This award recognises an engineer aged 35 years or under who has made the most excellent contribution as an engineer and leader through their professional role and community involvement.

Tyrone Newson

Tyrone has a passion for promoting the engineering profession to Maori and Pasifika communities, and where possible working with communities in Mitimiti Hokianga (his home area) and in Tonga. He was a founding member of both SPIES (South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students), the group that supports Maori and Pasifika students at the University of Auckland, and Whai-a-tihi, the Maori staff group at Auckland City Council.

As an undergraduate Tyrone worked with Hamilton City Council in his summer break on remedial repairs to bridge arches. During the next four years he worked for the Auckland City Council and was a key player in roading asset management information projects. In 1999 he joined GHD Ltd as a senior roading engineer and was again heavily involved in roading asset maintenance and management.

In 2000 Tyrone became Director of Northern Tree Harvesters and Kingship Properties Ltd’s roading portfolio. Two years later he became its Chief Executive Officer, responsible for 1,800 hectares of forest. This involved harvesting 50,000 tonnes per annum, constructing two to five kilometres of new road each year, and looking after some 20 staff.

Since 2003 Tyrone has worked for Beca, firstly as a senior roading engineer and then as Project Manager for Auckland Airport’s $10-million domestic terminal retail development and later the $80-million international terminal arrivals hall expansion.

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