Article written by: Kate Mackay – Service Leader, Civil and Water Engineering
Having recently ticked over 20 years in water resources and civil engineering, I feel very fortunate to have built a career that has taken me around the world, introduced me to some amazing people, and given me the opportunity to work on projects that genuinely make a difference. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot about what makes a good project, a good team, and a good company. I’ve also had the opportunity to lead diversity and inclusion initiatives within a multinational organisation, an experience that reinforced the importance of creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to be joining the Vitruvius team.
Interestingly, engineering wasn’t a career that was ever discussed when I was at school. I attended an all-girls school where it simply wasn’t on the radar. It wasn’t until I was playing sport alongside people already at university that I started to explore engineering as a possibility.
Once I discovered the opportunities within the profession, I knew the water sector was where I wanted to be. Having secured a position with a water design team before graduating, I focused my final-year studies on water quality and related topics. That decision marked the beginning of a passion for water engineering that has stayed with me throughout my career and continues to drive the work I do today.
My early career provided a huge amount of variety. I worked on stormwater design projects, dam design and safety assessments, mine water management and coastal processes before becoming involved in major infrastructure projects, including the Waterview Connection and Northern Gateway Roads of National Significance (RoNS) projects. Looking back, that diversity of experience gave me a strong technical foundation and an appreciation for the many different disciplines involved in delivering successful outcomes.
A move to London was originally meant to be a six-month adventure. Twelve years later, I found myself returning home with a husband and two children. During my time in the UK, I worked across a wide range of development projects, from pre-planning flood risk assessments and assessments of environmental effects through to civil design and design-and-construct delivery. In recent years, I moved into an Associate Director role within a large multinational consultancy, focusing more on project leadership, client relationships and people management, while continuing to grow my technical experience.
Returning to New Zealand was always about more than just work. We wanted our children to grow up close to family, and for us that meant coming back to Auckland and reconnecting with our whānau. Before joining Vitruvius, I worked as a Principal Engineer and Team Leader, balancing major infrastructure projects with opportunities to better understand how Auckland’s Healthy Waters programmes operate.
One of the things I enjoy most about engineering is that there is always something new to learn. Whether it’s working with clients, supporting teams, solving technical challenges or helping shape projects from concept through to delivery, there is always a fresh perspective to gain and a new challenge to tackle.
Outside of work, sport has always been a big part of my life. I grew up playing hockey before moving into touch rugby, which led to the incredible experience of representing England Masters at two World Cups and forming lifelong friendships along the way. I’ve also dabbled in paid football over the years. These days, I’m a passionate supporter of New Zealand sport in all its forms. Up the Wahs!
Joining Vitruvius feels like an exciting next chapter. I’m looking forward to working alongside a talented team, building new relationships and contributing to projects that make a positive difference for communities across Aotearoa. One of my immediate focuses will be supporting clients through the Healthy Waters panels. Whether it’s water resources, stormwater management, flood risk, or broader civil infrastructure projects, I’m always keen to connect with people who are passionate about creating better outcomes for their communities. If you have a project coming up, I’d love to hear from you.