NAWIC names 2023 Excellence Awards winners!

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) named its 11 Excellence Awards winners at Te Pae, Christchurch Convention Centre across categories such as Excellence in Construction Administration and Apprentice Excellence

An all-time high 238 industry entries inspired a record event attendance at the event in July, said NAWIC Awards Director Stacey Mendonça.

“The high numbers of entries for the NAWIC Awards this year has proved a positive shift in attitude within construction. We were thrilled with the overwhelming response from the industry in our new record of NAWIC Award nominees.

“We received 238 entries and we are excited about this group and the stellar women we met through the process. We thank nominees for being bold in entering and also thank nominators for their work in supporting the nominees to get to this point and beyond.”

The 37 judges and five moderators had their work cut out narrowing down the entries into finalists and eventual winners.

“It is really encouraging to hear and see the amazing roles and impacts women in our industry continue to pursue, be passionate about and excel in,” said judge Linda Kestle.

“It was a pleasure to be part of the panel. I can see how the awards inspire initiative, persistence, excellence and energy when the people we spoke to have all that in spades,” added fellow judge Ruth Williams.

The award winners are as follows:

Helen Tippett Award

Winner – Aurelie Le Gall, Fletcher Living

Highly commended – Chloe Williams, Fulton Hogan

Special merit – Sonia Muir, Naylor Love

Special merit – Jennifer Parker, She Property Care

Tradeswoman of the Year

Winner – Billie McDonnell, South Auckland Plumbing

Winner – Ella Star, Plumberella

Special merit – Alex van Dam, Van Dam Construction

Outstanding leader of the Year – Office

Winner – Aleshia Perry, Link Alliance (WSP)

Highly commended – Gabrielle Tabron, Ka Huanui a Tahuna Alliance (QLDC)

Highly commended – Natasha Possenniskie, Urban Outcomes

Special merit – Jennifer McLean, Waka Kotahi

Outstanding leader of the Year – Site

Winner – Nicky Leman, Fletcher Construction

Highly commended – Clare Miller, Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway Alliance (Goodman Contractors)

Special merit – Betty Mitrova, Downer NZ

Excellence in Construction Administration – Office

Winner – Rowena Massey, PlaceMakers

Highly commended – Barbara MacGregor, MyHome Renovations

Special merit – Marcelle Moore, Naylor Love

Excellence in Construction Administration – Site

Winner – Tui Simon, Fulton Hogan

Highly commended – Jeniffer Lourdsamy, ACCIONA

Special merit – Michelle Goggans, Southbase Construction

Rising Star – Office

Winner – Eliza Cowey, AECOM

Highly commended – Tina Wieczorek, Scaffolding, Access and Rigging NZ

Special merit – Virginia Hogan, McConnell Dowell Constructors

Rising Star – Site

Winner – Bayley Smith, Fletcher Construction

Highly commended – Jasmin Lawrence, Fletcher Living

Special merit – Mary Fatima Atoniao, Brian Perry Civil

Student Excellence Award

Winner – Olivia Kieser, Downer NZ

Highly commended – Oriwa Curtis, Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway Alliance

Apprentice Excellence Award

Winner – Nicola Ross, Nicola Ross Design

Highly commended – Hera Eruera, Auckland Plumbers Group

Special merit – Bridget Cassie, Hockly Plumbers

Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Environment

Winner – Kate Perrott, Fulton Hogan

Highly commended – Esmarie Jackson, Ghella Abergeldie Joint Venture

Special merit – Fran Edmunds, Hawkins