CPB Contractors’ Waikeria Prison Redevelopment Stage 1 project has been recognised as a finalist for the 2026 New Zealand Property Industry Awards.
In what represents a new model for rehabilitation and safety, CPB Contractors, alongside fellow CIMIC Group company Pacific Partnerships and the New Zealand Government delivered the purpose-built facility, which integrated a 500-bed high-security prison plus a 96-bed Mental Health and Addiction Service – the first of its kind in New Zealand.
With consortium formation and equity financing led by Pacific Partnerships and design and construction managed by CPB Contractors, the facility’s design and high-specification finish was built with a 100-year design life, including advanced security and electronic systems and more than 2,500 independent completion tests recognising its quality and durability.
The project went well beyond construction excellence, and focused on prisoner rehabilitation and fostering connection:
- CPB Contractors and sub-contractors worked with the Department of Corrections to train and employ 87 prisoners through the Release to Work program. Each was safely integrated into the 973-strong workforce, gaining valuable skills, qualifications, and confidence to support reintegration into their communities.
- With 28 new buildings across 27-hectares, the site features more whānau interaction spaces than any other New Zealand prison, fostering connection and cultural belonging.
- CPB Contractors prioritised local employment and partnered with regional businesses such as JWI Earthmoving and McKay Electrical, ensuring lasting economic and social benefits for the Waikato region.
CPB Contractors is proud to deliver design and construction that prioritises safety with integrated education, training, and rehabilitation programmes aimed at reducing reoffending.