24 March 2025:

Project Manager Tim McCombe (left) and Site Manager Antony McKay thought resurfacing Marlborough Airport back in 2010 was a once-in-a-lifetime job.

Fifteen years later, the Fulton Hogan stalwarts have been proven wrong. They’re completing their second overlay of the airport, bringing almost 70 years’ combined experience to the runway, taxiway and apron reseal. It is also Airport Chief Executive Dean Heiford’s second time in charge of resealing the airport’s runway.

This breadth of experience ensured no hitches, despite almost a week lost to rain.

“As New Zealand’s sunshine capital, this was a little unexpected,” Dean says. “But Fulton Hogan, Beca, TDZ Projects and our internal team were very flexible, and I’m proud of them and the result.

“A good job is one the public barely notices, and this was one of those.”

The project delivery has a Team South Island feel to it, too. It was a combined effort by Fulton Hogan’s Marlborough regional team, Fulton Hogan’s Canterbury paving and milling teams and Fulton Hogan Nelson’s laboratory and line marking operations.

The project included safety improvements for better access for emergency vehicles, following completion of a new fire station operated by the New Zealand Defence Force. Marlborough Airport is located at Base Woodbourne, which is New Zealand’s only military airport with a civilian operation.

Dean Heiford says a major change in the tender process from 15 years ago was a weighting on sustainability. All millings are being reused – some for the resealing of the airport’s short-term car park and the remainder stockpiled for future use.

The airport reseal is the second of three major developments at the airport. Fulton Hogan and Beca have just completed a new 300-vehicle carpark, taking capacity to 420. After Easter, the team are refurbishing the existing carpark.

And having been Chief Executive for two major resurfacings of the airport runway, will Dean be around for the next one in 2040?

“I’d certainly like to still be around,” he jokes, “But I think I will have done my dash in charge of the airport by then.”

For more information:  https://www.marlboroughairport.co.nz/our-future/projects/runway-reseal