Robert Bird Group provided structural and civil engineering services for New Zealand’s largest Public-Private Partnership project, helping deliver a secure, future-focused correctional facility.
Overview
The Waikeria Prison Development represents a transformative approach to correctional infrastructure in Aotearoa New Zealand. Delivered as the country’s largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to date, the project includes a high-security facility for 500 prisoners and a 100-bed dedicated mental health unit. These facilities were designed to support both operational efficiency and community rehabilitation goals. RBG was engaged to deliver full structural and civil engineering services for this ambitious development, located on a 17-hectare greenfield site in the Waikato region.
Engineering Resilience in a Challenging Seismic Environment
Designing a secure correctional facility on a seismically active, liquefiable site presented significant technical challenges. Our structural engineers developed solutions capable of withstanding a 1-in-2,500-year seismic event, ensuring long-term safety and operational continuity.
To address the facility’s stringent security requirements, we employed strategic joint placement and detailed precast connection design to mitigate the risk of contraband concealment, an approach that highlights the direct role of engineering in enhancing operational safety.
Civil Infrastructure Delivery at Scale
RBG’s civil engineering team delivered both design and construction monitoring services for key infrastructure systems across the entire site. This included:
- 400,000m³ of earthworks
- Over 4 km of internal access roads and car park pavement design
- 7 km of sewer reticulation and associated pumping stations
- More than 4 km of potable water supply networks
This integrated approach ensured cohesive, resilient systems that support the operational demands of a self-contained precinct.
Functional Design Across 30+ Buildings
In addition to infrastructure systems, we designed more than 30 buildings across the site, each tailored to support specific functions within the correctional ecosystem. Key facilities include an Administration and Staff Amenities Building – the operational heart of the precinct. Along with Central Kitchen, laundry, Industries workshops, and programme buildings.
All buildings were engineered to meet a 100-year design life and post-disaster performance standards, supporting long-term resilience and continuity of service.
Ongoing Partnership and Future Expansion
The New Zealand Government has announced a major expansion to the Waikeria facility, adding 810 beds to be delivered by 2029. RBG is excited to continue supporting this next phase, applying the lessons learned and experience gained through the initial delivery to help realise the long-term vision for this important national infrastructure asset.
Team Reflection
‘We’re extremely proud to shape the backbone of one of Aotearoa’s most complex correctional infrastructure projects,’ says Campbell Rowlands, Senior Engineer at RBG Auckland.
This sentiment reflects the collaborative effort and technical excellence demonstrated by the entire project team.
Explore More
RBG is proud to support large-scale, socially significant infrastructure projects across Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
See more of our infrastructure work here
