Kura Tawhiti
Castle Hill

The Challenge

Following an open tender process, HGM were engaged to complete the Kura Tāwhiti Visitor Impact Mitigation Project. This project involved working in a popular high profile recreation area with cultural, historical and environmental significance. These factors created a spectacular back drop for the team to work in, however added to the challenge of providing a solution that blended in with the natural environment with minimal disruption to the landscape or public accessibility of the site during construction.

The Solution

HGM completed the following work on site:

Widening, reshaping and resurfacing of existing sections of track
Construction of new sections of track, gravelling and compaction
Installation of stringer steps and timber landings

The team worked very closely with a large number of project stakeholders including the Department of Conservation, Archaeologists and Representatives from Local Iwi to ensure that work completed aligned with all cultural, environmental and archeological specifications along with DOC project specifications.

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Location

Kura Tāwhiti Conservation Area, Arthurs Pass, Canterbury

Client

Department of Conservation

Date

2021

Civil contractors and site vehicles positioned below limestone rock formations during recreation construction and siteworks at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill. The image shows project management, machinery transport, site preparation and park construction in a sensitive natural landscape.

Excavation machinery and civil contractors working between limestone boulders during walking track construction at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill. The image highlights recreation construction, park construction, site preparation, machinery transport and civil construction in a sensitive reserve setting.

Civil contractors and excavation machinery completing walking track construction among limestone rock formations at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill. This image highlights recreation construction, park construction, site preparation, siteworks and project management in a protected natural landscape.

Walking track construction underway beside large limestone formations at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill, with a formed track cut through the hillside. The image shows civil contractors delivering recreation construction, park construction, site preparation, siteworks and erosion control.

Civil contractors preparing timber formwork for a concrete structure at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill, supporting recreation construction and park construction works. This image highlights site preparation, foundation construction, concreting company work and project management in a scenic reserve setting.

Walking track construction with timber edging and compacted surface on a hillside at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill, overlooking the surrounding valley. This image shows civil contractors completing recreation construction, park construction, erosion control, site preparation and siteworks.

Timber boxed steps being built into a hillside as part of walking track construction and recreation construction at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill. The image highlights civil contractors, siteworks, park construction, erosion control and site preparation in a scenic natural area.

Completed timber steps forming a walking track between limestone formations at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill. This image shows recreation construction, park construction, walking track construction, siteworks and erosion control delivered by civil contractors.

Completed walking track and timber steps winding through limestone boulders at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill, improving access through the recreation area. The image highlights civil construction, park construction, erosion control and project management in a sensitive landscape.

Completed walking track construction through the limestone landscapes of Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill, providing improved access across a sensitive recreation area. The image shows civil construction, park construction, siteworks and erosion control completed by civil contractors in New Zealand.

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From steep hill stabilisation to remote backcountry builds, from power infrastructure to recreation spaces — we specialise in complex, high-risk, technically demanding projects across Canterbury and the wider South Island.