RISING STAR AWARD FINALIST: Ellie Huang – Construction Delivery Manager - Programmes, Auckland Transport
5 Nov 2026For Ellie Huang, delivering transport infrastructure involves bringing people together as much as managing construction. At Auckland Transport, that approach helped its bus programme achieve its strongest delivery year to date in 2025/26. Leading 10 project managers, Huang oversaw work that delivered 146 new bus stops, 100 upgraded stops, 43 pedestrian crossings, and more than three kilometres of special vehicle lanes.
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RISING STAR AWARD FINALIST: Teinaki Marsters – Team Leader Trades and Works Services – Infrastructure, Auckland Airport
29 Oct 2026For Teinaki Marsters, maintaining Auckland Airport's infrastructure means balancing technical demands with the needs of the people doing the work. Leading the Civil and Underground Services trades team within Civil Reliability Engineering, he helps keep pavements and underground networks functioning in a demanding, round-the-clock environment. After more than 10 years at the airport, Marsters has built an extensive knowledge of its infrastructure, particularly its wastewater network.
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RISING STAR AWARD FINALIST: Stephanie Kirk – Environmental Manager (Takitimu North Link), HEB Construction
22 Oct 2026Before 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.
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RISING STAR AWARD FINALIST: Daniel Erard – Alliance Manager, Tararua Alliance – Tararua District Council and Downer
15 Oct 2026For Rising Star Award finalist Daniel Erard, the success of Tararua Alliance is measured in the people who grow within it, as well as the roads it maintains. "What motivates me is seeing the success of our people," he says. That outlook has accompanied a career built from the ground up. Erard joined Downer as a driver operator in 2012, leaving school without formal qualifications. He sought experience across construction, maintenance, surfacing, emergency works, and operations before becoming Tararua Alliance manager in 2023.
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Roading award finalists named
16 Sep 2026The future of New Zealand's roading industry is in good hands, with four exceptional professionals named as finalists for the 2026 New Zealand roading industry Rising Star Award. Daniel Erard of the Tararua Alliance, Ellie Huang from Auckland Transport, Stephanie Kirk from HEB Construction, and Teinaki Marsters from Auckland Airport have been selected as finalists, with the judges commenting on the high standard of entries received.
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The Future Roads 2026 programme is now live!
2 Sep 2026Discover the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future of New Zealand's roading sector. Across two days, road owners, councils, contractors, consultants, policymakers, and industry leaders will explore the challenges and opportunities influencing how safer, more resilient, and higher-performing networks are planned and delivered. Explore the programme: https://futureroads.co.nz/845151/programme
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Nominations due for roading's Rising Star Award
31 Jul 2026Firms have two weeks to lodge nominations for the 2026 Rising Star Award. The award, now in its third year, looks to recognise outstanding members of the roading industry under 40 years old. Entries have opened and close on 12 August. Last year's winner was Nick Brewer of HEB Construction, pictured. 2025 winner Brewer won in 2025 thanks to his passion, innovation, and leadership. "Nick's enthusiasm for improving community safety and collaboration was unmistakable," the three-strong judging panel said at the time.
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Policy to pavement: what councils are doing differently
13 Jul 2026Learn what's working in councils across New Zealand - and how to apply it in your own network. Councils are under increasing pressure to improve resilience, extend asset life, and deliver better value from every infrastructure investment. Gain insight into practical strategies councils are using:
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NZTA confirmed as a Foundation Partner
21 May 2026Future Roads is delighted to confirm NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) as a Foundation Partner for the 2026 conference being held 25-26 November 2026 at Claudelands, Hamilton. NZTA involvement will include a number of conference speakers, and it is joined by a growing group of valued sponsors - Jacobs, myWorksites, and H.G. Leach - whose support is helping to deliver what promises to be the roading conference of the year.
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Rising Star Award entries now open
13 May 2026Entries for the 2026 New Zealand roading industry Rising Star Award, sponsored by Jacobs, are now open. This industry award was launched in 2024 to recognise the standout person aged under 40 in the New Zealand roading industry, defined by their achievements during their career to-date. Individuals can either be nominated or self-nominate. Entries must be submitted by 5pm, Friday 12 August.
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