Media Release
4 February 2014
Jim Boult joins Hawkins Group
Hawkins Group, New Zealand’s largest privately owned construction and infrastructure business, has appointed southern
businessman Jim Boult to its board of directors.
From February he will join Hawkins as an Executive Director working in both a governance and business development
capacity.
Hawkins Group Chairman, Arthur Young, says that Boult’s skills and experience complement Hawkins existing governance and
executive strengths.
“We are very pleased that he has joined the Hawkins Board in a governance and executive capacity. As a tier one national
construction business we have been looking for the right person to bolster our South Island presence. He already has a
keen understanding of our business having been the former CEO of Christchurch International Airport during the recent
terminal expansion programme for which Hawkins was the lead contractor,” says Young.
“We are very proud of being part of the Christchurch community and know that Boult’s contribution will ensure that our
commitment to the region continues to develop as we seek out relevant opportunities.”
Hawkins has been based in Canterbury since 1986 and built some of the region’s major facilities from the rebuild of the
Christchurch Civic building, to the recent terminal expansion at the Christchurch Airport, the temporary AMI stadium and
a continual presence at the University of Canterbury campus since the first earthquake.
Boult is a former director and Chairman of Tourism New Zealand and has held other significant private and public company
directorships.
ENDS
Jim Boult
Jim Boult was Chief Executive of Christchurch International Airport (from February 2009 until December 31 2013) and a
crown appointee to the CIAL board for six years before that. In 2013 and 2010 he was named ‘Airport Personality of the
Year’ by the NZ Airports Association. In 2011, CIAL was awarded the Jim Collins Award for an Outstanding Contribution to
Aviation Safety, recognising CIAL’s actions before and after the Canterbury earthquakes.
Jim is a former Director and Deputy Chairman of Tourism New Zealand and has been Director, Managing Director and
Chairman of several substantial public and private companies. For 16 years, he was the Managing Director of Shotover
Jet, which offers one of New Zealand’s most famous tourism experiences.
Jim has extensive business interests in many fields, including aviation, tourism, financial services, property,
automotive, publishing and hospitality. In his home town of Queenstown, he has chaired several charities,
council-sponsored working parties and community groups.
He was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management in 2012.
Hawkins Group
Hawkins has evolved over almost 70 years to become a diversified enterprise providing construction and infrastructure
services across a broad range of markets. Many of our projects feature prominently in the New Zealand urban and rural
landscape.
Hawkins Group is 100% New Zealand family owned and comprises three businesses: Hawkins Construction, Hawkins
Infrastructure and Harker Underground Construction.
Hawkins Construction is a leading building business undertaking the construction of some of the largest and most complex
buildings in New Zealand. Hawkins Infrastructure is a market leader in the rail, energy, open spaces and water sectors.
Harker Underground Construction is a specialist tunnelling business, with significant below ground infrastructure
experience.
Hawkins is committed to being part of the communities we live in and we work actively to improve opportunities for New
Zealand youth by focussing on developing models that support pathways to employment, further training and leadership. By
example we work in partnership with Ngāi Tahu in Canterbury on a collaborative trade training initiative (He Toki ki te
Rika) to build Māori capability and leadership across construction and infrastructure industry.
Our mission is to be recognised leaders in the advancement of the built environment by providing world class contracting
services in the creation of buildings and infrastructure that sustainably enhance local communities and cities.
Hawkins Group is New Zealand’s largest privately owned construction and infrastructure business. It is owned by the
McConnell family, who have played a major role in the industry for over 50 years.