Ngā Awa Block wins silver award at New Zealand Commercial Project Awards

The awards are owned by the Registered Master Builders Association and are the only competition in New Zealand of its kind that recognise entire project teams for their work, with a focus on sustainability across all the categories.

With the support of Council, contractor W & W Construction of Whanganui, entered the Ngā Awa Block into the Civic Project category. The judging criteria is based on design, contract management, construction and delivery of outcome and an overall assessment.

The judges said that the project blended practicality with architectural innovation to deliver a multifunctional space for sports, recreation, and public use, noting that the standout feature of the completed building is the cross-laminated staircase that leads to a control room for umpires and referees. Prefabrication of components of the building was noted as a strength of the project, streamlining construction and minimising waste.

Completed in August 2023, Ngā Awa Block is an amenities building in Taihape for various sporting and recreation organisations in the community. Council collaborated with Taihape residents on the building and what was needed, and so far, it has seen a significant uptake of users, particularly during winter sports months.

Council would like to thank and congratulate W & W Construction on this award and well-deserved recognition of the outstanding work they have done creating a facility that is important to the Taihape community.