8 | Fulton Hogan Auckland T T Bernadette Cooney Inspirational rise within company Fulton Hogan Auckland’s Josh Wilkinson has demonstrated in abundance having been recognised with the Z Energy Emerging Leader Award at the 2025 Connexis Civil Training Awards presented at the CCNZ National Conference in July. “At the end of the day, it’s about managing the team of people around me and the impact they have. I’m very happy with how the team has come along and that’s the kind of confidence we’ve built.” CONTRACTING The civil construction sector is built on leadership, resilience, and vision, qualities that Fulton Hogan Auckland’s Josh Wilkinson has demonstrated in abundance having been recognised with the Z Energy Emerging Leader Award at the 2025 Connexis Civil Training Awards presented at the CCNZ National Conference in July. Divisional manager for Fulton Hogan, Josh oversees a slate of significant works within the company’s Auckland Airport portfolio. He stood out for his rapid career trajectory, delivering complex civil infrastructure projects while inspiring the next generation of industry leaders. After starting work with Fulton Hogan Hamilton upon leaving high school, Josh went on to complete his engineering degree at Auckland University, where he co-founded the University of Auckland Civil Engineering Students Association. Awards judges highlighted Josh’s impact on both projects and people since he joined Fulton Hogan Auckland in 2019. In an unprecedented move, Josh became the first person in the company’s 91-year history to be appointed directly into a department manager role upon completing his internship. “I’ve never been one for the spotlight, but it felt good to have the first 10 years of hard work recognised,” he says. “At the end of the day, it’s about managing the team of people around me and the impact they have. I’m very happy with how the team has come along and that’s the kind of confidence we’ve built.” Josh is committed to his involvement in Fulton Hogan’s graduate programme and helped the company reconnect with the civil engineering student association he once co-founded, this time as a gold sponsor. “I’ve come full circle,” he says. “Now I get to be on the other side, helping students on their journey and seeing if I could give a few extra people a nudge toward civil contracting.” Mentorship played a key role in Josh’s own pathway, and he credits Fulton Hogan manager Akshay Thacker for supporting his move to Auckland and encouraging his career growth. He’s equally passionate about promoting trade pathways toward engineering management alongside traditional routes. “Historically there hasn’t been a pathway for trade qualified people to thrive in civil construction, but as an industry we’re going to require more trade qualified people, and really good site leaders,” says Josh. “So, there is career acceleration opening up for those that have a head for construction.” Josh has been managing Fulton Hogan’s Auckland Airport project portfolio for six years and current works include an expansion of the domestic apron to support regional flights, as well as utility and road upgrades and realignments outside the international terminal. Mackenzie Transport specialises in crane hire, overwidth and over-dimensional loads, pick-up and delivery with mobile Hiab truck. Our skills in transportation & crane operation come from over 12 years of hands on experience in the industry. If you need it moved, call us today! • Hiab trucks • 25 tonne pick & carry crane • Maximum 32 metre reach available on hiab cranes • Trombone, step deck & transporter trailers • Tipper & digger hire • Man cage hire • Pilots • Concrete panel cartage 1 8 Josh’s early journey began in Rotorua, where he grew up in the country with a childhood spent outdoors, building dams in streams and helping on his grandad’s farm, before moving to Waikato for high school. “I got a kick out of that sort of lifestyle and overall, it taught me the value of a strong work ethic. “An attribute that bears out well in a civil construction industry ripe for opportunity for resolute workers with their wits about them,” says Josh.
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