Article written by Nigel Holman – Transport Sector Lead

The Matapiro Bridge on Matapiro Road in Crownthorpe is a critical transport link for Hawke’s Bay, supporting agricultural production, connecting freight routes to Napier Port, and providing access for local residents commuting into Napier.

When Cyclone Gabrielle struck, the bridge was one of 19 bridge structures destroyed across the region. Originally built in 1955, the bridge was completely washed away, while the surrounding approach roads suffered extensive damage. Restoring this connection was essential to reconnect communities and support the movement of people and goods throughout the region.

As part of the Design and Construction contract, Vitruvius supported Concrete Structures NZ and bridge designers Holmes to deliver the design of the replacement approach roads and associated traffic services.

The approach roads formed the critical link between the new bridge and the existing road network. Their design required careful coordination of road geometry, levels, drainage and constructability to ensure a seamless connection with the bridge works and surrounding infrastructure. Particular attention was given to transition details at the bridge abutments and tie-ins to existing assets, ensuring the approaches could be constructed efficiently and perform seamlessly once opened to traffic.

Working closely with the contractor and wider project team, Vitruvius adopted a practical, construction-focused approach that enabled early resolution of design interfaces and alignment with construction sequencing and site constraints. Through pragmatic design solutions, clear communication and strong interface management, the team helped maintain programme certainty while delivering high-quality outcomes.

The completed bridge approaches have restored a vital transport corridor for Hawke’s Bay, reconnecting local communities, agricultural producers and key freight routes. Initially awarded $9 million through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing, the project was ultimately delivered for significantly less, demonstrating the value of collaborative delivery and practical engineering solutions.

Article written by Mitchell Alley – Senior Project Delivery Manager

Papamoa Pathway Stage 2 is one of those projects that reminds me why good local infrastructure matters. On paper, it is a shared pathway. In reality, it is a safer and more useful connection through one of Tauranga’s fastest-growing coastal suburbs, and a place many of us know well and call home.

The pathway forms part of the wider Papamoa active transport network, improving walking and cycling connections through a rapidly growing area. What I like about it is how practical it is. Whether it’s a safer trip to school, an easier walk to a reserve, a better weekend ride, or simply another option for getting around without always needing the car, the benefits are immediate and easy to understand.

Vitruvius has completed the detailed design phase for the project, which I led as Design Lead alongside a strong team of designers, including Brooke Buckman – Civil Engineering Technician. The design phase was about much more than drawing a line on a plan. It involved working through the corridor constraints, existing services, constructability, ecological and cultural considerations, and making sure the pathway could be delivered safely and practically on the ground. I am now continuing on the project as Project Leader, leading the MSQA on site and helping guide the works through construction.

A big part of the construction phase has also been the partnership with HEB. We have built a strong working relationship with their team on site, which makes a real difference when you are dealing with the sort of practical constraints this project has. Being able to work through issues openly, plan ahead and keep communication moving has helped the team stay focused on safe, sensible delivery.

One of the main challenges has been working around the existing services in the corridor, particularly the watermain, which has politely but firmly reminded everyone that it was there first. It limits the construction loading that can be applied in certain areas, so plant movements, temporary works, access and sequencing have all had to be carefully planned. That is the stuff the public will probably never see, but it is also the stuff that stops a “simple pathway” becoming a very expensive water feature.

The project also sits within a sensitive local environment, including a special ecological zone. That adds another layer of responsibility to the construction phase. For me, the pathway is not just a strip of pavement. It sits within a wider landscape that needs to be respected, so environmental controls, construction methodology and day-to-day site decisions all matter.

Cultural considerations have also been important. Papamoa has a rich history, and projects in this area need to be approached with care. For our project team, that means recognising that we are working in a place with cultural value, keeping the right processes front of mind, and making sure those considerations are respected through construction.

One of the lessons I keep coming back to is that simple-looking community assets are rarely simple to deliver. Shared paths can look straightforward once complete, but there is a lot to balance behind the scenes: existing utilities, construction access, public safety, drainage, ecological constraints, cultural values, stakeholder expectations and future maintenance. Getting those pieces lined up is what turns a line on a plan into something that works well on the ground.

The highlight for me has been seeing the project move from design into construction and watching those plans take shape on the ground. Projects like this remind me that even relatively simple community assets require a huge amount of coordination, technical input and collaboration to deliver successfully. The best part is the outcome: creating something that gives people more choice in how they get around, supports healthier ways of moving through the community, and enhances the places where people live, work and spend their time. It’s the kind of infrastructure people quickly come to rely on, becoming part of everyday life without needing to be flashy about it. Those are often the projects I enjoy most, the ones that quietly make daily life better.

We’re looking forward to continuing our work with Tauranga City Council on future public realm projects, helping shape spaces and places that support a more connected, community-focused city. These are the kinds of projects that help communities grow well, and I’m excited about the role Vitruvius can play in helping bring that vision to life.

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.

Article written by: Albert Ho – Service Leader – Civil and Water Engineering

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/ 

Figure 1 – Opportunity at Onewa Road to coordinate asset renewal and water quality improvement with road works

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. 

Tauranga’s main arterial route, Cameron Road, was upgraded and future‑proofed from Harington Street in the city centre to Seventeenth Avenue beside Tauranga Hospital. The project improved safety and streetscape quality while providing more transport choices, enabling people to walk, cycle, scooter, catch a bus or drive with greater confidence. The project was almost entirely Government‑funded through the Crown Infrastructure Partners’ Shovel Ready initiative, supporting local economic recovery following COVID‑19.

Vitruvius provided programme and project management services to Tauranga City Council. With a strong understanding of Council processes, objectives and operating environment, our team brought a proven track record of delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects within tight timeframes.

Throughout the project, Vitruvius delivered robust risk management and quality assurance, applied specialist infrastructure delivery and risk mitigation expertise, and identified and managed key project milestones and deliverables. We also fostered a highly collaborative working environment with contractors and fellow consultants.

Vitruvius was responsible for managing the detailed design and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process, as well as overseeing the public communication and engagement strategy.

Tunnel 21, which is located between Kaikoura and Blenheim on KiwiRail’s Main North Line, had to be upgraded to achieve minimum clearance standards, improve line speed and importantly, increase the overall network resilience of the line following the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) project. 

Vitruvius was brought into the project based on our expertise in spatial survey and design, road design, rail geometric design and digital engineering. We surveyed the track alignment and inside of the tunnel using laser scanning technology to produce a 3D model for the track design. Using KiwiRail rolling stock data, a full spatial assessment of the tunnel was completed based on the types of rail vehicles in use on the main north line. 

Following that survey work, a thorough optioneering exercise was undertaken in partnership with KiwiRail and other specialist consultants, to explore how we would make the tunnel more resilient and improve the line speed with an efficient and effective solution. The preferred solution, which has now been delivered, involved a new offline rail alignment through a 500,000m³ cutting, and a new road over rail crossing structure. The state highway also required an online re-alignment to accommodate the works. 

This project was complex due to a number of factors: the state highway crosses over the railway lines; geometry; safety and cost for scale of earth and structural works; environmental considerations of sensitive wetlands; and private access routes.

We managed the digital model and interface to provide information from the contractor through BIM delivery.

This project was to investigate and construct a new road link from State Highway 2a, de-conflicting traffic priorities on State Highway 29 to the Port of Tauranga.

Vitruvius acted as project manager through the investigation and onto the specimen design phase. This investigation took 2½ years to complete amid strong political and public interest.

Vitruvius also provided project management to oversee the compilation of tender documentation, tender process management and the appointment of a professional services provider to deliver the specimen design.

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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