Digital enablement isn’t about platforms or buzzwords. For our clients, it’s about confidence. Confidence that the right information is available, decisions are well informed, and complex projects are delivered with clarity and control.

At Vitruvius, our digital journey has been deliberately shaped around that outcome. Our focus has been on building connected, reliable information environments that support collaboration, reduce risk, and unlock value across the full lifecycle of assets.

That journey accelerated in 2023 as remote collaboration became standard and expectations for digital‑first delivery continued to rise. We invested in our first Common Data Environment, a single, trusted source of truth for project information. For our clients, this means greater transparency, fewer disconnects, and confidence that everyone is working from the same, up to date data.

In 2024, we formalised this approach by aligning with ISO 19650, the international standard for information management. Members of our team and Digital Management Group achieved Operam Certified Professional accreditation, ensuring our processes align with global best practice and provide a consistent framework for how information flows from design through to delivery and operations.

Today, digital delivery and strong information management are embedded across the entire business. These processes are used by everyone, from business support and project teams through to senior leadership, regardless of discipline or role. Digital Engineering is not a specialist service bolted on to projects; it’s simply how we work. Since joining Vitruvius as Digital Lead in 2025, I have been focussed on providing clear oversight and direction, helping connect teams, embed consistent practices, and ensure our digital capability continues to evolve in a practical, scalable way.

More of our projects are now delivered using collaborative digital methodologies, supported by platforms such as Autodesk Construction Cloud and Revizto, enabling teams and clients to work together around shared models and data.

The same principles underpin our Project Controls approach. Real-time visibility of progress, cost and risk doesn’t come from any single tool, it comes from the discipline of connecting them. Our controls environment brings together contract data, forecasting and programme reporting in a way that supports confident decision-making, not just compliance. For clients running complex programmes, that clarity is often where the most value is found.

Accurate digital delivery also depends on understanding what exists on the ground. Our survey teams use the latest field capture technologies to produce high quality datasets that add real world context to our models. We’ve also been exploring classified point clouds as a flexible and efficient alternative to traditional scan‑to‑BIM workflows.

GIS plays a growing role across our projects, supporting hydraulic and stormwater analysis and bridging the gap between calculations and CAD based design. It is also embedded in our asset handover processes, linking spatial data to asset identifiers and metadata to support long term asset management. In utility mapping, this allows us to capture not just where services are, but what they are and how confidently they’ve been identified, reducing risk during excavation and construction.

The rapid advancement of AI and analytics has reinforced the importance of this work. While our industry is highly capable at generating data, real value comes from connecting it. Our focus now is on breaking down silos and enabling information to flow from design to delivery and into operation, supporting real time insights, richer visualisation and smarter decision‑making.

And while this is underpinned by robust systems and technical expertise, it’s ultimately driven by people. Recently, while spending time with our Tauranga team, that mindset came through clearly. What began as a conversation about next‑step digital capability ended with a full floor to ceiling server rack being dismantled so it could fit into the back of my car and make the journey back to Auckland. It wasn’t planned, but it removed a barrier and accelerated what comes next.

With strong foundations in place and the right people driving them forward, we’re excited about what this means for our clients and the communities we work with.

Digital, done right.

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In January, founder Neil Mason transitioned from day-to-day operational involvement into a more focussed governance role, continuing with his responsibilities as Chair of the Board. Neil founded Vitruvius in 2012 with a strong belief in trusted relationships, clear thinking, and consistently high-quality delivery. Under his leadership, Vitruvius has grown into a 60 strong professional services firm recognised for both technical excellence and a values led culture.   

As Chair, Neil now focuses on governance, oversight and long term strategic direction, supporting the Managing Director and leadership team as the business continues to move forward and develop. While he has stepped back from operational delivery, Neil remains closely connected to Vitruvius and its future — ensuring continuity of values, relationships, and intent as the consultancy continues to mature.  

Vitruvius has also been strengthened by the appointment of Lynda Carroll, who joined the Board in September 2025. With more than 25 years’ experience as a chair, director, and governance advisor across Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific, Lynda brings deep expertise in strategy, culture, and long term performance. As Chief Executive of Align Group, she is widely respected for her people centred, future focused approach to governance.    

Lynda was drawn to Vitruvius because she saw an opportunity to add value at an important stage in the consultancy’s governance journey. With a background in consultancy and a strong interest in the sectors Vitruvius operates in, the role felt like a natural fit. Most importantly, she was attracted by Vitruvius’ values and relationship‑led approach, which closely align with her own. Lynda brings valuable perspective and thoughtful challenge as Vitruvius continues to strengthen its long‑term foundations.  

The Board is completed by Andrew Body, Managing Director, with 30 years of international and local leadership experience across infrastructure in both the public and private sectors, and Scott Williamson, a Director since 2020 and Chartered Professional Engineer, who brings extensive infrastructure experience and a thoughtful, values led approach to stewardship.  

Together, the Board provides strong, considered governance to support Vitruvius’ people, clients, and long term success.  

To learn more about our Directors, visit vitruvius.co.nz/our-directors  

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A Rail Engineer at Vitruvius, Shania works across complex transport and rail projects throughout Aotearoa, combining strong technical capability with clear, practical delivery. Her experience spans rail and transport project management, design and design management, business and investment case development, traffic modelling and data analytics, and level crossing safety impact assessments. She applies these skills across the full project lifecycle, from early planning and optioneering through to stakeholder engagement and delivery. 

Shania has played key technical and leadership roles on major rail programmes nationwide. Her work includes leading the development of sustained annual renewal investment cases for both the Wellington and Auckland metro rail networks, supporting funding decisions and long‑term asset planning for some of New Zealand’s most critical transport infrastructure. She has also contributed to complex corridor planning and route protection projects in Auckland, including work on four‑tracking between Papakura and Pukekohe, where she authored transport assessments and assessments of environmental effects, drawing on her specialist knowledge of rail operations and level crossings. 

A recognised leading specialist in level crossing safety, Shania has been the lead assessor for over 100 level crossing safety impact assessments across the country, with all assessments endorsed by KiwiRail. Her ability to identify risk, apply the SFAIRP process, and translate technical safety requirements into clear, implementable recommendations has informed projects ranging from local road upgrades to nationally significant programmes such as City Rail Link and the Speed and Infrastructure Programme. 

Alongside her rail expertise, Shania has also led and contributed to geometric and safety design for road and intersection upgrades, speed management programmes, and active mode projects. Her work has included crash analysis, optioneering, scheme design, cost estimation, and stakeholder engagement, always with a focus on improving safety and outcomes for communities. Shania is currently providing project management and design services for Hutt City Council (HCC) on the Ava Rail Bridge Shared Use Path Replacement, and on Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Riverlink). 

That technical capability was formally recognised when Shania achieved Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status at just 25 years old, an exceptional milestone that reflects her discipline, depth of knowledge, and commitment to continual improvement. 

In 2025, Shania’s contribution was further acknowledged when she was named Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (CILT) Young Achiever of the Year, recognising both the impact she is already having across major transport programmes nationwide and her emerging leadership within the sector. Closer to home, she was also awarded Vitruvian of the Year, Vitruvius’ highest people award, following nomination by her colleagues just seven months after joining the business. True to form, Shania sees these achievements simply as doing her job well and supporting those around her, a humility that speaks volumes about her character. 

Beyond her technical expertise, Shania is someone people genuinely enjoy working with. She is generous with her time and knowledge, regularly mentoring younger engineers, sharing insights, and offering quiet support when it’s needed. Colleagues consistently describe her as approachable, kind, and willing to help, qualities that strengthen team culture as much as they improve project outcomes. 

We’re incredibly proud of the impact Shania is making within Vitruvius and across the transport sector. If that was 2025, we look forward with interest to what 2026 brings. 

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The Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility (LNIRIM) programme is a step-change for regional rail. At its heart is Tūhono, a fleet of 18 five-car battery-electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains, the first of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere. These trains will replace ageing diesel-hauled services on the Wairarapa and Manawatū lines, with the first units expected from 2028 and expanded services rolling out from 2030. Alstom has been selected to build and maintain the fleet. 

Beyond the trains themselves, LNIRIM funds the infrastructure that makes a frequent timetable possible. This includes new and extended passing loops, additional stabling in Wellington and Palmerston North, a new depot and stabling facility in Masterton, and selected station and track upgrades. Together, these works create operational flexibility to add services, recover from delays, and reliably meet peak demand.

In parallel, the Wellington Metro Substations Programme delivers the power capacity and resilience the network requires. The Government has committed $137.2 million to renew and upgrade substations across the metro network, many of which are 60–90 years old, specifically to improve reliability and enable future growth in services. This is the quiet, critical backbone for performance, stronger substations will reduce voltage sag, protect assets, and provide headroom for more trains.

The relationship is straightforward. LNIRIM adds new trains and timetable ambition, while the substations provide the electrical capacity and reliability to sustain the enhanced regional rail timetable, as well as timetable enhancements within the Wellington Metro Area for existing metro services.  

Vitruvius is contributing on both sides of this “capacity and service” equation. For the Metro Substations Programme, we are providing civil design services including site access upgrades, building formation and retaining wall design, site security fencing, drainage and flood protection improvements, and new ducting to enable incoming and outgoing power and fibre connections. On the LNIRIM yard upgrades, we have recently been appointed Lead Consultant for the Masterton and Palmerston North facilities. Here, we are coordinating the multi-disciplinary design of stabling, servicing, and operational layouts that will accommodate the Tūhono fleet and support the uplifted timetable. These facilities are pivotal to reliable day-to-day operations and rapid turnarounds between peaks. 

Together, these programmes will deliver cleaner trains, more dependable power, and the infrastructure to run more services more often on the NIMT and Wairarapa lines. The result is better access to jobs and education, stronger inter-regional links, and a network that can grow with demand rather than be constrained by it. That is the promise of Tūhono — to connect and unite communities — and it is a promise Vitruvius is proud to help make real. 

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The week of 11 – 17 August 2025 saw two major rail calendar events coincide in New Zealand – these being Rail Safety Week and the Conference on Railway Excellence (CORE). Both of these events are extremely important to Vitruvius, as they promote safety and technical excellence, which are both intrinsic to our DNA.

Those active in the Rail Sector will be well aware of the importance of Rail Safety Week, an annual nationwide campaign run by the wonderful team at TrackSAFE NZ. This year the campaign slogan was ‘Stay off, Stay safe. Tracks are for trains’. The focus was highlighting the critical risks associated with trespass within the rail corridor. All too often, pedestrians venture into restricted areas of the rail corridor to save time. It is not only extremely risky to do so but is also illegal. The only place pedestrians should be entering the rail corridor is at a designated crossing point, where there are controls in place to mitigate hazards from trains.

Vitruvius supported the campaign across the motu, with our teams in Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland handing out flyers to raise awareness about these risks and encourage better behaviour regarding best practice for pedestrians around the rail corridor. Recent TrackSAFE research indicates that almost half of surveyed participants admit to walking across railway tracks outside designated crossing areas. Last year alone these were 642 recorded trespass incidents, resulting in 60 near misses with trains. These sobering statistics highlight the obvious need for increased awareness and drive home the reasons for doing what we do.

In addition to Rail Safety week, the sector also came together in Tāmaki Makaurau on 13 and 14 August where more than 400 delegates gathered for the annual CORE Conference, hosted by our good friends at the Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA). The conference was well attended by both Kiwis and Aussies alike, with some really insightful technical presentations. It was a fantastic chance for some of the industry’s brightest rail minds to come together and discuss the future of this critical transport mode. It was also really interesting to see some of the similarities (and differences) in the way we work here in New Zealand compared with Australia.

A highlight for us was seeing our very own Simon Cave present on the European Train Control System (ETCS) Digital Integration, focusing on how developing a digital twin can improve project outcomes by removing unknowns and giving design and construction teams unimpeded access into the virtual rail corridor.

This was the first time CORE has been hosted in New Zealand in 15 years – and at a time when focus on technical rail expertise is really important for our future – reinforcing the conference theme ‘Kaitiaki – Guarding the Future’. A great example of some of the challenges faced by skills shortage in the New Zealand rail industry can be seen in a recent paper released by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) here.

We finished out the week feeling inspired by the passion and effort put into these two events and it really highlighted just how important the rail network is to our country.

If anyone wants to learn more about Rail Safety Week, please visit the TrackSAFE NZ Website here. We’re also really looking forward to attending next years CORE Event which will be held in Adelaide.

Over and out!

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Auckland’s water sector is facing significant challenges, with ageing infrastructure, rapid population growth, and the pressures of climate change placing increasing stress on the infrastructure networks and planning frameworks that we rely on to enable safe and thriving communities. Adding to this pressure is the need to deliver and manage essential infrastructure in ways that are sustainable both environmentally and economically. Meeting this challenge isn’t about doing more of the same. The way forward is about asking the right questions to focus on our most pressing problems and developing opportunistic yet balanced right-sized solutions while building the foundations for tomorrow. 

At the forefront of this effort is Albert Ho, Service Leader – Civil and Water Engineering at Vitruvius, based in Tāmaki Makaurau. A Chartered Professional Engineer with 19 years of experience, Albert has worked with leading water utility organisations across New Zealand and Australia. At Vitruvius, he leads a growing team that shares his passion for problem solving, innovation, and collaboration. Together, they are focused on delivering practical, future-ready solutions that best position Auckland to thrive — now and into the future. 

Vitruvius’ Civil and Water team brings capability across the full spectrum of three waters infrastructure, from detailed design and asset renewals to hydraulic modelling, treatment plants, and pump station projects. Recent work with major infrastructure owners in Auckland, including Healthy Waters, KiwiRail and Auckland Transport, has highlighted the team’s ability to interrogate problems at both asset and network level, applying rigorous engineering analysis to deliver solutions that minimise disruption, optimise investment, and create long-term value. 

Complementing this technical depth, Albert provides strategic and collaborative leadership that ensures projects reflect client priorities and deliver enduring outcomes. He understands how clients make decisions and frames technical advice to support confident choices, drawing on his experience in strategic planning and cross-agency partnerships to bring clarity to complex decision-making and enable the team to channel their expertise into results that matter most for Auckland. This balance of technical rigour and strategic insight positions Vitruvius as a trusted partner to help guide investment and delivery with confidence towards sustainable, future-ready networks. 

The team itself is growing in both capability and presence. Beyond technical expertise, we are recognised for how we work, as collaborators and problem solvers who ask the right questions, and as communicators who turn complexity into clear, practical solutions. 

As Tāmaki Makaurau continues to grow and adapt, the demand for resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective water solutions will only intensify. Vitruvius is committed to being part of that journey, framing the right decisions and delivering quality, whether it is renewal programmes, enabling growth, or strengthening resilience against future pressures. With a combination of technical depth, collaborative culture, and strategic leadership, the team is well placed to help clients navigate complexity and deliver outcomes that matter. Above all, our focus is on enabling safe, thriving communities and ensuring Auckland is prepared for today and for generations to come. 

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We have recently finalised our Business Plan for the next two financial years (FY26–27), and we want to share a few highlights with you, our clients and partners, who make it all possible.

While FY25 brought its share of economic headwinds, particularly in Wellington and the transport sector, it was also our highest revenue year to date. Our resilience stems from our broad sector reach, the trust of our clients, and the depth of talent in our team. As we look ahead, we are building on that platform, not with a rush to expand, but with a focused effort for connection, strengthening, and delivering even better outcomes.

This leads to our central themes for FY26, which are strength and momentum.  This means sharpening our technical edge through continued investment in AI and digital tools, investing our people, and strengthening relationships across rail, water, land, and transport.

We are placing stronger emphasis on strategic client and partner relationships. In FY26, we are aiming to build deeper partnerships with the organisations we are proud to serve – clients who share our belief in long-term value and collaboration.

Internally, FY26 will be a year of re-energising our team. After a year of careful cost control and lean operations, we are reprioritising wellbeing initiatives, career pathways, and connectivity between offices. We are proud of our culture and we know it thrives on purpose, people, and shared momentum.

Our sector plans remain ambitious, especially in water and rail, which will continue to lead our growth. We are well positioned to respond as opportunities return in transport and land development. Across all of our work, we are targeting not just more projects, but those where we can add the most value and leverage the breadth of our advisory, design, and delivery capabilities

To our clients, thank you for your continued confidence in Vitruvius. We are proud to work alongside you and are excited about the future we’re building.

If you’d like to learn more about our plans or discuss how we can help with your next project, please get in touch, andrew.body@vitruvius.co.nz.

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Vitruvius achieves Tōtika certification, New Zealand’s universal standard for health and safety pre-qualification.

This year marks the third year in a row that Vitruvius has successfully achieved Tōtika certification, New Zealand’s universal standard for health and safety pre-qualification. Developed by Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ), Tōtika provides a consistent, streamlined framework for assessing health and safety capability across the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Achieving Tōtika certification means our systems and practices have been independently verified to meet rigorous industry standards. It reflects our commitment to providing a safe working environment for our people, our partners, and the communities we work in. It also gives our clients confidence that we are proactively managing health and safety risks across every project.

We’re proud to join many of New Zealand’s largest and most respected supply-chain leaders who have achieved this benchmark. Being Tōtika certified not only strengthens the way we work but also reduces duplication in the pre-qualification process, making it easier for clients to engage us with trust and assurance.

Health and safety excellence has always been a cornerstone of our business, and this recognition reinforces our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, quality delivery, and doing the right thing – for our people, our clients, and our communities.

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As an incredibly high regarded and nationally sought after Track Designer, Bryce has played a key role in some of our most significant projects. Over the past decade, he was track design lead and designer for the reference alignment of the Auckland City Rail Link (CRL), upgrades to the North Auckland Line, the realignment of Tunnel 21 on the Main North Line (MNL), Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme (WMUP) 6A, and many many more. His expertise of technical delivery through challenging complexities whilst adhering to national standards (that he was one of the original contributors to) have made a huge impact on both Vitruvius and these project outcomes. 

In the early days, Bryce took on some real hands-on challenges – one particularly telling moment was wearing brand-new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) into the Otira Tunnel for a night of measuring coal and cleaning. A bold choice, in hindsight as the PPE was blackened by coal and ruined!

 1.                                    2.

• Figure 1: Otira Tunnel
• Figure 2: Kaimai Tunnel – Brattice Door

A unique project was the challenge of designing a brattice door (something he previously had never heard of) for the Kaimai Tunnel Portal, overseeing its manufacture and installation.  This involved not only getting up to speed with the purpose and function of the specialised ventilation door but also overseeing its manufacture and installation. What started as an unfamiliar concept quickly became another challenge he took in his stride – and he nailed it.

One of Bryce’s most rewarding experiences has been his key role in the Kaikōura Earthquake recovery. Being part of the team leading the reconstruction and seeing the transformation firsthand remains a career highlight. His contributions included track realignment design for affected areas and spatial assessments for all tunnels along the route – critical work that helped restore this vital transport corridor. 

Tunnel 18 MNL (Kaikoura)

Bryce’s contribution to the growth of Vitruvius through culture, systems and processes has strongly contributed to where we are now. In 2020, Bryce became the first-ever recipient of the Vitruvian of the Year award, voted on by his peers to honour those who exemplify our company values. In 2024, he was again recognised as runner-up – a testament to his continued impact and leadership within our team. 

Congratulations, Bryce! Your dedication and expertise have helped shape Vitruvius, and we’re grateful for the past ten years. We look forward to many more.

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The Making Space for Water (MS4W) programme is Auckland Council’s response to the extreme storms of early 2023, which led to local and national emergencies, claimed six lives and forced the evacuation of over 7,000 homes. Unprecedented rainfall overwhelmed the stormwater network, leaving many unprepared for the resulting floods.

As part of MS4W, Vitruvius is proud to partner with Healthy Waters to deliver the Overland Flow Path Management (OLFP) initiative, one of seven key projects aimed at improving Auckland’s resilience to heavy rainfall and extreme weather events.

This initiative focuses on ensuring overland flow paths function effectively to reduce flood risks. The work is carried out at both a catchment level (capital works) and an individual property scale, helping water flow safely through neighbourhoods and minimising damage to homes and infrastructure.

Key components of the initiative include:

• Field assessments and a new app to identify and report blockages.
• Community engagement to educate residents on their responsibilities.
• Compliance measures to ensure overland flow paths remain clear and effective.

Both Merci and Albert from Vitruvius are providing the day-to-day project management expertise with Vitruvius also presenting an on the ground assessment team playing a vital role in shaping a flood resilient Tāmaki Makaurau. We’re proud to support this work, which will shape how the city manages stormwater now and into the future.

Photo from left to right Daniel Cho – Civil Engineer, Merci Martin – Civil Engineer, Marc Porter – Civil Engineer, Matthew Sheppard – Senior Civil Engineer, and William Wang – Senior Project Engineer.

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