# National Association of Women in Construction (New Zealand) Excellence Awards

The National Association of Women in Construction (New Zealand) Excellence Awards is an annual set of awards which recognise the achievements of women working in construction and affiliated industries in New Zealand, as well as recognising organisations active in redressing the industry's gender imbalance. The inaugural awards were made in 2015, and have been made every year since with the exception of 2020. The National Association of Women in Construction (New Zealand) is the organising body for the awards.

## Categories

The awards were originally made in 6 categories. In 2023, the category "Outstanding Achievement in Design" will not be awarded; awards will be made in 8 categories, with up to 11 winners.
* Helen Tippett Award: named after Helen Tippett, a lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Architecture. The award celebrates achievements in advancing and furthering the interests of women in the construction industry. It is open to any organisation, company, partnership, firm, or individual operating in New Zealand.
* Tradeswoman of the Year: celebrates the contributions made by tradeswomen working in the construction industry. It is open to all tradeswomen working in the construction industry in New Zealand
* Outstanding Leader of the Year - Site or Office Based: this was a new category in 2022 and replaced "Professional Woman of the Year". It is open to women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in a management or supervisory role or who own and run their own business in the industry.
* Rising Star - Site or Office Based: this category was first awarded in 2017. It is open to women who have worked in the construction industry for no more than 7 years
* Excellence in Construction Administration - Site or Office Based: celebrates the contributions of women in an administrative, sales/marketing, or operational role within the construction industry
* Health, Safety, Wellbeing, and Environment Award: this is a new category for 2023. It recognises a woman who actively promotes the inclusion of health, safety, wellbeing, and environmental risk management practices, initiatives, or innovations on a project or across an organisation
* Student Excellence Award: this category was previously named "Student of the Year". It celebrates female students who demonstrate a high level of potential and commitment within the construction industry.
* Apprentice Excellence Award: this category was previously named "Apprentice of the Year". It celebrates female apprentices who demonstrate a high level of potential and commitment within the construction industry.

## Award ceremonies and recipients
### 2023

The 2023 awards attracted 238 nominations and a group of 37 judges and 5 moderators decided on the finalists and winners. The ceremony was held on 21 July in Christchurch at Te Pae. Construction company Naylor Love was the major sponsor for the event. The Outstanding Achievement in Design award was not awarded and a new award was introduced: Achievement in Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Environment.
| Award | Recipient and Employer |
| Helen Tippett Award | Aurelie Le Gall, Fletcher Living |
| Tradeswoman of the Year | Ella Star, Plumberella Billie McDonnell, South Auckland Plumbing |
| Outstanding Leader of the Year - Site Based | Nicky Leman, Fletcher Construction |
| Outstanding Leader of the Year - Office Based | Aleshia Perry, Link Alliance (WSP) |
| Rising Star - Office Based | Eliza Cowey, AECOM |
| Rising Star - Site Based | Bayley Smith, Fletcher Construction |
| Excellence in Construction Administration - Office Based | Rowena Massey, PlaceMakers |
| Excellence in Construction Administration - Site Based | Tui Simon, Fulton Hogan |
| Student Excellence Award | Olivia Kieser, Downer NZ |
| Apprentice Excellence Award | Nicola Ross, Nicola Ross Design |
| Achievement in Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Environment Award | Kate Perrott, Fulton Hogan |

### 2022

The 2022 awards attracted 190 nominations and a group of 40 judges determined the finalists and winners. The ceremony was held on 1 July in Wellington at Te Papa. Construction company Naylor Love was the major sponsor for the event.
| Award | Recipient and Employer |
| Helen Tippett Award | Becky Cox, Fulton Hogan |
| Tradeswoman of the Year | Nikita Porthouse, Hutt Gas and Plumbing |
| Outstanding Leader of the Year - Site Based | Fiona Jerry, Pipeline and Civil |
| Outstanding Leader of the Year - Office Based | Linda Kestle, Unitec |
| Rising Star - Office Based | Nalini Gounder, BECA |
| Rising Star - Site Based | 'Ofa-Ki-Mapalei Halatanu, Brian Perry Civil |
| Excellence in Construction Administration - Office Based | Sali Mann, Fulton Hogan |
| Excellence in Construction Administration - Site Based | Danielle Matika, Fulton Hogan |
| Outstanding Achievement in Design | Clare Dring, Fulton Hogan |
| Student Excellence Award | Caitlin Sanford, Massey University |
| Apprentice Excellence Award | Kat Ricketts, J Grae Building |

### 2021

The 2021 awards were sponsored by BCITO (Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation). The ceremony included a keynote speech from the Minister of Building and Construction, Poto Williams.
| Award | Recipient and Employer |
| Helen Tippett Award | Anita Varga, Fulton Hogan |
| Tradeswoman of the Year | Tegan Williams, Alan Trow Painters |
| Professional Woman of the Year - Site Based | Helen Russell, Brian Perry Civil |
| Professional Woman of the Year - Office Based | Kelly Churchill, Fulton Hogan |
| Rising Star - Office Based | Evie Wallace, BECA and Rochelle Kirby, WSP |
| Rising Star - Site Based | Tevunga (Vee) Ungo'unga, Piritahi Alliance |
| Excellence in Construction Administration | Kim Booker, Brosnan Construction |
| Outstanding Achievement in Design | Kat Salm, Harrison Grierson |
| Student or Apprentice Excellence Award | Chelsea Roper, Queenstown Carpenters |

### 2019

The 2019 awards were sponsored by BCITO (Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation). The ceremony was held on 27 September at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Auckland.
| Award | Recipient and Employer |
| Helen Tippett Award | Colleen Upton, Hutt Gas & Plumbing |
| Tradeswoman of the Year | Elizabeth Watson, Stone Roofing Ltd |
| Professional Woman of the Year | Erin Black, BECA and Kathryn Kitchen, Fisher Aluminium |
| Rising Star - Office Based | Lisa Mace, BECA and Neha Sharma, Jacobs Ltd |
| Rising Star - Site Based | Morgan Raby, HEB Structures |
| Excellence in Construction Administration | Tracy Shaw, Higgins Contractors and Kylie Wech, Downer |
| Outstanding Achievement in Design | Hedda Oosterhoff, T&R Interior Systems |
| Apprentice of the Year | Corinna Bohny, Contract Construction |
| Student of the Year | Danielle Platt, Rider Levett Bucknall and Anna Winskill-Moore, Osborn Brothers Construction |

### 2018

The 2018 awards were sponsored by Hays, a recruitment company. The ceremony was held on 17 August at the Auckland Town Hall.
| Award | Recipient and Employer |
| Helen Tippett Award | Gabrielle Bush, CPB Contractors |
| Tradeswoman of the Year | Pip Buunk, Fulton Hogan |
| Professional Woman of the Year | Heidi Johnston, Windowmakers |
| Rising Star - Office Based | Elisapeta Heta, Jasmax |
| Rising Star - Site Based | Amelia Gilbert-Milne, Brian Perry Civil and Jemma Dutton, CPB Contractors |
| Excellence in Construction Administration | Emlyn Moore, Fletcher Construction |
| Outstanding Achievement in Design | Stephanie Thompson, Stantec |
| Apprentice of the Year | Jessica Curtis, Integrated Systems Design |

### 2017

The 2017 awards were sponsored by Hays, a recruitment company. The ceremony was held on 10 August at the Aotea Centre in Auckland.
| Award | Recipient and Employer |
| Helen Tippett Award | Laura Clifford, Hawkins Construction |
| Tradeswoman of the Year | Verena Maeder, Solid Earth |
| Professional Woman of the Year | Rachael Rush, Klein |
| Rising Star | Steph McLeod, Stantec NZ and Vikki Stephens, BECA |
| Excellence in Construction Services | Sophie Lackey, Leighs Construction |
| Outstanding Achievement in Design | Sian France, BECA |
| Apprentice and Student (Professional) | Gillian Linton, Arvida |
| Apprentice and Student (Trades) | Emily Sutton, City Care |

### 2016

The 2016 awards were sponsored by Hays, a recruitment company. The ceremony was held on 15 September at Mac's Function Centre in Wellington.
| Award | Recipient and Employer |
| Helen Tippett Award | Megan Rule, South Pacific Architecture |
| Tradeswoman of the Year | Carmen Sutton, McIntosh Builders |
| Professional Woman of the Year (Construction) | Lynne Makepeace, Fletcher Construction |
| Professional Woman of the Year (Professional) | Karen Sanderson, BECA |
| Excellence in Construction Administration | Carolyn Pitman, Fletcher Construction |
| Outstanding Achievement in Design | Vanessa Carswell, Warren and Mahoney and Gemma Collins, Fletcher Construction |
| Apprentice and Student (Professional) | Vanessa Coxhead, Victoria University |
| Apprentice and Student (Trades) | Natalie Thornton, City Decorators |

### 2015

The 2015 awards were sponsored by Hays, a recruitment company. The winners were announced on 15 May in Christchurch.
| Award | Recipient and Employer |
| Helen Tippett Award | SCIRT Women in Construction, SCIRT |
| Tradeswoman of the Year | Mary Clare Bartlett, Tickled Pink |
| Professional Woman of the Year | Deborah Cranko, Cranko Architects |
| Excellence in Construction Administration | Kristina Wyschnowsky, Corbel Construction |
| Outstanding Achievement in Design | Lianne Cox, Studio Pacific Architecture and Sarah Neill, BECA |
| Student or Apprentice Excellence | Gail Roysten, BECA |