Hawkins’ meticulous approach to construction planning and stakeholder management was essential for a high profile site with detailed construction issues.

The technically challenging $52m project to redevelop Aotea Square for Auckland City Council started in October 2008 and was formally opened on 1 October 2010. The redevelopment restored the square to its former status as the city's leading public open space and events venue and has been rebuilt to be able to host major big screen events, music concerts and cultural festivals that can draw crowds of up to 20, 000 as well as normal daily public usage.

Aotea Square was opened in 1979, three years after the Civic underground car park was built. In late 2004 the Auckland City Council identified damage to the Civic car park roof and introduced load restrictions due to weakening of the car park structural system. Although a key part of this project was to repair and strengthen the Civic car park roof (whilst maintaining operability), an opportunity was presented to Auckland City Council to also upgrade the landscaping and configuration of the public central area, including new paving, canopies and areas for large outdoor events.

The project saw the design of a unique jacking mechanism. The highest recorded lift was a 760-tonne roof section when Hawkins replaced the rubber gravity bearings between the columns and roof. This had never been done in New Zealand before and actually resulted in more car parks being made available than before the project started.

Other innovations include a waterproofing membrane system with a memory material that can re-form to its original size if stretched. This reduces membranes tearing when movement occurs as it has only been used for smaller and vertical services. An electronic leak detection system has also been employed and is extremely accurate in detecting damage and leaks to the waterproofing membrane during construction (as well as normal post project usage) and helped further reduce construction time and costs.

A unique, premium concrete mix was specially designed with low shrinkage and was constantly monitored through a quality assurance system to ensure the performance of the new roof complied with the high specification required. The use of carbon fibre to reinforce existing concrete beams was also employed.

The project was also an exercise in careful management of construction externalities. The noise and vibration issues needed to be proactively managed by Hawkins to ensure those stakeholders on the perimeter of the site did not incur an undue disruption to their own businesses. With over 100 subcontractors, and a large number of people circulating around the site on a daily basis, the health and safety record on the project was exemplary.

Hawkins was also responsible for the installation of new landscaping features such as grassed areas, seating, lighting, car park entrance canopies and paving. A total of 63 native trees, suitable to the local growing conditions, were introduced to the square to reflect Auckland's natural environment.