Article written by: Nigel Holman – Service Leader Road Engineering

Vitruvius is proud to be supporting the delivery of the Putauaki Kawerau Container Terminal (PKCT). This is a landmark infrastructure project that will establish a new rail freight hub for the Eastern Bay of Plenty and unlock long‑term economic benefits for the region.

We are currently assisting PKCT by overseeing construction supervision and providing surveying set-out services for a complex and tightly scheduled build. Our role spans end‑to‑end engineering and planning services, including rail design, stormwater assessment, traffic impact assessment, civil and roading design, integrated stormwater management, and working closely with Engeo to undertake the specialist geotechnical investigations and design.

Supported by the Provincial Growth Fund, this initiative represents over five years of planning and serves as a pivotal driver for enhancing regional supply chains and supporting local industry within the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Once operational, PKCT is expected to remove up to approximately 18,000 heavy truck movements from surrounding roads each year, reducing congestion, improving safety, and delivering meaningful reductions in CO₂ emissions.

The project is now well into its construction phase. Over the Christmas break, Vitruvius worked closely with the Contractor and the Principal to deliver the important first stage of the programme, setting the project up for a strong start. Taking advantage of the Christmas block of line, we reinstated more than 200 metres of existing track.

As the project progresses toward its planned opening in mid‑2026, our team will continue working alongside the contractor and PKCT to deliver:

• a new 750 metre long loading platform
• approximately 1.2 kilometres of new heavy duty rail track
• more than one hectare of new container storage area
• around 100,000 cubic metres of earthworks and imported fill
• new stormwater storage and road access infrastructure.

The PKCT project reflects Vitruvius’ broader capability to deliver complex infrastructure projects that will make a real difference to the region and local community. We are proud of the progress achieved to date and look forward to continuing our contribution as this important project reaches its next milestones.

Vitruvius was proud to be involved in the Links Avenue project, a high‑profile programme of works for Tauranga City Council (TCC). The project was not without its challenges, and following a number of issues over several years, Vitruvius was engaged to undertake the design and MSQA works for the troubled corridor. 

The corridor along Links Ave is crucial for the local community, particularly with its proximity to several schools and the high volume of pedestrian, cycle, and bus traffic. Recognising this, Vitruvius designed and implemented a shared use area that prioritises safety for cyclists of all ages. This was achieved through the strategic placement of separation islands and hit sticks, ensuring a secure passage for commuters traveling to school and work. 

Throughout design TCC identified the corridor as strategically significant and consequently a dedicated maintenance budget was allocated to comprehensively rehabilitate the pavement with concrete. This enhancement not only strengthens the corridor but also supports the anticipated growth of the bus network and increased bus movements in the future. 

Key achievements of the project include: 

• Innovative Design Solutions: Incorporating advanced design elements to create a safe and accessible environment for all road users. 
• Timely Execution: Managing site activities efficiently, including design adaptations and rapid solutions delivery, to meet stringent construction deadlines. 
• Integrated Approach: Seamlessly integrating pavement rehabilitation and cycleway installation over a 1.3km stretch during a critical two-week school holiday period. 

Article written by: Mitchell Alley – Project Delivery Manager

The Smith Street Development is an ongoing greenfield residential subdivision at the eastern edge of Waihi, transforming 6.1 hectares of former pastoral land into a 68 lot neighbourhood designed to support long term community growth.

Vitruvius has been involved from the outset, providing civil engineering design, surveying, and MSQA services through planning, consenting, and construction. Our team is working closely with Classic Developments Ltd and a multidisciplinary consultant group to resolve site constraints and deliver coordinated, buildable design solutions.

The project presents a range of technical and environmental challenges, including flood hazard management, stream and wetland interfaces, embankment stability, fish passage requirements, contaminated soils, and stormwater discharge effects. Vitruvius has undertaken early infrastructure and flood assessments, prepared Assessments of Environmental Effects, and led the civil design process through District and Regional Council consenting.

Earthworks have been completed over two construction seasons, establishing the final landform and enabling staged delivery of civil infrastructure. Stage 1 works are currently underway and include internal roading and servicing, significant retaining structures, a new neighbourhood reserve, walking tracks along the internal stream, and integrated wetland and stormwater systems that enhance both functionality and amenity.

Through close collaboration and a rigorous design approach, Vitruvius is continuing to unlock value on a complex site, delivering a resilient and well-considered development that balances engineering performance, environmental outcomes, and future liveability.

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Article written by: Mitchell Alley – Project Delivery Manager

The transformation of Links Avenue Reserve represents a major step forward for local sport and recreation, delivering a high-quality football destination designed for all ages and abilities.

Vitruvius played a central role throughout the project, leading all design phases and providing comprehensive MSQA and Engineer’s Representative services from inception through to delivery. Our team worked closely with project partners and stakeholders to ensure the final outcome met rigorous standards for quality, safety, and long-term community value.

The upgrade included a FIFA-grade artificial football pitch, supported by significant improvements to stormwater and wastewater infrastructure. Over 2,000 metres of advanced Megaflo drainage help maintain playing performance year-round, complemented by a soakage system beneath the car park to effectively manage runoff. Improved access, parking, and modern amenities ensure the Reserve functions as a welcoming and practical space for both players and spectators.

Since opening, the Reserve has become a key hub for football and wider community activity, supporting increased participation and providing a safe, well-designed environment for organised sport and informal use alike. The quality of the finished asset reflects a strong collaborative effort and a shared commitment to enhancing Tauranga’s sporting infrastructure.

Today, Links Avenue Reserve stands as a premier sporting asset for the region – one that supports grassroots sport, enables high-quality competition, and delivers lasting benefits for the Bay of Plenty community.

Vitruvius has been proud to partner with the New Zealand Housing Foundation (NZHF) to deliver 100 affordable homes for families. NZHF’s innovative ownership model enables families to initially purchase 60% or more of their home, with the opportunity to acquire the remaining share over time. Throughout this journey, NZHF provided comprehensive support, including mortgage assistance and ongoing guidance to homeowners.

Delivered across four stages, the project demonstrates a successful approach to medium‑density residential development in Ōmokoroa. As the area’s first development of this kind, it presented unique challenges due to departures from standard council requirements. These were addressed through close collaboration with local authorities, ensuring full compliance and a high‑quality outcome.

Beyond the technical and logistical challenges, the project is achieving its core purpose of delivering much needed affordable housing for New Zealand families. Vitruvius was honoured to contribute to this meaningful initiative and to help create a lasting positive impact for the community. Vitruvius played a key role throughout the project lifecycle, leading the Detailed Design phase, overseeing Construction Monitoring, and is managing the acquisition of legal titles for all housing lots. These responsibilities were critical to the project’s overall success and were delivered to a high standard.

Article written by Sam Riddell – Project Delivery Manager

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, provided ongoing monitoring and support to ensure it effectively treated 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 six 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.

Bay of Plenty is renowned for its fertile soil and thriving kiwifruit and avocado crops. In 2009 Western Bay of Plenty District Council altered their planning rules to ensure local orchards and farms weren’t carved into small residential parcels, resulting in productive land going to waste. Rural subdivisions of this nature must now retain a minimum of 6ha of production and landowners must have at least 12ha to begin with.

Vitruvius’ surveying team has a well-established reputation as specialists in this area and understand the WBOPDC’s planning rules inside and out. This particular property on Tetley Rd in Katikati was 50ha and comprised kiwifruit, avocado and grazing land. We undertook the necessary planning activities to enable the landowner to apply for resource consent to split the block into three parcels – 23ha, 19ha and 8ha.

We then carried out the Land Transfer Survey and ensured engineering conditions were adhered to including new vehicle entrances and the provision of power and phone to all lots. This subdivision also had a number of archeological sites which had to be accounted for and protected.

Our reputation and expertise in this area means Vitruvius is often a landowner’s first choice when it comes to subdividing rural land in the Western Bay.

Our client, Classic Developments Limited, planned a terraced development for this site. This required a significant retaining wall, 4.5m high and 150m long, running along 13 separate boundaries. The viability of the entire subdivision depended on getting the design of this retaining structure exactly right, which kept the project team on their toes throughout.

Vitruvius was engaged to undertake the topographical survey and civil engineering design for the project. We worked closely with the geotechnical engineer to determine the correct offsets and boundaries, pinpointing precisely where the wall needed to be located. Poles were driven up to 12m deep into the ground, resulting in a highly stable site, with resource consent and development works approval subsequently granted by Tauranga City Council.

Providing drainage services through the wall was the next key challenge. Large manholes and drop structures were designed to allow stormwater and wastewater pipes to pass through from one side to the other.

Managing complex engineering challenges like this is what we do best. The completed project delivered a strong, well‑engineered solution that also integrates seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

Tauranga City Council’s Plan Change 26 was designed to encourage housing intensification and reduce urban sprawl. Completed in a highly sought‑after location opposite Tauranga Boys’ College, this development has become an early example of the infill housing now increasingly occurring across the city.

The design features eight two-storied townhouses built over a 1012m² site. Striking a balance between density and good urban design is becoming increasingly important. Vitruvius contributed to this by assessing potential flood levels and determining what impact it would have on the finished floor levels and the HIRB (Height In Relation to Boundary) envelope so design work could proceed.

Mitigating the effects of on-site ponding during large rainfall events was another challenge, along with stormwater discharge. Our civil engineering team came up with an appropriate design which involved installing a large underground soakage tank beneath a new carpark on site.

Unlike most developments of this type, the client opted for freehold rather than unit title. Our surveyors worked with the client and their legal team to create scheme plans which provided some interesting surveying challenges.

Across the board we came up with solutions that satisfied both our client and Tauranga City Council.

Climate change will result in increasingly erratic weather including intense rainfall and more frequent flooding. Tauranga City Council’s Plan Change 27 flood model shows there’s potential for significant flooding around Cameron Road near Tauranga Racecourse and the golf course during a large rain event. ‘The Stables’ development features 20 designer townhouses near this location and Vitruvius’ civil engineering design team were engaged to ensure these homes would be protected from any flooding or heavy rain events.

Our design ensured stormwater would drain to The Stables’ central carpark area where it then goes into soakage. We were able to prove the project’s finished floor levels would be clear of any flooding or onsite ponding issues, and would remain within the Height in Relation to Building (HIRB) envelope so that resource and building consent could be granted. This required extensive consultation with Tauranga City Council and many months of work.

A 55m³ soakage tank was installed underneath the carpark, and a drainage column created to help stormwater soak down 4m to the Rotoehu Ash layer. We have also worked on a bulk water supply design for the development which was gifted to Tauranga City  Council.

In many ways, developments like ‘The Stables’ are a jigsaw puzzle – you must work from the outside in to achieve the Best Practical Option (BPO), ensuring it sits on the site and can be serviced appropriately. At Vitruvius we thrive on these kinds of challenges.