2019 Awards of Excellence to Industry

About the Awards of Excellence

Industry Excellence

The Awards of Excellence to Industry were established by the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council (NZDIAC) in 1998 to highlight and reward the contribution made by industry to Defence.

This year, Minister of Defence Hon. Ron Mark presented the awards to winners of three categories. They are:

• Category 1: the provision of a service to Defence less than $15 million

• Category 2: the provision of a product to Defence less than $15 million

• Category 3: the provision of a product or service to Defence in excess of $15 million.

Along with these three categories, Special Awards were presented to individuals who had made an Outstanding Contribution to the Sector.

Category 1: Provision of a Service to Defence less than $15 million

Awarded this year to Silverstripe, a New Zealand-based company specialising in designing and developing customer-focused IT services. Partnering with Veterans’ Affairs, Silverstripe re-designed and modernised the NZDF’s engagement with the Veterans’ community and delivered a new, user-friendly website, including an eligibility tool that achieved a 94% satisfaction rating from users.

 

Category 2: Provision of a product to Defence less than $15 million

Awarded to EPE Trusted to Protect Ltd. An Australian company with a growing New Zealand presence, EPE specialises in the supply and support of counter-explosive hazard equipment and training. Their locally based service enables them to respond effectively to NZDF’s urgent equipment maintenance needs, partnering with the NZDF on its counter-explosive hazards and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear disposal teams.

 

Category 3: Provision of a product or service to Defence in excess of $15 million

Awarded to Norway-based company Østensjø Rederi, the former owner of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s new dive and hydrographic vessel, commissioned as HMNZS Manawanui in 2019. The company oversaw the first phase of modifications to adapt the ship for the Navy’s use, provided initial crew training and delivered the vessel to New Zealand. They worked within the tight delivery schedule and provided within budget value-for-money solutions, resulting in a vessel that far exceeds expectations.

 

Special Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Sector

Kenny Didham retired recently from Fulton Hogan. Through his leadership, the company has been a major employer of Limited Service Volunteers (LSV) and Youth Development Unit graduates. Mr Didham provides ongoing mentoring support for LSV graduates as well. Fulton Hogan has been a welcoming workplace for NZDF servicemen and women transitioning out of the Defence Force, facilitated by Mr Didham, and the company sponsors such events as the Invictus Games.

 

Simon Manning provided advice and coordinated with around 65 funeral directors across New Zealand to ensure the success of the dis-interment, repatriation, and re-interment of the remains of 35 Service personnel and dependents from multiple overseas resting placings that the NZDF conducted over the period of July 2017 to December 2018. His professionalism, integrity, and commitment made a long-term and significant contribution to enhancing the trust of the New Zealand community in the NZDF.

 

Finalists

Category 1:

• Te Mau Aroha Inc for the full immersion level translation services provided for Army, Navy and Air Force recruitment information into Te Reo Maori; this provided access for NZDF Recruitment staff into full immersion schools.

• CAE and Beca, nominated for providing engineering excellence in running, maintaining and supporting the SH-2G(I) Seasprite Helicopter Full Mission Flight Simulator and six part task trainers.

Category 2:

• Marops for delivering a training platform for Pilots and Air Warfare officers in the King Air 350, along with a ground-based training system.

• Meggitt Training Systems, suppliers of the simulation training system for the NZDF’s new MARS-L, having supplied a product that was indistinguishable from the MARS-L.

Category 3:

• TSA, LT McGuinness, Planet Design and Kensington Swan were finalists for their collective work on the Future HQ Project that delivered a new HQ for Defence, including design, project management, build and legal oversight of the Project – an outstanding example of partnership and risk sharing to deliver a great result.

• Air New Zealand were finalists for their delivery of the contract for maintenance and repair of the NZDF B757 aircraft fleet.

 

New Zealand Defence Employer Support Council

Reservist of the Year: The New Zealand Defence Force Reservist of the Year recognises a Member of the NZDF in a given year who most exemplifies the Defence Force values of Courage, Commitment, Comradeship, and Integrity in their service as a Reservist.

Awarded to SGT Timothy Burke B Company, 2/4 RNZIR, who has been recognised for his selfless and consistent commitment to go above-and-beyond for the NZDF and the wider community.

Two other finalists for this Award were CPL Philip Newman 38 Combat Service Support Company, NZ Army Logistic Regiment, and SQNLDR Matt Alcock, Central Flying School RNZAF Base Ohakea.

2019 Reservist Employer of the Year: Talley’s Group, in recognition of the company’s commendable support and encouragement to their employee LMTO B Gallagher, HMNZS Pegasus.

2019 New Zealand Cadet Forces Employer of the Year: Pringle Beleski and Associates, specialists in high voltage engineering, were nominated by Cadet Forces FLTLT Tom Wech for their support and active encouragement of him in his work with the Cadet Forces.

2019 Individual Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers: Awarded to Christine Fernyhough, who was nominated by the Youth Development Unit (South) in recognition of her immense generosity, commitment, energy and involvement with the LSV Programme and YDU over time.

2019 Employer Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers: Fulton Hogan Ltd, this year’s winners (pictured above), were nominated by the Ministry of Social Development LSV Coordinators (South) for their wide-ranging support and opportunities for employment, training and mentoring they’ve provided to graduates since 2014, including organising industry training such as Site Safe certification to help with employment.

Last updated: November 2019.