Tag : Public Works Department

CaterpillarTractors

Caterpillar’s D7 tractor -‘the early years’

Contrafed PUblishing
The iconic Caterpillar D7 has been in continuous production in various versions since 1935. It has fought in three major conflicts – WWII, Korea &...
Heritage NZNew Zealand roads

A concise history of Kiwi roading

Gill Prentice
Richard Silcock explores the development and construction of the country’s first roads. WHEN THE FIRST Europeans settled in New Zealand their attention was largely given...
ContractorProject

Iconic viaduct’s $13m revamp

Contrafed PUblishing
CHRIS WEBB reviews a sizeable restoration project that has given an old classic and important viaduct a new lease of life.  LOCATED 12 KILOMETRES south...
ContractorFeature

Runway Innovations

Contrafed PUblishing
  Lawrence Schäffler looks back on how the looming threat of WWII kick-started the development of the NZ Air Force’s infrastructure and how a shortage of...
CommentContractorHistorical

Paying respect to Arnold Downer’s legacy

Vijay Naidu
Of the handful of family names indelibly etched in the history of our civil contracting industry is Downer, founded by engineer Arnold Downer over 80...
ArchivesHeritage Trails

Heritage Trails: Waioeka Gorge

Contrafed PUblishing
War made the Waioeka Gorge notorious, but the scenic road through it has made it a drawcard for motorists. Hugh de Lacy tells its story....