Client: Port of Auckland/Princes Wharf Body Corporate
Engineer: Beca Ltd
Main Contractor: Contech

Contech’s enduring relationship with the Port of Auckland began in 1995 with concrete remediation works at Jellicoe Wharf. Since then, the team has completed projects across eight of the port’s wharves. But the Princes Wharf project introduced a new level of complexity — ultimately becoming one of Contech’s five most significant concrete repair project undertakings to date.

Opened in 1929, Princes Wharf was a pioneering structure for its time: a two-storey concrete wharf named after Edward, Prince of Wales, and formally inaugurated by Governor-General Earl Jellicoe. It played a vital role during World War II, serving as a provisioning hub for the Pacific campaign under the control of the United States Armed Forces. Post-war, it became a key departure point for ocean liners and cruise ships, prompting the construction of a dedicated passenger terminal in 1960.

Today, Princes Wharf is a vibrant mixed-use precinct. It hosts the Overseas Passenger Terminal, managed by Ports of Auckland, and an 8-storey, 120,000m² nautically inspired building that includes the Hilton Hotel, luxury apartments, restaurants, office space, and a multi-storey carpark. With 33,000m² of deck space and constant foot traffic, the wharf remains a cornerstone of Auckland’s waterfront.

Contech’s mission was clear: to maintain the 100-year-old structure, allowing it to continue its use into the future. But the challenge was anything but simple. The wharf’s piles, beams, and deck had suffered extensive damage from decades of exposure to salt and chlorides. Repairs had to be carried out in a harsh marine environment—amid tides, high winds, and rough sea states—while maintaining access for residents, hotel guests, cruise ship passengers, and businesses.

The scale of the project was significant: 800 repairs and 160m³ of concrete. Over 17 months, a crew of 10-18 people worked between May 2022 and October 2023. The solution involved hydro-demolition of the degraded reinforced concrete elements to remove chloride-contaminated concrete, followed by reconstruction with high-strength dry sprayed concrete—a proven method in marine remediation.

Yet technical execution was only part of the story. Noise management emerged as a critical issue due to the wharf’s proximity to residential and commercial spaces. Contech’s Business Development Manager, Mark Kurtovich, emphasized the importance of proactive engagement: “Managing the effects of project noise on communities with which we work has always been an integral part of Contech’s service. We know we can’t please all of the people all of the time, but we do our very best to get close.”

Planning began early. The team worked closely with the Port of Auckland and stakeholders—including hotel operators, apartment residents, and nearby businesses—to develop a tailored communication and scheduling plan. This included:

• Providing detailed information about the nature of the work, equipment used, and hours of operation
• Identifying and measuring noise sources, levels, and durations
• Scheduling noisy work during low-impact periods (e.g., early mornings in winter when restaurant windows were closed)
• Establishing a clear complaints process and appointing a dedicated liaison

Contech also explored ways to reduce environmental impact, including noise, debris, and carbon footprint. “We do everything we can to mitigate disruption while ensuring our teams can work effectively in extremely challenging environments,” said Kurtovich.

The Princes Wharf project stands as a testament to Contech’s technical expertise, collaborative spirit, and commitment to sustainable, community-conscious construction. It not only restored a vital piece of Auckland’s infrastructure but also reinforced the company’s reputation for delivering complex marine projects with care and precision.