Tonkin + Taylor

Tonkin + Taylor Environmental and Engineering Consultants
New Zealand + Australia At Tonkin + Taylor, we believe people are key to building a sustainable future.

The Tonkin + Taylor Group is a leading employee-owned environmental and engineering consultancy. Comprising four companies—Tonkin + Taylor New Zealand, Tonkin + Taylor Australia, Geotechnics, and Chadwick Geotechnics—we deliver innovative solutions across five continents. Our consultants are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for clients while minimizing our impact on the environmen

t and the communities we serve. With offices in New Zealand and Australia, including Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, and Melbourne, we provide specialist services throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Through our global connections like the Inogen Alliance, we remain committed to sustainable solutions that benefit clients, communities, and the environment. We offer comprehensive advisory, design, and technical expertise in sectors such as Natural Hazard Resilience, Water, Waste + Resource Recovery, Transport, Energy, Land Development, Environment, and Large Infrastructure.

We're excited to announce an upcoming networking evening for Māori and Pasifika professionals, hosted by SPPEEx – South ...
31/08/2026

We're excited to announce an upcoming networking evening for Māori and Pasifika professionals, hosted by SPPEEx – South Pacific Professional Engineering Excellence – in partnership with Tonkin + Taylor Hamilton.

This is a space to connect with others in your field, share experiences, and hear from guest speakers at Tonkin + Taylor on how they bring Te Ao Māori and Pasifika perspectives into their mahi through kaupapa and projects they’ve worked on.

Join us on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, from 5pm onwards for an evening of connection and insight.

Register today to secure your place and join the conversation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAZyZllSJpoqdFnpFEmjwvg9mKrdKPJcEzECVgMYw1dbmFnw/viewform

Reliable air connections are more than a transport link for island communities — they connect people with healthcare, ed...
24/08/2026

Reliable air connections are more than a transport link for island communities — they connect people with healthcare, education, business opportunities and family across the Pacific.

Recently, we've been working to support the redevelopment of the Pago Pago International Airport passenger terminal in American Samoa, as a subconsultant to Woolpert.

Our engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers carried out investigations to develop a detailed understanding of the site’s ground conditions and seismic hazard. These findings informed foundation recommendations and design parameters for a resilient terminal suited to American Samoa’s unique environment.

Delivering investigations in a remote island setting brought logistical and technical challenges. Through close collaboration with Woolpert and the wider project team, and by using innovative methods, our specialists provided the ground information needed to support the terminal design.

Once complete, the redeveloped terminal will provide a more resilient gateway for American Samoa, strengthening important connections for its communities and the wider Pacific region.

We’re proud to bring our team’s technical expertise to a project that will help keep American Samoa connected for generations to come.

Read more about the project here – https://www.tonkintaylor.com/nz/projects/pago-pago-international-airport-terminal-upgrade-american-samoa/

| Port Administration American Samoa, American Samoa Government

Join us in warmly welcoming John Blyth (Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi) as our new Kaihautū Māori / Māori Market Lead at Tonk...
20/08/2026

Join us in warmly welcoming John Blyth (Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi) as our new Kaihautū Māori / Māori Market Lead at Tonkin + Taylor.

With more than 20 years’ experience in leadership and advisory roles, John has helped organisations strengthen their relationships with Māori, build capability, and weave te ao Māori into organisational culture and project delivery. He has also contributed to industry leadership groups, supported initiatives that create opportunities for Māori, and continues to champion te ao Māori across the infrastructure and professional services sectors.

Penny Kneebone, Tumu Whakarae – Chief Executive, shares, “John is a taonga in our sector, and we are delighted to welcome him to Tonkin + Taylor. His experience and leadership will enrich our mahi with clients and communities to design and deliver better infrastructure for Aotearoa."

A mihi whakatau for John was held this week at our Ōtautahi/Christchurch office, where John’s whānau, friends, and former colleagues joined members of our Group Leadership Team, Board, and senior directors to welcome him to Tonkin + Taylor and support him as he begins this next chapter.

Kumeroa Pihama, Pou Whanake – Technical Director Māori, shares that “John’s extensive experience and passion for driving partnership best practice will be a whakaruruhau for our people and projects, and help strengthen our existing capabilities, in particular with regards to Te Waipounamu and Whanganui.”

John will build on his experience and passion for te ao Māori to help strengthen our relationships, support our people, and create meaningful opportunities across the Māori economy.

John says, "I have a lot of energy for the Māori space in this industry, and I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve learnt and continuing to learn alongside kaimahi Māori. With its roots firmly in Aotearoa and a fresh, agile approach, Tonkin + Taylor feels different. The team felt like whānau straight away, and when they introduced me to Te Kōrihi o Te Manu (our Māori Strategy), I knew this was the right place for me."

Nau mai, haere mai, John — welcome to Tonkin + Taylor. We wish you every success in your new role.

19/08/2026

📢 CBD GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTATIONS UNDERWAY

Technical specialists from Tonkin + Taylor are in Vanuatu this week, meeting with the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP), Port Vila City Council, Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources, Ministry of Infrastructure & Public Utilities, Ministry of Climate Change Vanuatu, and Vanuatu Engineers Association - VEA to discuss the findings of the Port Vila CBD geotechnical assessment and the draft Geotechnical Guidance Document.

The discussions are focused on how the proposed guidance could inform planning, development and building decisions in the CBD.

Reminder for private-sector stakeholders and Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Today’s consultation will bring together businesses, property owners, developers, engineers and builders.

📍 MG Cocomo Resort
📅 Today, Wednesday 19 August
⏰ 2:00–5:00 pm

The session provides an opportunity to hear directly from the technical specialists, ask questions and provide feedback before the guidance is finalised.

Tankyu tumas long New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu from bigfala sapot blong hem, we i mekem geotechnical assessment ya i posibol.

Ol findings blong assessment ya bae oli help blong guide rebuild blong wan Port Vila CBD we i sef mo resilient.



New Zealand’s energy choices will shape our future for decades to come.The vision is an affordable green energy system t...
18/08/2026

New Zealand’s energy choices will shape our future for decades to come.

The vision is an affordable green energy system that contributes to a prosperous, sustainable Aotearoa. A clear, long-term energy strategy could help unlock significant economic growth and prosperity, while reducing emissions.

It would give households, businesses and communities more affordable energy. For investors and businesses, it will give them the confidence to make the long-term investment decisions that are required.

Getting there will require more than reactive individual policy announcements. We need an energy strategy and coordinated action across renewable generation, firming, transmission, market pricing, consenting, and decarbonisation of transport and industry.

In his latest article, Dr Tim Fisher, Tonkin + Taylor Group’s Managing Director, explores why energy strategy matters, what needs to change, and how New Zealand can turn our renewable energy legacy into a genuine competitive advantage for the modern world.

Read ‘Energy strategy is the path for a prosperous, sustainable future’ via our website.

For this year’s World Lizard Day, we celebrated the geckos and skinks that live across our country – from coastal margin...
17/08/2026

For this year’s World Lizard Day, we celebrated the geckos and skinks that live across our country – from coastal margins and dense forests to rocky outcrops, farmland and alpine environments – by sharing these wonderful images taken by our Ecology team.

Aotearoa is home to 48 species of geckos and 99 species of skinks. Our lizards are especially unique because they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs, and most produce only one or two offspring each year. This slow breeding rate makes them especially vulnerable to introduced predators, habitat loss and a changing climate. A high proportion of native lizards are now classified as Threatened or At Risk by DOC, and all native lizards are absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act 1953.

For our Ecology team, protecting these taonga is an important part of supporting projects across Aotearoa.

Where lizard habitat may be affected, our ecologists work alongside project teams to understand the risks early and find practical ways forward. This can include navigating the Department of Conservation’s Wildlife Act Authority permitting process, carrying out lizard surveys, and preparing and implementing lizard management plans.

Our team holds lizard survey permits across many regions, helping projects get underway without unnecessary permitting delays.

We’ve also prepared a practical guide for clients and non-ecology project managers that explains the key lizard management requirements to consider during project planning and delivery.

If you’d like a copy of the guide or advice about lizards on your project, get in touch with our Ecology team today: https://www.tonkintaylor.com/nz/expertise/environmental/marine-freshwater-and-terrestrial-ecology/

Applications for our 2026/2027 Summer Internship Programme are open! If you're a university student ready for meaningful...
07/07/2026

Applications for our 2026/2027 Summer Internship Programme are open!

If you're a university student ready for meaningful work on real projects, we'd love to hear from you.

Over 12 weeks, you'll be in a paid, full-time placement with engineers, scientists and environmental consultants on real infrastructure, water, geotechnical, environmental and sustainability projects across Aotearoa New Zealand.

We take around 30 interns each year from a wide range of study backgrounds. Better solutions come from bringing together diverse disciplines and experiences, so we’re looking for people from all walks of life.

Here's what you can expect:

▪️ A structured induction where you'll meet fellow interns and get to know our projects, values and people
▪️ A dedicated buddy to support you throughout your placement
▪️ Hands-on experience in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams
▪️ Direct exposure to complex, real-world challenges
▪️ Insight into how we work with clients and communities to deliver sustainable outcomes
▪️ A potential pathway into our Graduate Programme

If you're ready to use what you've been studying on projects that make a difference, apply today: https://www.tonkintaylor.com/nz/careers/internship-programme/

Three villages. Three successful wells. One step closer to reliable freshwater access for rural communities in Fiji. We’...
22/06/2026

Three villages. Three successful wells. One step closer to reliable freshwater access for rural communities in Fiji.

We’re proud to have completed well-drilling projects for the villages of Nayavu, Naimasimasi, and Namara. This work is part of Fiji’s Rural Groundwater Development Pilot Programme delivered by the Water Authority of Fiji in partnership with Tonkin + Taylor and Rockwell Pacific Drilling.

Working in Fiji has been a rewarding experience, and it’s been great to see firsthand how groundwater development can make a real difference in people’s daily lives.

Access to clean water remains one of the world’s most pressing challenges. Projects like these reinforce the importance of investing in resilient water infrastructure and the role groundwater can play in helping achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030.

Vinaka to everyone involved in making these projects a success. Together, we’re making meaningful progress toward lasting change for Fiji's rural communities and supporting global efforts to secure water.

It was a real privilege to be part of Ko Tāua Tāua. Ko Tāmaki Makaurau Tātou, a three-day   wānanga that brought togethe...
04/06/2026

It was a real privilege to be part of Ko Tāua Tāua. Ko Tāmaki Makaurau Tātou, a three-day wānanga that brought together diverse voices from across Tāmaki Makaurau to explore climate action, resilience and systemic change.
 
What stood out was the care, commitment and collaboration that went into creating a space where different perspectives, experiences, and ways of knowing could come together.

The conversations highlighted the importance of relationships, trust, and staying connected across differences as we navigate the complex challenges that climate change presents.
 
Through our equity and access partnership, we were glad to contribute to efforts that supported broader participation by reducing barriers such as transport costs and other accessibility constraints. Having more voices contribute to the kōrero is an important part of fostering greater equity and enabling a just transition.
 
Ngā mihi nui to Co- Aotearoa, Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae, and all involved in bringing this kaupapa to life. We’re grateful to have contributed to a process evolving through ongoing connection, collaboration, and shared learning.

📸 Benjamin Brooking + Wesley Chang / Popular (2026)
 

In Nukuʻalofa, the Government of Tonga brought key stakeholders together for the National Loss and Damage Evidence Base ...
02/06/2026

In Nukuʻalofa, the Government of Tonga brought key stakeholders together for the National Loss and Damage Evidence Base Validation Workshop.

The Department of Climate Change under MEIDECC convened the workshop, with Director Lu’is Tu’I’afitu Malolo leading it alongside Maikolo Fonua, Tonga National Coordinator for the Loss and Damage Capacity and Capability Initiative.

This national workshop marks a key milestone for the Loss and Damage Capacity and Capability Project, supported by the New Zealand Government and facilitated by Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Against this backdrop, escalating climate change impacts are striking Tonga, causing both economic and non-economic losses. These impacts damage infrastructure, water systems, agriculture, fisheries, and livelihoods, and threaten cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and ecosystems.

In light of these challenges, the workshop advances progress toward Tonga’s first National Evidence-Based Report on climate change-induced loss and damage by strengthening the evidence base, consolidating national data, and capturing key insights from extensive consultations – especially through direct engagement with communities in Vavaʻu, Haʻapai, and ʻEua.

To achieve these aims, the workshop gathered representatives from government ministries, NGOs, the private sector, and development partners. Participants validated draft findings, contributed sector-specific expertise, and identified remaining data gaps. These actions directly enhanced the report’s accuracy and comprehensiveness regarding climate impacts in Tonga.

Looking ahead, as Richard Reinen-Hamill highlighted, the objective is to validate and build a robust National Loss and Damage Evidence Base to inform policy development, national planning, and investment decisions, and to strengthen Tonga’s ability to access climate finance and advance resilient development pathways.

This initiative strengthens cross-sector coordination and prepares Tonga to respond effectively to climate-induced loss and damage.

Pacific Development + Resilience: https://www.tonkintaylor.com/nz/markets/pacific-development-resilience/

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Monday 7am - 6pm
Tuesday 7am - 6pm
Wednesday 7am - 6pm
Thursday 7am - 6pm
Friday 7am - 6pm

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