Rising Star Award

ABOUT THE AWARD

The New Zealand roading industry 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.

Entries are sought from the broader roading industry including individuals working in roading and transport teams within councils; engineering consultancies; roading contractors; NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; and the supply and materials sectors.

The 2024 Rising Star Award is sponsored by Jacobs.

WHY NOMINATE

  • tell your story about the young rising stars in your organisation and how they are advancing themselves, your organisation, and the roading industry as a whole

  • promote your support for your young employees

  • establish a position of leadership as an employer of choice

  • strengthen your social licence and commitment to social responsibility 

 

KEY DATES FOR 2024

  • Entries open: Wednesday 5 June

  • Entry tips webinar: 11.00 am, Thursday 4 July - see the recording here

  • Entries due: 5.00 pm, Wednesday 21 August

  • Finalists announced: Wednesday 11 September

    The 2024 finalists were:

    • Angela Parsonage – associate director – pavements, AECOM
      Parsonage is a charted professional engineer with a master’s in civil engineering. For the last 14 years, she has specialised in pavement roading construction and design, led key projects, and championed sustainability and diversity.

    • Fatima Leung-Wai – construction delivery manager – central, Auckland Transport
      Leung-Wai joined Auckland Transport as a senior project manager in early 2023 and has rapidly progressed her career. She now manages a team responsible for implementing significant transportation infrastructure projects in Central Auckland.

    • Mohit Vyas – national technical lead – digital engineering, Downer
      Vyas is an experienced civil designer with 10 years in the field, currently leading digital engineering at Downer. He holds a major in road and geometric design and has extensive experience working on numerous NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi projects.

    • Willem de Bod – managing director and owner, Rolco
      De Bod is the founder and managing director of Rolco, a company specialising in roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavements. With a background in civil engineering and pavement design, de Bod has successfully led Rolco to complete major projects for ports, councils, sawmills, and industrial clients.

  • Winner announced: Wednesday 20 November (Future Roads conference dinner, Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton) 

       Congratulations Fatima Leung-Wai – construction delivery manager – central, Auckland Transport

Pictured: Scott Ford – Judging Panel member, Fatima Leung-Wai – Rising Star Award 2024 winner, and Sarah Baxter – Jacobs (Rising Star Award sponsor)

 

RULES OF ENTRY, GENERAL GUIDELINES AND ENTRY TIPS

Click here

 

JUDGING PANEL  

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click here

 

ENTRY TIPS WEBINAR

Click here to watch

 

CONTACT AND SPONSORSHIP DETAILS 

Award enquiries

events@freemanmedia.co.nz

Sponsorship enquiries

James Wardhaugh
+64 21 636 819
james.wardhaugh@freemanmedia.co.nz