Takaka Hill, Nelson

Takaka Hill Works Completed

Client : NZTA

Head Contractor : Fulton Hogan

Six months of hard work on Takaka Hill are now complete!

Following the major storm event in 2025, Ground Anchor Systems was engaged by Fulton Hogan and NZTA to deliver the anchored shotcrete and horizontal drainage works across multiple sites on Takaka Hill. The slips caused significant ground movement, elevated groundwater pressures, and a loss of road width, requiring a fast, coordinated response to stabilise the hillside, dewater the slope, and keep this vital State Highway route open.

Ground Anchor Systems, working alongside Fulton Hogan and Stantec, has delivered all site works on this critical project strengthening the only route between Golden Bay and Nelson.

Across the programme we installed 1000m of ground anchors, 350m² of shotcrete, 1700m of horizontal drains, and 2000m² of coconut matting, all while keeping traffic moving through the site.

This was a huge effort from the crew and a project we’re proud to deliver, improving long term stability and resilience on this vital corridor. Even better, it’s been great to see the works performing exactly as intended. Effective, stable, and already proving their value to the route.


A big thank you to all collaborators for their teamwork and commitment throughout this project.

Takaka Hill Site C2 - Nelson

Takaka Hill Site C2, Nelson

Client : Fulton Hogan and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Scope of Works : Horizontal Drain Install

Ground Anchor Systems was engaged by Fulton Hogan and NZTA to install the horizontal drainage across multiple sites on Takaka Hill following the major storm event in 2025. With significant ground movement and elevated groundwater pressures, deep dewatering was essential to stabilise the slope and keep the highway open.

Using our Casagrande C6 XP2 rig, we’ve been drilling drains up to 70 metres through complex ground conditions, requiring temporary casing and adapted drilling techniques to maintain progress. To date, more than 1,700 metres of drains have been installed across two sites, with works expected to wrap up in mid‑April.

Early results have been extremely positive. Continuous flows from the arrays and monitoring of nearby piezometers show a clear drop in groundwater levels.

Takaka Hill is the only route over the range, relied on daily by locals, freight operators, and visitors. It's a privilege to contribute our expertise to a project that underpins that reliability.