More than 600 contractors, suppliers, industry leaders and policymakers will gather in Wellington this week to tackle major challenges and discuss the future of New Zealand’s transport, road and essential community infrastructure at the Civil Contractors Conference 2026.
The conference, being held at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 12-14, will bring together representatives from across the civil construction sector alongside politicians and government agencies.
Civil Contractors New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard says hosting the conference in the capital highlights the industry’s role in delivering the country’s essential infrastructure.
“Civil construction underpins the vital services New Zealand relies upon to function and this year is a great opportunity to make sure that message resonates with the people who will be shaping policy for the next three years,” says Pollard.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop will deliver a keynote address on Thursday, while a cross-party panel discussion on Friday will feature National’s Dan Bidois, ACT’s Simon Court, New Zealand First’s Andy Foster, Labour’s Tangi Utikere and the Green Party’s Julie Anne Genter.
Pollard says the conference will focus on issues including the long-term infrastructure pipeline, improving procurement by local and central government, workforce capability and challenges identified by contractors during a series of nationwide industry events.
“Having spokespeople from every major party in the same room, talking directly to the contractors who build and maintain New Zealand’s infrastructure, is exactly what an election year calls for. It’s an opportunity for both sides to listen as much as they speak.”
The conference programme also includes masterclasses covering topics such as temporary traffic management, recruitment, environmental management and crisis communications.
New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga strategy general manager Peter Nunns will discuss the National Infrastructure Plan, while economist Shamubeel Eaqub will provide an economic update and artificial intelligence specialist Matt Ensor will explore how generative AI can improve productivity across the construction sector.
Delegates will also visit the Ōtaki to north of Levin Te Pae o Tararua highway project and Te Ara Tupua, the shared walking and cycling path linking the Hutt Valley and Wellington.
The conference will conclude with the Civil Contractors New Zealand Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards, Z People Awards and Connexis Civil Industry Training & Development Awards, recognising outstanding projects, people and training initiatives across the industry.
