The first phase of completed flood protection works in Hokitika has officially opened – a key project as part of the West Coast climate resilience programme of works.

Inovo’s Scott Hoare and Mike Murray attended the on-site opening event. Present were Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft (representing Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones), Infrastructure Under-Secretary Simon Court, West Coast-Tasman MP Maureen Pugh, West Coast Regional Council Chair Peter Haddock, Westland Mayor Helen Lash, Mark Lockington of Westland Milk Products and others.

On the day, it was gratifying to have Inovo acknowledged by Mark as integral to the negotiations of the co-funding for the project. West Coast Regional Council Chair Peter Haddock also acknowledged Scott and Mike as trusted Project Managers for the works.

There is a high level of complexity in flood protection works. Inovo continues to support the West Coast Regional Council, as infrastructure programme manager and project managers, providing strategic advice and managing the delivery for these resilience infrastructure projects. Properties, residences, businesses, local infrastructure and even lives are threatened by present and future-predicted flooding from rivers and coastal erosion.   

The first phase of stage 1 works was completed with funding assistance from Westland Milk Products. A further two stages will complete the flood protection all the way to the rivermouth.

More about this important programme of works.

Inovo has welcomed the opportunity to engage new talent in the business services team.

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Hilary Sinclair-Hyde joins Inovo as People and Culture Manager and Mike Moens as Finance Manager.

 Mike is an absolute growth enthusiast – he brings together two decades of experience across Big 4advisory and fast-growing startups with the aim to deliver strategic financial leadership and drive business success. He’s passionate about turning numbers into actionable insights and finding creative ways to unlock growth.

“Joining Inovo felt like a natural fit” he says, “due to its innovative spirit and real focus on empowering clients to succeed.”

 With over 25 years of expertise in operational and strategic human resource management, Hilary Sinclair-Hyde is dedicated to supporting and coaching managers to lead their teams effectively and supporting organisational success. Hilary says “I was really drawn to Inovo's strong commitment to people development and the emphasis on fostering a supportive environment, which aligns my her values and focus on empowering individuals for success.” Before joining Inovo, Hilary built a diverse career spanning private consultancy, education, transport and logistics, and most recently, the security sector.

 Apart from their talent, both Mike and Hilary are a great fit for Inovo’s spirit of personable people and a collaborative approach. They have received a warm welcome to the Inovo crew!

Mouse Point is inland Canterbury, just north of Culverden.  Construction of a Buffer Storage Pond is underway to form a part of the Waiau Irrigation Scheme for Amuri Irrigation Company. The Mouse Point Pond will store surplus water from the main Waiau irrigation race, that would otherwise be discharged back into the Waiau Uwha River and return the water back into the pipe network when additional supply is required.

Inovo’s Project Managers are working with Densem Contracting Ltd, engaged by Amuri Irrigation Company to design and build an earth lined dam. The total footprint of the dam will be 49,000m², with a total volume of just over 97,000m³. Four resource consents were needed before the project could proceed, and we are on track to be completed before Christmas 2024 – making the pond operational for the peak of summer. The project team put in extensive effort during August to complete the race headwall to allow the main race to be filled in early September for the commencement of the irrigation season.

Since the beginning of the project, Inovo has worked with the Amuri Irrigation Company, managing the budget, procurement strategy and programme development. We are now working closely with Densem Contracting Ltd onsite and administering the NZS3916:2013 design and build contract.

If you are driving State Highway 7 between Culverden and Hanmer Springs you may see the embankments continue to take shape and please take care as additional trucks will be on the road carting rocks to site from a local quarry.

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