Stevenson Concrete Brings Low Carbon Concrete to New Zealand

Welcome to the next stop on our Around the World with CarbonCure tour! This month, we are visiting Auckland, home of Stevenson Concrete and the first CarbonCure producer in New Zealand. Find out where we’re headed next month at the end of this blog!

Stevenson Concrete has a long history in the Auckland region of New Zealand. Started in 1912 by two brothers and their father as a modest drainage business, it has grown over the years into a thriving and forward-thinking company in the infrastructure, residential, commercial and industrial construction markets.

Acquired by Fulton Hogan in 2018, the company’s five plants provide the Auckland region with ready -mix concrete made from aggregates sourced from its Drury quarry, one of the largest in New Zealand.

This year, Stevenson became the first producer in New Zealand to adopt CarbonCure’s sustainable concrete technology. The company chose CarbonCure because of how well it fit into its carbon reduction strategy, says Anthony Bitossi, General Manager at Stevenson Concrete. The easy implementation process, including the fact that it could be retrofitted to their existing plants, only increased CarbonCure’s appeal. 

The company has already seen strong and growing demand from their customers, including national and local government. Stevenson is also excited about the potential for sustainable concrete in the booming home building industry.

“Carbon sequestration is part of the new world of reversing emissions,” said Anthony. “In New Zealand, we’ve seen this traditionally as planting forests. Technologies like this – which are emerging and proven in the rest of the world – provide us with another, effective answer to emissions. They are part of the way ahead.”

It’s exciting times in New Zealand! Let’s head to the country’s North Island and enjoy what Auckland has to offer.

Visit Auckland’s Volcanoes

Though it might be concerning to hear that Auckland was built on a volcanic field, rest assured that its approximately 50 volcanoes are effectively dormant. This means you get to enjoy the spectacular views from the volcanic cones in safety. Here are three popular ones to visit:

• Rangitoto is Auckland’s youngest volcanic cone and the region’s largest. You’ll be able to see it rising out of the ocean from many vantage points in the city, but you can also hop on the ferry for a visit. Once there, you can climb up lava fields to reach the 850-feet-high (259 meter) crater or, if you prefer, grab a ride for most of the ascent. 
• Maungawhau means “mountain of the whau tree” and at 640 feet (196 meters) high is the highest natural point in Auckland. Climb the summit to be rewarded with panoramic views over the city. Maori people lived on Maungawhau until around 1700.
• Maungakiekie, also known as One Tree Hill, is a favorite spot of locals. It was home to one of the largest Maori settlement structures in New Zealand and historic Maori sites can be visited around the cone. There’s also an obelisk with a bronze figure of a Maori warrior, erected to pay tribute to the Maori people.

Set Sail

You’re never far from the water in Auckland, with the Tasman Sea on its west coast and the Hauraki Gulf on its east. Not surprisingly then, Auckland is known as the “city of sails” and has the largest number of recreational boats per capita in the world.

There’s no shortage of ways to get out on the water, such as ferry rides, whale and dolphin watching, sailing and fishing. If you’re in the city in January, check out the Auckland Anniversary Weekend Regatta, when hundreds of vessels – think sail, steam and paddle power – cruise through the harbour and the surrounding ocean in one of the world’s largest one-day regattas.

Experience Māori culture

The Auckland War Memorial Museum houses thousands of items reflecting the country’s history and culture, including Maori taonga (treasures). Make sure to take a walk in the Auckland Domain, the large park where the museum is located.

SkyJump off the Sky Tower

At almost 1100 feet (328 meters) high, Auckland’s Sky Tower is New Zealand’s tallest building and an impressive addition to the city’s skyline. Head to the top for a beautiful view of the region’s landmarks and many volcanoes, grab something to eat at one of the three restaurants and cafes, and – if you’re feeling brave – jump off the tower with SkyJump, a “safe base jumping” experience where you’re securely attached to a wire as you descend 630 feet (192 meters)! 

Our Next Stop

Join us next month as we travel to Conewago Manufacturing in Hanover, Pennsylvania! If you haven’t signed up for our blog yet, make sure you do so here so you don’t miss our next adventure!