Image: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the conference expo floor in 2025.
Some key players in New Zealand civil construction will gather in the capital from 12–14 August to share knowledge, tackle industry issues and shine a light on the industry’s achievements, with the added significance of an election year backdrop.
More than 500 movers and shakers are set to attend The Civil Contractors Conference 2026 at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. Contracting companies of all sizes, heads of national infrastructure organisations, local government employees and senior political figures will all play a role in making the event an unmissable experience.
Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard says holding the conference in Wellington sends a strong message.
“Civil construction underpins the vital services New Zealand relies upon to function and this year is a great opportunity to make sure that message resonates with the people who will be shaping policy for the next three years.”
A looming election date will charge the cross-party political discussion on Friday 14 August as infrastructure spokespeople share their visions for the future of infrastructure in this country.
Chris Bishop, the Attorney-General, the Minister of Transport; Housing; Infrastructure; RMA Reform; and Associate Finance, will address the conference as a keynote speaker.
The conference will also include a cross-party political panel of Members of Parliament, including ACT Party MP Simon Court, Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter, Labour MP Tangi Utikere, National MP Dan Bidois and NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones.
Alan says the calibre of political representation at the event reflects the importance of the industry and the value New Zealanders place on getting infrastructure right.
“Having spokespeople from every major party in the same room, talking directly to the contractors who build and maintain New Zealand’s infrastructure, is exactly what an election year calls for. It’s an opportunity for both sides to listen as much as they speak.”
While the political dimension gives this year’s event a unique slant, the conference programme is packed with a smorgasbord of experiences, including industry-specific masterclasses. Options range from reputation management in a crisis to the evolution of temporary traffic management, and from recruitment solutions to practical tips for environmental management.
Keynote speakers include Peter Nunns, General Manager of Strategy at Te Waihanga New Zealand Infrastructure Commission. Peter led development of the National Infrastructure Plan and contributed to this country’s first Infrastructure Strategy in 2022.
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub will also feature, along with lobbyist Holly Bennett, NZ Government Procurement General Manager Michael Alp, and generative artificial intelligence pioneer and familiar conference face Matt Ensor, who returns to offer practical insights on how to harness AI to help contractors work smarter.
Two site visits on 12 August will showcase standout local infrastructure: the Ōtaki to North of Levin Te Pae o Tararua highway and Te Ara Tupua – the shared walkway and cycle path linking the Hutt Valley and Wellington. Members of the teams who delivered the projects will host the trips and bring them to life by telling their stories.
The capital’s unique creative character will be on display throughout the conference’s social programme. On 13 August, attendees can choose to experience either a Wellington chocolate tour or a Wellington Parliament tour, followed by lunch at stylish Coene’s Bar and Eatery, before letting loose at the ‘Wear Your Art’-themed party sponsored by Brian Perry Civil.
Finishing off in style, the CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards, Z People Awards and Connexis Civil Industry Training and Development Awards will shine a spotlight on the outstanding projects, people and training initiatives driving the industry forward.
“For more than 80 years this event has been a chance to talk about what matters to our industry and share thoughts with the people who guide New Zealand’s future,” Alan says.
“Anyone who has a stake in civil construction should be there.”
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