Business North November 2021

74 | Fulton Hogan - Whangarei Focus on diversity, innovation rewarded T Karen Phelps Fulton Hogan construction engineer Freya Coppins took out the Women in Contracting award while Jason Walters, divisional manager Whangarei construction and maintenance, took out the leadership award at the 2021 Civil Contractors Northland Region Construction Excellence Awards. T to page 76 CONTRACTING F ulton Hogan Northland’s success in the 2021 Civil Contractors Northland Region Construction Excellence Awards reflects the company’s diversity and focus on innova- tion, says Fulton Hogan Northland regional manager Keith Cocking. “Our vision and purpose is being a success- ful and enduring infrastructure business, cre- ating, connecting with and caring for commu- nities. It’s what we strive to achieve each day through the good work we do and our entries in this year’s awards are a real reflection of this,” he says. Fulton Hogan Northland was named the winners in a number of categories with its work on Spickman’s Grave taking out accolades in the construction projects up to $100,000 and innovation categories. The re- gional business also won awards in the wom- en in contracting and leadership categories. Keith says winning the awards for the Spickman’s Grave project, where slip damage on a shoulder terrace of SH10 near Kaeo was threatening an ancient, private grave site, was particularly gratifying as it was the first time that Fulton Hogan had been involved in this type of physical work, demonstrating the skills of the team and its ability to tackle new and complex projects. Fulton Hogan worked with Waka Kotahi and the Geometria archaeology team to clear vegetation and strategically excavate the area, so remains could be re-in- terned to a new site in the Kaeo Cemetery. Keith says that initially Fulton Hogan was approached with a proposed retaining wall solution for construction but this would have disturbed the graves so, in conjunction with family, relocation to Kaeo Cemetery was deemed a better option. It also saved Waka Kotahi over $300,000 on project costs. “This was a big win for innovative solutions, while also preserving important historical artefacts and delicate family remnants,” says Keith. The unique project was not without chal- lenges. Keith says that quality and attention to detail were the key drivers. “Excavating around a decaying burial site, that looked like it had also been used as a rubbish dump, was a massive challenge. “Differentiating between archeologically significant items and rubbish was a challenge, but one that was dealt with slowly and me- thodically. “Access to the area was also problematic as it was clear the graveyard had been neglected for some time. The tombstones could not be seen on aerial surveys of the area and were invisible from the roadside.” Keith says the successful project was a true collaboration with representatives from Waka Kotahi, Heritage NZ, Ministry of Heath, Far North District Council, Whangaroa College and family descendants among those involved, alongside the landowner of the property on which the graves were situated. “Spickmans Grave is not your regular every day project, but is one we are very pleased to have been involved in. Both for the outcome for the families involved, and the result we were able to achieve for our client, Waka Kotahi. “The faith placed in both our subcontrac- tors operating ability for the excavation and our project management of such a sensitive subject matter with stakeholders and public speaks volumes of our collaborative relation- ship with our client.” Proudly associated with Fulton Hogan Whangarei www.catesbros.co.nz Phone: 09 438 0052 Email: accounts@catesbros.co.nz We specialise in: Earthworks • Site Preparation • Bulk Cartage • Roading All Types Metal Supplies • Farm Drainage • Bottom Dumper Trucks & Trailer visit us at: www.rs.kiwi.nz | contact us on: 0800 265 000 or info@rs.kiwi.nz As New Zealand’s leading provider of turf, parks and facilities management, we maintain, create and manage parks, landscapes and sports surfaces across the Aotearoa landscape. We are proudly Kiwi owned and operated and serving our communities since 1992. Enviromark Diamond Status accredited for the 13 th consecutive year and proud partners of the Blue Light Foundation and Recreation Aotearoa