2024 has been a big year and we extend our warmest thanks to all those who have worked with us including our clients, partners, our wider community, and our industry. Together, we’ve had some outstanding achievements, and they would not be possible without collaboration, innovation, and support. Check out some of our highlights from this year below.
Ngā mihi o te wā – Happy Holidays from all of us at Tonkin + Taylor!
SH25A Project SH25A Taparahi Bridge Wins Gold at the 2024 ACE NZ Awards
Contributing to the reopening of State Highway 25A for the Coromandel community has been a meaningful project for our teams over the last two years.
Working with New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, via the joint venture between McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan, and our design partners Beca, we ensured a new, resilient road that will provide a lasting corridor for communities and visitors to cross the Coromandel.
We were honoured to receive the Gold award at the prestigious ACE New Zealand Awards in October, a recognition we proudly share with our esteemed project partner, Beca.
Te Ara o Te Ata, Mount Messenger Bypass wins Transportation Project of the Year at the Environment Analyst Sustainability Delivery Awards in Boston, USA.
Tonkin + Taylor proudly contributed to Te Ara o Te Ata, The Mount Messenger Bypass project as an Alliance Member.
Located in the Taranaki region of New Zealand, this project’s scope includes a new 6km section of highway, two bridges, and a 232m tunnel on State Highway Three. This project runs through the lands of Ngāti Tama, project partner with NZTA Waka Kotahi. This genuine approach to collaboration is reflected in the honour of the iwi gifting the name Te Ara o Te Ata, as a sign of partnership.
This project offers a dual legacy: a modern, safer, reliable road infrastructure linking the Taranaki community with the rest of the upper North Island and to support an iwi and wider community. This commitment includes future generations, and a recognition of the important role biodiversity plays when it comes to sustainability.
In June 2024, the project in collaboration with the Mt Messenger Alliance was awarded an Environment Analyst, Sustainability Delivery Award for Transportation Project of the Year in Boston, USA.
This accolade recognised the meaningful collaboration and innovative sustainability practices demonstrated by the Mt Messenger Alliance, which includes partners Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, WSP in New Zealand, HEB Construction, Downer, and Ngāti Tama iwi.
Partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure Tonga
We recently welcomed Tonga’s Ministry of Infrastructure CEO and Head of Land Transport to formalise an exciting partnership. Together with Strategic Pacific, we’ll deliver an Integrated Land Transport Plan for Tongatapu. This study will enhance transport choice, safety, and resilience for 70,000 residents, marking a key step towards a sustainable, reliable transport future.
Pictured above: Lopeti Heimuli, Chief Executive, Ministry of Infrastructure in Tonga, David Edwards (standing), Strategic Pacific Ltd, Penny Kneebone, Tonkin + Taylor Chief Executive New Zealand, James Dyer (standing) Project Manager, Tevita Lavemai (standing), and Shannon Richardson, Project Director.
Kōwhai Park in Ōtautahi Christchurch – One of NZ’s Largest Solar Farms
We’re proud to have contributed to Kōwhai Park, one of New Zealand’s largest solar farms in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. Set on 230 hectares, this $273m project will generate 275GWh annually—enough to power 36,000 homes. Geotechnical Engineer Hannah Tiong reflects on her rewarding involvement, from frosty dawns to developing vital technical skills.
Rainbow Excellence: Double Wins for Diversity
Tonkin + Taylor Group took home the ASB Emerging Award at the Pride Pledge 2024 New Zealand Rainbow Excellence Awards this year – and to top it off, our very own Josephine Graham, Technology + Futurity Specialist at Geotechnics NZ, won the prestigious Chorus Ambassadorship Award!
“Josephine empowers our whole team to create a place of belonging for all.”
— Paul Burton (he/him), Chief Executive of Geotechnics.
As Chair of the Rainbow Committee and Secretary of the Engineering New Zealand Rainbow Special Interest Group (ENZ RSIG), Josephine has been instrumental in promoting rainbow inclusion, both within the company and across the wider engineering industry. Her openness and leadership have sparked a cultural shift at Tonkin + Taylor, helping colleagues understand the importance of supporting rainbow inclusion. Well done, Josephine!
Bligh Tanner joins Tonkin + Taylor Group
Bligh Tanner is a specialist service provider in civil, environmental, water, structures and facade engineering consultancy based in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. This merger represents a key step in our strategy to expand our capabilities and presence across Australia.
Through merging with Bligh Tanner, Tonkin + Taylor Group is enhancing its existing Australian footprint, including in Queensland, which continues to show strong economic growth and demand for advanced infrastructure and environmental services.
Mark Foster: A Legacy of Excellence
Tonkin + Taylor’s Design Manager, Mark Foster, was a finalist for Infrastructure New Zealand’s Outstanding Leadership Award this year.
With 20+ years’ experience, Mark has shaped iconic projects like Waterview Connection and Te Ara Tupua, while mentoring hundreds in the industry. His commitment to community, innovation, and mana whenua engagement ensures a legacy of excellence in infrastructure for Aotearoa.
Celebrating Seven New Fellowships
Congratulations to our new Engineering New Zealand Fellows: John Duder (Distinguished Fellow), Andrew Langbein, Ben Chester, Bruce Symmans, John Leeves, and Pierre Malan. Rhys Clark has also become a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ).
Fellowship is an honoured class of membership that identifies highly experienced professionals who’ve made a huge impact on engineering in Aotearoa recognised among engineering’s most esteemed.
Pierre says he looks forward to contributing his best to the engineering community.
“Engineering is our future – it’s great fun and meaningful, and our profession will continue to be in high demand as we build our collective future.”
Read the full list of 2024 Fellows here
Shaping Climate Resilience: Tonkin + Taylor and Inogen Alliance at COP29
Tonkin + Taylor joined global leaders alongside Inogen Alliance representatives at COP29 in Azerbaijan, contributing to critical discussions on climate action. Highlights include supporting Azersun Holding on energy transition financing, showcasing the National Adaptation Plan Toolkit for monitoring, and collaborating with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Key themes included progress on Article 6 negotiations, Pacific leadership on climate adaptation, and the private sector’s role in green finance.
Sustainability Report
This year, we launched our inaugural annual Sustainability Report. It reflects our commitment to deliver on Our Pathway 2025 strategy area, where sustainability is embedded in everything we do.
This report focused on our three key impacts: contributing to communities, caring for nature and the built environment, and supporting the built environment workforce. It also outlines how we continue to embed sustainability into our daily operations.
