This project demonstrates how corridor-level planning can align renewal programmes and improve delivery efficiency in complex urban environments.

Vitruvius undertook corridor-scale assessments across Beach Haven, Onewa Road and Browns Bay Road to align Healthy Waters’ stormwater renewal priorities with Auckland Transport’s FY25/26 road rehabilitation programme. The objective was to identify stormwater renewals, operational issues and treatment opportunities that could be delivered concurrently with planned road works, supporting a coordinated “dig once” approach.

These corridors are high-traffic, community-sensitive environments with constrained working space, dense utilities and limited access. Asset condition, operational performance, flooding behaviour and capacity constraints were assessed using an integrated evidence base combining asset inspections, modelling outputs, service requests (RFS), condition data and operational insight.

The technical review was undertaken alongside engagement with Healthy Waters Operations, Planning, Design and Delivery, Asset Management teams and maintenance partners to validate findings, confirm constructability constraints and address data gaps. Technical and operational inputs informed prioritisation of interventions, balancing resilience and risk reduction objectives with budget availability and programme timing considerations, while supporting long-term network performance.

Assessments were completed within a six-week timeframe to align with Auckland Transport’s renewal programme. Coordinated planning enabled integration of stormwater and road works, minimising disruption to residents, businesses and road users, avoiding unnecessary re-excavation, and reducing duplicate traffic management across programmes.

If you are looking to better align renewal programmes, optimise investment or reduce community disruption in complex urban environments, our team would welcome a conversation. Please get in touch via our website: https://vitruvius.co.nz/contact/ 

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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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Wastewater management in Aotearoa is entering a period of significant change. With national standards for wastewater discharges expected to tighten in the near future, including greater scrutiny on environmental outcomes and a stronger focus on cultural values, councils are being called to rethink long-standing approaches.

Many current discharge consents won’t meet future expectations. Land-based disposal, higher treatment levels, and the reuse of biosolids are quickly moving from ‘innovative’ to ‘necessary.’ For councils, that means preparing early to be able to explore smarter, staged approaches with more flexibility and fewer surprises.

That’s where we come in.

Over the past few years, we’ve steadily expanded our 3 Waters capability, from stormwater planning and potable water design to wastewater renewals and construction-phase support. More recently, we’ve honed our focus on wastewater treatment and disposal, building deep technical capability in the areas we know will matter most: land application, advanced treatment systems, and the beneficial reuse of biosolids.

We’ve also strengthened our team with the addition of Alana Bowmar Service Leader, Civil and Water Engineering and Arno Louw Senior Civil & Mechanical Engineer.

Alana is a Chartered Professional Engineer based in Wellington with national expertise in land-based wastewater application and biosolids management. She’s led technical assessments and consenting strategies for complex municipal and industrial discharges across Aotearoa, helping clients develop solutions that are not only compliant, but culturally and environmentally aligned.

Arno, based in Tauranga, brings specialist strength in mechanical and hydraulic engineering, including pump station design, transient analysis, SCADA integration, and the commissioning of wastewater treatment plants. His practical understanding of how systems are built, operated, and maintained makes him a valuable link between design vision and real-world delivery.

Our goal isn’t just to add technical depth — it’s to help councils respond to change with confidence. That means:

• Understanding where regulatory expectations are heading
• Identifying cost-effective options early
• Designing staged solutions that balance resilience, affordability, and practical operation
• Engaging meaningfully with mana whenua and communities
• Collaborating with contractors and council staff to deliver the best outcome on the ground.

We know that finding the right path forward can be complex, especially with budget constraints and evolving compliance expectations. As a small, agile team, we aim to be responsive, pragmatic, and easy to work with. We bring national expertise, but always keep local context and relationships front of mind.

If you’re looking to review your wastewater strategy, explore land disposal or biosolids reuse, or want a second opinion on what’s possible — we’d love to hear from you.

Alana Bowmar, Service Lead Water (Wellington)             E:  alana.bowmar@vitruvius.co,nz

Scott Williamson, Sector Lead and Director                     E:  scott.williamson@vitruvius.co.nz

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This summer, we welcomed Joel Cory as a Civil Engineering Intern in our Tauranga office. Trading his usual summer job for real-world engineering experience, he was eager to put his studies into practice. Looking for the right opportunity, Joel applied for the role at Vitruvius – and from day one, he knew he’d made the right choice. 

At Vitruvius, we are continually inspired by the calibre of young engineers coming through. Their fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn bring so much value to our team. We love taking on interns, providing them with opportunities to grow, and in turn, gaining new insights from their approach to problem-solving. 

Here’s Joel’s perspective on the internship experience: 

From day one, I was welcomed into a team that is not only highly skilled but also incredibly supportive and collaborative. The friendly and open culture made it easy to ask questions, learn from experienced engineers, and feel like a valued part of the team. No two days were the same during my internship. I was involved in a diverse range of projects – from drafting reports and assisting with stormwater and transport assessments to contributing to business case documentation and shadowing engineers on-site. One of the most exciting aspects was getting out in the field, where I could see engineering in action. The variety of work kept things interesting and provided valuable hands-on experience across different areas of civil engineering. 

One of the biggest takeaways from my time at Vitruvius was seeing how the concepts I had learned at university translated into real-world applications. From working with design standards to understanding the complexities of project management, everything started to make sense in a new way. I also gained a much clearer understanding of how projects progress from initial planning to construction, as well as the relationships between clients, contractors, and consultants. Seeing all the moving parts come together was eye-opening and deepened my appreciation for the industry. 

Looking back on my summer at Vitruvius, I can confidently say this experience has been both rewarding and unforgettable. The variety of work, the incredible people, and the opportunities to learn and grow have made this internship one I’ll always appreciate. The team really seemed to get along both within the office and out, socialising together as friends. A memorable highlight has to be the Christmas party where we went out on a launch in the Tauranga harbour.  

For any future interns considering Vitruvius – if you’re looking for an internship that challenges, supports, and inspires you, this is the place to be! For further details please contact careers@vitruvius.co.nz. 

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My path to engineering wasn’t a straight line. I initially set out to earn a Bachelor of Science, majoring in mathematics, never expecting to land in civil and environmental engineering. That changed when I took an environmental science paper that touched on low-impact stormwater design.

I realised I was disillusioned with the abstract nature of a pure mathematics degree and was drawn to applying science and maths to real-world challenges – particularly those that enhance the environment. Motivated by this new purpose, I took an introductory physics paper, pivoted my studies, and ultimately graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil and Environmental Engineering, focusing on three waters and geotechnical engineering.

Since then, I have dedicated myself to meaningful work, from wastewater management to stormwater treatment and water quality improvements across Aotearoa. I have over a decade of consulting experience, developing expertise in three waters infrastructure, with a particular focus on wastewater discharges and the beneficial reuse of wastewater solids. I see real value in this work – it aligns with cultural expectations of waste management, promotes a circular economy, and redefines what is traditionally considered ‘waste’ as a resource, providing organic matter and nutrients that would otherwise come from mined or synthetic fertilisers.

In 2024, I was drawn to an opening as Service Leader – Civil and Water Engineering at Vitruvius. The opportunity to have greater control and direction over my career really appealed to me. Needless to say, I got the job, and I can honestly say I now play a much more active role in shaping the pipeline of work, developing the delivery team, and taking ownership of client relationships. The company’s commitment to quality delivery and collaboration resonates deeply with me, and it’s a privilege to work alongside such motivated and talented professionals.

My days are filled with client and project communications, phone calls, meetings, and emails, but the most fulfilling moments come when I can dive into an engineering problem, conduct site research, run calculations, and see solutions emerge through modelling and analysis.

Every time I send out a deliverable that I am proud of, I get a sense of achievement. And when my professional relationships strengthen – when I become the first person someone calls with a work problem – that’s when I know I’m making an impact.

Looking ahead, I want to continue working on fulfilling projects at Vitruvius while building a team of like-minded individuals who share my passion for environmental stewardship.

Outside of work, I embrace activities that nurture different sides of me including cycling, running, hiking, social netball, baking sourdough, and experimenting with vegan recipes. In recent years, I have come to appreciate the joy of pottering around the house – reading, cooking, and spending time with my partner, family, and friends. These moments are just as important as the work I do.

My journey proves that careers don’t always follow a set path, and changing direction can lead to greater fulfilment.

For anyone considering this field, my advice is to stay curious, follow your interests, and seek out work that aligns with your values. For me, that means working on projects that reduce environmental contaminants and promote sustainable water management—helping to protect Aotearoa’s natural ecosystems for future generations.

If you want to speak further, please contact us.

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The Gisborne District Council (GDC) FY 2025 Watermain Renewals project focused on replacing 1.95 kilometers of aging asbestos cement watermains as part of the council’s program to address at-risk infrastructure. Vitruvius was engaged to deliver detailed design services, including project management, early contractor involvement, 3D modelling, connection drawings, and tender documentation. 

With a local staff member based in Gisborne, Vitruvius maintained strong communication and provided responsive support throughout the project. This local presence was instrumental in managing stakeholder relationships and ensuring the project stayed on track. Vitruvius expanded on the GDC code of practice by recommending the use of ductile iron fittings and additional Gibault and Dismantling connections in the design, prioritising durability and simplified future maintenance—recommendations that GDC readily adopted. 

Vitruvius delivered six consistent, high-quality drawing packages ahead of schedule, allowing GDC to meet their fiscal goals and prepare for construction within the required timeframe. Safety in Design principles were applied to optimise construction efficiency and reduce risks, ensuring the best outcomes for installation. 

This project demonstrates Vitruvius’ ability to provide tailored, practical, and high-quality engineering solutions that address the unique needs of the client and their infrastructure, further strengthening our reputation for delivering reliable and innovative outcomes. 

 1.                                    2.

Figure 1: As-built of main at Jellicoe St. Vitruvius design tying into new pipe work

Figure 2: Example of existing service crossings

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Vitruvius was engaged by Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) to help them deliver a Bio-Filtration Pond designed to service the additional stormwater runoff generated by a new 100 lot development in Ōmokoroa. This project, funded through development contribution fees, played a crucial role in enabling residential growth while safeguarding the quality of stormwater runoff and protecting the receiving streams and catchments.

Vitruvius was engaged to perform a peer review of the design and work in with the incumbent designers to finalise it. This was a tricky design as this is the largest bio-filtration pond in New Zealand, so the design required scaling up a typically smaller system. When up sizing these sorts of systems to a much larger scale, there are some concerns around ensuring its effectiveness. Stormwater360, whose product it was, are providing ongoing monitoring and support to ensure it is effectively treating the stormwater.

The project site required significant preparation before construction could begin. Due to soft native soils, enabling works included clearing the land and preloading it for 6 months. Vitruvius facilitated this by procuring a contractor through closed tender invite. The submissions were then provided to WBOPC with recommendations. Once the contractor was engaged, Vitruvius managed the construction of the pre-load phase on behalf of WBOPDC.

Following the completion of the final design and the preload period, Vitruvius facilitated the procurement process for the pond construction works. This was put out to open tender on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) where Vitruvius was part of the tender evaluation team. During construction of the pond, Vitruvius served role as the Engineers Representative. As the first bio-filtration pond of this scale, the construction required innovative problem-solving and close collaboration among all stakeholders, however Vitruvius was able to facilitate a great team culture and all parties actively worked together for the best interest of the project.  The result was a successfully delivered project that exceeded expectations.

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The Lillington Emergency Response project for Auckland Council, Healthy Waters puts Vitruvius on the map of the Auckland Water sector. The high priority project, with stakeholders reaching as high as the Auckland Mayor, was entrusted to us based on our relationship with KiwiRail, engineering expertise and commitment to respond. The project addresses the risk of disruption to Auckland’s busiest train line, as a result of a stormwater pipe collapse.

This project showcases Vitruvius’ ability to pull Healthy Waters and KiwiRail together in a rapid, collaborative response to cross sector/discipline risk.  Overall, Vitruvius facilitated contributions from three major public infrastructure organisations, including NZTA Waka Kotahi, and multiple contractor entities, towards a swift and pragmatic solution in mitigating the risks presented in this high-profile project.

A 400mm brick culvert, built in 1946 and spanning 20m, lies beneath the Auckland Rail Network Southern Line and shoulder of the SH1 Southern Motorway, about 500m north of the Greenlane roundabout. The brick pipe asset was deformed, and likely the cause of rail ballast soft spots and sleeper movement directly above. Risk of pipe collapse was mitigated with slip-lining of the old brick asset with a 225mm uPVC pipe, secured with grouting to reinstate the structural integrity of the asset.

The final project outcome is a de-risked stormwater asset that functions as designed, with its lifecycle increased by an additional 50+ years, and the above rail network operating at its full capacity without limitations. The project was completed with praise from the highest level at Healthy Waters. This milestone project showcases Vitruvius’ ability to bridge disciplines and sectors, demonstrating our commitment to Auckland’s critical infrastructure, and further strengthens the relationship with our strategic key clients.

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Meet Rowan Schwynn, our new Senior Principal – Transport Planner who joined Vitruvius’s Wellington office in June 2024. Rowan’s career spans over 20 years, and nowadays he specialises in public transport planning.

From an early age, Rowan had a passion for the environment which prompted him to study Resource and Environmental Science at Waikato. Soon after graduating, like many of his contemporaries, he had ‘itchy feet’ and his sense of adventure took him abroad, living and working in the UK, America, and Australia. It was in the UK where he first found his calling in transport, where public transport became the perfect synergy between his passion for sustainability and his growing expertise in transport planning.

Whilst overseas he was involved in many innovative and high-profile transport projects, including England’s national traffic control centre and the new Sydney Metro rail network.  More recently he has worked on bus stop planning and stop design for the new Golden Mile project in Wellington that is about to get underway. Rowan is equally adept working on smaller optimisation opportunities in order to come up with fit-for-purpose solutions that make a small but important difference for public transport users. For example, he advises on bus network planning, intelligent transport systems and bus hub improvements.  Rowan is more than happy to share his experience, including his learnings on how to make a true difference in a constrained budget environment.

With Rowan now on board with Vitruvius, we are proud to be able to offer a full suite of public transport advisory services that can help projects of all sizes, including:

• Strategic transport planning (including business cases)
• Public transport network design and optimisation
• Scheduling and timetabling
• Public transport infrastructure design

Rowan’s skills add to the core transport capability in the business, including transport planning and strategy, design and delivery.  Team members have experience in all of the components of the transport lifecycle, including business cases, performance frameworks, procurement design, traffic engineering (civil and digital design), project management, Engineer to Contract and lessons learned reviews.  We even have road pricing and tolling experience, which is highly relevant in the current financially constrained market.

Transport planning is the science of understanding how people and goods move through spaces and how these movements shape—and are shaped by—the environments in which they occur. In essence, transport planning forms a critical link in how we interact and access the world around us. Whether you’re driving on a road, catching a train, taking a bus or boarding a plane, you’ve benefited from the work of a transport planner.

At the core of Rowan’s approach are three key strengths: critical thinking, adaptability, and a commitment to continual learning. Good transport planning, as Rowan puts it, is the foundation of successful transport projects – projects that enable cities to grow, economies to thrive, and enabling meaningful connections between people and their surroundings.. As a passionate advocate and frequent user of public transport, Rowan’s deep commitment to this field is both professional and personal.

Rowan Schwynn,  Senior Principal -Transport Planner

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We are proud to put the spotlight on Karly Shields, a dedicated mum and Chartered Professional Civil Engineer based remotely in Tairāwhiti, Gisborne. Karly has been a valued member of the Vitruvius team for three years and in early 2024 she returned to her hometown of Gisborne with her young family.

Karly moved away from the region for university in Christchurch and after completing her Civil Engineering degree, she worked in Wellington, London and Tauranga before the opportunity to move into the homestead she grew up in presented itself. Vitruvius were fully supportive of the move and welcomed the opportunity to connect into one of the most remote regions in the North Island.

Gisborne has had its fair share of challenges over the last couple of years including the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023 followed by a further extreme rain event in June 2023. This was the perfect opportunity for Vitruvius to provide local support and considering three other team members in the Tauranga office (including myself) are from Gisborne, there was a particularly keen interest in seeing the region bounce back and flourish.

One of the challenges for Gisborne is its ability to attract skilled engineers, mostly due to its remoteness. Karly being a Chartered Professional Engineer specialising in Three Water Infrastructure Design brings much needed skills with experience in not only engineering design, but leading, procuring and providing contract administration and construction supervision on projects.

Over the past few months, Karly has been actively building relationships with the Gisborne District Council (GDC) which has resulted in her leading and delivering a number of three waters projects in the area.

We are proud to put the spotlight on Karly Shields, a dedicated mum and Civil Engineer based remotely in Tairāwhiti, Gisborne. Karly has been a valued member of the Vitruvius team for three years and in early 2024 she returned to her hometown of Gisborne with her young family. 

Over the past few months, Karly has been actively nurturing relationships with the Gisborne District Council (GDC) which has resulted in her leading and delivering a number of three waters projects in the area. This isolated region has had its fair share of challenges over the last couple of years including the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023 followed by a further extreme rain event in June 2023.  

While our work hasn’t been directly related to the repair and resilience clean-up work, Karly’s local presence and support have been crucial for the GDC. Our pipeline of work is expected to increase into FY25.  

Here are some of the key projects Karly has been leading;

• FY25 Water Main Renewals Karly is handling the preliminary and detailed design for the renewal of 7 separate sections of Asbestos Cement watermains throughout Gisborne. The total length of renewals and realignment is approximately 1.5 km
• Shelley Road Stormwater Karly is conducting assessments, optioneering and preliminary designs to address significant flooding issues on Shelley Road. Stage 1 of this project has received funding for construction with Vitruvius currently preparing for the detailed design and MSQA support.
• Graham Road Stormwater Upgrade Peer Review The GDC has sought Vitruvius’ expertise to peer review a $2M stormwater upgrade project. Karly and team are evaluation the cost effectiveness of the proposed solutions and considering alternative options.

Vitruvius is a relationship-based company and Karly’s proactive approach to building strong relationships and delivering well has laid a solid foundation for Vitruvius in the region. We are committed to strengthening our presence in Gisborne and the broader East Coast region, and our building our track record and reputation with other council organisations over the next few years.

Karly Shields, Civil Engineer

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