ABOUT THE AWARD
The New Zealand roading industry Rising Star Award recognises the standout individual under 40 in the New Zealand roading sector, based on their career achievements to date. This prestigious award is presented annually.
Entries are welcomed from the wider roading industry, including individuals working in roading and transport teams within councils, engineering consultancies, roading contractors, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and the supply and materials sectors.
The 2025 Rising Star Award is sponsored by Jacobs.
WHY NOMINATE?
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share the stories of young rising stars in your organisation and highlight their contributions to advancing themselves, your organisation, and the roading industry as a whole
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demonstrate your support for your young employees
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establish your organisation as a leader and employer of choice
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strengthen your social licence and commitment to social responsibility
KEY DATES FOR 2025
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Entries open: Wednesday 7 May
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Entry tips webinar: 11.00 am, Wednesday 11 June - see the recording link below
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Entries due: 5.00 pm, Friday 15 August - ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2025
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Finalists announced: Wednesday 10 September
The 2025 finalists are:
Martha Arifin - construction delivery manager - south and east, Auckland Transport
Beginning as New Zealand's youngest bitumen specialist, Arifin has transformed struggling programmes into models of excellence. Her leadership of Auckland Transport's Local Board Transport Capital Fund programme increased satisfaction scores from 40 per cent to 78 per cent across 21 local boards, while her pandemic response delivered more than 120 safety improvements across 50 sites in three months.
Nick Brewer - asset information and systems manager, HEB Construction
Brewer has revolutionised emergency response through GIS-based apps that tracked more than 1000 network issues during the May 2025 Selwyn floods, helping secure $13 million in emergency funding. His collaborative mapping systems with Marlborough's wine industry contributed to winning the 2024 NZ Workplace Health and Safety Award for Collaboration.
Anton Benadie - senior project manager, Higgins Contractors
As Eastern Busway Alliance pavement manager, Benadie achieved 20 per cent efficiency gains and eight-week programme reductions. His Pakuranga intersection optimisation saved $1.28 million while reducing traffic disruption from 34 to eight weeks, demonstrating how international experience translates to local excellence with defect rates of just 0.21 per cent.
Sloan Gunn - associate director – civil engineer, AECOM
Leading complex projects from Christchurch's An Accessible City to Te Awa Kairangi Alliance, Gunn champions digital innovation, including federated modelling and twin technologies. A first-generation university graduate, he combines technical expertise with authentic leadership, mentoring emerging engineers and developing tools that save hundreds of design hours.
- Winner announced: Wednesday 19 November (Future Roads conference dinner, Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton)
AWARDS ENTRY TIPS WEBINAR RECORDING
PREVIOUS WINNERS AND FINALISTS
RULES OF ENTRY, GENERAL GUIDELINES AND ENTRY TIPS
JUDGING PANEL
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Lynette Ellis – head of transport & waste management, Christchurch City Council
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Neil McLoughlin – general manager - client solutions & innovation, Hiway
- Scott Ford – general manager, Isaac Construction
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CONTACT AND SPONSORSHIP DETAILS
Award enquiries
Sponsorship enquiries
James Wardhaugh
+64 21 636 819
james.wardhaugh@freemanmedia.co.nz