MEDIA RELEASE
Infrastructure
New Zealand has announced the finalists of the 2020 Excellence in Social Impact
Award, sponsored by Downer, recognising infrastructure projects that have gone
above and beyond to enable outstanding social, cultural and/or economic
outcomes for our communities.
The
finalists have shone a spotlight on best-practice in social impact and provide
an exemplar to other organisations in what can be achieved, says Margaret
Devlin Infrastructure NZ Board member and award judge, “Infrastructure New Zealand wants to
normalise social impact in infrastructure projects. With the significant volume
of projects coming to market to contribute to New Zealand’s economic recovery
from Covid-19, we have a huge opportunity to make a meaningful difference for
our communities.”
Infrastructure
NZ Board member and Award judge Tracey Ryan said it was pleasing to see the
broad range of impact initiatives underway across the sector, “That we had 19 strong entrants in this
award is powerful evidence of the step change happening in the sector to use
infrastructure projects as a lever for broader social, economic and cultural
outcomes,” said Tracey.
The
finalists are:
- Hamilton City Council’s Te Awa River Path project,
which repaired and restored a section of the Hamilton Cycle Trails while
providing employment to 50 people who had lost jobs due to the Covid-19
crisis.
- Watercare’s Central Interceptor is delivering a lasting
legacy for Tāmaki Makarau and their workforce, by supporting social
enterprise Make Give Live; establishing a Dig Deep literacy programme to
help members of the workforce build reading and writing skills; establishing
and funding the Morningside Urban Market Garden; developing a Mana Whenua
laundry service; providing opportunities for Māori and Pasifika through a
youth internship programme and creating the Wānanga Māreikura programme to
empower wāhine Māori.
- City Rail Link’s (CRL) Progressive Employment Programme
supports Māori and Pasifika youth transition into work. CRL partnered with
Lifewise, Rising Foundation and Te Ara Rangatahi to deliver a 19-week
programme which helps rangatahi build skills and gain confidence in the
workforce.
- Auckland Transport and Makaurau marae demonstrated a
step change in supplier diversity by tendering the Makaurau Marae Carpark
project only to Māori and Pasifika businesses through He Waka Eke Noa.
Downer
celebrates 150 years in New Zealand this year and has a strong history of
social impact. EGM Strategy and Development, Duncan Kenderdine, says “Downer is focussed on building a
stronger New Zealand and we see social impact as a key element of the way we do
business. It was clear from the calibre of entries in the award that each would
have a transformational impact on their local community. In a year with many
challenges, it helps to share the load and keep our communities healthy and in
meaningful employment."
Award
judge, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and award-winning social and sustainable
procurement expert Alice Bray said the calibre of all entries was high, “My hope is that this award solidifies
where our sector is going, inspires us to think bigger, and challenges us to
partner together for impact.”
Peer
Review judge Dr Seán Barnes, Director, Social Procurement, Akina Foundation
said the award celebrates how far the sector has come and challenges us to
continue, "Aotearoa is
increasingly looking to use social procurement as a tool to deliver greater
social and environmental outcomes through infrastructure spend, and the
Infrastructure NZ Excellence in Social Impact Award is timely to showcase the
success being achieved. The finalists demonstrate real leadership, the
different ways impact can be achieved, and show us what is possible moving
forward."
The
winner of the Infrastructure New Zealand Social Impact Award, sponsored by
Downer will be announced at the ReBuilding Nations Gala Dinner on Wednesday 18
November.
ENDS
For further information and
comment contact Sarah Lang on 021 733 434