The annual Engineering Excellence Awards took place last night in Wellington, in what proved to be a very entertaining (and quite educational) evening.
The awards were set up in 2005 as a way to recognise, and reward, the engineering achievements of both people and organisations in New Zealand. They are split into two primary groups:
- Product and Project Awards, which recognise achievements in various industry areas, including building and construction, energy systems and transportation infrastructure. There is also a Supreme Award, which is awarded to the best of the Product and Project winners.
- Awards Recognising People, which recognise innovation leadership, entrepreneurship and young engineers.
Kevin Milne, of Fair Go, was the MC for the night, and presided over an evening of much laughter, good-natured congratulations, and great conversation. Of course, the projects themselves were also fascinating, and it was an unrivalled opportunity to talk with the people involved.
This year, the winners of each award were as follows (taken from the Engineering Excellence Awards site):
Awards Recognising People:
William Pickering Award for Engineering Leadership
Won by Gavin Cormack.
Sponsored by IPENZ Foundation
New Zealand Engineering Entrepreneur of the Year
Won by Sir Kenneth Stevens.
Sponsored by Aecom
New Zealand Engineering Innovator of the Year
Won by Rory Flemmer.
Sponsored by Beca
New Zealand Young Engineer of the Year
Won by Michael Newcombe.
Sponsored by Roadshare
Award for Excellence in Engineering Journalism
Won by Charmian Smith.
Her article, entitled ‘The anatomy of a city’, can be found here.
Project and Product Awards
Supreme Award for New Zealand Engineering Excellence
Aircraft Hangar Maintenance Docks, Beca
Sponsored by Standards New Zealand
Building and Construction
Foundation System for the Gisborne Police Station, Opus International Consultants
Sponsored by the Department of Building and Housing
Energy Systems
Weta Digital – New Supercomputer Centre, Intellex Ltd
Sponsored by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
Food, Bioprocess and Chemical
Hautapu Lactose Evaporator, Aurecon New Zealand Ltd
Information, Communication, Electronic and Electrical Technology
High Voltage DC Power Distribution for Telecommunications Facilities, Opus International Consultants Ltd
Mechanical and Manufacturing
Aircraft Hangar Maintenance Docks, Beca
Sponsored by Industrial Research Limited
Sustainability and Clean Technology
Meridian Energy Building, Site 7 Kumutoto Plaza, Beca and Dunning Thornton Consultants Ltd
Sponsored by Meridian Energy
Transportation Infrastructure
Northern Busway, Opus International Consultants Ltd, Beca Infrastructure Ltd, Aurecon New Zealand Ltd and Fletcher Construction Company Ltd
Water, Waste and Amenities
Project Storm 2: Dynamic Model Engineering, MWH New Zealand Ltd
Sponsored by Watercare Services Ltd