SYSTRA ANZ Appoints Sandi Robertson as Director – New Zealand

SYSTRA ANZ Appoints Sandi Robertson as Director – New Zealand SYSTRA, Beca, WSP and COX join forces on Waitematā Harbour Connections

Leading design and engineering firms SYSTRA ANZ, Beca, WSP and COX Architecture with EY are delighted to have been chosen as the preferred bidder for additional transport connections across Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour. 

Clients Waka Kotahi with partners Auckland Transport and Auckland Council selected the four firms following a competitive tender process. They will work closely with the preferred bidders for Auckland Light Rail, as together the two projects are essential to Auckland’s rapid transit future.

A joint venture partnership between the companies has been established and will now work with the clients to progress planning and design aspects for the next phase of the Additional Waitematā Harbour Connections (AWHC) project.

The AWHC project represents an essential long-term investment in Auckland and New Zealand’s transport future. It seeks to be a catalyst for the public realm, with the design and planning solutions aimed at supporting and improving the functionality of the city and galvanising the community.

The partnership will leverage experience from many successful harbour connection projects. Individual firms in the partnership have previously worked together on projects including Sydney’s Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, and Sydney Metro City Harbour Crossing. In coming together for the AWHC project they will combine previous local infrastructure experience with international design and engineering best practice.

There has been talk of a second harbour crossing ever since Auckland Harbour Bridge opened in 1959. Fast forward over sixty years, and the additional harbour connection now being investigated will be considering all multi-modal options – including light rail, buses, connections for walking and cycling, vehicles and freight.  

For reasons of environmental sustainability, resilience, and population growth, it’s never been more important for the City of Sails to have an additional integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable additional cross-harbour travel route between the North Shore and Auckland isthmus. Together, the partnership has the drive, capability and capacity to develop and deliver a plan to achieve this.

The partnership looks forward to next steps and working with Waka Kotahi, Auckland Transport, Auckland Council, and the Auckland Light Rail team to bring to life additional harbour connections that will provide Aucklanders with more carbon-friendly transport choice, engage with communities, and rival the very best cross-harbour infrastructure seen anywhere in the world.  

For more information, contact:

AWHC Project Team
awhc@nzta.govt.nz
0800 44 44 49

or

Catherine Reiss
Associate – marketing and communications, Beca
catherine.reiss@beca.com
021 0632 684

Key Appointment to assist growth targets in New Zealand

In what marks an exciting milestone for the business, Duminda is also our first full-time employee in New Zealand and will focus on growing our presence in the country.

Alana Newbrook, Chief Executive Officer, SYSTRA ANZ says, “Duminda is a key appointment for our business as we look to expand our footprint into new regions. Having just opened a new office in Auckland, Duminda will play a vital role in helping us support new and existing clients and partners as well as expand our local team with deep experience and connection to the region.”

Duminda brings to the team nearly two decades experience within both the construction and transport industries across New Zealand and the UK.

He says, “I am excited by the challenge of growing SYSTRA’s presence in NZ now we have a permanent home. Coming across from Auckland Transport, I have an in-depth knowledge of the market and many great relationships that will be valuable to SYSTRA.

“Within the New Zealand transport market, there are so many opportunities spanning active transport modes, roads and rail. I’m looking forward to spending the next few weeks getting out into the market, meeting as many people as possible and exploring the depth of SYSTRA’s international skills.”

With his experience built mainly on the client side, he’s buoyed by the opportunity to work within a multi-national consultancy.

“I’ve always been up for new challenges, and this is no different. By joining SYSTRA, I will be adding a whole new perspective to my capabilities,” explains Duminda.

SYSTRA is well known for having worked on some of the world’s most challenging and iconic transport projects around the world. Alana adds, “Our ambition is to be the signature team for transport solutions and to achieve this we have set ourselves some ambitious growth targets for Australia and New Zealand.

“We look forward to working closely with many new and existing clients and partners, sharing over 60 years of global expertise with them.”

Duminda finishes, “With so many opportunities to improve mobility and connect communities across New Zealand – I can’t wait to get started!”

MORE ABOUT DUMINDA

Duminda’s passion for transport projects has been growing since his initial opportunity with London Transport back in 2008. Fast-forward to now, Duminda joins SYSTRA from Auckland Transport where he was the Director for the Rodney Transport Infrastructure Programme having also previously led the Auckland Cycling Program. Duminda has extensive experience as technical engineer, a Programme Manager in program and project controls and in Project Management.

Duminda completed his MBA in 2015 and his Masters in Engineering Project Management in 2023.

To find out more information about our new Auckland office or to get in contact with Duminda, please hit the link here.