| 49 Tararua Alliance T T Anne Boswell Global recognition for collaborative approach The Tararua Alliance was designed to move away from traditional client contractor models in favour of a fully integrated structure. let's discuss your next project. 027 672 2507 brownellearthmoving.co.nz Palmerston North, New Zealand xkv8orz@gmail.com Earthmoving and Machine Hire Ph: (06) 388 0126 | www.byfords.co.nz Contract Crushing • Aggregate Supplies • Civil Contracting Proudly supporting Tararua Alliance Tararua Alliance is proving that when it comes to infrastructure, the best results are built on more than roads and pipes. They are built on partnership. The long running alliance between Tararua District Council and Downer Group is delivering a highly coordinated approach to managing the district’s essential services, from roads and footpaths to water, wastewater, and stormwater networks, while setting a benchmark for collaborative infrastructure delivery. Established in September 2014, the Alliance was designed to move away from traditional client contractor models in favour of a fully integrated structure. Initially awarded as a five-year contract, it has since been extended through to November 2029, reflecting strong performance and consistent outcomes. Alliance manager Daniel Erard says the model enables both strategic oversight and on the ground delivery to sit within one team. “We act as the council’s network manager while also delivering the physical works,” Daniel says. “That includes managing transport networks, maintaining roads and footpaths, and supporting three waters infrastructure.” The Alliance manages around $900 million in infrastructure assets across a large rural network stretching between the Wairarapa and Central Hawke’s Bay, and from the Tararua and Ruahine ranges to the coast. Its role spans planned maintenance, renewals, and emergency response, ensuring services remain reliable for communities across the district. A key strength of the model is its integrated workforce. Council and Downer staff operate side by side, supported by a strong network of local contractors, creating a unified team focused on shared outcomes. That approach has been reinforced by the REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Alliance’s recent achievement of ISO 55001 accreditation in asset management, an international standard recognising best practice in infrastructure planning, maintenance, and investment. “It gives confidence that we are making the right decisions. We are collecting good data, understanding our assets, and planning for the long term,” Daniel says. The benefits of the Alliance model were clearly demonstrated in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused widespread damage across the district’s network. With repair costs nearing $90 million and more than 2000 faults identified, the scale of the recovery was significant. Despite this, the Alliance was able to deliver major remediation works alongside its business-as-usual programme, completing around $30 million of cyclone related work between 2023 and 2024. “Because of the Alliance model, we were able to scale up quickly. We brought in additional resources and worked closely with local contractors, while still maintaining our day-to-day operations.” Collaboration across stakeholders was critical to that success. The Alliance worked closely with iwi, NZTA, contractors, and council to streamline processes and remove barriers to delivery. “We set up a stakeholder group focused on removing roadblocks and cutting through red tape. That collaborative environment made a real difference,” Daniel says. After more than a decade in operation, Tararua Alliance continues to demonstrate the value of a partnership-led approach, combining strong relationships, proven systems, and local capability to deliver resilient infrastructure. “We are in a strong position because of the way we work together. It’s about delivering the best outcomes for our community, now and into the future,” says Daniel.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=