'We are growing fast': Increase in Kiwi-led infrastructure in Australia

Despite the economic headwinds, some firms in Australia are thriving. (Source: 1News)

Whether its wind farms in Western Australia, wastewater infrastructure in Victoria, upgrades to ports, or upkeep of 28 defence airfields across Australia, business is booming for Kiwi engineering firm Beca.

"We are growing fast, we've hired over 250 people in Australia over the past year," said Beca Australia managing director Andrew Mailer.

"We've grown our Australian based business by over 30%."

Beca is one of the biggest engineering firms in Aotearoa, known for its work on the Sky Tower and repairs to Auckland's Harbour Bridge.

It's not the only Kiwi company that's had recent success in the Australian market.

Dubbed the 'plyscraper', software firm Atlassian's new global headquarters is set to be the tallest hybrid timber tower in the world – and Christchurch firm Warren and Mahoney is working on its interior design.

"It's a really ambitious project," said Tamara White, a principal at Warren and Mahoney.

"For the workplace design we're undertaking it's very much about the sustainability."

Infrastructure NZ chief executive Nick Leggett told 1News these firms are among a growing number making inroads in the Australian market.

"It is the last two or three years where we've seen a particular increase," he said.

"We've seen some New Zealand businesses acquire smaller Australian firms, so they get a footprint."

He believes it's a positive and creates greater confidence for New Zealand infrastructure moving forward.

"It means that the up and down we've seen quite a lot in the last decade and a half in New Zealand in our infrastructure sector, it's easier for New Zealand-owned firms to weather that storm if they've got states in Australia and indeed the whole federal government of Australia as a place to pick up business."

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