The South Island Property People Awards were celebrated on 2 December 2022 with 350 guests gathering at Te Pae, Christchurch Convention Centre to recognise nine winners who have demonstrated excellence in their craft.
This year’s winners are:
Greenwood Roche Young Achiever of the Year Award
Rachel Murdoch, Greenwood Roche
Rachel’s enthusiasm for the property industry has been clear from the beginning. She originally combined work in the construction contracts space alongside resource management, eager to learn anything that would help her contribute to the property sector and the development of our urban environment.
In a short space of time, Rachel has packed in more than many do in a seasoned career. Including, assisting with the consenting of a range of significant projects within Christchurch city, relishing a secondment to Regenerate Christchurch and working on the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Plan as well as the planning and development of Te Kaha multi-use arena and consenting of the Christchurch Cathedral amongst others.
The judges were hugely impressed not just by the breadth of Rachel’s experience and willingness to try her hand at anything, but her enthusiasm to contribute to the region and the sector. Her work uses the law to get projects from dream to reality through the most cost and time-effective route. Utilising the law as a means to an end is her superpower.
Rachel embodies what this award seeks to recognise and celebrate and is without a doubt a leader of the future.
Co-Studio Best Team Award
Christchurch Town Hall Project Team
Led by Christchurch City Council in collaboration with a distinguished list of local consultants and contractors, the Christchurch Town Hall project team have reinvigorated a Christchurch landmark. Their work and commitment not only saved a vital piece of our heritage but gave it new life that ensures it will stand the test of time for many years to come.
The project team included:
- Warren and Mahoney
- Hawkins Construction
- Holmes Consulting
- Tonkin + Taylor
- Cosgroves Engineers
- Aurecon
- Holmes Fire
- Shand Shelton
- Rider Level Bucknall
- Octa Project Management
Underpinned by a shared belief in the importance of the building’s restoration, the team demonstrated continued excellence through a coordinated approach to design, documentation, and construction over several years.
With many buildings in the city lost, to have the Town Hall and the auditorium returned to the city in all their splendour and acoustic perfection has been a significant moment in our regeneration.
This project successfully retained its identity and sense of culture in a communal space that brings Cantabrians together.
Property Council Long Service Award
Mr Richard Peebles, Peebles Group
Embarking on his career at the ripe age of 21, Richard initially specialised in strengthening and renovating heritage buildings, before developing a healthy appetite for acquiring and growing his commercial property investment portfolio.
His unwavering passion and commitment to Christchurch, even in the face of significant adversity and risk led him to be one of a few developers who stepped up and reinvested in the city post-quakes.
His strong “tenant focus” means he always endeavours to support tenants as best he can, acknowledging that they are the lifeblood of his business.
He has shown tremendous courage in the face of substantial challenges and demonstrates high integrity in “doing what is right”.
Richard’s contribution to his organisation, the property industry and the local economy has enhanced the creditability and reputation of the industry to the benefit of their peers. He has demonstrated exceptional skills, dedication, commitment, and leadership that is inspiring to those within the industry and beyond.
Southbase Construction Excellence in Sustainability Award
Beatrice Tinsley Project Team, University of Canterbury Beatrice Tinsley Project
The University of Canterbury’s Beatrice Tinsley building, completed in 2020, is the tallest post-tensioned timber LVL building in New Zealand and provides an industry leading low carbon solution to meeting the brief for new academic and support staff offices for Te Rangai Putaiai, the College of Science.
The project team included:
- University of Canterbury
- Jasmax
- Aurecon
- Beca
- Cosgroves
- Rawlinsons
- Dominion Construction
- Nelson Pine, Thermosash, PreStessed Timber Limited (PTL), Janus Façade
The design welds two key strategies – timber construction and adaptive re-use of pre-existing structural elements, to achieve its industry leading carbon reductions.
With a ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ approach, the building prioritises passive design features including natural ventilation, a natural and low-toxicity material palette, minimal-energy use and reduced carbon footprint.
Learnings from the Beatrice Tinsley building have paved the way for similar timber and adaptive reuse projects.
Research into this building and others is providing valuable insights into where carbon emissions in construction are occurring now and the spectrum of options available to minimise them in the future.
GHD Property Professional of the Year Award
Evan Harris, Colliers
Evan is a vastly experienced property professional who has been a fixture of the New Zealand industry for more than 40 years.
He entered the workforce in 1979, beginning with HG Livingstone, before purchasing the business alongside three others in 1987 and growing the firm to be the largest retail property management company in New Zealand.
The business merged with Colliers in 2007 and Evan was a Director at Colliers until 2020, where he now advises as a National Retail Property Consultant.
Evan’s drive to continue to perform serves as an inspiration for all young property professionals. Through exemplary leadership, dedication, and professionalism, he continues to draw a high level of respect from his peers in a sector that has undergone significant challenges in recent years.
In such challenging times, Evan’s steady hand and confident leadership has helped provide direction for several projects that have continued to push ahead.
His wealth of knowledge and willingness to mentor the next generation of property professionals make him an enormous asset to Colliers.
Evan continues to aspire to excellence, and influence some of the South Island’s most remarkable shopping centres. There are few people who have achieved as much as he has during his career and tonight, we honour him for his exceptional commitment.
Anderson Lloyd Judges’ Choice Award
Jacqueline Atkinson, Dunedin City Council
Jacqueline started at the Dunedin City Council (DCC) as a Tenancy Manager in July 2016.
Jacqueline’s natural leadership skills and extremely high initiative saw her positioned as a Public Service Association delegate for the last four years. She also currently sits on the PSA Women’s network committee as the local government representative and has contributed to the PSA Women’s network committee as a local government representative.
The judges were hugely impressed by Jacqueline’s dedication and willingness to try her hand at any challenge given. She is a deserving recipient of this year’s Anderson Lloyd Judges Choice Award.
Resene Urban Design Award and Property Council New Zealand Supreme Excellence Award
He Puna Taimoana – Hot Pools by the Sea Project Team
He Puna Taimoana is a legacy project designed to encourage private investment in New Brighton and to kick start the economic and social regeneration of the suburb. The project is a catalyst for the regeneration of this seaside village, revitalising the eastern suburbs of Ōtautahi. After many years of decline, the development has brought life, activity, and prosperity to the suburb.
In the first year of operating, He Puna Taimoana not only achieved its participation targets, it blew them out of the water. With 125,000 guests enjoying the facility, far exceeded the original goal of 75,000 visitors.
As the winner of tonight’s Resene Urban Design Award and the coveted Supreme Award, the judges would like to specifically recognise and honour the team behind the development of He Puna Taimoana – Hot Pools by the Sea.
This was a challenging project that required innovative and bespoke design approaches. However, the outcome of this project is a highly functional and attractive facility on a very constrained and tough coastal site.
He Puna Taimoana’s success has surpassed the greatest aspirations of the community and its operator, the Christchurch City Council, contributing significantly to the regeneration of the local economy.
Congratulations to all the winners and a special thank you to our incredible sponsors, Colliers, Harvey Norman, Anderson Lloyd, GHD, Greenwood Roche, Resene, Southbase Construction, Co-Studio and Woods Bagot, without whom this fantastic event wouldn’t be possible.