GHD marks 25 years in Palmerston North

This year marks 25 years since we opened our Palmerston North office with a team of seven. Today, 17 of our people are based in the region, bringing local knowledge and relationships built over decades to our work across the Manawatū and wider central North Island.

Over that time, we have contributed to projects that reflect the region’s changing needs. Our work includes the Mangaweka Bridge, helping maintain local connections; the Whakarongo Wetland, designed for Palmerston North City Council to support future residential growth; and the refurbishment of the Moutoa Floodgates with Horizons Regional Council, extending the life of an important flood protection asset for the lower Manawatū.

The Manawatū has changed significantly over the past quarter-century. Growth in logistics, transport, housing and industrial activity has reinforced its role in the central North Island, but supporting infrastructure has not always kept pace.

Chief Economist David Norman, who is based in Palmerston North, sees the region’s location between Wellington and the east and west coasts as an enduring advantage for freight and logistics. Its mix of tertiary education, healthcare, business services and rural industries also provides a broad base for continued growth.

The opportunity now comes with harder choices. Cost-of-living pressures, water reform, possible further local government reform and the need for substantial infrastructure upgrades all shape what can be delivered, when and by whom. Seismic resilience, flood protection and climate-related risks also carry greater weight in planning than they did 25 years ago.

For Manawatū, the next chapter will be about moving from planning for growth to sequencing, funding and delivering the infrastructure and services that support it.

Alex Chisholm, Principal Structural Engineer who has been a part of our local team since 2000 said “When you work in a region for a long time, you build an understanding that goes beyond individual projects. You see how today’s decisions fit into the bigger picture for the community. We are proud of what our team has contributed over the past 25 years, and we look forward to working alongside our clients and communities as Manawatū’s next chapter takes shape.”

Andrew Jackson, General Manager - NZPAC, said Palmerston North reflected GHD’s approach to combining strong local teams with the capability of its wider business.

“Our Palmerston North team understands this region and has client relationships built over many years. That local connection is incredibly valuable."

“They’re also part of a much larger business. When a project in the Manawatū calls for different skills or perspectives, the team can connect with colleagues across New Zealand and our global network. It gives them far more to draw on when working through complex challenges with clients."

“That’s what makes the next chapter exciting. There’s 25 years of local knowledge and relationships to build on, backed by a much wider network of people and capability. Bringing those together is how we can continue creating lasting benefit for communities across the region.”

Today, Palmerston North is one of GHD’s 10 offices across New Zealand, connecting clients in the region with more than 500 people nationally and a global business of more than 12,000 people.

About GHD

GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 165 offices located on five continents.