RISING STAR AWARD FINALIST: Stephanie Kirk – Environmental Manager (Takitimu North Link), HEB Construction

Before construction could begin on more than four kilometres of stream works at Takitimu North Link, native fish needed to be relocated. For Steph Kirk, HEB Construction's environmental manager on the project, this requirement presented an opportunity to improve how the work was delivered.

Relying on specialist consultant ecologists could create delays, additional costs and limit flexibility as site conditions changed. Kirk trained project staff to undertake fish relocations themselves and secured a project-specific fishing permit from the Ministry of Primary Industries with the support of hapū.

The change delivered about $500,000 in project savings. It also reduced reliance on external consultants and enabled faster responses to weather events, giving construction teams greater certainty during adverse conditions.

That combination of environmental expertise and practical problem-solving runs through Kirk's work. With more than a decade of experience across regulatory, consulting and contracting roles, she has managed environmental responsibilities on Takitimu North Link since 2021.

Contribution

Her contribution has extended beyond her original remit. Although archaeological coordination was not initially part of the contractor's scope, Kirk volunteered to help manage investigations covering more than 40 hectares and six kilometres of project alignment.

At peak periods, more than 20 archaeologists worked across multiple active areas. Kirk brought archaeologists, construction teams, delivery managers and kaitiaki representatives together to align investigations with construction priorities while protecting discoveries including obsidian tools, shell deposits and food storage pits.

Her coordination reduced disruption and helped avoid potential delays of up to two years, alongside substantial additional costs to the client.

Ash Mitchell, former Takitimu North Link project director at Fulton Hogan, describes a leader whose credibility comes from working alongside others.

"Steph has a real ability to stay calm under pressure, keep people moving and find workable solutions without losing sight of the environmental outcomes," he says in his endorsement.

Initiative

Weather has been another focus. Working with NIWA, Kirk helped develop and trial a high-accuracy forecasting package tailored to construction activities.

Advance warnings supported decisions about earthworks, concrete pours, drone surveys and planned 24-hour operations, improving efficiency and reducing environmental risks associated with storms.

The initiative received an International Erosion Control Association Australasia innovation award in 2023. Kirk has since shared the work at conferences in New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

On site, constrained corridors and flood-prone areas also required different approaches to sediment retention ponds. Kirk, alongside the construction and survey team, helped develop elevated designs and adjust pond locations to suit construction staging. These changes reduced flooding impacts, pumping requirements and repeated reconstruction, while maintaining environmental performance and securing regulatory approval.

Her influence also reaches emerging professionals. Mentees Shania Vanags and Campbell Harrison have progressed from site-based and labouring positions into environmental advisory roles. Kirk returns to the University of Waikato as a guest lecturer and supports Girls in High Vis through site tours and career discussions.

Her ongoing contribution includes service on the association's Australasia board of directors and International Erosion Control Association. Through these roles, conference presentations and mentoring, she continues to share practical lessons from project delivery and support the next generation of environmental professionals.

The Rising Star Award is for the standout person aged under 40 in the New Zealand roading sector, defined by their achievements during their career to-date. It is awarded annually. There are four finalists for 2026. See more here.

The New Zealand roading industry Rising Star Award, sponsored by Jacobs, will be presented at the Future Roads conference dinner following day one. Buy tickets for the conference and dinner here.