: Slope and Structural Health Monitoring
Consultant: WSP
Client: KiwiRail Holdings
Merit Award winners
Invercargill Central
Consultant: Holmes
Client: Invercargill Central
Project Kahikatea: Fonterra Waitoa Biomass Boiler
Consultant: Aurecon
Client: Fonterra Co-operative Group
The Power of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery
Consultant: Abley
Client: Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Sustainability Award winner
Project Recharge
Recognising: Mataura Valley Milk, Aurecon, and Thermal Chemistry
Special Award winner
Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant
Recognising: Kaitiaki Group (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngati Haua, Waikato Tainui), Community Liaison Group, GHD, Waikato Regional Council and Waipā District Council
Client Award winner
Defence Estate and Infrastructure Alliance
Recognising: Defence Estate and Infrastructure, New Zealand Defence Force
Community Award winner
The Tāhekerua/Sharplin Falls Walkway Bridges
Recognising: EDC / Mount Somers Walkways Society
Emerging Leader Award winner
Sam MacKay, Aurecon New Zealand
Sponsor: Tonkin + Taylor
Diversity and Inclusion Award winner
Sarah Lang, Beca
Sponsor: Stantec
Futurespace Award winner
Asem Zabin, GHD
Sponsor: AECOM
President's Award winner
Charlotte Downes, The Diversity Agenda
Read more about the 2024 ACE Awards winners
More information
For more information and photographs, please email ACE Communications Manager Suzie Hart at [email protected] or phone 022 035 2104.