The team

Introducing the Dowse to Petone upgrade project team

Hannah Hyde - NZTA Project Manager

The role of project manager for the SH2 Dowse to Petone Upgrade Project was one requiring a diverse range of talents, engineering design and planning to communications and public liaison. However, the NZTA's Hannah Hyde had the experience and expertise for the role.

Born in the UK, Hannah has worked for the NZTA's Wellington Regional office since the end of 2005. In this time she has managed a variety of projects, including managing Wellington's two vehicle tunnels - the Mt Victoria and Terrace Tunnels - as well as coordinating the NZTA's response in the event of a civil defence emergency for the Wellington Region.

Hannah enjoyed using her experience at managing important projects both in the UK and New Zealand on the Dowse to Petone upgrade project.

Hannah had been in New Zealand for three years when the project started. She came for a holiday in 2003 and commented at the time “I wouldn't mind living here”. As a result, the comment became a reality for Hannah and her husband in 2004. She says she loves Wellington because it affords her the chance to walk everywhere while still being in a vibrant city that offers plenty of activities outside work.

^ Back to top

Andre van Heerden - Fletcher Higgins Joint Venture Contract Manager

Andre van Heerden brought a wealth of experience to the Dowse to Petone upgrade project - from the Tainui Bridge Strengthening Project, which won a 2005 NZ Contractors Federation Award for excellence in Civil Engineering, to work on the America's Cup Wharf in 1997.

Given some of the complexities of the project (working with a live road and railway, ensuring hill suburbs had continual access in and out during construction and building robust bridges to sustain weather and seismic activity) some may say this was a tall order for the construction team to provide. However, Andre understood from his experiences on other projects that innovation and a willingness to consider other ideas could reap significant benefits for the project.

Andre moved to New Zealand 10 years ago to join his partner, who is from Hamilton. He has not regretted the move as he says the move was positive.

“It's been a good one as the country and people are great.”

Andre has worked with Fletchers since moving to New Zealand, enjoying the challenges of the different projects he's worked on.

^ Back to top

Andrew Paterson - Designer's Representative

As a Lower Hutt resident, Andrew knew only too well the demands on the section of SH2 between Petone and Melling during peak traffic hours. Given that knowledge and his 25 years experience in civil work, Andrew was able to provide the drive and focus for the project, in his role as Designer's Representative.

Andrew was involved in the early design stage of the SH2 Dowse to Petone upgrade project and was keen to get started on the construction phase. The upgrade had a good mix of civil and structural works on a scale not seen in the region for some time.

"It's a challenging project as it requires a significant amount of construction over and adjacent to the existing highway," he says.

Andrew has been involved in a number of recent State Highway projects on SH1 and enjoyed his two and a-half year association with the Dowse to Petone project.