Clearway Conference & Awards 2026: Presentations, Photos and What’s Next
Event
The inaugural Clearway Conference & Awards brought together people from across temporary traffic management, transport, infrastructure, utilities, health and safety, local government and the contracting sector. Explore the presentations and photos from the day, celebrate the people who made it possible, and continue contributing to the sector’s future through the Clearway Conference Survey, RCA Working Group Expression of Interest and RTTMC Proof of Concept Review.
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Clearway Conference & Awards 2026
From change to opportunity
On 3 September 2026, people from across temporary traffic management, transport, infrastructure, utilities, health and safety, local government and the contracting sector came together at Shed 10 in Auckland for the inaugural Clearway Conference & Awards.
Clearway created a space for honest conversations about the changes taking place across our sector—and what it will take to turn those changes into safer outcomes, better coordination, stronger capability and improved value for our communities.
Across the day, speakers and panellists explored the drivers for change, the shift from compliance to risk-based decision-making, practical lessons from the field, and the opportunities available when organisations plan and deliver work together.
The day concluded with the inaugural Clearway Awards, recognising the individuals, teams and projects already demonstrating excellence and helping lead the sector forward.
Thank you
TTM‑ISG extends a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the inaugural Clearway Conference & Awards possible.
Thank you to our partners, exhibitors, speakers, panellists, MCs, award entrants, finalists, judges, volunteers and everyone who contributed behind the scenes.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended, travelled, participated in the conversations and shared their experiences. The openness, energy and willingness to work across traditional boundaries made Clearway what it was.
Clearway showed what is possible when our sector comes together with a shared purpose. We look forward to building on that momentum.
Conference presentations
The following presentations have been made available by our Clearway speakers.
Session 01: Understanding the Drivers for Change, and the Opportunities Ahead
- Stephanie Rowe, Executive Leader – Delivery, MCERT: What Are the Drivers That Make Us Need to Change? Why Do We Have to Do a Better Job?
- Andrew Clark, Group General Manager – Asset & Operations, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency: Beyond Traffic Management – Delivering Safer, Smarter and More Productive Networks
Session 02: Framework to Field, Through the Three Cs — Consultation, Cooperation, Collaboration
- Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive, InfraComm: Pulling in the Same Direction – How We Can Deliver Better Infrastructure
- Amanda Wolfaardt, Corridor Manager – Transport & Infrastructure, Wellington City Council: Super Closures in the Capital – One Closure, Multiple Projects, Maximum Efficiency
- Max Riley, Head of Enterprise Business Resilience, Chorus: From Compliance to Resilience – Whatipu Road Shows What the Shift Can Enable
- Paul Geck, Alliance Manager, Auckland System Management Alliance: From Closures to Coordination – Unlocking Safety, Cost and Customer Benefits
- Rachel Robertson, General Manager HSE, Vector: From Compliance to Context – How Risk-Based TTM Delivered on Elliott Street
Session 03: Lifting System Performance
- Darren de Klerk, Deputy Group Manager & Director Infrastructure Delivery, Hastings District Council: From Consultation to Commitment – Local Government Collaboration and Alignment: A Hawke’s Bay Perspective on Lifting Infrastructure System Performance
- Jim Donovan, Chair, New Zealand Utilities Advisory Group: Improving the Framework for Infrastructure Corridor Management
- Monika Wakeman, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency: NZGTTM Risk Awareness and Assurance Field Guide – Enabling the Industry in Enhancing Assurance
- Matt Schläpfer, Senior Consultant, Fisher Improvement Technologies: A “Next Logical Step” to Enable Operational Excellence
View and share the Clearway photos
Relive the highlights from the conference, exhibition and inaugural Clearway Gala Dinner & Awards through our official event gallery.
View the Clearway Conference & Awards 2026 photo gallery
You are welcome to download and share the photographs. Please tag TTM‑ISG and use #Clearway26 so we can see and share your Clearway moments.
Watch the highlights!
Keep contributing
The conversations started at Clearway are continuing. We would value your input through the following surveys and opportunities.
Tell us what you thought about Clearway
Your feedback is critical to helping us understand what worked, what could be improved and what you would like to see next.
Whether you attended the conference, Gala Dinner & Awards, or both, please take a few minutes to share your experience. Your feedback will directly inform the development of the next Clearway Conference & Awards.
Complete the Clearway Conference Survey
RCA Working Group—Expressions of Interest
TTM‑ISG is establishing an RCA Working Group to bring Road Controlling Authorities together from across Aotearoa.
The group will provide a dedicated forum for RCAs to share experiences, identify common challenges and help shape practical priorities. Its initial focus will be training and capability, with opportunities to contribute to other shared issues as the group develops.
We are seeking a balanced mix of people from different organisations, regions, roles and levels of experience. If you work for an RCA and would like to contribute to the group’s direction and priorities, we encourage you to register your interest.
Submit an RCA Working Group Expression of Interest
RTTMC Proof of Concept Review
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is reviewing the RCA Temporary Traffic Management Centre (RTTMC) Proof of Concept and is seeking feedback from people who have interacted with or been affected by the model.
The review is an opportunity to share:
- what the RTTMC is doing well;
- what value the industry would lose if it did not exist;
- challenges or frustrations with the current model;
- opportunities to improve its processes, systems and communications; and
- what a future RTTMC model could look like.
The review is focused on the RTTMC operating model. It is not a review of individual staff, service providers, approval decisions, specific projects or individual organisations.
When responding, please focus your feedback on the effectiveness of the model, its processes and systems, communications, and the overall stakeholder experience.
Your practical experience will help inform the review and future direction of the RTTMC model.
Complete the RTTMC Proof of Concept Review Survey