Update! Dr Linda Kestle Wins NAWIC Excellence Awards for Women in Construction

4 July 2022: It is so wonderful to update this story with the news that Linda was named the Outstanding Leader of the Year – Office. An outstanding achievement and congratulations Linda!

“The event was full of positivity and was very well organised and delivered – The organisers, speakers, and the audience were incredibly supportive and vocal about the calibre of the entrants, the finalists and the winners. We were made to feel completely acknowledged as finalists and then also when winning in our categories, or being the highly commended women in the various categories. There  are some truly amazing women in our NZ construction industry – I felt humbled and privileged to have been a finalist in April and now  a winner In July too – on a personal and professional level. This award now becomes an integral part of a Unitec staff and students good news story too – all good.” Dr Linda Kestle

Dr Linda Kestle, Associate Professor in the School of Construction, has been selected as a Finalist in the Outstanding Leader of The Year (Office Based) category – NAWIC Excellence Awards 2022 for Women in Construction.

Students and colleagues have frequently identified her as a skilled practitioner, an academic role model and a highly respected member in the construction industry.

She is extremely passionate and supportive of emerging and experienced women practitoners and researchers in the construction industry and her manaakitanga has led to many winning research awards. Lauren Wilson was the most recent awardee-with their co-authored best research paper in category – at the 7th  NZ Built Environment Research Symposium in February 2022.

The qualities highlighted regarding Linda and her outstanding leadership skills are exemplary of Te Noho Kotahitanga and highlight her dedication to Kaitiakitanga, Mahi Kotahitanga, Rangatiratanga, Ngākau Māhaki and Wakaritenga.

Linda is a Fellow of the NZIOB (since 2009) and a Chartered Building Professional (since 2017) – both of which are only awarded for extensive, high level and impactful contributions to the construction industry. She also wrote and delivered the inaugural NZIOB Student Mentoring programme, first run in the northern region then adopted by central and southern regions of NZIOB – for construction management and quantity surveying students.

The NAWIC Excellence Awards acknowledge and celebrate women at all career levels, and all sectors within the construction industry.

The Award categories are;

Helen Tippett Award
Outstanding Leader of the Year
Tradeswoman of the Year
Rising Star
Excellence in Construction Administration
Outstanding Achievement in Design
Student or Apprentice Excellence Award

Event organisers say, people working in the construction industry have faced major challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with supply issues and an ongoing skills shortage. They believe, now more than ever, it is important to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of women in construction, as they continue to step up to the challenges and beyond.

The NAWIC Awards will be presented on 1 July 2022 at Te Papa in Wellington.
Dr Linda Kestle, Associate Professor in the School of Construction, has been selected as a Finalist in the Outstanding Leader of The Year (Office Based) category – NAWIC Excellence Awards 2022 for Women in Construction.

Students and colleagues have frequently identified her as a skilled practitioner, an academic role model and a highly respected member in the construction industry.

She is extremely passionate and supportive of emerging and experienced women practitoners and researchers in the construction industry and her manaakitanga has led to many winning research awards. Lauren Wilson was the most recent awardee-with their co-authored best research paper in category – at the 7th  NZ Built Environment Research Symposium in February 2022.

The qualities highlighted regarding Linda and her outstanding leadership skills are exemplary of Te Noho Kotahitanga and highlight her dedication to Kaitiakitanga, Mahi Kotahitanga, Rangatiratanga, Ngākau Māhaki and Wakaritenga.

Linda is a Fellow of the NZIOB (since 2009) and a Chartered Building Professional (since 2017) – both of which are only awarded for extensive, high level and impactful contributions to the construction industry. She also wrote and delivered the inaugural NZIOB Student Mentoring programme, first run in the northern region then adopted by central and southern regions of NZIOB – for construction management and quantity surveying students.

The NAWIC Excellence Awards acknowledge and celebrate women at all career levels, and all sectors within the construction industry.

The Award categories are;

Helen Tippett Award
Outstanding Leader of the Year
Tradeswoman of the Year
Rising Star
Excellence in Construction Administration
Outstanding Achievement in Design
Student or Apprentice Excellence Award

Event organisers say, people working in the construction industry have faced major challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with supply issues and an ongoing skills shortage. They believe, now more than ever, it is important to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of women in construction, as they continue to step up to the challenges and beyond.

The NAWIC Awards will be presented on 1 July 2022 at Te Papa in Wellington.