Having five projects running simultaneously at the busiest airport in New Zealand, was a significant challenge. Airports are live environments, with international terminals being 24/7.

This series of construction projects required total coordination, intensive quality control, and an element of peacekeeping in dealing with a wide range of airline, retail, airport operations (security and biosecurity etc), and of course, passengers.

The projects were spread across both the Domestic and International terminals. From relocating the Ministry of Primary Industry beagles (sniffer dogs), through to transporting a large portable building into position on the airside of the terminal, creating new baggage claim area and a check-in counter, the full spectrum was covered.

The project with the greatest complexity was in constructing a new ‘Green Lane’ through the Customs area at the International Terminal, a building that never closes, and a facility that is a critical defense line for New Zealand’s biosecurity. Issues coming to light during the demolition stage, and a lack of design and engineering detail at the time of construction, required Russell to run 24 hour shifts and to make quick decisions.