Central Interceptor wins Project Award at the Water New Zealand Excellence Awards 2026

The Central Interceptor has added another major accolade to its growing list of industry recognition, taking out the Project Award at the Water New Zealand Excellence Awards 2026. The award recognises excellence in project delivery and reflects the successful delivery of one of New Zealand's largest and most complex water infrastructure projects and its lasting contribution to improving the health of Auckland's waterways.

Delivered for Watercare by the Ghella Abergeldie Joint Venture (GAJV), the Central Interceptor is New Zealand's largest wastewater infrastructure project and a once-in-a-generation investment in Auckland's future.

Over a seven-year construction program, the project delivered:

• 16.2 km main tunnel, with a 4.5 m internal diameter and depth ranging from 15 m to 110 m 
• 2 link sewers, 3.2 km (2.1 m internal diameter) and 1.1km (2.8 m internal diameter)
• 18 shafts reaching depths of up to 75 m 
• 17 construction sites across Auckland
• A pump station with a 7 m³sec transfer capacity 

This latest achievement continues a strong run of industry recognition for the project, following recent success at the Survey and Spatial New Zealand Awards, CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards and Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau Auckland Branch Awards.

Abergeldie CEO Mark Bruzzone said, "The Central Interceptor is one of the most significant infrastructure projects to be undertaken in Auckland and is a project that will deliver benefits for generations to come. It will dramatically reduce wet-weather overflows, improve the health of the the Waitematā Harbour and surrounding waterways, and support the region's continued growth. Recognition at these awards is a significant achievement and reflects the collaboration, technical excellence and innovation delivered throughout the project. We are incredibly proud of everyone who has played a key role in delivering this critical infrastructure knowing that it will benefit millions of people for decades is something every member of our team should be immensely proud of."

Congratulations to everyone involved in delivering this landmark project and to all those recognised at the Water New Zealand Excellence Awards 2026.