Aotearoa New Zealand’s best consultants vie for 2024 ACE Awards

Major infrastructure projects, cyclone recovery works, a city makeover and a zoo renovation are among the finalists in the 2024 ACE Awards, which celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s best consultants working in the built and natural environments.

ACE Chief Executive Helen Davidson says the awards showcase the country's best consultants who deliver projects that make an impact in the world around them.

"We celebrate the consultants who go above and beyond ‘business as usual’ to deliver projects and initiatives for their clients and communities. They’re often up against some really complex challenges, like tight timeframes, small budgets or remote locations, so the results we’ve seen from some of this year’s entrants are truly remarkable.” 

Helen says the rigorous judging criteria is what makes the ACE Awards stand out, and the calibre of entries this year was especially high.

“Our judges are consultants at the top of their game, handpicked each year from the industry. As well as outstanding consulting services, they focus on technical expertise, sustainable value and client satisfaction.

“Winning an ACE Award is a big deal, and we’re looking forward to celebrating all the achievements with our members and their clients next month.”

Projects will be awarded gold, silver or merit based on the level of achievement, how much the project has exceeded expectations and whether it sets a new standard in consulting excellence. Judges may also present special awards where there is a unique contribution to the industry or community.

The winners will be announced on Thursday 24 October at the ACE Awards Gala, sponsored by Beca, during ACE New Zealand’s Futurespace conference in Christchurch.

2024 ACE Awards finalists 

Auckland Zoo: South East Asia Jungle Track Project
Consultant: Jacobs
Client: Auckland Zoo

Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant
Consultant: GHD
Client: Waipa District Council

Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Projects - Pan Pac and Ravensdown
Consultant: Artifex Engineering Limited
Client: Ravensdown Limited and Pan Pac Forest Products Limited

Defence Estate and Infrastructure Alliance
Consultant: Beca and GHD
Client: New Zealand Defence Force

Invercargill Central
Consultant: Holmes
Client: Invercargill Central

Manganui Gorge Suspension Bridge
Consultant: DC Structures Studio
Client: Department of Conservation

Marlborough Roads Recovery Programme
Consultant: Stantec
Client: Marlborough District Council

Recharge Project
Consultant: Aurecon
Client: Mataura Valley Milk

Omāroro Reservoir
Consultant: Holmes
Client: Wellington Water

Project Kahikatea - Fonterra Waitoa Biomass Boiler
Consultant: Aurecon
Client: Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd

Retail Quarter
Consultant: AECOM
Client: Dunedin City Council

Project SH25A Taparahi Bridge
Consultant: Tonkin + Taylor and Beca
Client: McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan

Sleepyhead Estate - Geotechnical Engineering Services
Consultant: Initia
Client: The Comfort Group

Tairawhiti 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 Ltd

The Power of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery
Consultant: Abley
Client: Ballance Agri-Nutrients 

The Tāhekerua/Sharplin Falls Walkway Bridges
Consultant: Engineering Design Consultants
Client: Mount Somers Walkways Society

Vanuatu Energy Access Project
Consultant: Stantec
Client: Vanuatu Project Management 

Wellington Rail Corridor: Slope and Structural Health Monitoring
Consultant: WSP
Client: KiwiRail Holdings

Wellington Rail Operations Centre: Preliminary Design and Advisory
Consultant: WSP
Client: KiwiRail Holdings

Read more about the 2024 ACE Awards finalists

Tickets

A ticket to the ACE Awards Gala is included in any full registration for the Futurespace conference.  

Individual tickets are $235 plus GST and tables of ten are $2,350 plus GST. Each ticket includes a three-course meal, drinks and live entertainment.  

To get tickets, visit the Futurespace registration page and select 'ACE Awards Gala only' or 'Table of 10 to ACE Awards Gala'.

Ticket sales close on Wednesday 9 October.  

Get tickets

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