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.