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General Information

Job Type
Permanent
Category
Construction/Technical
Business
Higgins
Location
Wairarapa
Job Reference
44379
Posted Date
24-Aug-2026
Closing Date
23-Sep-2026

Description

Higgins Wairarapa is looking for an experienced and proactive Drainage Foreperson to lead our drainage crews across the Wairarapa region. This Wairarapa-based role is a key leadership position responsible for coordinating day-to-day site operations and ensuring the safe, high-quality, and efficient delivery of drainage works.

If you're an experienced leader who enjoys working outdoors, developing teams, and delivering successful projects, this is an excellent opportunity to join the Green Team.

What you'll be doing
  • Leading and supervising drainage crews on a range of civil infrastructure projects
  • Planning, coordinating, and delivering daily site activities to programme
  • Ensuring drainage works are completed safely, efficiently and to specification
  • Managing labour, plant, materials, and subcontractors on site
  • Reading and interpreting plans, levels, specifications, and set-out information
  • Installing and overseeing stormwater, wastewater, watermain and associated drainage infrastructure
  • Monitoring productivity, quality, and project progress
  • Completing site documentation, QA records, and timesheets
  • Maintaining effective communication with project managers, clients, and stakeholders
  • Driving a positive health and safety culture and ensuring compliance with Higgins' HSE requirements
  • Coaching, mentoring, and developing crew members and emerging leaders
  • Identifying and resolving site issues to support successful project delivery

What you'll bring
  • Proven experience in drainage, three waters or civil construction
  • Previous experience leading crews in a Foreperson or Leading Hand capacity
  • Strong knowledge of drainage construction methods, materials, and equipment
  • Ability to read plans, understand levels and interpret specifications
  • Experience using rotary and pipe lasers
  • Strong leadership, communication, and people management skills
  • Excellent planning, problem-solving, and organisational abilities
  • Full Class 1 driver's licence
  • Class 2 licence and WTR endorsements are advantageous
  • Relevant drainlaying, water or civil construction qualifications are desirable
  • A strong commitment to health, safety, and quality
  • Reliable, motivated, and able to work flexible hours when required

Come join the Green Team
  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Permanent, full-time role with long-term career opportunities 
  • Ongoing training and development opportunities 
  • Supportive team culture where everyone looks out for each other 
  • Z fuel discounts, including a monthly free pie and coffee 
  • KiwiSaver employer contribution matched up to 4% 
  • Great benefits for you and your whānau

About Higgins
Higgins is a leading roading and civil infrastructure company in New Zealand. We are on a dynamic growth path with people at the heart of what we do every day. We offer a great working environment, competitive remuneration, subsidised medical insurance and subsidised education and training for you and your dependants.

Higgins is committed to a drug-free workplace. The successful applicant will be required to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol testing along with a health check.

We're with you on the road ahead - Ko tātou kei a koe i te huarahi kei mua.

We are actively recruiting for this role and encourage early applications. Applications are reviewed regularly, and the advertisement may be removed before the closing date.

Research shows that females and minority groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the criteria. If this role interests you, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are enriched by many nationalities, languages, religions, customs and lifestyles, and we are proud of our diversity.