Karan Thakur is Higgins’ Operations Manager for the Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway, helping oversee the maintenance of one of New Zealand’s key transport corridors.

His role involves coordinating inspections, planning maintenance activities to minimise disruption for the more than 20,000 motorists who use the motorway each day, responding to incidents, and ensuring the network continues to perform safely and efficiently.

“The wellbeing of road users is our top priority, so we work hard to ensure there’s nothing on the motorway that compromises their safety,” says Karan.

Since the motorway opened, there have been no fatalities or serious injuries, a result Karan attributes to its safety-focused design and construction, including 48 kilometres of wire rope safety barriers.

“The motorway was built with safety in mind. Our job now is to maintain those assets to a high standard and help keep people safe.”

A civil engineer by trade, Karan joined Higgins a year ago to pursue his interest in the roading sector. The variety of the role is one of the things he enjoys most.

“Every day is different and brings new challenges that push us to improve as individuals and as a team.”

For Karan, the motivation is simple.

“Safe journeys are what drive me. I’m proud to be part of the team helping keep this strategic link between Auckland and Northland safe and reliable for everyone who uses it.”