Future Roads Rising Star Award nominee Martha Arifin's journey in New Zealand's roading industry is one of grit, growth and groundbreaking leadership.
Arriving from Indonesia at the age of 17 with no English, she quickly proved her determination.
She earned first class honours in a Bachelor of Science, co-authored a research paper, and supported herself with three jobs during university.
Later, while working full-time as a construction engineer, she also completed a Master of Engineering Management with top honours.
Her career began at Fulton Hogan, where she became New Zealand's youngest bitumen technologist.
Arifin's technical expertise earned her national and international recognition, including representing Fulton Hogan at the Argus Pavement Technology Asia Conference and winning awards for sustainability and product innovation.
But her ambition didn't stop at technical mastery - she pivoted into construction engineering, taking on site leadership roles and managing multimillion-dollar contracts.
Now construction delivery manager - south and east at Auckland Transport, Arifin leads complex infrastructure programmes with a unique blend of strategic insight and human connection.
Her leadership of the $7 million Manurewa safety programme during the Covid-19 pandemic saw more than 120 improvements delivered across 50 sites in just three months - with no complaints during the defect liability period.
Her meticulous planning and quality control set a benchmark for excellence.
Arifin's impact extends beyond delivery. She transformed the Local Board Transport Capital Fund programme from a fragmented system into a model of clarity and collaboration.
By securing dedicated staff and developing a live programme tracking sheet, she restored stakeholder confidence and lifted satisfaction scores from 40 per cent to 78 per cent across 21 local boards.
Her approach was later replicated with equal success in the Franklin targeted rate programme.
Her leadership is deeply people focused. Arifin empowers her team through recognition, transparency and mentorship.
She personally led cultural engagement for rural marae safety upgrades, respecting tikanga and fostering genuine partnerships.
Her work on the Mission Bay cycleway and town centre project showcased her ability to navigate sensitive urban environments with empathy and precision.
Arifin's advocacy for women in construction is rooted in personal experience.
During her first pregnancy, she demonstrated remarkable dedication by working in deep construction trenches and night shifts - until her doctor intervened, shedding light on the opportunity to improve industry standards for pregnant women.
Her move to Auckland Transport was a deliberate step toward a more inclusive workplace and she now champions equity for future generations.
From technical innovation to cultural leadership, Arifin exemplifies what it means to be a rising star.
Her story is not just about building roads - it's about building trust, opportunity and a better future for Aotearoa.
The roading industry Rising Star Award is for the standout person aged under 40 in the New Zealand roading sector, defined by their achievements during their career to-date. It is awarded annually at the Future Roads conference dinner. There are four finalists for 2025. See more here.
The New Zealand roading industry Rising Star Award is sponsored by Jacobs.