Soltice Morrison appointed to Maori Advisory Group Taumata Arowai
Aurecon's Soltice Morrison joins Te Puna to advise The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai on Māori interests and knowledge in water services.
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Aurecon’s Tim Watterson has been named a Fellow of The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the highest membership level of this global network of 97,000 professional engineers. This recognition highlights his significant contribution to the engineering sector and society.
To achieve Fellowship, engineers must display extensive business management experience and leadership in major projects at national or international level. Tim’s track record includes project leadership and design directorship of several such projects, including the Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū-Tararua Highway, North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) and more recently the new Ōtaki to North of Levin Highway.
Initially as Design Director for Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance, Tim led the development of a route alignment that de-risked potential lengthy consent timeframes by avoiding ecologically sensitive land and providing enhanced outcomes for iwi Māori and local communities. His performance led to a promotion to Alliance Project Director, where he led a team over 350 people, becoming the first consultant in New Zealand to head a major owner-contractor-consultant alliance.
The alliance emphasised whanaungatanga (close relationship or sense of connection) and rangatiratanga (iwi self-determination) with iwi partnering in the project alliance. There is a focus on innovation, workforce wellbeing, environmental stewardship, community and workforce connection.
A career highlight was the NCTIR Alliance, formed to rebuild damaged road and rail infrastructure following the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake. As Design Director, Tim led a multi-disciplinary team of over 300 staff from 35 companies across New Zealand and internationally to deliver this fast-paced and technically challenging project. NCTIR earned national and international recognition, including the ICE’s 2018 Global People’s Choice Award, establishing a new benchmark for disaster recovery and rebuilding programs in New Zealand.
"I enjoy passing on my experience to the younger generation and challenging our great industry to improve year on year."
Tim Watterson, Major Projects Director, Transport – New Zealand
Tim said achieving Fellow status was a proud moment.
“Reflecting on my 29-year career, which has taken in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, I have worked with some amazing people, great projects, and learnt so much. It hasn’t always been a smooth ride or a linear progression.
“I remember when I was a graduate thinking that Fellows seemed so wise and senior, and I really looked up to them. Fast forward to now and that’s me, although I feel far from wise and still feel I have so much to learn. I enjoy passing on my experience to the younger generation and challenging our great industry to get better and improve year on year.”
Aurecon’s Chief Executive, New Zealand, Tracey Ryan, said the Fellowship was deserved recognition of Tim’s impact.
“Tim’s unique combination of technical eminence, commercial nous, and leadership skills adds value to all the projects he is involved in. Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū-Tararua Highway and NCTIR are impressive engineering achievements, delivered in challenging locations and requiring strong leadership, partnerships, and innovation to execute.
“But both projects have stood out for another reason: their strong team culture, focus on safety and wellbeing, and relationships with the community and iwi Māori. Culture is created by many, but Tim’s ability to build and inspire high performing teams is certainly part of that legacy.”
Tim joins other ICE Fellows from Aurecon, Anthony Bennett and Alexandros Katsanos, in this prestigious recognition.
Alex is a consultant with 24 years’ experience in infrastructure and operations and is the Managing Principal for Advisory for Aurecon in Asia. His service offering focuses on public sector policy on productivity and safety, operational improvement, capital planning, digital transformation and data strategy, as well as procurement excellence.
He has worked across several infrastructure sub-sectors, both for government and private clients, mainly in Hong Kong and East Asia, but also in Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Alex holds a PhD from the University of Surrey.
Anthony has 45 years’ design experience, beginning his career in bridges and general civil projects, before moving into planning, design and protection of tunnels, and geotechnical analyses. His experience encompasses rock and soft ground tunnels, and analysis of civil structures with geotechnical interfaces.
Anthony has worked around the world on projects in the Middle East and Hong Kong, the UK, New Zealand, Singapore and Australia, and is currently contributing to major underground projects, such as Melbourne Metro Tunnel and Suburban Rail Loop. Anthony retains strong connections into the Melbourne ICE network.
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