| 65 T T Bernadette Cooney Wetland restoration reaps reward Diggs Limited’s winning work involved reshaping and restoring the Reilly Wetland restoration project situated on private farmland in Motupipi. CIVIL CONSTRUCTION Diggs Limited Diggs Limited of Golden Bay has taken home top honours at the 2025 Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) Nelson Marlborough Contractor Awards, winning the Projects Under $200,000 category with its very first entry. The win recognises the company’s work on stage 3 of the Reilly Wetland restoration project, an achievement that judges said was skilfully executed to limited design specifications, resulting in an optimal environmental outcome receiving high praise from all authorities involved. Founded just over three years ago by Daniel Bruning and his wife, Clarissa, Diggs Limited specialises in residential and small-scale civil earthworks across Golden Bay. Diggs Limited’s winning work involved reshaping and restoring the Reilly Wetland restoration project situated on private farmland in Motupipi. The landowners, Tony and Kathy Reilly, have been transforming almost a hectare of their farm back into wetlands in stages since 2021. Tasman District Council provided consent and technical support for the restoration project, which has seen the planting of thousands of native trees and creation of new habitats for fish and bird life along the banks of a re-contoured creek. What was once a straight creek ditch has been transformed into a complete ecological habitat with meandering stream and ponds and springs ideal for eels and pukeko, bitterns and mallards. “Years ago, my father, Kevin Bruning, helped drain the wetlands and dig that straight channel. Now, a generation later, I’ve gone back in to make it wiggly again and restore it as a functioning wetland. Seeing it full of natives and teeming with fish and bird life is pretty special,” says Daniel. The project is part of a wider collaboration to rehabilitate wetlands across the district, reversing decades of drainage and clearing. For Diggs, it is not their first wetland job. Daniel estimates he has completed around eight to date. “Winning on our first entry was a huge boost, showing that local civil contractors can deliver great outcomes for the environment and the community,” says Daniel. What started as a “one man and a digger” operation has grown into a handpicked team with three diggers, two full-time staff, and a busy schedule of projects. Clarissa plays a key role in managing ALLIANCE PLUMBING 18 Edinburgh St, Takaka 0274 451 417 admin@allianceplumbing.co.nz Representing Excellence Master Plumbers • Craftsman Plumber • Drainlaying • New Homes • Domestic & Commercial • Maintenance & Repairs • Pump supply & Maintenance • Fire Installs & Maintenance • Solar Installation • Subdivisions TDC Compliant for water and wastewater reticulated services administration and social media, while also pitching in on excavation jobs. “I’ve got three diggers – a 2-tonne, a 6-tonne, and a 10-tonne with wider tracks on it, which means lower ground pressure than factory, so it’s good on swampy ground,” says Daniel. Diggs Limited’s bread-and-butter services are in property development, including house sites, driveways, subdivisions, plus farm work. Builders and private landowners make up much of their client base, relying on Diggs’ versatility and attention to detail. “We’ve completed a four-section subdivision down in Wainui in a couple of stages,” says Daniel. “Putting in the road in one year and then the platforms the following year – we did all that with the machines that we have.” A focus on quality every time, and making sure the customer is happy before they leave is what sets Diggs Limited apart, he says.
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