More than 500 construction professionals attended the 2025 Building People Awards, supported by GIB, on 8 August at Tākina in Wellington. The event, run by the Building Institute Aotearoa for over 30 years, includes awards for leadership, innovation, and teamwork in the construction sector.

The Institute say the awards focus on the human skills, relationships, and problem-solving involved in delivering projects, rather than the projects themselves.

Twenty-six recipients were named across ten categories. The organisers note that this year introduced two firsts:

The new Site Manager of the Year Award, which the Institute says recognises leaders who ensure projects are safe, efficient, and connected to the community. The inaugural recipient, Lachlan Grant (Hawkins, Wellington), was described by the judging panel as combining innovative onsite technology with a strong focus on team wellbeing and community engagement.

The youngest-ever GIB Supreme Award winner, 30-year-old Lian Versteeg. Versteeg, who also received the BCITO Emerging Leader Award and is National Services Manager at Summerset Management Group, was described by judges as “a star of New Zealand’s construction industry with global potential” and commended for technical leadership and resilience following a site tragedy.

The Hubexo Award for Collaboration / Kotahitanga was won by the Allevia Hospital Epsom Redevelopment team, who delivered a technically complex facility, featuring digital operating rooms and hybrid theatres, on time and within budget. The Jury noted “They expertly managed construction alongside live surgical environments, adhering to strict noise and vibration limits amid Covid-19 challenges. Their early contractor involvement and values-driven collaboration enabled rapid adaptation to late-stage design changes”. As one referee said, “This was the most exceptional project team I’ve seen. They were consistently solution-focused, and constant communication was the key - It was phenomenal.”

Building Institute CEO Pamela Bell said: “These Awards are recognising and rewarding the excellence of the people behind the projects, while other industry Awards focus on the project, the Building People Awards are about the human beings that create our built environment. Together, we have honoured these remarkable people who have led by example, inspired their teams, and contributed to a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable industry.”

The Resene Next Gen Awards, also presented on the night, invited students to propose ideas to change aspects of the construction industry. The Resene Next Gen Supreme Winner title went to University of Canterbury PhD student Shanta Persad for her solar calculator tool to optimise renewable energy use in urban environments. Judges described her as “a leader shaping the future of our built environment.”

Mike Arthur, General Manager at Winstone Wallboards, said of GIB’s sponsorship, “Innovation in our industry doesn’t just come from new products or technology, it comes from people who think differently, lead with courage, and lift those around them. The Building People Awards reveal the human talent driving New Zealand’s construction future, and GIB is honoured to stand behind an event that celebrates that spirit of excellence.”

A full list of the 2025 Building People Awards is here.