International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) independently assesses and accredits organisations to verify technical competence and compliance with international standards.
Rotorua Laboratory Manager Portly Griffiths says gaining IANZ accreditation means the Taupō laboratory can now provide accredited road material testing services locally for projects across the central North Island.
“Getting IANZ accreditation is a significant milestone for the team. It gives our clients confidence that the testing we’re carrying out in Taupō meets the required standards, while giving us a permanent accredited capability closer to projects in the region.”
Opened last year, the idea for the Taupō facility grew out of increasing demand for testing across the central North Island.
“In early 2025 we secured work supporting the Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance project, on top of work we were already doing for local contractors and engineers,” says Portly.
“Some of that work was a long way from an existing laboratory, so we could see a real opportunity to establish a permanent lab in Taupō.”
During the accelerated maintenance programme, the laboratory provided a base for WSP’s mobile testing trailers and a facility for laboratory testing that needed to be carried out daily.
With that programme now complete, the Taupō team is supporting projects across the surrounding region. Its current major project is providing testing for earthworks and roading associated with the Te Rahui solar farm at Rangitaiki, on the Napier-Taupo section of State Highway 5.
The Taupō laboratory is managed by Harry Crichton, who moved to Taupō after working in WSP’s Napier and Gisborne laboratories. He is joined by Rueben Stevens, who has moved across from WSP’s Taupō office to train in laboratory testing, and Taupō-based cadet Boston Paul, who has been seconded to the lab as part of his development.
