Our people

Specialist Operator Alexia “Lex” Burton with the Hawke’s Bay Stabilisation team describes her role as “a bit of everything.” Lex operates the truck that delivers the metal used to prep the road for stabilisation with cement. After delivering the metal, she stays onsite to operate the vibrating roller for compaction. She’s currently learning to operate more equipment, including the cement spreader and the hoe. “What I like about my work is I'm doing something different every day – nothing’s the same."

Lex says Higgins provided her the opportunity to be involved in road construction, a field she had not previously worked in. Before joining Higgins, she was in road maintenance. “My role challenges me to test my ability to do certain things, especially if I haven’t done it before. My co-workers are always behind me, willing to share their knowledge and help me overcome any challenge. The challenges build potential. I believe I can do anything if I put my mind to it.”

Back in 2006, Anthony Godetz was introduced to Higgins during a high school careers day. The day included a tour of the Higgins office, lab, asphalt plant, and concrete plant. Anthony remembers thinking, “This is it. The big machines, the energy – it all clicked. I wasn’t thriving academically because I hadn’t yet found my path. That day, I found it.”

In 2007, thanks to a friend and a timely opportunity for a job interview with Higgins Palmerston North, Anthony began his journey with the company as a labourer-operator, rotating through sealing, asphalt, and roading construction. “I had the passion to get on the machines. I used lunch breaks and after hours to learn how to operate them. I was determined to grow my skills and knowledge of the business.”

 Anthony’s hard work paid off – he was soon promoted to construction foreman. He later joined the Christchurch rebuild and several projects in the South Island, taking on the roles of pavement foreman and roading network inspector. He’s now Southern Maintenance Operations Manager at Higgins Christchurch.

Each role brought new challenges and growth, he says. “The journey has been challenging but fulfilling, and I have enjoyed every moment of it. Higgins has backed me every step of the way. I’m grateful and excited for what’s ahead.”

“Leadership is about staying ahead of the curve – anticipating challenges, empowering decision-making, and building a culture where collaboration and accountability are the norm.” That’s how Anton Benadie, Senior Project Manager at Higgins Auckland, describes his approach to leading teams and delivering complex infrastructure projects.

Since arriving in New Zealand in 2019, Anton has brought with him a wealth of civil construction experience, a passion for mentoring, and a strong belief in the power of good leadership. “We were looking for a place that offered not only professional opportunities but also a safe, balanced lifestyle. NZ stood out for its natural beauty, strong community values, and progressive infrastructure sector.”

Anton began his journey with Higgins as a senior project manager in the Construction department. He was instrumental in winning Auckland Transport bids and helping deliver critical airside and landside upgrades at Auckland Airport. His ability to translate complex construction challenges into practical, high-value solutions saw him step into a leadership role on the Eastern Busway. Today, he leads pavement delivery across one of Auckland’s most significant transport infrastructure programmes. His work continues to blend strategic thinking with technical depth, from driving innovation in project execution to mentoring the next generation of industry leaders.

One standout moment in the project so far was the Rā Hihi / Pakuranga Drive intersection redesign as part of the Eastern Busway project. "We were able to deliver a major redesign that drastically reduced cost, shortened the construction programme, reduced carbon emissions, and lessened road user disruption – all thanks to clear communication and strong teamwork."

Anton believes great infrastructure is about more than roads and pavements – it's about people. Whether it’s leading delivery, developing future leaders, or improving how teams collaborate and plan, his focus remains on building high-performing, motivated teams. “I’m proud of the work we’re doing, not just in delivering a transformative transport project, but in shaping how we work together as a team and an industry.”

Blair Landon celebrated 25 years of service at Higgins. He started his construction career as diesel mechanic at Glover Contractors, which we later acquired. He rose in the ranks and in recognition of his leadership and commitment to the business Blair became Higgins Waikato Operations Manager in 2019. He currently leads the Transportation Team and ISO 9001-certified workshop, supporting the wider Waikato operations business.

Blair says it’s been a long journey. “I had no kids when I started – now I have five young ones, the oldest being 20 years old and the youngest 2 years old.”

“I can’t believe how fast it has gone”, he says. “There’s been a lot of changes since I started in 1999, with massive improvements in safety management systems and innovations, including M5 plant tracking location and utilisation to make things easier. We’re constantly improving, and I look forward to seeing where another 25 years with Higgins will take me.”

Davika Lata wanted to be part of a team that values honesty, safety, and continuous improvement. Her career spans several industries, including automotive, manufacturing, and FMCG, which have honed her finance and payroll skills. Fletcher Higgins Fiji offered the perfect opportunity with its strong reputation in the industry and its commitment to people. “It felt like the right place to build a long-term career—and it’s proven to be just that.”

Since joining Fletcher Higgins two years ago as a finance assistant, Davika has moved up to the role of payroll team lead. “In payroll, managing tight deadlines while ensuring complete accuracy is a daily challenge. Late timesheet submissions, urgent adjustments, or last-minute queries can arise unexpectedly. To stay on top of it all, I rely on strong organisation, clear communication, and a proactive approach, making sure we’re always one step ahead. Having a supportive team and good relationships with fellow colleagues also make a big difference in keeping everything running smoothly."

Davika appreciates the opportunity to grow and learn in a supportive environment at Fletcher Higgins. “There’s a real sense of teamwork and pride in what we do, and I feel valued not just for my work but for who I am. It's been the right choice for me, and I feel valued not just for my work but for who I am.”

Desley Khan brings her personal motto every day to work at Fletcher Higgins' laboratory in Lomolomo. “With every challenge comes opportunities,” says Desley.

Desley’s positive attitude has helped her advance her career. She joined Fletcher Higgins as a lab intern in 2022, after pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. Desley says she focused on knowing the basics and foundation of road construction to help her become a competent engineer. Desley is now an Asphalt and Bitumen Laboratory Technician, a role that sees her sampling, testing, and reporting test results according to standards.

“Each day has its challenges, like trying to meet the demands of clients by juggling various tests within a timeframe. But in tackling these, I get to learn new things and new tests, and I get to venture into other testing – both in the lab and out in the field. Challenges also make the team come together and have the resolve to deliver high quality results.”

Foreperson Ed Tuira has been with Higgins since 2017 and is still very passionate about his job in road maintenance. Ed’s team services the maintenance needs of the southern area of the East Waikato Network Outcomes Contract (EWNOC) which includes SH2, SH26, SH27, SH24, and SH29.

“I enjoy my role as foreperson as it enables me to share my experiences and knowledge learnt over 20 years of being in the industry,” Ed says.

The team’s daily jobs can range from litter collection, marker post replacement, minor pavement repairs, and drainage and incident response.

“Though the role can be challenging at times, with the support and caring nature of colleagues, this becomes easier.”

Ed says safety has always been at the front of his mind.

“I have been exposed to two fatalities – colleagues lost their lives whilst performing their daily tasks. Although I have seen vast improvement in the safety culture compared to when I first started, I still would ask the public to take notice and care around roading operations.”

Area Maintenance Manager William Morris praises Ed for ensuring safety during the delivery of all the work he is involved in, his attention to detail, and quality of workmanship.

“Ed assisted with the planning and onsite delivery during the SH29 Kaimai Closure in July 2024. His natural talent in leading the team and subcontractors ensures everything on-site goes smoothly, and efficiently.”

Elifasi Kirikiti is Fletcher Higgins Fiji’s Maintenance Manager, overseeing the Western Division Maintenance Contract team, which covers Sigatoka, Nadi and Lautoka, Ba and Tavua, and Rakiraki. Elifasi's role involves a blend of strategic planning, technical problem solving, and people management. He collaborates with various departments and stakeholders to optimise resources and reduce costs.

He appreciates Fletcher Higgins' values, especially the Protect or safety value, and the work environment, which contribute to his success in the role. Elifasi loves his job because of its positive impact on the community by ensuring roads are safe and accessible. However, he faces challenges such as extreme weather events that disrupt operations. To overcome these challenges, Elifasi relies on his faith for strength and wisdom. "I trust the Lord to help me develop comprehensive plans and influence my team to focus on our goals and the expectations of Fletcher Higgins."

A civil engineer in India, Harsha Datti had to restart his career when he came to New Zealand in 2015. “I had to start over to get NZ credentials and work experience. Living in Waikato, I studied for a graduate diploma in Highway Engineering and started working as a labourer.”

In 2017, Harsha joined Higgins Waikato as Quality Assurance Technician assigned to the CityEdge Alliance on the Waikato Expressway – Hamilton Section project. During his time with the project, he became Hi-Lab Design and Manufacturing Engineer and then later expanded his role to Asphalt Project Engineer role, delivering 120,000 tons of asphalt while managing both positions concurrently.

After the completion of the expressway project in 2022, Harsha took on the role of Project Manager at Higgins Waikato in Hamilton. He’s now Paving and Production Manager with a team of 40 specialising in asphalt operations.

“I’ve always believed that hard work eventually pays off and Higgins has shown me this in my journey starting as an Asphalt Quality Assurance and now the Paving and Production Manager in Waikato. Higgins has a large scope of services which has given me opportunities to learn, grow, and progress in my career."

Contract Manager John Bezuidenhout is clear about what brings him to work every day: the people. When he joined the Green Team about a year ago, he immediately loved the whānau feel of his Eastern Bay of Plenty team. “We’re a tight-knit group, we care about each other and where we’re going.”

After almost 20 years’ working in construction in South Africa, John moved to New Zealand six years ago. In his current role, he’s responsible for maintaining the local state highways on behalf of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. He feels a real sense of achievement in what his team does and loves the opportunity to build relationships with those around him. He prides himself on ensuring our crews work safely while minimising delays as much as possible.

Juana West knows what it is like to feel the challenge of being a young female in the construction industry.

But the 26-year-old Environmental Health and Safety Manager for Higgins largest region, the Manawatu, continues to prove that passion and self-belief can see your career start to fly.

Health and safety was Juana’s passion when she joined Higgins as an environmental health and safety advisor two years ago.

Since then, big improvements in the company’s safety culture have flowed, with Juana helping to achieve significant increase in near miss, incident and observation reporting, allowing the team to offer employees early intervention with injuries, identify trends and put solutions in place to prevent re-occurrence.

“At Higgins, we believe all injuries are preventable and I stand by that company belief. Coming into a business that has a strong belief that everyone should go home safely makes the job easy.”

Juana also co-developed the Higgins’ lower north island wellness calendar, focusing on healthy habits to improve and prioritise physical and mental health. The calendar included a regional fitness challenge, encouraging people to exercise daily and eat healthy food. In the first year, 25 people signed up with an average weight loss of 5kgs per person.  

“Encouraging construction workers to make healthy choices, helping improve overall mental health, is extremely important because the construction industry loses nearly one person each week to suicide.  So the wellness calendar focusing on healthy habits has an industry-wide benefit,” Juana says.

Two years on, Juana was promoted to EHS Manager Manawatu, responsible for health and safety of approximately 320 Higgins staff, multiple subcontractors, across the region. Her work involves daily promotion of safe working standards, implementing new roll-outs and industry standards and collaborating with experts to think of practical, yet safe and effective ideas to improve the way teams work.

She says she is used to being one of the only female in the room among her predominantly male co-workers, but enjoys the challenge and would love more women to join the industry and believes its an industry that women can thrive in.

“Being a young female in the industry, I don’t necessarily walk onto a construction site and have instant respect. I have to prove myself with my knowledge and ability to listen.  Although this was a challenge, having Higgins believe in my abilities and walking the talk has enabled me to work with my team to create a positive culture change.”

Career-wise, Juana has already exceeded her expectations by achieving the manager’s role by age 25.

“I’m grateful to Higgins for the support, knowledge and constant upskilling I’ve received. I love keeping people safe and knowing I can keep developing my skills to be able to succeed in this.”

Juana completed Fletcher Construction’s ‘women to leadership’ mentorship programme in 2023, which she found invaluable in her transition to her new management role. “The industry-wide connections I gained were also so beneficial and I learned a lot about setting high standards as a leader and the principle that every day you work is your CV.”

Juana says her career growth so far has also been the result of backing herself and believing in her abilities and strengths. “I have self-confidence and don’t mind speaking up when I believe in something,” she says.

“It’s often said that promotion is based on your years of experience. However, I got my promotion based on the potential people saw in me. Higgins took a chance on me and it’s awesome the business did that,” she says.

“Higgins has been tremendously supportive of me and my career development. I strongly encourage other young females to believe in themselves and to strive for the best in this industry.”

Karan Thakur works for Higgins as Asset Management and Maintenance Engineer on the Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway.

He supports the team responsible for carrying out inspections, planning maintenance activities in a manner that minimises disruption to the 20,000 motorists using the motorway each day, being on-call around-the-clock to respond to incidents or for urgent maintenance and reporting on incidents & performance of the project.

“The wellbeing of road users is our top priority, so we work hard to ensure there’s nothing on the motorway that compromises their safety,” Karan says.

“Thankfully, there have been no fatalities or serious injuries since the road opened. The motorway has been designed and constructed keeping safety in mind, including 48km of wire rope safety barriers. We now want to maintain the assets up to standard” he says.

A civil engineer by background, Karan was keen to specialise in roading and joined Higgins a year ago, there’s plenty on the Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway to learn and keep him busy.

“In this role, every day is different and comes with challenges that push us to do better as individuals and as a team.”

“Safe journeys are what motivates me and I’m proud to be part of the team that makes this a priority on this strategic transport corridor, connecting Auckland to Northland.”

Koa is a member of the cyclic maintenance crew that works across the Eastern end of the Bay of Plenty, maintaining a patch of the state highway network that includes beautiful and remote locations such as the Waioweka and Waimana Gorges, Lake Rotoma, and up the East Coast past Cape Runaway.

The team's day-to-day work involves maintaining the road by fixing potholes, low shoulders, and edge breaks, clearing drainage assets such as culvert grates, road shoulders and kerb and channel, and performing other routine tasks.

Koa and the team also respond to emergencies, such as supporting first responders by providing traffic control at crashes, or clearing fallen trees and rocks when slips occur.

Koa has been in the industry for almost 30 years, working out of Ōpōtiki and Gisborne for a variety of contractors. He’s spent the past decade with Higgins and loves working on the roads in and around his community, contributing to the safety of his friends and whānau every day.

He enjoys working with his team, as well as the ability to work outside every day making a tangible difference. No two days are the same for a cyclic crew, and they never know what job is waiting for them around the corner.

When Kylie Wech started working in Civil Construction, she had a role in administration – she was the ‘tea lady’ as she puts it. What Kylie didn’t realise, was that role would set her up for a lifetime career in civil construction. “In the beginning, I saw the role as a means to an end. Very quickly, I decided I needed to turn my job into a career.”

Kylie’s made that career happen by working her way up through the industry, trying her hand at a number of different roles, finally landing herself as one of our highly-respected Project Managers.

She’s a big advocate for women in the industry, and says anyone keen on trying out civils should give it a go. “This industry has given me so many opportunities to try different avenues and pathways. The civil infrastructure industry has so many options, it will adapt to your needs as you adapt to your role.”

If you want to become an engineer, we can help you learn while you’re on the job through a cadetship. That support could help you earn a Diploma in Engineering – or even a qualification in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management.

You’d be joining other cadets like Levi Muller who recently joined us at Higgins as an Engineering Cadet. Before leaving school, Levi’s school approached our Early in Career Programme Lead Sarah McKenzie who organised a one-to-one visit at one of our projects where he was introduced to Tristan Paget, a Project Manager who also followed this pathway. This ignited a genuine spark in Levi and by showing his engagement and motivation, he was welcomed to the Higgins team in February after leaving school.

Levi’s been working with the team on the Rangiuru Business Park Interchange and is also studying for his Diploma in Engineering part time. This requires him to attend polytech one day a week which is supported by Higgins. He’s even being paid to attend tech, and accessing to our Employee Educational Fund for course costs. Higgins also facilitates a guided programme that enables Levi to learn on the job, whilst contributing to a high-profile project in his hometown.

So far, Levi’s loving his new role. "It's really hard to put a pinpoint on what I enjoy the most because I just love my job so much, going to work and seeing my team every day is a highlight."

If you’re keen to join the Green Team like Levi, contact LearningDevelopment@fcc.co.nz.

Loraini Cavalevu began her career with Fletcher Higgins Fiji as a Cadet Engineer in 2018. She’s now Maintenance Manager managing Zone 3 under the FRA Maintenance Contract in the Western Division.

“I mostly deal with maintaining and upgrading the sealed and unsealed roads, SWCs and bridges and crossings,” Loraini says. Loraini has several projects under her belt which include LTA Karavi pavement and SWC extension works, rip and remake along the Ba and Tavua arterial roads, and concrete deck crossings upgrades at Ba and Rakiraki.

She says working at Fletcher Higgins Fiji challenges her to think outside the box and solve puzzles in her work field – and she loves it. “This business fuels my passion for engineering work. Projects give me the opportunity to learn and to improve.”

From traffic controller to Operations Supervisor, Lynda Robertson has built a career defined by hands-on expertise, leadership, and a deep commitment to her team and community. With over 13 years in civil Infrastructure. Lynda has worked across surfacing, construction, workshop and landfill operations—mastering machinery, seal design, and project delivery.

Recently, Lynda was seconded to a critical role with Higgins Napier, where she oversees sealing crews across Hawke’s Bay. She manages everything from pricing and logistics to quality assurance for both government and private clients.

Last sealing season brought its share of challenges—assembling a team of 11, coordinating subcontractors, procuring materials, programming maintenance patches and rehab first coats, and running 24/7 reseal operations from November through March. Her ability to manage complexity and respond quickly to reactive work helped overcome these challenges and ensured smooth delivery and high client satisfaction. “We had minimal rework and wrapped up the reseal programme a week ahead of schedule.”

Beyond the field, Lynda is a passionate advocate for women in construction. She mentors young women through Girls in Hi-Vis and school career events, and she’s a vocal supporter of her female colleagues, raising awareness of field challenges and promoting inclusion across the Fletcher Construction family of businesses. “I’m inspired to not only deliver successful projects but to invest in the wellbeing and growth of my team and community.”

Higgins Wairarapa has been running a cadetship programme since 2006, providing local youth with on-the-job training in the civil construction industry. The cadets rotate through different divisions within the branch, gaining experience in surfacing, aggregates manufacturing, construction, and maintenance. Supported by mentors within each crew, they earn relevant licenses, endorsements, and competency assessments as they progress.

Marshall Ellis joined the programme after leaving school in 2022. Currently, he’s pursuing a National Certificate in Drainlaying – Installation (Level 4) while working with the construction team. Marshall has embraced numerous learning opportunities, including operating heavy machinery and participating in several subdivision projects. He is now involved in a watermain upgrade project.

“At Higgins, I feel you can achieve anything if you take the time to learn. Everyone here has been incredibly supportive, helping me adjust to the team and grow into a Leading Hand. I am excited to complete my studies and continue progressing at Higgins.”

Six years ago, Meri Tuisue made a bold career shift – from a career in tourism to civil infrastructure. Now working as the Laboratory QA Administrator at Fletcher Higgins Fiji, Meri plays a key role in ensuring the quality and safety of lab operations. She coordinates audits, manages data, supports finance, and keeps systems running smoothly.

Her journey through three different roles – HSE Admin, QA Surfacing, and now QA Lab– has given her a deep understanding of how every part of the business connects. Meri’s adaptability and drive have helped her thrive across divisions, even without a civil engineering degree. As she puts it, “To succeed, you need to be teachable, willing to learn, and have the drive to do your best.”

Meri is also a proud mum of four, with two sons and two daughters. She’s proud to be paving the way for her daughters, showing them that women belong in every industry, including construction. Her advice to anyone considering a career in construction is to be open to learning, and to back themselves. “You can find your place in any career, even in construction, and you might be surprised by how far you can go.”

Moana Tarei swapped coffees for road signs, leaving her job as a head barista to pursue a new career path in traffic management with Higgins.

“I needed a change from being in the same place every day and this is a job that keeps me on my toes, working in a different place every day and with different people.”

She became a qualified site traffic management supervisor (STMS) in 2024 and now you’ll find her working between road maintenance and construction sites as a lead STMS for Higgins Wairarapa.

“We are constantly on-the-go and I love that, and I love the people I work with in all our crews. You do come across some angry people, but generally the residents and the public we interact with are great,” Moana says.

“The weather makes it challenging and it can be tough out there in the rain and the heat, but you just have to come out prepared for it and have the right gear ready,” she says.

“When I first joined Higgins there were only a few other women working on the road, but now there are quite a few of us and it’s cool.

“It’s up to you and how far you want to go in this industry. You must be prepared to put in the work to get to where you want to go.”

Higgins network engineer Ning Yan is a great example that many career paths can lead to construction.

After completing a bachelor’s degree in Management at Shenyang Normal University in China, Ning entered the workforce as an accounts payable clerk before moving to New Zealand and completing a Diploma in Civil Engineering at Wintec in Hamilton.

“I really wanted to work in the construction industry as I was drawn to the challenge of working to bring a project to completion where you can see the tangible achievements,” Ning says.

Two years after starting with Higgins as a graduate engineer, Ning was promoted to her current role as a network engineer for the state highway network in eastern Waikato, focused on delivering  the annual plan and variation programmes, and programming for the operational teams for the state highways on which Higgins has maintenance contracts.

It’s a role offering plenty of challenge and variety, with a complex state highway network and challenging weather events in this part of the country.

Although Ning is mostly office-based in Morrinsville, she enjoys opportunities to visit Higgins teams in the field and gain site experience and area initiatives to improve roading safety.

Past work in accounts payable set her in good stead for her sharp focus on project detail. “I enjoy trying to make things as accurate as possible and want to achieve high quality. I really enjoy learning new things and skill from my colleagues, clients and subcontractors,” she says.

As she looks to further her career, Higgins provides great support and training in areas such as NZIHT short courses, project management, traffic management and safety leadership. She is currently a member of Fletcher Construction’s ‘Achieving Women’ programme, supporting women to rise through the ranks at Fletcher Construction.

She hopes her path will encourage more women into careers in construction.

“Even if you have come from a different background, you can still work in construction and enjoy a challenging and fulfilling career,” Ning says.

When Peter Capilitan arrived from the Philippines in 2018, his surveying qualification wasn’t recognised in New Zealand. Unable to work in his chosen field, he took a role with Higgins as a grader operator.

Last year, his team encouraged him to use the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) to pay for a surveying qualification that would be recognised in New Zealand. He’s rightfully very proud of his achievement!

Fletcher Construction Early in Career Programme Lead Sarah McKenzie made inquiries to help set Peter up with Connexis. “Not only has he been motivated to persevere despite English being his second language, he has really demonstrated Fletcher Values of Better Together and Being Bold.”

Peter says getting the qualification helped boost his career and provides a significant advantage in future endeavours. "I am beyond blessed with the opportunities I've been given to reach my dream of becoming a surveyor. I'm ready for more projects."

As TTAF is no longer available, our people can access the Fletcher Building Employee Educational Fund (EEF), which helps fund the cost of tuition and development programmes for career-related studies.

Our Christchurch team welcomed their first female truck driver, Rebecca Kendrick. She’s behind the wheel of their first bitumen tanker, which has been wrapped with our colourful pictures of Higgins staff drawn by their children.

With 13 years of truck driving experience, Beck began her journey driving a mini concrete mixer and worked with several companies before joining the Green Team. “I’ve always had a career goal of driving tankers and decided to pursue it in 2024. I often amused my sons by telling them I delivered the concrete or helped make the materials for a road – they would often roll their eyes. Now, I can proudly say I was part of the team that paved those roads.”

Driving machinery is Beck's passion. She began her career as a London City and Guilds chef in the RNZAF, a vastly different path from where she is now. Despite often being the only woman in her department, she finds her work incredibly rewarding. “I’m thrilled to see more women in my department, from loading at Napier Port to manufacturing, and now, counting myself, two women driving tankers. It's inspiring to see other women taking up the challenge!”

Richard San Andres’ career in health and safety has taken him around the world with Fletcher Construction. In 2022, Richard, a Filipino with several international jobs tucked under his belt, moved to Papua New Guinea and joined Fletcher Morobe as an EHS Advisor on the NADZAB Airport Redevelopment Project and other projects in Lae province.

During a training session at the Fletcher Construction head office in May 2023, Richard visited two of our team’s projects, including the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) project.

Later that year, Richard joined the project as an EHS Advisor. He describes the move from PNG to NZ as a mix of challenges and rewards. “Adapting to a different climate, culture, and professional environment can sometimes be overwhelming. Despite these challenges, the move has been incredibly rewarding, both personally and professionally. The new experiences and opportunities for growth have made every challenge worthwhile.”

With the NZICC project winding down in 2024, Richard joined Higgins to continue his journey with the company. “I wanted to stay with Fletcher Construction, with its reputation for innovation, commitment to excellence, and a strong focus on employee development. The company's dedication to sustainability and community engagement also aligns with my personal values, making it an ideal place for me to contribute and thrive.”

From cadet site engineer to QA Engineer, Rishal Prasad has built a diverse and rewarding career at Fletcher Higgins Fiji. Rishal started onsite with major infrastructure projects and transitioned into supporting the implementation of quality assurance processes on projects. She now helps identify and resolve quality issues early, compile accurate documentation, and continuously improve site QA practices.

"I love that my role lets me use both my engineering background and business skills. Every day is different, and I get to work with amazing teams across the company. There’s a real sense of ownership and impact in what I do."

Drawn to Fletcher Higgins for its reputation in delivering impactful infrastructure projects and fostering a culture of inclusion and professional growth, Rishal found a place where she could grow and contribute meaningfully. "The support for diversity in technical roles and access to mentorship made it clear this was a place where I could grow and contribute meaningfully."

Rishal is passionate about advocating for women in engineering and infrastructure. She actively participates in professional networks promoting gender equity. She also regularly mentors women entering the field.

Ryan McLean-Harvey is living proof of the variety of careers available in construction. He started as a labourer, progressed to roller and excavator operator, then foreman on a $23M project.

Seeing the risks that can exist on construction projects, Ryan has now moved into the Environment, Health and Safety Advisor side of the business. “The thing I love most about the construction industry is the big machines involved which is why I looked to become an operator. Working on a busy site you soon learn about the dangers involved and the reason for all the safety procedures that are enforced.”

When his current Health and Safety role was advertised, Ryan did not think twice about applying. “After working on construction sites for over 10 years, I felt I could bring a different view to the role. I can help drive us into a safer workplace where the whole team gets home safely at the end of each day. Higgins is all about developing their existing workforce, so they were supportive in allowing me to develop and change direction in my career.”
 

We really invest in our team’s development – and that shows in the varied careers people have in Higgins.

A great example is Sunil Tandukar, who has steadily progressed through various roles since joining the business in 2021. He’s gone from quality assurance technician to site engineer, then sealing engineer, and now Higgins Auckland Sealing Manager. Sunil credits Higgins’ learning and development opportunities for his growth. He has completed multiple training courses and embraced opportunities to lead and innovate.

Sunil’s team plays a key role in delivering major infrastructure projects, specialising in chip sealing and bitumen work. “I love this role because I know the work we do makes roads safer and more accessible. I’m fortunate to have managers and colleagues who truly support me.”

Sunil meets challenges head-on. “We’re a diverse team, and communication styles can vary. I bring everyone together for open discussions, making sure every voice is heard and respected. That’s how we build trust and move forward.”

He is also passionate about inspiring the next generation to explore careers in construction and roading. “Offering internships is key to sparking young people’s interest to join the industry. Through mentorship and hands-on experience, they’ll find out how they can grow their careers.”

Tom Kennerson is part of the Higgins team working as a Site Traffic Management Specialist (STMS) at the Devil’s Elbow - a particularly winding and hilly section of State Highway 2 between Whirinaki and Tūtira in the Hawke's Bay.

SH2 was hit heavily by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, with huge sections left impassable.

Now open with traffic management in place, it’s Tom and his traffic management team that play the pivotal role in ensuring road users have a smooth and safe passage while the rebuild continues.

“Ninety per cent of the people who travel through Devil’s Elbow do it every day, with some going through several times a day, so the faster we can get them through, the happier they are,” Tom says.

This is something he appreciates himself, having formerly worked in logistics for a furniture company that frequently travelled this highway.

But a post-Covid career change led Tom to join Higgins’ traffic management team. Within one year, he had studied and worked himself up from a traffic controller to STMS on what is the largest roading project in the Hawke's Bay.

“Our worksite is 5km long, and many parts are only one-lane wide as the rebuild continues,” Thomas says.

“I’m onsite every day with my team, starting at 5am with a toolbox session going over the key updates and plans for the day and our important health and safety briefings.

“I patrol the road from 7am in a traffic truck to oversee all our operations, always looking for ways to improve efficiency.”

Thomas enjoys the complexity of traffic management, solving problems and setting up the site to make it as safe as possible.

“I believe an STMS manager is only as good as the team they have around them. I like helping my team understand their contribution to the big picture and the importance of helping road users get through to their destination as safely and quickly as possible.”

Having worked in the roading industry for the past four years, Topaz has graduated from operating a stop/go paddle to leading a team protecting worksites and managing traffic at a variety of different infrastructure projects. She holds a Class 2 license, which allows her to drive the variety of vehicles the team use, and continues to look for opportunities to grow her skillset.

A natural leader and mentor, one of the biggest highlights of the job for Topaz is training up members of her crew through to sitting their qualifications and progressing through to leading traffic management their own project site. She describes her team as being like her family, given how much time they spend together.

As someone who entered the industry just looking to earn some money, Topaz shows that once you find your passion and then take your opportunities, anything is possible.